No comments about Mystras, Sparta (The face of Greece).

4 comments about Mykonos, Santorini, Cyclades.

1. This book is not a detailed guide to the Cyclades islands as one might expect. I bought this book thinking it would have loads of information on the island of Santorini but was very disappointed to find only 10 pages or so devoted to the island.

   In fact the book's title is totally in appropriate. Half the book is devoted to Athens (what's that got to do with Cyclades!) and a quarter to General Info on Greece (History, language etc.) leaving only a quarter to islands coverage (hence the brief descriptions).

   A waste of money!




2. Diana has written a witty, informative and grammatically sound tome. Not too much or too little and with a great feel fo the place itself. And how could you desribe the most emphatic and vivid place on earth? The answer is to do it like Diana does: with knowledge, empathy and a deep understanding of colour, history and human nature. She is the Cyclades to me, and one day l will buy her a drink at a taverna while the sun is setting, and we will discuss our numerous anecdotes that we will share - joyfully, warmly and with great heart!



3. I thought Dana Facaros gave just the information we needed to get the most out of our holiday, and because we did spend a couple of days in Athens before we caught the ferry we were glad to find that section there as well. What I most enjoyed were her insights...being of Greek descent myself (my grandparents came from Naxos) I often had to smile in recognition. Other English writers just don't get it guite right. I too would treat her to an ouzaki any night of the week!



4. This books was in the garbage on my third day in Greece. Travel books usually protect you against unscrupulous taverns and hooligans. But this one included a Santorini locale that threw all the underhanded tricks at you: inflated prices and bait-and-switch bar tabs! This book was excellently written, but became usless when I couldn't trust its recommendations for dinner or a night out. If you have it, double-check its recommendations with another travel book. If the other travel book doesn't include the establishment don't go!

No comments about The Treasures of Greece (Art Guides).

No comments about Mycenae - A Guide to its ruins and History (Archaeological Guides).

1 comments about People Of The Storm God: Travels In Macedonia (Lost And Found Series).

1. There are two problems with this book.
   
   1) It was written in the early years of the Republic of Macedonia's history when there was an embargo and the neighboring countries wanted to see an early demise of the new democracy. Fortunately,things have changed for the better and those who wished Macedonia ill didn't succeed.
   
   2) Myer is so pro-Muslim that he gushes whenever he falls on a ruined mosque or meets Muslims. It's so slanted and biased as to be annoying to the reader. He saves his snotty typical Anglican believe-in-nothing-much wise cracks for the churches and the Christians whom he meets whilst on his travels which, after a while, become too obnoxious to be ignored.
   
   There were a few bits of information that were useful. For example, since most of the country is rural and food- wise self-sustaining, it is clear why the Republic survived its first years against so many odds.
   
   For a really short update, read the introduction of Brandt's travel book written by Thammy Evans called "Macedonia". The author has actually lived in the country for five years and is even handed about her comments. It was refreshing to read her work. I don't need some two bit writer passing through a country whose language and culture he doesn't know giving me his biased impressions and probably embellishing a lot of material along the way.

No comments about Insight Pocket Guide Corfu (Insight Pocket Guides Corfu).

No comments about In Crusader Greece.

No comments about Map of Peloponnese (Maps of Greece).

No comments about Lonely Planet the Peloponnese (Lonely Planet Peloponnese).

No comments about Athens (Great Cities).