4 comments about Lonely Planet Canary Islands.

1. Damien Simonis wrote the first edition of the Lonely Planet's gide to the Canaries, and an excellent companion to the islands it was; now (May, 2001) Lonely Planet has issued the second edition of this work, and I am delighted to say that it is just as good (but more up to date) than the first version. Simonis was joined by Miles Roddis to prepare the current book, which follows essentially the same plan as the first guide, and which conserves intact much of the original writing about the islands. The current version displays and entirely new set of photographs by Simonis, who seems to have improved his camera work in the intervening years since he first published the guide.

   The book is amazingly fruitful for its relative compact size and number of pages (271): it provides brief but essential information about the history of the islands, its dogs, its Canary birds, people, plants, transportation, medical services, its gay life, the island sports, and the means of getting there. It accurately describes each of the seven islands, and managest to convey the major and the subtle differences between them -- and those differences can be huge: from the dry Saharan landscapes of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, to the verdant La Palma, to the scraggly beauty of Hierro. The Pico de Teide, on the island of Tenerife, is the 3rd largest volcano on earth (after Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, in Hawaii)and rises from the sea to over 12 thousand feet. Its peak is covered with snow most of the year, but at sea level the islands have superb weather.

   For those about to visit the Canaries, a Lonely Planet guide to them is essential. I don't think it is necessary to buy the second edition if one already owns the first: there are no dramatic changes between the books, and with a little flexibility the traveler will find the first edition just as useful as the second one. The travel tips are pricesless in both books and they will surely enhance the pleasure of visiting this strange and beautiful corner of the world. Don't leave without a copy.




2. I took this book on my recent trip to Canary Islands. Most of the information contained in the book can be easily found on internet (or even more). The content is an encyclopedic compilation of facts (probably rehashed from other publications) with very little personal experience. This is another hastily written and impersonal guide book. I expected something like the Ultimate Kauai and got less than could be found on Ecanarias web site. The most irritating, in my opinion, were multiple references to another book by one of the authors about hiking trails. If you want to hike - buy another book, uh. There is no even basic walk described. I laughed pretty hard when I read about poorly marked trails in the National Park on La Gomera. The reality is quite opposite. The trail-heads have excellent markings and even area maps. You wander how many years it has been since they visited last time. (the signs start show age here and there). There is nothing outstanding about this book. No personal touch like Ultimate Kaui Guide or sumptuous visual information like in DK Eye Witness series that steers you to the best sights (too bad none on Canary Islands is available yet). Explanation for this mediocre performance dawned on me when I realized what a prolific author Damien Simonis is. He "fathered or better bastardized" guide books covering about 15 - 20 areas (depending how you count) and these include whole countries like Italy, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, southern Spain and even all of Africa. Doing simple math tells you that he could not work on updating each more than 3 weeks a year. Probably many tourists would beat him in this aspect.
   I enjoyed other Lonely Planet publication but this one is a real disappointment. There is plenty of free guides in English, even hiking maps and trails, once you get to islands. Save your money and skip it.



3. I lived in the Canary Islands for 10 years. I am returning this winter for the first time as a tourist, and purchased Lonely Planet's guide, because they are normally good. Using this guide, I cannot find a single decent place to stay, any good restaurants, and even the activities list is pathetic. I know you're probably thinking that I'm just jaded because I lived there and know the spots, but from a basics perspective, not ONE of the major hotels that I know are good are listed, the three hotels that I did recognize are dumps, and the restuarant selections are crappy tourist dives without any real authenticity. Unfortunately, I don't have a good guide to recommend yet, but whatever you do, don't get this one!



4. I got the guide, because I like the Lonely planet books. Well, that one is an exception - there is nothing interesting or useful. use some other guide or go to turist information in the airport. Canaries are pretty civilized and there are not many surprises here, so maybe that is why the book is so thin and uninteresting.

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No comments about Walking the Camino: A Modern Pilgrimage to Santiago.

No comments about Weekend Escape: Barcelona (World Travel Guides Series).

1 comments about Madrid Destination Map (National Geographic Destination Map).

1. High quality and durable. My husband spent a few years in Madrid once and he likes reminiscing about the areas he's been to. This was a Christmas present for a guy who had no Christmas list and I'm really glad I got it. Note: it only shows the main city center and no 'burbs, but for what it displays it is fabulous!

1 comments about Fodor's See It Spain, 1st Edition (Fodor's See It).

1. This would be a book to use if you knew you wanted to go to Spain but not sure which part of Spain. The photographs are good, although mostly small, but lots of them, the layout is glossy, and there is a decent attempt to cover each geographic area but if you know what part of Spain you are interested in, you would be much better off getting a book for that area. The layout is a bit confusing, each section of the country is covered several different times in different sections of the book, the maps in the back are for the most part useless; one of Barcelona, one of Madrid, and the rest of the maps are general geographic layout of the country. Only a resource if you are trying to decide which part of Spain, and not a great one although pretty.

1 comments about The Face of Spain (Ecco Travels Series).

1. Spain, 1949. War in Europe is over. The brutal, confusing, almost incomprehensible Spanish Civil War is history, but not distant history. Franco's Falangist Party still rules Spain.
   
   Gerald Brenan knew Spain well. He lived in the Andalusia region in his youth. Years later he and his wife returned and bought a home in Southern Spain. But in 1936 they fled as Civil War erupted.
   
   In the spring of 1949 they returned as visitors. The Face of Spain is an extraordinary account of their travels through central and southern Spain. Gerald Brenan's fascinating examination of a country and people that he admired and loved should be read by all students of European history, and by all who love to travel.

   I was saddened by much of Brenan's account. But I was also enthralled by his observations, by his sense of history, and by his sensitivity to the Spanish character. I felt a sense of loss when I read the final chapter and realized my journey had ended.
   
   The journey begins in Madrid and then wanders leisurely through Cordova, the hill towns of Andalusia, Malaga, Churriana, Granada, La Mancha, Badajoz, Merida, Talavera, Toledo, Aranjuez, and ends once again in Madrid.
   
   Brenan gives the reader a sympathetic, but objective look at Spain. We become a part of Spain's colorful sunsets, its baked landscape (Spain was witnessing an extreme drought), and its complex heritage shaped by Romans, Visigoths, and Arabs. I was especially intrigued by Brenan's personal encounters with the indomitable Spanish people, and their individual stories of life in postwar Spain.
   
   The Face of Spain is sometimes somber, sometimes sympathetic, sometimes critical, and sometimes exuberant. I will undoubtedly return to Brenan's Spain again. It is exceptional travel literature and fascinating history.

No comments about The Pyrenees: The High Pyrenees from the Cirque de Lescun to the Carlit Massif (World Mountain Ranges).

No comments about National Geographic Traveler: Barcelona, 3rd Edition (National Geographic Traveler).

No comments about The Rough Guide to Barcelona 8 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).