3 comments about Fodor's The Complete Guide to European Cruises, 1st Edition: A cruise lover's guide to selecting the right trip with all the best ports of call (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. I Purchase for the references to river travel and found the information containded in the book to be highly informative. Well worth the expenditure.
   
   D. P. Richarme



2. So many brochures in the mail, touting this mediterranean
   cruise, but which one is best?
   This is the book!



3. As a first time cruiser doing the Med in June/July 2008, the timing of this book couldn't have been better for me. The profiles of the cruise lines and ships are nowhere near as comprehensive as those in Douglas Ward's Berlitz Guide, but they do provide a reasonable overview.
   
   Where this book comes into its own is in the port profiles and advice section, which should be very helpful for those considering exploring ports of call independently, rather than taking ship's excursions.
   
   The information is clear and concise, and the maps are very handy.

5 comments about Korea (Country Guide).

1. This is a decent guide book, but not a great one. Where is the old LP tongue-in-cheek humor that helped make it the guidebook it... was? And how about a cultural tidbit or anecdotal morsel that hasn't been airbrushed, hermetically sealed, and filed under PC. Oh, well. I suppose those days are over.
   
   But seriously now folks, this Lonely Planet Korea will enable you to steer your way through the country's primary cities and chief tourist attractions, and, as usual, the recommended places to stay are well chosen and exactly as described. I used this book on a recent trip to Seoul and Incheon and found it to be entirely adequate and even exceptional in places. Some people I ran into were using (I believe it's called) the Moon Handbook, which looked to be much more comprehensive, especially in terms of non-travel related information. Indeed, it had more than 800 pages as I remember. It all depends on what you want: Korea Lite or Korea Loaded. Either way, enjoy your travels in what must be the dried squid capital of the world.
   
   Troy Parfitt, author



2. I've used Lonely Planets for years. I like some more than others, and there's a few issues I have with the series, but they've always been a useful general guide to my travels.
   
   However this book is a new low and I can't recommend people away from it enough. Literally every single time I tried to follow the advice the book gave, the information ended up being incorrect or outdated or amazingly vague.
   
   A quick example is the Sa Rang Chae guest house in Gyeongju - it didn't give an address, and the phone number didn't work, but the description and location on the map indicated a general area to look. When I got to this general area, the guesthouse was nowhere to be found. I later learned that the guesthouse had moved locations four years ago, and had been e-mailing and mailing LP for several editions, trying to get them to update their information. Similarly, the restaurants and cafes they recommended for that city were nowhere to be found - it was worse than useless.
   
   Their maps are terrible, particularly in Seoul. They generally don't list street names on the map. They also tend to skip a large number of smaller streets - but without names, it's hard to guess if the street was skipped or not. So trying to use an LP map involves an awful lot of guesswork. Korean people were often very kind helping confused tourists such as myself, but they also couldn't understand the maps, because even if the street had names on it, there was no Hangul, only Roman characters.
   
   Addresses were very rarely given. So finding their recommendations boiled down to trying to use a small map with no street names. If using this book, make sure to confirm every single destination with a google search.
   
   The KNTO releases very excellent free travel books, they can either be ordered, viewed on the web (unfortunately it requires Active-X), or picked up at the information booth in the Seoul/Incheon airport - google tour2korea and go to "e-books." That and wikitravel (which is sparse and often vague, but at least generally accurate) is definitely a better option than Lonely Planet. Don't waste any money on this.



3. This book was a very comprehensive and honest guide to the country. It also included a section on North Korea and the possibility of travelling there. I found the information useful in order to decide where to go and the cost of living in Korea.



4. Lonely Planet produces some of the best guidebooks available, so it should come as no surprise that their book on Korea is complete, concise, and interesting.
   
   Pros: This guide book has it all, from Korean phrases and vocabulary, to fun getaways, trails off the beaten path and of course, lots of information on hotels and restaurants.
   
