Best England Travel Guides
Rick Steves Pocket London.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"informative well laid out."
"I found this publication by researching on Amazon and it is exactly what I am after to help me navigate London and all there is to see there."
"As always with Rick Steves books on Kindle - I found it very easy to navigate."
"Very good information."
"This is a great guide."
"I visited Abbey Road, Paul McCartney's current home, Sherlock Holmes Pub, and several other places that tourists don't usually go to."
Hike the wild moors of Dartmoor, explore the scenic bays of Cornwall, and dive into history at Hadrian's Wall: with Rick Steves on your side, England can be yours! Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Helpful tips for a first time trip to England, but some of the advice wasn't quite right and some of the restaurant recommendations are odd (chain places?)."
"While it would increase the book's price, a few colored pictures and/or maps would be helpful."
"I took his advice and just tore out the pages I needed so I didn't have the weight of the whole book."
"I love his shows and was hoping for something a little more fun maybe."
"I'm a fan of Steves' guides."
"Good basic books to take with you to England."
"If you are planning a trip to England, this travel book should be first on your list."
"The information in here was so generic, it was useless."
Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants in delightful London neighborhoods. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 20,000 travelers to Europe annually. Specializing in writing walking tours of Europe's cultural sights, Gene has coauthored eight of Rick's books and contributes to Rick's public television series.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Rick is always the best!"
"We always grab the Rick Steves books for any European destination that we are planning to go to, the books give tips and advice on where to stay what to do and what to avoid as being not really worth your time or money depending on what you are shorter on?"
"Filled with facts that will make your trip enjoyable."
"Mr. Steves' recommendations always sound and he does get you to some of the less touristy (and thus less expensive) spots for meals."
"My phone gets poor data signals when I'm in Europe, but I can always count on my handy Rick Steve's guide."
"This is a great book."
"Frequently, I buy a Steves Book and a Fodors book for the same place before I go."
"And tips, like where to go to get discount Tower tix saved me time & money!"
Best Bath England Travel Books
For vacationers who crave meaningful trips and unusual locales, cue National Geographic's Novel Destinations —a guide for bibliophiles to more than 500 literary sites across the United States and Europe. “ Novel Destinations by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon is a journey in itself and a compendium of literary spots for the book lover in all of us. “…This second edition of Novel Destinations helps people like me...people who ache to return to the haunting Gothic South that they've never physically been to, the cathedrals of Paris that only exist in their mind's eye, and the rowdy Burns Night Supper that lingers on their tongue...revisit and relive these experiences even when the cover is closed. Subtitled ‘A Travel Guide to Literary Landmarks From Jane Austen’s Bath to Ernest Hemingway’s Key West,’ this comprehensive handbook, including 500 literary sites, is a dream come true for traveling bibliophiles” —Books on the Table Blog. “As soon as I got this beautiful book (Look at that cover, its adorable) I started to peruse the places inside and the authors that make you want to go there. The only thing missing from this volume is a passport and luggage.” –Jathan & Heather Blog. “I was glad to see that it had the name of the place, the address, a website and vital information and the blurbs were just the right length - they provided the right amount of information if you were unsure of who the author was you got a little background about the author and why this location was special to them.” –Kritters Ramblings Blog. “From Dickens’ London to Joyce’s Dublin to Lee’s Alabama, I’ve traveled the world through the eyes of different characters. As a book lover who loves to travel and will be moving to Scotland to attend college next year, I love everything about Novel Destinations… The back of the book includes an index by locale, for finding cool sites near a specific travel destination, as well as a general index for hunting down certain sites. Honestly, what more could a bookworm want from a guide book?” – Read Till Dawn Blog. “I love to travel and when I do I am always on the lookout for anything bookish to check out. Personally, I'm excited for the literary lodgings chapter -- I'm a sucker for a book or author themed boutique hotel or B&B!"
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Some of the highlights include; Harper Lee’s old Court House Museum surrounded by landscapes of cotton fields, red clay roads, rolling hills tucked into rural pockets of Monroeville, Alabama. The 17th century seaside manse in Salem, Massachusetts, which was the inspiration of Nathanial Hawthorne’s “The House of Seven Gables.” The home of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts that was the setting for her novel, “Little Women.” Charles Dickens museum in London, and fragments of Marshalsea debtor’s prison where Dickens was incarcerated."
"This book is definitely focused on the States and Europe, with an eye towards the canon: Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Hemingway, Victor Hugo, Harper Lee, Dickens, Twain, and Edith Wharton."
"An interesting collection of literary "destinations": places worth visiting that were frequented by famous authors or are mentioned in their books. Hemingway, for example, gets a lot of attention with numerous places mentioned, but there's nothing about Lovecraft's Providence."
"Otherwise, it doesn’t matter if you're willing to jump on a plane at the drop of a hat or are an armchair traveler there is much information and insight to be gleaned from this book."
