5 comments about Suzy Gershman's Born to Shop Italy: The Ultimate Guide for Traveler's Who Love to Shop (Born To Shop).

1. Suzy Gershman needs to retire already. All of her books, including this one, are full of inaccuracies. Each edition is barely updated, so there's no need to buy the new version if you have an old one. It's time Frommers dropped Gershman and hired someone under the age of 70 to update these books that shops NOW and knows what they're talking about. These Born To Shop books are an amusing read but a complete waste of money if you're looking for current information.



2. Don't bother buying this book. First, none of the Born To Shop books get updated much between editions, so lots of information is out of date. Second, Suzy Gershman is totally out of touch with reality. I took a shopping tour to Italy with a company called Shop Around Tours and obviously a lot of us had this book. The tour leader warned us not to pay too much attention to it and she was right. BUT we went to Mantero, which is one of the places mentioned in the book, and it was great. Otherwise, the people that went off on their own following Suzy's wild goose chases were very disappointed. So the shopping in Italy was great, but this book was a waste of money.



3. Since I'm planning another trip to Italy this year, I got the current edition on a whim. I had bought an old version several years ago on a discount rack when I first started traveling to Europe and I found a fair bit of the information helpful, but this one is a disappointment in several ways. As others have pointed out, much of the information is quite obviously inaccurate or out of date. Furthermore, this is not much good as a shopping guide unless you have money to burn since it is heavily skewed toward the high-end designer market. The author throws in a few snippets from her younger associates about more affordable places to shop but that's not enough. Admittedly, Italy hasn't been a bargain hunter's paradise for many years, even before the currency conversion that has almost ruined shopping in Europe for us Americans, but there really are many affordable options for the average traveler. Just take a look on Virtual Tourist or some fo the other travel forums & you'll find a wealth of advice. From that & my own searches, I've found a pile of good shopping information. Now if I can do that on my own, surely Gershman and her team could have done a better job of research, especially if they have the nerve to charge money for it.
   
   However, my real problem is with Gershman's attitude, which has clearly worsened between the date of my old edition and the present one. The woman is a snob, plain and simple. If you don't catch this from her over-emphasis on designer goods, you'll figure it out from all of her complaining about Italy being overrun with tourists (obviously forgetting that she is one herself)and the Italian merchants taking advantage of this by offering more & more junk. When I read her review of Francesco Rogani, a handbag shop in Rome, I truly wondered if I had been to the same place: she claims that there is a discrepancy between the selling price & the actual retail, the latter of which she claims is too much for sub-standard goods, but what is even more puzzling is her complaint that the clerks have a "less than customer-oriented" attitude. I have been there several times & have never been told of this mysterious difference between prices. Also, I have always found them to be courteous and polite; in fact, on my last visit, they found out it was my birthday & offered to get me a reservation at a special restaurant that I never would have found on my own (it was wonderful and they treated me to the appetizer, dessert, and a glass of liqueur). Now if that isn't "customer-oriented" service, I don't know what is.
   
   Anyone who's traveled abroad even a few times will tell you the same thing: if you act like a typical snotty, demanding tourist, you won't be treated well. The Golden Rule is especially important these days for us Americans, and I assure you that if you are polite, well-mannered and friendly to the Italians or anyone else, you'll have a wonderful time shopping. Talk to the concierge at the hotel and the waiters & shop owners if you want to find out the real bargains - they may not be big-name designer baubles screaming their status, but they will be special, something that a real Italian would own, and more than likely something that you wouldn't find back home.



4. The book is good, but it depends on what type of shopping you are looking for. If you are interested in designer clothing and where to find the outlets, then this is the book for you. I was more interested in finding information on the local crafts for each part of Italy I traveled to. While the book did touch upon this, the emphasis was more on designer clothes, bags, shoes, etc. Note that the book also covers hotel info, and it is already a small book to begin with.



5. Just returned from a fab trip to Rome, and it was all the better for having Suzy's book with me. She was accurate about many of the stores (Francesco Rogani did lock the door while I was there), and having the addresses handy was helpful, as I don't speak Italian and sometimes have trouble reading the handwriting. From now on all I need to travel is one of Suzy's books, and a MapEasy's Guidemap!

1 comments about Top 10 Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast (EYEWITNESS TOP 10 TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. This guide concentrates on Dubrovnik and limited attractions nearby; as such, its perfect for cruisers or for hikers confining their trip to the Croatian coast. The list of "must see" attractions, restaurants (try 'Domino' for dinner!) and hotels is more than adequate if you'll be in the area for a week or less & works especially well for a long day from a cruise. The quality pull-out map is a nice bonus. I had three Dubovnik guidebooks on our trip and this ended up being the only one I used.

2 comments about Helsinki: The Bradt City Guide (Bradt Mini Guide).

1. I love the Bradt guide series and am so glad she has branched out to the more popluated cities and countries. No guide has the info that a Bradt guide does.



