5 comments about Arizona and Grand Canyon (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. This Eyewitness Guide is devoted to the state of Arizona with a primary focus on three areas. The largest number of pages is devoted to the Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona. Next up is Phoenix and Southern Arizona and the final area is known as The Four Corners. Each of these sections is fairly brief considering the amount of territory covered. For example, just 28 pages are devoted to cover the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Flagstaff, Sedona, Hoover Dam, and more. And that is the longest section in the book! Other than the three sections that are devoted to specific locations, we also see an introductory section that discusses the history and culture of the state. There is also a section that offers practical information for travelers. Finally, there is a fairly skimpy offering of hotel and restaurant coverage.
   
   To be honest, there are many guidebooks that would be more helpful in planning a trip to Arizona. If you want detailed information on hotels or restaurants, you just won't find enough here. Likewise, the info provided on activities and outings is very limited. There is one thing that does make this book worth buying, however. Quite simply, Arizona is a beautiful place with many lovely locations. The 500+ photographs presented here will help you decide which spots are most worth visiting and which you can let wait for the next trip. Frommer's Arizona 2007 (Frommer's Complete) and other guides will be much better at helping you plan the details of your trip but this is the book that can help you decide the broad brush strokes of where to spend your time.
   
   Given the relatively low cost and the usefulness of the photos, I do recommend purchasing this book. But make sure you buy a more detailed guide to give you the details you'll need to plan a great trip. This one is simply too limited to rely upon with no other help.



2. For those looking for a simple overview of what to do in Arizona this is a great place to start. While it has information that travels in the United States may not need it offers great advice on hotels and the pictures really get you excited about your trip. .The recommendations are excellent and the book is very helpful for the Grand Canyon.



3. Nice book, great graphics but does not have much on the Grand Canyon specifically.



4. Love it! I will only purchase the Eyewitness series of guide books because they're loaded with easy to find information and tons of photos. Their maps and guides of where to eat or stay have been consistently accurate. They make travel a breeze. And when I'm going somewhere that I don't have enough time to see everything, these guides make it easier to decided because of the detailed descriptions with photos. This Arizona guide was great and I'll be using it again and again.



5. Very pleased with the beautiful colored photos and overview of Arizona & Grand Canyon sights.
   An excellent source for choosing what to see and do.
   Do wish the book had expanded more on lodging choices - most hotels listed are high-end places. More listings for Phoenix would have been helpful.

5 comments about 777 Cheap Eats in Las Vegas: 2003 Edition.

1. I've been to Las Vegas many times for business and pleasure. I did not find this book very helpful. While the concept for a 1 to 777 ranking of restaurant values is a good idea, this book has no information about the restaurants or their food. With ranking by price in various categories, you could use it as a cross-reference to the Unofficial Guide or Frommers. But who has the time? Just use one of those 2 books first -- both are good. This book would be useful to a Las Vegas resident, but is of limited value for a visitor. Prices have really gone up this year, so the information is out-of-date by as much as 50 percent.



2. I found this book helpful in finding bargains thruoghout the Las Vegas area.Though there were a few entries that were no longer in business or discontinued, for the most part it was very helpful.



3. The book is excellant. I never knew there were so many places to eat cheap in Las Vegas. It's is really hard to believe. We are taking this book with us and plan on using many of the reccomendations in the book.



4. With all of the changes that happen Las Vegas EVERY DAY I found that this book was of little help. Several of the places that were listed did not even exsit anymore, and most of the others had changed their specials. If you decide to get this book I recomend doing your own "back-up" homework and call the places to check and see if the specials are still in effect.



5. I will be heading to Las Vegas in a few weeks and found this book very helpful, not only for the great restaurant's but their locations as well. This book will enable myself and my family to enjoy our vacation, and find some wonderful places to dine at reasonable prices as well.

5 comments about Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails.

1. This is the best one yet. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed the first editions, but this one is the best Chuck has done. I can't wait to see what's next.



2. Wow what a thrill ride Chucks new book provided us this past summer. I have been using his books for 7 Years and have found all of them have given me an opportunity to learn and not to get in over my head by progressively working my way up the ladder of difficulty. We used our new Jeep Rubicon and drove most of the Hardest Difficult Trails in the New Northern Book. As usual Chuck is completly accurate on what to expect and has one well prepared for what is encountered. We especially liked the Miller Rock, Plane Crash and IronClad trails and feel that all of them will provide plenty of excitement for even the most experienced 4-Wheeler. I constantly look forward to each new book or revision since great new challenging drives are relealed. I plan to retire in the next couple of years and will spend most of each summer driving the trails in all of Chucks books. The new Northers Colorado revision should be in Every ones 4-wheeler when driving in Colorado.