"Recently traveled to Santa Fe to visit family, and went to The Inn of the Turquoise Bear (pg. is the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Cross Creek State Park...so my suspicion is that some others' faves may be missing as well."
Best Devon England Travel Books
Lonely Planet Devon & Cornwall is your passport to all the most relevant and up-to-date advice on what to see, what to skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Eat your way through the region's booming food scene, relax on a secluded beach, or go wild on a windswept moor; all with your trusted travel companion. Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries show you the simplest way to tailor your trip to your own personal needs and interests Insider tips save you time and money, and help you get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - including hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, and prices Honest reviews for all budgets - including eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, and hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer and more rewarding travel experience - including history, art, wildlife and cuisine Over sixty colour maps Useful features - including Walking/Driving/Cycling Tours, Travel with Children, Month by Month (annual festival calendar) Coverage of Exeter, Torquay, Plymouth, Dartmoor, St Ives, Penzance, Newquay, Isles of Scilly, and more. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I can't say enough about this location, and secretly hope that it stays off the radar of tourists traveling to England for the first, second, or third time!"
"I found this helpful for planning a trip to Cornwall and Devon."
"We have just returned from Cornwall and used this book on a daily basis."
"Great guide!"
"Maps and directions weren't very specific."
"Great book...will take along to our trip to Cornwall."
"This book is better than expected and has been a real aid in planning my trip to Cornwall."
"Not much historical detail like Rick Steves."
Best General England Travel Guides
Rick Steves Pocket London.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Can never go wrong with a Rick Steves book."
"informative well laid out."
"I found this publication by researching on Amazon and it is exactly what I am after to help me navigate London and all there is to see there."
"As always with Rick Steves books on Kindle - I found it very easy to navigate."
"Very good information."
"This is a great guide."
"I visited Abbey Road, Paul McCartney's current home, Sherlock Holmes Pub, and several other places that tourists don't usually go to."
Best Gloucestershire England Travel Books
Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds is a captivating photographic portrait of the greatest British gardens and the lords, ladies and gardeners who own and manage them, with a focus on the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. 'Victoria and Hugo use their local knowledge and passion to spectacular effect, getting right under the skin of each garden and family who owns it...this enchanting book depicts paradise found'.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Hard to believe anything this beautiful actually exists."
"Love this book - will use it as gifts for friends."
"All in all a lovely experience and a delightful way to spend an evening."
"Fantastic book."
Best London England Travel Books
Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants in delightful London neighborhoods. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 20,000 travelers to Europe annually. Specializing in writing walking tours of Europe's cultural sights, Gene has coauthored eight of Rick's books and contributes to Rick's public television series.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If this London book is anything like the Rome book I am confidant my trip will be great, I highly recommend this and Rick Steves other travel books."
"Rick is always the best!"
"We always grab the Rick Steves books for any European destination that we are planning to go to, the books give tips and advice on where to stay what to do and what to avoid as being not really worth your time or money depending on what you are shorter on?"
"Filled with facts that will make your trip enjoyable."
"Mr. Steves' recommendations always sound and he does get you to some of the less touristy (and thus less expensive) spots for meals."
"My phone gets poor data signals when I'm in Europe, but I can always count on my handy Rick Steve's guide."
"This is a great book."
"Frequently, I buy a Steves Book and a Fodors book for the same place before I go."
Best Yorkshire England Travel Books
All too often, we think of nature as something distinct from ourselves, something to go and see, a place that’s separate from the ordinary modern world in which we live and work. Scrappy, weed-filled, this heart-shaped tangle of land was the very definition of overlooked—a thoroughly in-between place that capitalism no longer had any use for, leaving nature to take its course. Common Ground is a true account of that place and Cowen’s transformative journey through its layers and lives, but it’s much more too. ( Guardian ). "In beautifully written and evocative prose, English nature writer Cowen explores the relationship between humans and nature, making it abundantly clear that nature is where you find it. In discussing the changes the land and its inhabitants have experienced over hundreds of generations, Cowen brings the lives of individuals into sharp and poignant focus. ( Library Journal ). "Thanks to Rob Cowen’s remarkable book Common Ground , I’ve learned that there's a word for my woods: edgelands . A British nature writer, Cowen celebrates not remote slices of paradise but the wild places accessible to all of us: the unregulated land at the edges of human habitation where nature has been left to its own devices. Rob Cowen rakes over a scrap of land with forensic care, leading us into a whole new way of looking at the world." (Alan Bennett London Review of Books ). "One of the most original books in any genre." (Melissa Harrison Times, Books of the Year ). "Touched by genius." (John Lewis-Stempel Sunday Express, Books of the Year ). "Highly poetic.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a beautifully written reflection on a life in nature and in the real world, about the overlap of society and nature."
"A respite for the weary soul."
"Product and picture description is a bit different."
"It`s different..I have not finished it yet...but he does go on a bit about that fox......and I am expecting him to go on those midnight journeys in the daytime before I get to the end."