2. I was expecting something larger with better maps, but still this pocket-size book is filled with fascinating, up-to-date information. I had last visited Helsinki in 1974, so I was surprised to see how the country has changed. I found references to many valuable Finnish websites that expand on what's found in this book. The book is also valuable in informing how much money (Euros!) it costs to visit. Overall, the book decreased my pre-trip anxieties about visiting a foreign country.

4 comments about LUXE Paris (LUXE City Guides).

1. What's a stupid idea to publish something likes that. The entire "book" is yellow-page-like index. Let me make this clear, it is actually not a "book". It is a list of places, text only on one page of paper, yes one page, folding into a pocket size layout. I thought that is a joke. But, no, that is all it has. Don't buy it!



2. My husband took me to Paris for our anniversary and on our way there, he gave me LUXE Paris. I booked our dinners according to the suggestions and the restaurants were fantastic, I followed the shopping itineraries step by step and found the most amazing hidden jems and, as recommended, we had a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower from a café at night time - gorgeous! The best part was that they helped me find the perfect jewler who helped me resize and update my wedding ring. This trip would not have been the same without LUXE.



3. This is the most useful guide to Paris I've ever read. It's nice and small and gets straight to the point, and it's got all the goss on the best places to eat, shop, sightsee etc. (and in a city this big, it's good to have a couple of pointers...) And it makes you feel kinda cool, not having to lug around an ugly guidebook and letting everyone know you're not a local. It's written in a really authoritative tone, and rightly so, because they've always just told things straight and truthfully - so you know exactly what you're getting. I own quite a few of them now, since I try to look for one for each place I go to, and they've never failed me.



4. this excellent pocket sized guide gives all the luxury insider info you could possibly need. Hotels and restaurants are well chosen and, like all Luxe guides, this shares some excellent secrets with the weary traveller and ensures a fun filled time in this lovely City

No comments about Frommer's Eastern Europe (Frommer's Complete).

1 comments about Michelin Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Yugoslava. Republic Of Macedonia (Michelin Map).

1. To my delight this map included Hungary in addition to the countries mentioned. This was perfect for us since we fly into Budapest before driving into Croatia. There isn't quite as much detail as I have seen on some maps but for me the broader area view works well. It's easy to see how to get from city to city and all our expected travel on one map. Be aware that there are no city inserts that you find on some maps so if you need that you'll have to find that detail another way.

3 comments about The Rough Guide to Italy 8 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. We were planning to travel to the heel of Italy (Puglia region) and there really aren't any books that cover that area alone. Usually I buy other brands (Moon or Lonely Planet) but after comparing the information on Puglia side by side with the other books I decided that the Rough Guide better met our needs due to the quantity and practicality of the information provided (many of the smaller towns weren't even covered in the other books). We purchased local books in Italy that were more focused on the region but ended up using the Rough Guide every day.



2. This book is decidedly not for those who choose to rent a car as part of their visit to Italy. The "arrival" section of each town and region only discusses arrival by train or bus; nothing on roads or parking - either for towns or hotels. The chapter on Puglia mentions a coastal route, but then abruptly states, "you won't be able to come this way by train or bus anyway," and then jumps to a discussion of what's beyond the coastal route.
   
   (For price discussion, I will precede numbers with an "e" for euros, as e1.)
   
   The paragraph on car rental says "car rental in Italy is pricey... at around e250-e300 per week..." I have found a TWO week rental (April 2008) to be just over e300, including taxes and mandatory insurance coverage. Mandatory insurance is not mentioned by the guide, but it is what drives the price up. I agree that this is pricey, but it is about half the price of what the authors suggest.
   
   Does this guidebook eschew the car more for political reasons? Can't be, as the planet would be better off if we didn't travel at all (and did not buy guidebooks.)
   
   So, then, is this book geared to budget travelers? Not necessarily. The cost of train travel (for two) in Italy is comparable to the cost of car travel (even with gas approaching $10/gal.) For example, the train from Rome to Milan, according to the authors, would cost e94 for 2 adults (about $145), roughly the same as a compact car and gas for the day. I'm certainly not advocating renting a car to drive from Rome to Milan, but if one was traveling from Rome to Perugia to Siena to Florence to Pisa to Cinque Terra and then to Milan over several days, the costs are comparable. The authors should allow the traveler to weigh the cost/convenience factors of each.
   
   But, for real evidence that this book is not geared as budget traveler's guide, consider the nine price ranges for accommodations: (under e50), (e51-75), (e76-100),... (e251-300), (e300+). At the current exchange rate of e1=$1.60, e50=$80, e75=$120, and e300=$480. Certainly at these levels of expenditure, a budget traveler would be much better off financially by renting a car and staying outside of towns in cheaper rooms. Unfortunately, this option isn't really covered in this guidebook. (And, honestly, do people who spend $480+/night for a hotel really buy a Rough Guide and plan their own vacation?)
   
   Generally, I quite like Rough Guides; they tend to be much better written, more colorfully and honestly, than one of the leading brands ("LP") which refuses to even say something bad about Newark, NJ, in its USA book. But, generally speaking, Rough Guides also tend to be better than this particular Rough Guide.
   