3. My husband and I have used Chuck's books on all of our 4-wheeling trips, and have come to count on them for making sure we're adequately prepared for the trail, have enough time to complete it, and take all of the appropriate turns. From a planner and navigator's perspective, this book is absolutely invaluable for an enjoyable trip! Thanks for the Northern Colorado edition. We've used the Moab book as well as the original Colorado book, and we greatly appreciate them all.



4. Absolutely must for any offroader, great info, accurate, great description of each area with all you need to have fun and safe trip.
   Most of the time I don't even need to use a map with this guide!(always carry one anyway). I have both books and there is no better outhere-I did read them all. Make sure to get newest edition-up to date specs and more pics!



5. A great book for all skill levels. These books have areas of my backyard that I didn't know existed. Everything is well thought-out and organized. They're compact enough to leave laying around in your vehicles pockets. I only wish my Jeeps glove compartment wasn't as shallow as it is. My father always said, "If you walk even 100 feet away from the parking lot you'll lose all the tourists". The same goes for driving. Take one of these trails and experience true silence, serenity, beauty, solitude, etc. Don't let the 1 star review dissuade you, there must be ulterior motives at work. Competing book maybe?
   
   The spiral binding version is available on his website!! It lays flat!! funtreks dot com

3 comments about Frommer's Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks (Park Guides).

1. This guide proved to be an excellent resource during our recent trip to the Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Highlights of this book include how comprehensive it was despite its relative brevity, the easy-to-read writing style, and its off-the-beaten-path recommendations.

   The authors discussed all the subjects I was looking for in a travel book. They covered the usual "where to stay" and "where to eat" topics very well, including reviews of the campgrounds in the parks. We were very satisfied staying and eating at the places recommended by the authors.

   A particular strength of the book was its overview of the numerous hiking trails of the two parks. The trails were organized by length, and the authors gave good recommendations about which trails to do. One hike that they recommended as a "find" was a beautiful, short stroll to an icy cave, but because of its location off the main park road, we were completely by ourselves. The authors even discussed some of the backcountry hiking, if you are inclined to strap on your pack and head off into the wilderness.

   The chapter on the natural history of the parks was also excellent. There was a description of the geological events that formed the parks, the flora and fauna, and the diverse ecosystems. The geological discussion in particular was especially helpful for understanding how the layers of rock were laid down over millions of years.

   The authors gave good sample itineraries for experiencing the park in a day or two. Recommendations on seeing the sunrise across the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon and on visiting some of the less traveled sections of Zion were very worthwhile.

   Nice bonuses in the book included information for kids, RVers, and people with disabilities. The book also had information on practical things like where to get gas, buy supplies, do your laundry, etc. There is even a section on places to visit near the national parks such as some of the Utah state parks and nearby national monuments.

   Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone heading to Zion and Bryce Canyon. It definitely enriched our experience and made planning a whole lot easier.




2. I bought a few books on Bryce Canyon and Zion while planning our family vacation and this book was the most useful and helpful. We just returned from the trip and were very happy with this guidebook.
   
   The book provides all the information needed to plan your trip to the parks, including when to go, what to take, and any permits needed. There is also information on where to stay and camp, and also where to eat - though we ended up bringing most of our food with us and cooking on a camp stove.
   
   The book has great guides on best day hikes. This was particularly useful since we have two young boys - 4 and 6. We did a lot of day hikes. Our favorite hike was the Queens Garden Trail. We did that one twice - it is only about 2 miles round trip with great views!
   
   Overall, this is an incredibly useful book that easily fits in your backpack!



3. This book was very helpful in seeing as much as possible in a short visit. Lots of information - worth the price to have on your vacation.

No comments about Rand McNally Motor Carriers Road Atlas '09 (Rand Mcnally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas).

5 comments about Moon Handbooks Yosemite (Moon Handbooks).