Best Finland Travel Guides
With this guide, you'll set sail to Europe's most prosperous cornera smorgasbord of Viking ships, deep green fjords, stave churches, brooding castles, and colorful farmhouses. Delve deep into Norway's scenic Sognefjord and bike through the idyllic Danish countryside on the castaway island of Aero. Rick Steves has spent 100 days every year since 1973 exploring Europe.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Since it focusses on a couple of places extensively, with handy, informative city walks and lots of info about eating, sleeping and transportation, but skips entire parts of the Scandinavic countries, this guide is very good, and perhaps even more useful than the Lonely Planet, if you only visit those places described in the book and not the rest."
"We skipped the expensive, shorter excursion offered by the cruise ship and saved enough to pay for all of our tour books."
"It even has tips and locations for all types of budgets to get the quality and price you want for meals."
"It can't, of course, cover everything, and a few bits were already slightly out of date, but that's only natural with a tour book."
"I like the writing style and of the places we chose to visit from the book, most were good."
"If you're looking for a book with limited scope to just the largest cities and one or two other options, this book can be very helpful, including many practical suggestions and recommendations on how to travel economically."
"The book itself is very good, it is the e book version that is terrible and almost impossible to use as a reference."
Best Poland Travel Guides
Part memoir and part travelogue, this unique cookbook that the story of Beata Zatorska's childhood in rural Poland, mixing stories of her youth and her grandmother’s handwritten recipes with stunning photos of Poland in summer. From fold-out endpapers featuring colorful, folksy textiles, to the lace overprint on the front cover, the textures are so rich they almost render the experience three dimensional. "In addition to being a serious cookbook with more than 50 Polish recipes (from pierogi to poppy-seed cake) taken from Beata's grandmother's handwritten notes, as miraculously preserved as preserves, Rose Petal Jam is also part memoir and part travelogue, the story of Beata's idyllic childhood in the rural Karkonosze Mountains and her later day adventurous travels with Simon in Poland today.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I left Poland at the age of seven but my roots will always be there and the spirit of my homeland flows in my veins. I give it four stars because sometimes the timing and instructions to the cooking process needs to be modified slightly but all round a gem!!!"
"And, it is very much a “coffee table book”: It is artistically laid out; there are very many photographs, both new and old; the writing is thoughtful and thought-provoking, with the stories, history and information very interesting to read; the content of the book—the combination of the pictures and the words—is often very poignant. About the recipes: As an example of the flexible instructions: The recipe for rose petal jam is to gather 3-4 large handfuls of the wild rose “Rosa canina” and place them in a stone mortar, slowly pour in about a pound of sugar and crush with the pestle to create a paste. In a way, that “loose”, open attitude is exactly what’s wonderful about Babcia’s (Grandma’s) recipes, but in another way, it won’t be helpful to a new cook."
"Beautiful pictures and her writing paints a picture of the unforgettable landscape, people and food of a beloved country that still remains a hidden gem to western cultures."
"I'm looking forward to Beata's next book and also the publication of this book in the Polish language."
"This book is not only beautiful but it tells such a heart-felt story about childhood memories and the loss of leaving your homeland."
"The format and photography is as lovely as you could find in an art book."
"If anyone wants to read why your heart never leaves Poland no matter what part of the world life takes you to, this book is for you."
"The book was much larger and weightier than I expected, but it was the size that encouraged me to slow down, and sit and enjoy the stories and pictures."
Best Iceland Travel Guides
Splash around in the Blue Lagoon's geothermal water, catch a glimpse of the celestial Northern Lights, or take a boat trip among the icebergs; all with your trusted travel companion. Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, politics, landscapes, wildlife, literature, music, cinema, art, architecture, customs, cuisine. Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing. Looking for more extensive coverage?
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Full color photos, multiple maps of villages, cities and notable landmarks throughout Iceland, make this book engaging to anyone."
"Their advice on travel to and from the airport by Flybus saved anxiety, time and money. As usual, their advice helped guide us to the sights and trips that we were most interested in."
"Pros: - Highlights all the must-sees and should-dos. - Like all other Lonely Planet guides I've used, this is very thorough, has up-to-date and accurate information on a wide variety of destinations. - Prices and opening hours are largely accurate, but travelers should still try to confirm info online when possible (i.e., the Blue Lagoon opening hours, that sort of thing). Cons: - Hypes up less exciting destinations... can be hard to pick out exactly where to go, though the essentials are mentioned. - Spends too much time on places no tourist should bother visiting (such as tiny towns with <1k population). - Not exactly geared for photographers; i.e., does not attempt to highlight some of the cool waterfalls, viewpoints, or hikes that are so worth going to."
"This book has the topical "getting started" and "suggested loops" sections, then delves pretty deeply into each region."
"You might find a paper map more useful outside of the capital city, in more remote places where you might not have a GPS signal."
"I loved this book because it had so much valuable and informative facts and history about the various towns and areas we visited."
