No comments about Algarve (AA Spiral Guide).

No comments about Karen Brown's Portugal 2009: Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries (Karen Brown's Portugal Charming Inns & Itineraries).

No comments about Lord Byron's Iberian Pilgrimage.

No comments about Pocket Guide Algarve.

No comments about Gibraltar Directory, 1883: Gibreprint (Gibraltar Directory, 1883).

4 comments about Let's Go 2003: Spain & Portugal.

1. I used this book on my trip to Spain (Galicia and Asturias, Madrid) last summer, and it was an invaluable resource.

   The Let's Go guide for Spain was incredible--it pointed out sites and places that weren't the usual tourist traps. I was very impressed with the accommodations listings as well--every hotel and hostel recommended by the book was excellent, clean and a great value. Listings were accurate, with correct, up-to-date contact information.

   All in all, I strongly recommend buying this book--you won't regret it for your trip.




2. If you are planning on being in only a couple cities you are most likely better off buying a travel guide that specializes in just those cities. We were heading for a grand tour and covering a lot of ground and spending only a few days in each city. We found the book to be a terrific guide as it took care of local maps for most cities and very detailed maps including subway guides for major cities. Along with that it gave a good description of what to see including a brief history lesson. If you don't need to know absolutely everything about a place but just enough to get you there and know where a few value places to eat, sleep and party are at then you have found your book.



3. I used this guide for a trip to Barcelona, Granada and Alicante and found it to be so inconsistent that it was almost useless. Consequently, my friends and I nicknamed it "Let's Lie."
   
   Since each section is written by one writer/researcher, the quality and accuracy was very variable. One city might have useful information on lodging but be wildly inaccurate on restaurants or visa versa. For example, the hostel section in Granada was percectly fine, but all the info on neighborhood character and tourist sites was poorly researched, completely off-base and usually wrong. Addresses didn't exist, The Allhambra was actually open when the book said it would be closed and the "hip young neighborhood with a gay scene" was filled with fast food, families and churches.



4. We used this book for planning and during our trip. It is highly recommended.

No comments about Baedeker's Portugal (AA Baedeker's).

No comments about Madrid and Central Spain (Companion Guides).

No comments about East of Malaga: Essential Guide to the Axarquia and Costa Tropical (Santana Guides).

No comments about Eating & Drinking in Spain 3E (Open Road Travel Guides Eating and Drinking in Spain).