   Cons: Can't think of many, although Seoul needs its own book. (Which Lonely Planet makes, actually!) Also, my copy was slightly out-dated, (2004). Unfortunately, many fast-growing areas have completely changed since the book's first printing.



5. Typical of the Lonely Planet series, this book is full of interesting and necessary information. From sightseeing, to restaurants and accomodation, I found it to be a good help. It also gives a great insight into the history and culture of Korea, with a food chapter and a language chapter included. It's not the bible but I would definitely recommend this book to anyone going to Korea. You should also supplement it with stuff from the net or your local Korean tourist office etc.

5 comments about Frommer's Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks (Park Guides).

1. My family went to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks last June and this guide was a great resource. At the moment, I'm planning another national park trip and pulled the book off the shelf so I could get a guide by the same author.
   
   He marked Signal Mountain Lodge in GT as a "** find" and was it ever! It's managed by a different vendor than the other lodges in the park and I'd stay there again if I return. I used his suggestions for "If you can only go on one hike, do this..." and the suggestions were awesome. The hike to the top of Signal Mountain (most people drive rather than take the 6 mile easy walk) was so beautiful and peaceful that I hiked it a second time before leaving.
   
   This book gave suggestions that you'd expect to get from a friend who has just visited an area and says "Hey let me give you this great tip."
   
   I would definitely recommend this book.



2. We bought this book, but ended up using other guides. It is a fine reference for some people, but I'd recommend:
   Yellowstone Treasures: The Traveler's Companion to the National Park (Great for more in-depth research)
   and
   National Geographic Road Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (NG Road Guides) (Quick roadside reference)
   instead.



3. This book was not what I expected - I would not recommend it at all. It stayed in the car packed away. I also bought Scenic Driving Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, 2nd (Scenic Driving Series) and Outdoor Family Guide to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks (Outdoor Family Guides) which were excellent.



4. I found it very helpful in mapping out our trip that we will take this summer. great insight into where to stay and eat.



5. This book helped us alot! The information is detailed and just what we wanted. We only were in Yellowstone for 2 days, so we wanted to see all we could, and there is a chapter that is just for that. You can use this kind of like a tour guide. It tells you what you'll see, some history (not too much though), what to expect, etc. It was VERY helpful. We also used this is Grand Teton. The book also give you ideas where to eat and stay (we used the dining info, we had already made our lodging plans before I got the book). I highly recommend this book. I also purchased the Bryce and Zion book, as we were going there too on this vacation.

4 comments about Newcomer's Handbook for Moving to and Living in Seattle (Newcomer's Handbooks).

1. The latest edition of THE NEWCOMER'S HANDBOOK FOR MOVING TO AND LIVING IN SEATTLE is a book intended for people moving to the area, but even people who are not going there may enjoy it. It describes in full the best and worst neighborhoods, schools, shopping, dining, and fitness opportunities in the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, as well as their surrounding suburbs. This book is more up to date than the last edition, so it's worth checking out and getting rid of your old edition.



2. This book was most complete of any I have seen so far, author certainly must have deep knowledge of Seattle area. Lots of tidbits that were completely unexpected!



3. The book is filled with lots of info, though I don't think it is much more updated than the older version (also very useful)



4. This book has served as an outstanding relocation-tool during our move to Greater Seattle region. It's well-organized and provides thorough information for multiple neighborhoods. The author covers various aspects of everyday life, such as neighborhood profile, commute, schools, dining, and shopping etc. Although it covers suburbs of Bellevue, Redmond, Everett, Kenmore, Bothell and Tacoma etc., but the coverage for suburbs is not as extensive as for the city of Seattle. I wish the author had covered Eastside in a little more detail.
   
   I would rate the material "Five Star", but deducting one for no color, few maps, and no pictures. The author has done an amazing job, if the publisher can follow some style elements for color and pictures from DK Publishing, it could make this guide an undisputed leader. Even after living for a year in Seattle suburbs, I still use it as a reference document and every time I learn something new and interesting. For example, I recently learned about the business partnership between Seattle PI and Seattle Times, and where does the NE (North East - e.g. NE 145th St.) starts etc.
   