Best Ireland Travel Guides
Wander rustic towns, emerald valleys, lively cities, and moss-draped ruins: with Rick Steves on your side, Ireland can be yours! Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great guide with wonderful suggestions to any of the major cities we visited."
"Found this guide helpful in planning my trip."
"A good source of information about some more popular sites in Ireland."
"Very useful as all Rick's publications."
"We like Rick's books; only disappointing thing is when you want or have to go somewhere in the country that he doesn't cover."
"Helpful for novice (and maybe not so novice) international travelers because he goes to enough pains to explain currency, driving rules, tipping, reservations, telephones, internet use, car rentals, and a myriad of other everyday issues that are different in a foreign country."
"I appreciate what he's trying to do - expose the reader to the culture of Irish folks versus seeing the checklist of Ireland tourist traps."
Best Greenland Travel Guides
Kayak past towering icebergs, dog-sled frozen tundra to picture-postcard villages, marvel at the midnight sun or dancing northern lights – Greenland and the Arctic are the perfect backdrop to an unforgettable experience. Lonely Planet guidebooks are, quite simply, like no others.'.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"At the time of purchase of this book (07), it wasn't as outdated and was extremely beneficial to me while I was traveling through Iceland and Greenland."
"I got the book two weeks ago, and now I have booked eight days in Greenland in June 2014, very useful to have the book."
"Very complete showing the diversity of the flora and fauna as well as the culture of Greenlanders."
"For example, charter flights between Canada (Iqaluit) and Greenland were terminated after the book went to press, so now it's impossible to fly from North America to Greenland without going through Europe. Also covered are Arctic Russia, northern Norway (town of Mo and north), and northern Finland (Rovaniemi and north)."
"I've enjoyed this book and it's a good travel guide on Greenland."
"It seems as if they just threw in a few sections just to say that they've covered it... But this LP guide has missed out so much...to mention a few: 1) Yukon - there's more to this territory than just Dawson and Dempster Hwy...such as Old Crow, Vuntut & Ivvavik Parks, and simply the rest of Yukon itself. Better do your planning online... though slightly southerly regarding its latitude and location, this place has nothing but Arctic landscapes and climate. 5) Northern Labrador - another beautiful Inuit region of Labrador completely forgotten on this so-called "Arctic" guide... 6) Scandinavia - Northern Norway is very beautiful, but this guide only gives you a vague idea of this fascinating region."
Best Switzerland Travel Guides
After a day of sightseeing and hiking the Alps, treat yourself to a glass of local wine, cheese fondue, and delicious Swiss chocolate. Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants in cities, villages, and resort towns. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I wanted to use it to plan a tour of Switzerland from Zurich to Geneva but, while the book has a section on Lake Geneva, there is not ONE WORD on Geneva except to say that other places around the lake are more worthwhile."
"great while planning a Switzerland vacation."
"We used all the time for our trip."
"you do not need to read the entire book just the cities you are planning to visit."
"Great book but wish there was more information around the villages along Lake Constance."
"However, it dissed Geneva where we spent a couple of nights."
"Good descriptions, But it is very difficult to plan a trip, with this guide, I may buy another guide of Rick Steves, as a complement of. Eyewitness Travel Guide, definitely the best."
Best Estonia Travel Guides
From top restaurants, bars, and clubs to standout scenic sites and walks, our insider tips are sure to make your trip outstanding. Whether you're looking for unique and interesting shops and markets, or seeking the best venues for music and nightlife, we have entertainment and hotel recommendations for every budget covered in our Eyewitness Travel Guide. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania truly shows you the country as no one else can. About DK Eyewitness Travel Guides : For more than two decades, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides have helped travelers experience the world through the history, art, architecture, and culture of their destinations.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"DK eyewitness guides are the best."
"You can't beat the KD books."
"This is the latest edition I was looking for (2015)."
"This book offers wonderful historical and cultural notes and helped us see many museums, enjoy the good life of summer, and also understand a little bit of the strength of the people through time!"
"Lots of pictures and information, good for preparing for trip ."
"Received promptly, product as described."
Best Malta Travel Guides
Inside Lonely Planet Malta & Gozo Travel Guide: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - including customs, history, art, music, architecture, politics, cuisine, and wine Over 36 local maps Covers Valletta, Marsaxlokk Victoria, Mdina, Dwerja, the Blue Lagoon, San Blas Bay, Gozo, Comino, Sliema, St. Julian's, Paceville, the Dingli Cliffs, and more.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It might be nice to have a little more in depth information, particularly about the ancient history of the island nation."
"Very helpful book, describing locations to see, good restaurants and general information about Malta and Gozo."
"This guide is almost as great as our visit to Malta."
"Great guide."
"Excellent guide to this fabulous / small country."
"My wife and I are spending a week in Malta over Christmas, it will be our second visit and this time we decided to buy the Lonely Planet guide (we already own LPGs for many other countries) to ensure we maximise the value of our holiday."
