Best Romania & Moldova Travel Guides
Each guidebook in this series details how to get around and what not to miss... the most gracious hotels and recommended restaurants... the best spots for festivals, wildlife watching, water sports, and moreall presented with the reliable reporting and magnificent photos and maps that are the hallmarks of National Geographic. Caroline Juler is a writer and an artist.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Excellent guidebook."
"Read it carefully before going and decide by what you read what to visit and what to leave for another visit."
"Every proud Romanian should have this on their coffee table."
"Good book for Romania!"
"Being NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, you can't go wrong buying this!"
"This is unfortunately somewhat outdated, but still a very good guide to what to see and viisit."
"It's great to see a book on Romania published by the prestigious National Geographic."
"Great book, great supplier and great price, thank you!"
A husband, a family, a comfortable life: Theodora Lestrange lives in terror of it all. Excitement, danger, and romance await independent, headstrong writer Theodora Lestrange when she flees 1858 Scotland and miserable spinsterhood for the wilds of Transylvania, joining a childhood friend who will soon be wed. The shocking murder of a servant girl shatters the idyllic peace, and the two bite marks on her neck lead Andrei and his mother to fear that his cruel father has returned from the dead as a vampire.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"First Sentence: All proper stories begin with the words Once upon a time.... Theodroa Lastrange travels to a castle in the Carpathian Mountains at the invitation of her school-days friend, Cosmina. She also finds superstition and dark tales of werewolves and be involved in the destruction of an alleged vampire. However, on the plus side, there were some scenes that were very well done, I personally like the inclusion of references to and the poetry of Baudelaire, Les Fleurs du Mal being a particular favorite of mine, and I particularly appreciate her explanation for some of the "supernatural' events. THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST (Gothic/Susp-Theodora Lastrange-Transylvania-Victorian/1858) - Okay. Raybourn, Deanna - Standalone. Mira, 2010, Trade paperback - ISBN: 9780778327653."
"I've read a lot of Gothic romance and vampire stories but this one is amazing."
"I was beyond annoyed when it arrived from Amazon and I discovered that the back cover referenced vampires and that the bulk of the story was set in Translyvannia, of all places. Instead, I tossed it in my TBR pile on the odd chance that I would one day be able to dismiss my aversion to the supernatural and give it a shot. She was a cold opportunist who easily overcame the minor qualms about thumbing her nose at the bonds of morality, friend and religion. I think it is a fine writer to present flawed protagonists and make the reader care for them and Raybourn has been successful at this in her earlier efforts, but not so much here. I found her truly and utterly reprehensible."
"This novels dances on the line of supernatural, we have some vampires, and ware-wolves plot twists that are different from her usual style of writing. Despite this, I enjoyed this book and Deanna Raybourn still remains one of my favorite authors and I always look forward to reading her books whether it be Lady Julia Grey or something off track she has a rare gift of being able to write excellent novels with good plot twits, mystery and a good cup of tea for measure."
And so it is, a pointless argument with a friend concludes in a bet - that Tony can't beat all eleven members of the Moldovan soccer team at tennis. In order to win this bet, he first had to establish the location of Moldova (formerly a member state of the USSR), contact the Moldovan football team, and be invited into the country by a native on special official letterhead. Soon thereafter, Hawks travels the remote country trying to find the team, with a side trip to deliver a round table to King Arthur (the newest King of the Gypsies).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Much has changed in Moldova since this book was written and anyone visiting the country today may not recognize it as the same country as described in the book."
"The plot basically concerns a bet about his being able to defeat the entire Moldovan National soccer team at tennis. I found the book funny and warm, and especially enjoyed the relationships formed with the family members he stayed with in Moldova."
"Book includes several black and white photos of the football players and people Hawk's met on the way."
"I liked this book."
"Being a Romanian, the sister country of Moldova it was enlightening how a foreigner view the problema of the Moldovan Republic, problems which my country faced in the day."
"Awesome book, couldn't put it down."
"Refreshing and interesting."
"Laughing out loud moments, great read."