   I strongly recommend this book to all new comers to Seattle area. If I ever decide to relocate again, I will never do so without buying any such guide as it certainly makes learnings straightforward and relocation a little less stressful.
   
   PS: I personally own the 2nd edition, the content for both editions is worth every penny.

5 comments about Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French.

1. Having just moved to Paris, I found Talk to the Snail both humorous and accurate when it came to some of the idiosyncracies of the French. Some of the Commandments are more enlightening than others, but all of them lay bare some truth to the motives behind what otherwise strikes someone like me (an American) as bizarre behaviour. I love France and the French, but it takes some help in figuring out why things work the way they do in France. Thanks for the lifeline.



2. I enjoyed this book but it's very British. I've lived in France since 1996 and most of his observations are right on the money. I also lived in the U.K. for 6 years and I have to admit that this book if more relevent to his fellow Brits. For example, Americans tend to use the "real" medical terms, which he finds funny with the French. Americans do this too and it drove me batty in England when I couldn't figure what they were complaining about. Call the disorder by its name people!
   
   But the book is entertaining, as long as you keep in mind that it's written by a Brit for his countrymen.



3. Clarke provides an eerily accurate view into Parisian life. From inattentive waiters to constant strikes, you'll get an amusing take on life in France.



4. This is an excellent and funny guide to France and the French. Clarke has constructed his book around a series of commandments that the French supposedly obey: thou shalt eat, thou shalt be right, and thou shalt be ill, among others. "Thou shalt eat" obviously discusses French attitudes to food and drink, and the behavior around those attitudes. "Thou shalt be right" discusses French haughtiness, among other topics. "Thou shalt be ill" looks at how the French enjoy being sick, and enjoy getting suppositories when they are.
   
   The book is fun to read, and I'd recommend it for its humor alone. However, it would also serve the more serious purposes of improving your cultural literacy if you are going to travel, work, or live in France. Clarke would give you a good understanding of why things work they way they do, and he often offers advice on how to get by in the face of frustrations. Many things that frustrate outsiders make sense if you wrap your head around them and understand them in their full cultural context.
   
   Clarke even provides a "useful sentences" guide in each chapter. Some provide generally-useful vocabulary (how to ask a doctor, "Will it be refunded?") while others are just jokes ("What do I do with this suppository?"). These guides, along with the text in the accompanying chapter, would help you in the very serious business of asking pointed questions of a potential landlord or real estate agent, for example.
   
   The book posts relentless fun at the country and its people. It would be tiresome if Clarke hated the French, but it's clear that he loves the country and this fondness makes the whole package work. Though Clarke is British, he has decided to make his home in France. Fortunately, he although enjoys poking fun at the foibles of his adopted country.



5. I love every one of Stephen Clarke's books. I have never laughed so hard reading. Looking forward to getting his newest. I wish these books would also go to the big screen. Hugh Grant?

5 comments about Time Out Buenos Aires (Time Out Guides).

1. To start off, I have to say that I usually do not write any reviews for items purchased on Amazon, but for the Time Out Buenos Aires Guide I really have to make an exception.
   This Book is just fantastic. I moved to Buenos Aires for the summer and I had never been nor had any idea of what the city would be like. With this Guide book I have been to the most amazing and most interesting places. Putting the sightseeing apart this book is so up-to-date on the restaurant, bar and nightlife scene that I have never been out of place. I have met so many interesting people in only 2 weeks because of this book. It just makes a huge difference having an idea of where to go and what to do at any certain day. So if you are planning on going to Buenos Aires for whatever reason, do yourself and your experience a favor and buy this book.
   It's an overall well-rounded guide, that gives you Buenos Aires on paper.