"There is not a ton of info on Malta and this book does a good job in giving you an overview."
"Handy tool for planning a trip to Malta and Gozo and seeing what there is to see."
Best German Travel Guides
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Germany takes you by the hand, leading you straight to the best attractions this country has to offer, from its beautiful castles and cathedrals to its popular beer halls, festivals, and Christmas markets to walks and hikes through the countryside. • Detailed city maps of Berlin and Munich include street finder indexes for easy navigation. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Germany truly shows you this country as no one else can. "Known… for its four-color maps, photos and illustrations, the [DK] Eyewitness Guides are extremely user-friendly for travelers who want their information delivered in a concise, visual way."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In good condition."
"It's a great book, but heavy to carry."
"By then, I was choke full of history and my shoulder couldn't handle the extra weight."
"This arrived quickly and I have been reading the history and similar sections; it follows the format of all DK Eyewitness Guides."
"This book came highly recommended by my seasoned traveler friends."
"This is a great guide with all the information anyone could ever need when traveling to Germany."
"We always look at the 4 or 5 standard guides for each country we visit and as usual this time we decided DK Eyewitness the best one."
Best Italian Travel Guides
Check out Fodor's travel guides to Rome; Venice; Florence & Tuscany; and The Amalfi Coast, Capri & Naples. “Fodor’s is pitched a few notches higher….aimed at a fairly discerning traveler with an appetite for background and the occasional surprise.” – New York Times.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I prefer this over other popular guide as it gives more information."
"Going to Italy in September."
"(It's amusing to read, for instance, "Florence's popularity with tourists means that, unfortunately, there's a higher percentage of mediocre restaurants here," before Fodor goes on with an insider's tips on which restaurants a visitor should try). The book is well-organized, colorful, well-illustrated with maps and pictures, has a nice pull-out map of Rome in back, and has readable and interesting prose."
"We used an older Fodors Essential Italy travel guide for our last trip to Italy and found it to be an excellent resource. We then take our itinerary and clip the relevant pages from the guide book to the area we are exploring along with any other resources we have for that area."
"I have gotten through the Rome section thus far, and I feel like I have a great handle on what I can expect to budget for a trip there next spring or fall (the best times to visit, according to the guide) and what neighborhoods and attractions are the absolute musts for a visit."
"I also want to have a guideBOOK to consult, not an e-guide book. But if you DO want an actual guideBOOK, Fodor's guides are often a good option."
"It's too overwhelming of a book."
Best Spain Travel Guides
Now updated to include newer maps and photos - and lighter in weight to support carefree traveling - this comprehensive guidebook to the Camino de Santiago and its offshoots contains all the information needed by modern-day pilgrims wishing to walk the sacred Way of St. James. John Brierley is a former chartered surveyor and the author of A Pilgrim’s Guide to Camino de Santiago , A Pilgrim’s Guide to Camino Finisterre , and A Pilgrim’s Guide to Camino Portugués .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have only one reservation to make with respect to Mr. Brierley's recommendations: His placing the " Route de Napoleon" as the recommended route for crossing the Pyrenees on the first day from St. Jean Pied de Port. The authentic pilgrims route had always been the Valcarlos/Arneguy route with its connections with the Charlemagne saga and its numerous villages are well equipped to cater to the needs of pilgrims."
"Have just returned from 3 weeks on the Camino and this book was fantastic."
"I read through about 1/2 of this in detail in preparation for making the Camino with 2 of my young-adult kids."
"I really like Brierley's stage maps & his step by step description of the trail especially when signage is sparse."
"Quick shipping, great product, painless transaction - highly recommended."
"Good info."
"We have a friend about to embark on the trek."
"Love the book, lost it, buying again."
Best Andorra Travel Guides
This unique book examines the history, culture, and inner workings of the seven smallest independent countries in Europe.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is a delightful tour of the micro-states of Europe: The Principality of Andorra (a unitary semi-elective parliamentary diarchy), the Principality of Liechtenstein (a monarchy), the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy), the Republic of Malta (a unitary parliamentary republic), the Principality of Monaco (unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy), the Most Serene Republic of San Marino (a unitary parliamentary directorial republic), and the State of the Vatican City (an absolute monarchy, ecclesiastical and elective theocracy)."
"The author has good basic knowledge of all of them, and although brief in history and sights, this book is a good introduction to all of them with a useful, if now somewhat dated bibliography for further reading."
"insightful, well written, and on point."
"Excelent!"
"Had great information on counties that do not have a lot of published information about them."
"Excellent and well researched book that deals with the history and geography of the seven smallest states of Europe."
"I liked the book, thematic interesting and easy to understand."