Best Bulgaria Travel Guides
Border is a scintillating, immersive travel narrative that is also a shadow history of the Cold War, a sideways look at the migration crisis troubling Europe, and a deep, witchy descent into interior and exterior geographies. But she also possesses a gift that’s bestowed on only the best of travel writers: an ability to zero in on characters who illuminate the condition of a place in time.” ― The New York Times Book Review. Kassabova’s gifts as a poet shine when she describes the mystical, powerful landscape, the book’s true protagonist.” ― Newsday. “Rich with a profound sense of the region’s political and cultural history, this travelogue moves at an often meandering pace, its narrative broken up by condensed musings on personal conflict, historical ephemera or folklore. Kassabova devotes herself to intimate vignettes that sparkle with the dark charm of fairy tales and mystical fables. Kassabova’s gifts as a poet shine when she describes the mystical, powerful landscape, the book’s true protagonist. “An ethereal siren’s song woven from the myths, legends, and languages that converge in the borderland. The result is a portrait of a place out of time, separate from the countries the speakers inhabit―a distinctive space that the reader can enter too after falling under Kassabova’s spell. Reading Border is a dizzying reminder of the common humanity found on either side of any border.” ― The Christian Century. Kassabova proves to be a penetrating and contemplative guide through rough terrain.” ― Publishers Weekly , starred review. Border offers a dark look at a world of smugglers and spies, where the past maintains its hold even as people struggle to reach a brighter future." “A dreamlike account that subtly draws readers into the author’s ambivalent experience of a homeland that has changed almost beyond recognition.” ― Kirkus Reviews. “This is an exceptional book, a tale of travelling and listening closely, and it brings something altogether new to the mounting literature on the story of modern migration. [At a moment] when asylum-seekers are adrift from one end of the world to the other, Border makes for timely reading.” ― New Statesman (UK) “Riveting, beautifully written. Kassabova, a poet and novelist as well as an essayist, is ideally placed to take us on a journey to a corner of Europe that even today seems exotic and little known. In this region nearly everyone is at only one or two generational removes from exile and displacement, scattered among three alphabets and several nations; and along the way Kassabova meets treasure-hunters, refugees, retired spies, smugglers, hunters, botanists, healers, artists, Gypsies (Roma), forest rangers and -border guards. This is travel writing with lexical precision (“transhumance”, “karst”) and a sense of adventure, but with a distinctively female slant. With the best of travel writers, Kapka Kassabova is an explorer, viewing everything with the eyes of discovery, even as she uncovers strata of history and legend. She makes us long to peer closely at the map, and see these wondrous places for ourselves.” ― The Times Literary Supplement (UK).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This read was a fascinating journey indeed!"
"Beautifully written."
"Beautifully written, and conveyed all of the suffering this region has endured throughout the centuries because of political, religious and ideological differences."
"Fascinating tale of past and present borders in a little-discussed corner of Europe."
Best Serbia & Slovenia Travel Guides
Stroll atop the walls that encircle romantic Dubrovnik, wander through the Roman ruins in the heart of bustling Split, and set sail to the islands of Korcula and Hvar on the glimmering Adriatic. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Ever since, he has spent three months each year in Europe, contributing to guidebooks, tours, radio and television shows, and other media for Rick Steves' Europe, where he serves as content manager.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Rick Steves is the ultimately in a quality, trustworthy travel guide."
"Was hoping for a nice map."
"Rick is always knowledgeable and helpful."
"This is a very complete book for the area."
"Wonderful book for getting around Coatia and Slovenia."
"It arrived quickly & is a great resource for a future vacation!"
"Rick Steves is so helpful."
Best Lithuania 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"Like all Eyewitness guides, this is a very good planning tool."
"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 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 Slovakia Travel Guides
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Czech and Slovak Republics is the ultimate companion to this magnificent region. 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"The DK guides to the Czech Republic and the separate on for Prague have been indispensable."
"Only thing I would have liked to see added is a sort of scale of what's actually a "must-see" vs "if you have time" as all feels equally weighted."
"I bought this for my friend to help them plan a trip, they said it was amazing."