2. After searching through many guidebooks, I settled for TimeOut, and let me tell you, I am glad that I did.
   
   This book gave me everything I needed to know about beautiful Buenos Aires. The places that my Argentine friend recommended to me were all listed in this book, so that shows you how good it is!
   
   Definitely must buy this before going to Buenos Aires, or Argentina itself. Great read, great pictures, great food in Argentina! :)



3. All the information you need to know.......where to go, what to see and how to do it.......The small, compact size made the guide easy to carry and go with at all times.



4. Despite what others said about this book containing lots of ads, it's compact (easy to carry along) and very useful. A good buy.



5. Good read - lots of useful suggestions. Very good on the barrios or neighborhoods.
   Somewhat out of date - e.g. the Sydney Opera House style nightclub referenced in the section on the docks has apparently been burned out for several years.

5 comments about Bangkok (City Guide).

1. Compared to LP London and LP Paris I read and have been early this year, I'm a bit disppointed with LP Bangkok. Although it has an amazing section on food/noodles, I'm rather disappointed that the book does not clearly direct and describe to readers how to get to the places/famous spots it suggested!!!! Also the book does not include a map on the Bangkok transit system - making public transit commuting difficult!!!



2. Amazon.com says this book will be published on March 2005. But try to go to Lonely Planet's online shop, then you can see that it has been published on Sep. 2004. Next, bn.com says it's been publised on March 2004. I don't know which is right. But I'm sure that this book came out already.
   
   I gave 5 stars, however, because I knows LP is a great series at least.



3. I was fortunate enough to spend a month in Bangkok and bought both the Lonely Planet and the Moon Guides. I generally read both books before I went anywhere, so I can fairly compare them.
   
   The Lonely Planet guide was always worth reading -- it often added something I didn't find in the Moon guide. The highly detailed map in the back of the book was also quite worthwhile. However, if I had to have just one book, it would have been the Moon guide by Carl Parkes.
   
   Carl's explanations always seemed a little bit richer, and a little bit more in touch. His introduction to the Thai language left me much better equipped to try my hand, and his culture and language sections also stood out. The overall impression, true or not, is that Carl has a deeper understanding and familiarlity with the Thais and Bangkok than Joe. But to be fair, I was happy with both books, and happier still that I had brought both with me.
   
   Its too bad that the Moon guide is harder to find than Lonely Planet's .... but I definitely recommend it.



4. As a frequent visitor to Thailand I recently used this latest guide for Bangkok from Joe Cummings (plus his assistants) and found it to be more than adequate. If anything, I would personally like more hotel recommendations for each area of this city, those one could call "a find". I found some on my own by walking the area I stayed in and moved to one of them as Joe was too kind in the description of hotel I first stayed in.
   
   Be sure to call about open times for restaurants as two I went to were closed earlier than was given in the guide (no fault of Joe's I'm sure).



5. I took this book everywhere I went. It gives you a great perspective on the things you will find, things to look out for, and a great guide on how to get to the places you want to go.
   
   I went on business to Bangkok, and during the 3 days that I had to go around, this book helped me find those things that mattered most.
   
   I think it is a great read for anyone who is planning to go to amazing Bangkok and it is a must when travelling around in the city. Lonely Planet books are seriously great!

5 comments about Berlin (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. The book was very useful. We have used these guides in several cities and they are always informative and well arranged. My only disappointment with this one was the map section. It lacked a good overall map. Once we got on the correct page it was OK but it was cumbersome to get there.



2. This book is completely unhelpful for anyone spending time in Berlin. I've lived in Berlin in the past but wanted a new travel book to help me see all of the newer sights. Even for someone who already knows her way around the city, this book was confusing and useless. The maps are all oversimplified to the point that they won't help you find anything, and the descriptions about where things are will get you completely lost or cause you to waste a ton of time. For example, the book's recommended ways to spend particular days are absolutely impossible to do. As someone who knows Berlin, I noticed that their sample schedules told people to go to places that are sometimes more than an hour and a half apart by public transportation and then travel back along the same route to get to another sight or activity. I felt like this was a waste of money, and I should have gotten the Lonely Planet or Let's Go guilde.