Best Monaco Travel Guides
This sumptuous, illustrated history tells the story of the rise of modern ballet and its popularity through the life story of one of ballet’s most glamorous stars, Irina Baronova (1919–2008), prima ballerina for the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo and later for Ballet Theatre in New York. “My friend Irina Baronova was a legendary Baby Ballerina of the Ballets Russes and an ambassador of classical ballet in America, but this book shows us the kind, funny, and hardworking woman behind the legend. These pages made me realize how lucky we are now, we American dancers, because of the pioneering energy and sheer strength of Baronova and the other great dancers of the Ballets Russes who performed tirelessly night after night, stirring and thrilling hearts in every tiny pocket of America. (Anjelica Huston). “Photograph by photograph, Tennant touches on some of the most celebrated moments of Baronova’s career as a professional ballerina, while providing an unprecedented look into the Golden Age of ballet. Although most know Baronova for her grace on the ballet floor, Tennant chronicles her mother’s life from humble and difficult beginnings to her days as a world-renowned dancer.”. ( DuJour ). “Written by Baronova’s daughter, this lavishly illustrated book depicts the life of one of ballet’s most glamorous stars, Irina Baronova, whose outstanding talent and beauty led her to become prima ballerina of the Ballets Russes and later New York’s Ballet Theatre.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Baronova's life was extraordinary, as the treasure trove of photographs attests."
"This is a wonderful portrait of a woman and a view of both an era and the world of ballet when America knew almost nothing about this art form."
"For enthusiast of beauty and excellence, an exciting read for both its rare transformative ability to bring you to an historical place and an immediate present."
"Beautiful photos."
"A superb book and a must for all who are interested in the history of ballet."
"A collection of wonderful images and moments."
"Victoria Tennant should be highly commended for the significant effort she has put into further contextualising why the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo made history at such an important and amazing time in history."
Best Denmark Travel Guides
When she was suddenly given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, journalist and archetypal Londoner Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: the happiest place on earth isn’t Disneyland, but Denmark, a land often thought of by foreigners as consisting entirely of long dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries. -- Sandi Toksvig 'Russell is possessed of a razor-sharp wit and a winning self-deprecation - two of the things that make this book such a delight.'. * The Independent * 'A hugely enjoyable romp through the pleasures and pitfalls of setting up home in a foreign land' -- PD Smith * Guardian * 'A wryly amusing account of a new life in a strange land.'. Helen Russell was a high-flying glossy magazine editor before moving to rural Jutland in Denmark which, despite its long dark winters, is also statistically the happiest nation on earth.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"When her husband was offered the chance to move to Denmark and work for Lego, Russell went from initially skeptical to seriously intrigued once she learned that Denmark has routinely been named as the happiest country in the world. In this memoir, Russell captures the adventure of moving to a new country and setting up a new life, while providing lots of interesting insight into what might make Denmark such an ideal place to live in. The cast of characters that make up Russell and her husband’s social life in Denmark – like the neighbors Mr. Russell divides the book into 12 chapters (one per month for her first 12 months in Denmark), with each chapter having a loose focus on one of the aspects of society/culture/economics that may contribute to the country’s status as happiest on Earth. Russell could have written this book as a straight up guide to what life is like in Denmark, but I think her personal story and perspective really contributed to the narrative. Some of the studies cited by Russell about different aspects of life in Denmark sounded more rigorous or believable than others, and I wished I had the time to investigate them further – which was impossible because to her credit Russell mentions many different studies throughout the book."
"And this is A Good Thing.”. I wanted a light and fun, but deeply interesting read to bring on a summer trip, and this book turned out to be the perfect choice. It offered a pretty entertaining look at Danish culture and society, all through the lens of why they continually rank among the highest countries in terms of happiness. After a while you get the formula of each chapter: an anecdote, a few statistics, an interview with a randomly found “expert,” and the constant questioning of various Danes about how happy they are on a scale of 1 to 10."
"And mostly, the Danish way of life this book reveals is just refreshing."
"You can feel the author’s joy about her experience flow from the pages as you vicariously experience her year in Denmark."
"It's currently the holidays and my place is trashed, but I know my next cleanup will be with Danish style in mind."
"As a freelance journalist and her husband decide to move to Denmark for a year, she decides to find out why the Danish people are listed as having the highest ratings for happiness in their lives."
Best Netherlands Travel Guides
You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Amsterdam. Connect with Rick: facebook: Rick Steves. twitter: @RickSteves. instagram: ricksteveseurope.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We are mid-budget travelers; meaning we can splurge on certain things (nice dinner, personal tour, etc.). In particular, the Paris guide was very helpful for the metro system, walking tours, history lessons, and restaurant suggestions."
"In fact, you will have a great trip that is well-planned, without having to hire your own private tour guide, or waste time with the big tour groups if you have limited time or would like to just go about at your own leisure."
"First, the bad: many of the important maps are on two page spreads, which means they're useless."
"Rick Steven books are always top notch."
"I highly recommend this book if you are planning a vacation to London."
"The warnings about scams and pickpockets might be a bit overdone, but they're the kind of thing you can and should prepare for, so I don't regret listening to Rick's advice."
"I followed his previous guide last year in London... and am going back."