1. I wish I had had this book when I first went to Yosemite a decade ago. It would have saved a lot of time and gotten me and my wife to more of the true highlights in the area. This book covers everything from the best trails to the best dining options in and near the park. It lists all the campgrounds in and around the park and notes which require reservations and which are available on a first come-first served basis. And of course it includes a lot of natural and human history in the park region. The book also features some nice full color maps.
   
   What I particularly like about this guide is the organization. Each section (recreation, lodging, camping, etc) is subdivided into various park regions: Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy, Wawona, Tioga Pass and the Eastern Sierra. As a result, readers have a clearer picture of all that Yosemite National Park has to offer. After reading this book, I will be exploring more of Hetch Hetchy on my next visit in early April. This guide is simply the most comprehensive look at Yosemite and is a must for planning vacations around.



2. Before I visit a national park I go to the library for a pile of books to help me plan my trip. With a visit to Yosemite in mind I did just that and came home with a very nice collection including "100 Hikes...", "The Rough Guide to Yosemite" and Ann Marie Brown's "Yosemite" guide. While all of these books have great content, Ann's was far and away the most approachable and the one I bought to dog ear and write copious notes in without guilt. I'm so glad I did.
   
   The book is well-indexed making it super easy to find what you need, the maps are great and the descriptions of the surrounding area are a bonus. Ann provides readers with well-thought out itineraries geared toward meeting your needs based on how much time you have to visit the park (from a day to a week) and your primary interests (from hiking to bagging waterfall pix). She also supplies solid advice regarding what to do if your on your own or travelling with a family.
   
   Clearly Ann knows what she's writing about. Her first hand experience will help you find the motivation you need to get out of the car (or off of the bus) and on to the trails to drink in the beautiful and wonderful place that is Yosemite.



3. Moon Travel Books presents a spectacular and thoroughly updated, 256 page, second edition on Yosemite National Park. Beginning with 10 pages of color coded maps of Yosemite and a breathtaking color photo of Yosemite Falls, Yosemite packs a plethora of detailed information into an organized, easily accessible format. The first five chapters cover Yosemite Valley, Wawona and Glacier Point, Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy, and the Eastern Sierra, including Lee Vining, Mono Lake and North, and June Lake and Mammoth Lake. Each of these chapters is divided into sections on exploring and recreation. The final four chapters are about Lodging, Camping, Dining, and Knowing Yosemite. There is a vast list of suggested reading and several pages of internet resources, in addition to tips for travelers, notes on the history of Yosemite and its place names, and much useful and specific information on the flora and fauna of Yosemite National Park. Specific information bytes or special tips are highlighted and blocked to set them off for the eye of the reader. If your plans include a trip to Yosemite, Yosemite is a "must buy" travel guide. Even if you just want to learn more about Yosemite and indulge in some armchair dreaming of travels in Yosemite, this is a great resource, guidebook and dreamweaver.



4. I bought this book based on the opinions of the previous reviewers. They were absolutely right. I spent 2 days at Yosemite and due to the massive size of the park (1,200 square miles) it would have been impossible for me to get a good tour of Yosemite without this guidebook. I found this book quite useful, from reading about the geology/history of the area, lodging to descriptions of the intensity of the hikes. The book also provides some helpful traveling tips as well suggestions for additional reading. It's a very comprehensive guide.



5. Found this book to be very accurate. A must for a last minute traveller like myself. I went in the height of the summer with no accomodation secured which was a bit worrisome but had intended to hit up the "first come, first serve campsites". When we arrived at Yosemite, we first went to the visitor centre who proceeded to tell us that only 2 campsites had availability, neither of which were where we wanted to stay. We decided to try a different campsite which was highlighted in the book and it was only 1/2 full at 1pm (although later filled up). If we didn't have the book, we would have been crammed in a less desirable site. Furthermore, the person serving us at the information centre did not appear to have seen alot of Yosemite and could not give us personal experiences. The guide book was valuable in this regard as the author clearly has spent a substantial amount of time in Yosemite. This is the book I would definately recommend to future travellers going to Yosemite National Park.

5 comments about 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California: Sierra Nevada/ Cascade Mountains/ Klamath Mountains/ Coast Range and North Coast/ San Francisco Bay Area (100 Classic Hikes).