3. The pictures are wonderful, but the maps are inadequate and the information is inconsistent. This guide would benefit from the attention of a careful editor.
   
   MAPS: one of the most likely places you'll end up is the Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) - there's even an special detail map for that area (map pages 15 & 16) - but crucial street names are missing. You can find the street signs but not where you are on the map! So, now you're lost, even with a map.
   
   INCONSISTENT INFORMATION: Is KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) the second biggest department store (page 11) or the largest one in Europe (p. 155)? And, out of curiosity, if the second, which one is first? The Oren Restaurant is mentioned on page 102 with a reference to page 238, where it does not appear. It should have been removed in both places, since it has been out of business for a few years. The Kadima Restaurant now occupies that space. Oren was vegetarian and kosher; Kadima is neither. The Borchardt Restaurant (page 236) is misspelled as Borchadt. On page 78 the Akademie der Künste has a reference to page 67 that should be to page 133. There must be many more such slips.
   
   So, if you're relying on this book to guide you around Berlin, be prepared for some frustration.



4. It's an astonished travel guide. Well printed book, excellent routes for walking, pictures full of color for informing what excactly are you going to see. As all the travel giudes of DK editions, this one is best choice for visiting a place, too.
   The pictures, the historical events, the places descriptions, they all are also souvenoirs to reminds you, your pleasant travel to a place.



5. I hate the thought of writing a bad review for a DK Travel Guide - they are by far the best travel guides available. But I feel I have to warn everyone about this one. There's always at least one bad apple in the barrel, and I've found the 'bad apple'.
   
   First up, the good things. The background, history and descriptions of all the buildings are typical DK - first class, and better than every other guide out there. You can get the background story to the city and its art and architecture before you arrive.
   
   I took the 2008 edition away with me to Berlin in April 2008. You'd expect up-to-date information, wouldn't you? I agree that some things do change; opening times change, museum regulations change etc. BUT - so many things change in a single city, in such a short time since this updated version was written?
   
   I ended up missing so many things due to this book's wrong opening times to so many museums. Here are just a few things that happened -
   
   - It states that all museums are closed on Mondays, and I arrived on a Monday at 9:30am. So I took my time spending the day wandering around the city. At 4pm I had a look at the Pergamon Museum, and saw its open on Mondays. I found that there are many museums open on Mondays. I could have spent a large chunk of my first day in one of the museums.
   
   - I missed the Picture Gallery at Sanssouci because this guide stated the wrong closing time, even though I had paid for entrance to it.
   
   - I lost a lot of time, in the first 2 days there, getting lost on Berlin's train system because the plan at the back of the book is wrong in so many places. Lines aren't shown, wrong line numbers are shown, several lines now go further than shown in the guide. Use the maps on the ticket machines.
   
   - I wasted 2 hours traveling to a combined bookshop/art gallery that is a massive department store at the stated address. After this, I stopped relying on the practical information giving about anything.
   
   - I nearly missed the magnificent Gemaldegallerie (Picture Gallery) in former West Berlin because the guide stated that photography isn't allowed inside. (One of my criteria for visiting a museum is to take photos.) I went there to visit the gallery's bookshop, and discovered that photography IS allowed, just without flash - and I should hope so! Luckily I went to the gallery's shop first things in the morning.
   
   As another reviewer has already said, the 'Four Great Days In Berlin' suggested intinaries on page 10 and 11 would be impossible to do. The writer of this small section obviously has never done their own itinary. How can anyone take a 1 hour train journey to Wannsee, then walk for an hour in the forest to an art gallery, then walk further on to a lake, then take a boat trip on the lake to an island, then walk around the island, then get back to the train station to take the train to Potsdam, to 'enjoy the lovely Park Sanssouci ...' All this in the morning before lunch! (I spent an entire day at Park Sanssouci.) If anyone follows their itinaries, they wouldn't see anything at all - their trip to Berlin would be a huge blur in their mind.
   