"I usually like Rick Steves books, but I was disappointed in this one."
Best Sweden Travel Guides
With this guide, you'll set sail to Europe's most prosperous cornera smorgasbord of Viking ships, deep green fjords, stave churches, brooding castles, and colorful farmhouses. Delve deep into Norway's scenic Sognefjord and bike through the idyllic Danish countryside on the castaway island of Aero. Rick Steves has spent 100 days every year since 1973 exploring Europe.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Since it focusses on a couple of places extensively, with handy, informative city walks and lots of info about eating, sleeping and transportation, but skips entire parts of the Scandinavic countries, this guide is very good, and perhaps even more useful than the Lonely Planet, if you only visit those places described in the book and not the rest."
"It even has tips and locations for all types of budgets to get the quality and price you want for meals."
"It can't, of course, cover everything, and a few bits were already slightly out of date, but that's only natural with a tour book."
"Great summary of different areas with good detail on activities to do."
"So many good pointers for travel in this book."
"Very fast service."
"The book itself is very good, it is the e book version that is terrible and almost impossible to use as a reference."
Best Hungarian Travel Guides
You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Budapest. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket. To recharge, Rick plays piano, relaxes at his family cabin in the Cascade Mountains, and spends time with his partner Trish, son Andy, and daughter Jackie.Connect with Rick:facebook: Rick Stevestwitter: @RickStevesinstagram: ricksteveseurope.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As soon as I learned that I'd spend a week in Budapest (mostly on business), I went to the public library to take out a few guidebooks (DK's Top 10 Budapest, Rick Steves Budapest, and Fodor's 25 Best Budapest). I ended up buying the Kindle version of the Rick Steves book. I'm a bit surprised at how few of the Amazon reviews actually speak to the usefulness of the guidebooks; most of them seem to be written by people who read the books before the trip rather than reporting on the books' helpfulness on the city streets. Top 10 Budapest: As with the others in this series, the fits-in-your-purse book has plenty of pretty photos, lots of clear maps, walking tours ("a day in the Castle District and North Buda"), and the promised Top 10 lists, from overall sights (Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica, etc.). Fodor's 25 Best Budapest: This book, too, is a short-and-sweet overview to the city, emphasizing the most popular sights, with good maps and photos. Instead of trying to fit everything into a tiny book (which necessarily limits how many things to include and how much to say), Steves' book shares a lot of detail, with real storytelling -- as if you had a (semi)-local telling you about his city. If I had to do it again, I'd get both the Rick Steves book AND the Fodor's guide -- the latter, perhaps, in the paper version, as it's light enough to put in your day pack."
"The book does a great job of listing places to visit,where to sleep, eat, the exciting night life, cultural events and other attractions in Budapest by district."
"We used it extensively to get off the beaten path and see some interesting sites."
"I normally find that it takes more than one guidebook to get the info I want during my visits because I try to have a good predetermined sequence in mind of POI's so I can maximize my weekend time off."
"Rick Steve's books are an indispensable asset to any trip!"
"Another great Rick Steves travel book which provides all the detailed information you need to have a great trip to Budapest."
"Excellent and the supplements for places to see outside Budapest were especially helpful."
"Book was decent but i very much disliked the fact that it didn't include a map like the other books i have purchased from Rick Steves."
Best Vatican Travel Guides
The front side of each card shows a full-size photograph of the art while the back side provides a 200-word discussion by art historian Anja Grebe on the key attributes of the work; what to look for when viewing it; the artist's inspirations, techniques, and biographical information; the artist's impact on art history; and more. She is taking part in numerous international research projects and exhibitions and has published extensively on medieval and modern art history.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Just visited the Vatican this past summer, so was excited to see this set."
"Great way to introduce Rome and the incredible artists."
"I love the size of this set."
"GOT THIS FOR MY BEST FRIENDS BIRTHDAY, SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED WITH IT."
"I want more;moma, Guggenheim, bmfa?"
Best Norway Travel Guides
With this guide, you'll set sail to Europe's most prosperous cornera smorgasbord of Viking ships, deep green fjords, stave churches, brooding castles, and colorful farmhouses. Delve deep into Norway's scenic Sognefjord and bike through the idyllic Danish countryside on the castaway island of Aero. Rick Steves has spent 100 days every year since 1973 exploring Europe.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Since it focusses on a couple of places extensively, with handy, informative city walks and lots of info about eating, sleeping and transportation, but skips entire parts of the Scandinavic countries, this guide is very good, and perhaps even more useful than the Lonely Planet, if you only visit those places described in the book and not the rest."
"It even has tips and locations for all types of budgets to get the quality and price you want for meals."
"It can't, of course, cover everything, and a few bits were already slightly out of date, but that's only natural with a tour book."
"Great summary of different areas with good detail on activities to do."
"So many good pointers for travel in this book."
"Very fast service."
"The book itself is very good, it is the e book version that is terrible and almost impossible to use as a reference."