1. I just got this book. It is the most beautiful hiking guide I've ever seen. There are nearly a hundred full-color photos, and even the maps are creatively colored. We leave it on our coffee table for easy perusal. It's an updated edition of 100 Hikes in Northern California, and it has thorough descriptions of all my favorite hikes, and many others my wife and I are planning to do this winter (in the Bay Area) and next summer (in the Sierra Nevada and maybe in the Trinity Alps). We have two other hiking books on Northern California, but this one is definitely our favorite. If you are only getting one hiking guide for the north state, this is it.



2. This is an exceptionally well-designed book for hikers across the spectrum. Whether you're a neophyte or have climbed Denali, this book contains all the essential information you need to tackle the hikes listed. The photos are all in color and are breathtaking! You really get a sense of what each hike will look like before you undertake it. Every hike also has a color map to accompany the text description. The maps are easy to follow and instructive.

   Equally pleasing is that the authors take the time to describe each hike in extensive detail, though they are never wordy. They list the elevation gains, give succinct but necessary directions to each trailhead and provide ample analysis of the strengths/weaknesses of each trek. The book is small and light enough to carry in your backpack, if you feel the need to consult it while on the trail.

   I have over 50 hiking books in my library and it would be hard to imagine a more complete, more photographically stunning or better written guide. I enthusiastically recommend this gem!




3. I love this book. The photographs make me want to visit every place and hike every trail. I have several hiking books, and I enjoy them all, but I love this one. I am hoping that John and Mark Soares are working on hiking books for Oregon!



4. This is a good "inspirational" book to look through, with great full-color photographs on at least every other page. It's great for planning a vacation around because it gives you a taste of what many different areas look like. The written information is equally good, with lots of great hikes with short, concise descriptions. With this and a local topo map, you're all set.



5. I agree with the other reviews in that this is a nice book to put on your coffee table and flip through. The photos are pretty nice, and the text descriptions make for a pretty entertaining read. However, if you are looking for a book with detailed logistics and good makes that will make for a practical companion on your hikes, this is NOT it. The maps are lacking (maps of the actual trails are decent, but there are no regional maps that aid you in finding the trail in the first place). Also, while the glossy paper makes for pretty photos, it's far too heavy for a practical guidebook that you'll want to carry with you.

1 comments about The Best of the Appalachian Trail Overnight Hikes, 2nd.

1. Just bought this and Best of the AT Day Hikes and am really enjoying them. I know I will never hike the whole trail, but these two books give me the best that the Appalachian Trail has to offer without having to hike evey inch of it. The books are well-organized and you can glean a lot of information at a glance; later you can go back and get the specifics of the hikes. This is edition has been a major revision of the first edition with more than a third of the hikes being brand new and all of the hike information--length, difficulty, trail route, driving directions, etc.--updated. I (and you will too) will be making great use of them.

5 comments about Alaska For Dummies (Dummies Travel).

1. I loved this book. I had ordered three different books on Alaska Vacations, this one was the best hands down. It gave me all my options, sample vacations, told me the best and worst of Alaska. I really feel I can now book my vacation and feel very comfortable. Going to Alaska is a very expensive vacation, I have waited a lifetime for a trip like this so I wanted to make sure of all my options. This book gave you the pros and cons of cruising, driving, renting an RV, railroads. Once I got through I knew exactly what was the best option for myself.



2. A great book for a planned trip with limited time. If you are off for adventure or off the beaten path make sure you get the Milepost and if you are visiting the Denali area, get Discovering Denali.



3. I run a tour business for Alaska travelers and purchased this book as a reference book. I was horrified at the inaccurate information and lack of details. For expample the author talks about Southeast Alaska and only mentions 3 towns! leaving out some of the most interesting and best places. No mention of Ketchikan, Haines, Wrangell, Petersburg, Gustavus. It is hard to believe the author has ever been to this part of Alaska. And as for his information for cruise ship passengers and day trips - his information and pricing is way out of date and for the most part very inaccurate. If you are planning to visit Alaska by cruise ship - this is NOT the information you will need for going through the Inside Passage.



4. This book is great. It gives lots of PRACTICAL information, without giving too much information about every single hotel and restaurant in town. It has tips and advice on how to enjoy your trip and not be taken advantage of. It has "heads up" sections that warn you of tourist traps, and gives ways to save money while visiting an expensive state. It highlights the "must-see's", and is a great aid in planning the trip of a lifetime.



5. I enjoyed reading about Alaska. i have several "Dummies" books and find them humorously informative!

No comments about Walt Disney World Trivia Calendar 2009.