   Clearly DK have just reprinted the first edition of this guide, dating from 2000, and are passing it off as a newly revised edition for 2008. There is no way that entire buildings can be changed and train lines extended in the space of a few months since this newly revised guide was 'revised'. (Not even the efficent Germans could manage that feat). I have no idea what errors are in the restaurant and hotel areas of this guide as I didn't use them.
   
   I have always used DK Guides whenever I travel, and will continue to do so. They are the market-leaders in travel guides. But my experiences with this one will make me very cautious in future. I'll be double checking the practical information given in all their guides in future.
   
   * Just treat this guide as a book written in 2000 - don't trust any opening times or other practical information.

5 comments about Thailand (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. There are detailed graphics, maps, and explanations of cultural issues not found in other guide books. However, they exclude major attractions and maps and attractions can be severely inaccurate. It's good for preparing a trip, but it's too heavy and not helpful enough to bring with you.



2. This is a great book with beautiful pictures, maps and nice glossy color pages. The only problem being that it is out of date! Having said that, I would not recommend it for your guide book if travelling to Thailand. Wait for an updated issue.
   I am well travelled in Thailand and some of the descriptions in the book make me feel like I was travelling in Thailand 20 years ago! Hope this helps...



3. I found Eyewitness Travel Guide for Thailand very informative, and easy to read. It had tons of pictures, facts, FYIs, and did I mention pictures? Like Eyewitness I agree that a picture is worth a thousand words. I also bought Lonely Planet's Travel Guide for Thailand, but liked Eyewitness' much better. Lonely Planet's Travel Guide had a more standard layout for the abundant amount of facts, but was limited on the pictures. The phrase at the bottom of Eyewitness' book holds true, "The Guides That Show You What Others Only Tell You."



4. This is a good quality book, something you could open and open again.
   Highly recommended!



5. Love these Eyewitness Guides and received the item in perfect condition, just in time for the weekend, a fire in the fireplace, a warm blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and away I went to Thailand! Thanks for making an Ohio winter almost bearable!

5 comments about Morocco (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. Just returned from Morocco and this book was indispensible! Great insight, great information about what to see. The photos are terrific to look at even if you don't make it to your destination.
   Can't wait to use the one from Turkey soon!



2. It is a colorful book but lack the basic information and tips on basics. Gives you a nice history of Morroco political life. But it was't as helpful on basics like maps, tours.
   
   This is a cheap book its ok for a overview. If your thinking of visiting Morroco with only this book as experience, dont. Always do some research and get maps in the city you visit. Especially Marrakech



3. It is a great book because gives you pictures of what you are expecting to see. Also gives you information.
   Very easy to use.



4. Having travelled to Morocco April of 2007, I wanted an armchair mode to relive and add to places, events, memories of the trip. While no book can replace the marvel that is Morocco and its people, this gives a good and accurate overview, with lots of interesting information. All those things your tour guide shares and you can't remember!



5. Though many swear by the LP guides, my Eyewitness guide did me well during my recent 10 day excursion through Marrakesh, Fes, and Casablanca. It's not so great for finding hotels and restaurants, as well as many "big picture" details (like where to find walking tours, etc.), but the history sections at the beginning of the guide were incredibly informative and helped me understand the culture and background of the people before I went, and the pictures (both photos and illustrations) and descriptions of the sites are great. Especially important since in Morocco, if there's a non-Arabic description of anything, it's typically only in French. Finally, it's a good keepsake at the end of the trip... a great collection of photos of the sights in case you weren't able to take enough.
   
   All in all, my travel buddy had an LP guide, which we used for finding hotels and to figure out a walking tour in Casablanca, and we used my Eyewitness guide for everything else. Perfect for us.