Best Latvia Travel Guides
Inside the Lonely Planet Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania Travel Guide: About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It was a great way to plan ahead part of our tip."
"Had a great time in Estonia, and I even took the recommended weekend retreat to Helsinki from there that it suggested."
"Lots of great information about each country, including sightseeing information and general traveler information."
"Always use Lonely planet when travelling."
"It covers the interest in these 3 countries, very helpful to firm up the travel schedule."
"We learn the histories of countries before we go, we get ideas for hostels, we have the basic dictionary of phrases, we know the currencies, we learn the signs for men's rooms and ladies' rooms....we never travel without a Lonely Planet guide."
"The book was informative and was helpful in planning my trip to the Baltic States."
"A comprehensive and fairly useful guide book to help you plan your trip to the Baltic states."
Best French Travel Guides
Explore every centimeter of Paris, from the top of the Eiffel tower to the ancient catacombs below the city: with Rick Steves on your side, Paris can be yours! Rick Steves, author of 21 guidebooks and host of the television series Travels in Europe with Rick Steves, has spent 100 days a year traveling Europe, every year, since 1973.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"super helpfull to make a itinerary and make the most of Paris."
"Anyway, buy the book before you go but also buy Dixon Long's "Markets of Paris" - there is so much about Paris, it's impossible to overdo the preparation!"
"I can't say enough good things about this book."
"The book comes with a few pre-planned itineraries for a short 3 day trip and a longer trip, which with a little thought, can be customized to fit your schedule and desires. The guidebook covered common tourist scams, two of which were attempted on me which I easily avoided (friendship bracelet and found ring)."
"I read it over before going and it has lots of good information like when to go where, what days time etc. The only thing that I would double check before leaving for Paris or when in Paris is if the days certain places are open. at least 3 hours of waiting!"
"I did my best to read the book before leaving and plan the trip out ahead of time, but it was also extremely useful at the hotel to help finalize the next day's plans, and even once in awhile to have it out with me during the day in case my memory failed me or we changed our plans on-the-fly."
"Rick Steves is a real-live "regular" traveler, who understands that most of us don't stay at the Ritz Carlton, don't eat at 3-star Michelin restaurants, and that we crave authentic travel experiences."
"But it is terrible--bare minumum of info, often misleading or missing info (for instance not mentioning the existence, let alone whereabouts, of a famous restaurant in Paris, but only its satellite location out at Versailles)."
Best Belgium Travel Guides
With this guide, you'll ride bikes over cobblestone streets and embark on cruises through charming canals. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket. Connect with Rick: facebook: Rick Steves. twitter: @RickSteves. instagram: ricksteveseurope.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My journeys were planned using the always-reliable guidance; my travels were enhanced by information that helped me be a bolder adventurer; and my experiences were richer for the treasures revealed by entering "Through the Back Door"."
"For the history lovers, there are beautifully written sections to educate you about what you're seeing, which makes your experience measurably more meaningful. The information is so detailed that Rick tells you things like, "When exiting the front of the train station, turn to your left and walk 20 yards to the bus stop. And of course, there are simplified city maps to help you navigate once you get there, usually marked with his suggested walking tour route. But one of my favorite parts of Rick's books is that he tells you how to really see a place by becoming what he calls a "temporary local.""
"We don't pay much attention to his lodging and restaurant recommendations anymore but his descriptions of sites to see, choices of places to visit on a schedule and other basic information are very good."
"As a medically fragile traveler, this helped us decide what to do, what to spend my energy on."
"My brother and I have used his travel books on our trips to Europe and never been disappointed in room food recommendations."
"Rick Steves travel guides have lots of practical information, very useful for planning trips to Europe."
"Steve's books are always well organized and well written and it makes planning a trip very easy."
"Rick Steves is the best travel book out there."
Best Austria Travel Guides
Beyond Vienna, stroll the Baroque street of Salzburg, home to Mozart and The Sound of Music for a taste of the Alpine living, head to the snowy peaks and green valleys of Tirol. Connect with Rick: facebook: Rick Steves. twitter: @RickSteves. instagram: ricksteveseurope.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We just finished using this book for a trip to Vienna (but not anywhere else covered in this book), and it was well worth having!"
"This very useful guide includes information on Linz, Melk, and Durenstein Austria as well as Vienna and Salzburg, In addition there was a nice section on Bratislava, Slovakia which made it a very helpful companion on our Viking Danube River cruise which stopped at all these cities."
"I've learned my lesson and won't buy another travel guide electronically."
"I used this book to plan our trip to Vienna, Salzburg, and Tirol (Tyrol)."
"Rick gives his opinion on which sites to say to help you decide on what it's worth spending time on and what can be skipped."
"As always an excellent travel guide."
"It was so nice to just carry a light weight kindle--that I could also use for reading novels on the train or at cafes."
"We were totally satisfied with the information in the book and what it did in the way of helping us plan the trip to Austria."