   I do very much appreciate the inclusion of detailed instructions on using the buses and trains; this information is often the best reason to buy a guidebook. But, by omitting everything about renting a car in Italy, and at the same time having an $80 lowest price category for accommodation, this book ultimately is not ideal for any audience and disappoints.
   
   These authors must realize that a sensible way for many people to visit Italy would be with some time spent in major cities without a car, and some time in the countryside behind the wheel. I have no problem omitting the discussion of "what to do with your car in Rome, Milan and Venice", but the omission of suggested driving routes, parking locations and sites along the route to smaller towns and national parks is a major oversight and a serious negative of this guidebook.
   
   The included material is good; the omitted material is glaring. I net this to 3 stars.



3. It is better to have this book than nothing. It does have some basic information in it. But there are also very basic things left out. Things like practical information to help with planning how to get where you want to go are missing or wrong. Moreover, the ability to get a good overview of what, among the endless possibilities of attractions, are really the ones most likely to be of interest, is simply not possible from the guidebook. Hence, we actually bought another guide book while we were in Italy to complement all that was lacking in this one. Especially when traveling to regions commonly covered by other books, such as we were (Rome and Naples), another option would probably be better.

5 comments about The Authentic Bistros of Paris.

1. This book does not go beyond a superficial description of the interiors of the bistros. The writers completely ignore the food and there is not one description of a dish one may expect at any of these establishments.
   
   It is of no value to anyone requiring guidance to select an authentic Parisian bistro.



2. On my way to Paris.... can't wait to visit these Bistros.
   Great descriptions. Good photos.
   More later.



3. If you're Paris-bound and looking for an easy pocket tote to take along - and have heard about the famous bistros of Paris - don't miss Authentic Bistros of Paris: there may be one on every block but this book separates wheat from chafe. It first appeared in France and now is accessible to U.S. audiences, selecting over fifty bistros which stand apart due to regional foods, wines, and atmospheres. Sure, you can visit French bistros without it - but why spend your trip on less than the best? AUTHENTIC BISTROS helps you define and find them.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. This is a GREAT book for the money. Lots of full color pictures so you really get a feel for each place, organized by arrondissement so you can find a bistro no matter what neighborhood you happen to be in, good write-ups, and small enough to take in your purse. And apart from the prices, the information about the places will probably be pretty timeless.



5. Another book about Paris bistros and cafés I read a few years ago claimed that you should be able to choose a café to make your own (and don't we all want to feel at home in a Paris café?) solely on the basis of what he had written in those pages. He didn't quite pull it off, I thought. I'd be a lot more comfortable settling into an "authentic bistro" in the City of Lights based on this book by Thomazeau and Ageorges. Their photos and descriptions of four-dozen or so bistros are wonderfully evocative.
   
   Which isn't to say they're perfect, however, as other reviewers here have attested. For one thing, the descriptions, tempting as they are, are still pretty superficial and the photos, while gorgeous, never show the bistros at the French equivalent of rush hour. While the copy does mention the nearest Metro station, there are no maps to place them in a larger context for readers not already familiar with Paris' arrondissements.
   
   All of which reminds us this is a book originally written in French, for the French. It's a great thing it was translated into English and I'm sure will make an American's trip to Paris even brighter and more memorable. For those of us stuck at home, its teasing overview leaves us wanting more (more descriptions, more recipes, more photos, more maps...) -- for which we'll need to turn to some other book.

2 comments about Frommer's Barcelona Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day).

1. This was a great guide - if I was to do it again for the first trip to barcelona I would recommend this book. For your second trip there invest in one a little larger so it can go into more detail on everything you see, but that's all. This book is great.



2. This book is absolutely fantastic! It's small and concise while still being detailed enough for a short trip to Barcelona. It offers several suggestons for how to spend 1, 2 or 3 days. The guide walk is perfect for our upcoming cruise. I hesitated to buy a book like this for just one city, but it really does provide SO much more information than a general Spain book would. However, it does so without being too big (or too small) and includes a great fold-out map.
   
   I highly recommend any book in this series. The guided Modernista walk will easily fill our day and provides structure to our wandering in Barcelona. It also features a guided walk of Las Ramblas and tons of other helpful information. Nice color without being too much fluff.

2 comments about Let's Go 2008 Spain & Portugal (Let's Go Spain and Portugal).

1. This book is packed full of information. It's also large. However, the maps it provides are both truncated and not in color. The layout of the articles on each city are not as well formatted and readable as other guide books. The "Rough Guide to Spain" is by far a better buy.



2. Very disappointing. Let's go team has been sitting on their laurels. They don't even bother to check if the information they publish is still valid year after year. I was in Seville in 2008 and the book mentions a campsite near the airport, well according to the gypsies who took over the site, the campsite has been closed for more than three years. How come the information hasn't been revised. Let's go team is asleep at the switch. There are many many errors and inaccuracies, don't buy !!!