"My cousin and I do not do organized tours, so we travel all over Europe in a rental car with our photocopied pages of the DK books (carrying each country's book gets a little heavy) and these pages fit nicely in our carry-on luggage ... next to our maps."
"I bought this because I am considering going to Slovakia in the near future, my Grandparent are from there and I would love to see where they are from."
"Excellent travel guide for points of interest."
"This is the book one takes if they have space and are traveling through a country, through small towns."
"If you buy the book, CHECK THE PAGES! If it weren't for the pages in German, I would recommend this book for someone who wanted background information on sites to see in a country, but I would not recommend it as a guidebook to take along on a trip."
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 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 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 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 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."
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 San Marino & Umbria Travel Guides
Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for more than 80 years. Fodor's correspondents highlight the best of Florence and Tuscany, including renowned Renaissance art, stunning churches, superb wineries, and charming hill towns. “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"It is why I always have used and will continue to use Fodor travel books."
"It starts out with basic information on what to expect from the transportation system there, the weather in each season, and what to pack, so it is a very useful book for all aspects of planning and travel. As it progresses to attractions, hotels, restaurants and other things to do and see in the area, it gives some history and a lot of inside information so you can get the best deals for less."
"In Florence itself, the book while being brutally honest about the condition of the Boboli Gardens, does mention the spectacular view of the city. The book covers Orvieto, one of my favorite places to visit on a hot summer day; the hilltop town is cool with many outstanding features to visit and a pleasure to explore."
"I collect travel guides to Italy - I can't say that Fodor's are my favorites, but I pretty much like perusing any travel guide to Italy and there is really nothing wrong with this one."
"Each area has its own section in the book & includes an overview map of the region & a city map."
"I haven't been a fan of Fodor's guides."
"The Fodor's series is - as this ISBN 0147546605 Florence & Tuscany - in full color, but has pale and thus not to legible maps and plans, though it is detailed comparably to the Baedeker and Eyewitness. less handy, but with excellent flexible vinyl bindings, greater number of pointers, and superior layout, graphics, clarity, and - in general - the quality of being a souvenir\memento."
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 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 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 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 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."
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 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 Portugal Travel Guides
Tour Lisbon's cobbled lanes and grand squares, reminders of Portugal's seafaring glory days. When evening comes, enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood stew, and raise a glass of port wine in a toast. Connect with Rick: facebook: Rick Steves. twitter: @RickSteves. instagram: ricksteveseurope.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have read other travel review guides and the one I use now is Rick Steve's ."
"This is the 5th trip we've planned with Rick Steves as our guide."
"very good book...Love all of Rick's books...worth the time and $$$$."
"ok, hard to read and find things."
"Rick Steves is the king of European guidebooks for Americans and is an indispensable resource for another travelling to Europe."
"It is a typical (great!)."
"I didn't realize The Azores we're not included."
"I wish there was a version where I could find the information without all the "expert BS"."
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 Belarus & Ukraine Travel Guides
From the desperate fight to prevent a burning reactor core from irradiating eastern Europe, to the self-sacrifice of the heroic men who entered fields of radiation so strong that machines wouldn’t work, to the surprising truth about the legendary ‘Chernobyl divers’, all the way through to the USSR’s final show-trial. Andrew Leatherbarrow lives with his fiance and their two children in Lancashire, England.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great read and viewpoint on the Chernobly incident."
"(Not a whole bunch of scientific technical terms and info, but written for the average person) engrossing and verry interesting."
"Very interesting summary written by a Scottish fellow who was fascinated with how it happened, how it unfolded, who was involved, and the long-term consequences of the disaster, roughly equivalent to 440 nuclear weapons going off."
"Very well-written and interesting account of the Chernobyl accident, along with the author's account of his visit to Chernobyl, Pripyat and Kiev."
"The author really puts the actual "accident" in perspective and the fact he extensively sites his sources is impressive."
"I liked this book a lot."
"Loved hearing and following along with the book."
"The book was more about a young man's photography journey to Chernobyl and his interactions with others in his tour group."
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 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 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 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 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."