Book Description
Gaze at the gargoyles and ponder Quasimodo's fate as you laze in the park behind Notre Dame p133. Fly off-piste down glaciers near Chamonix on the notorious Vallée Blanche descent p534. Get lost in secret passageways beneath Lyon and discover why silk weavers toiled to build them p506. Spit a mouthful of Burgundy without causing offence at Beaune's École des Vins de Bourgogne p467. Six authors, 23 combined years living in France, 196 days of in-country research, 184 maps. You asked for it, we researched it - more value accommodation in this edition. Belle Île Romance, Marseille short-break, Tour de France trail - take inspiration from our itineraries and explore France your own way.
Customer Reviews:
Lonely Planet France.......2007-07-16
What I liked best about this book was the overview of the country. It gave history of the country and then also gave ideas on what to see and do if you want to enjoy learning the history of the country. If you aren't into that sort of thing this book offers the traveler ideas of places to go and things to see that are more modern and not necessarily educational/historic. This book also offers time and money saving tips and off the beaten path places to see and experience while you travel. If one is interested in doing specific tours or seeing certian things the book offers different tour packages in terms of what one might want to see or experience while in France. It is a great way to help narrow down and/or increase the amount of things to do or see when you visit France.
No section on tipping.......2007-06-18
Lonely Planet guidebooks range from excellent (Thailand) to less than mediocre (France). I found the France guide to fall short, especially because there is no section on what constitutes an appropriate tip or gratuity at a restaurant. While there were many useful and interesting tidbits of information (the text box on Cemetaire Pere la Chaise for example) the absence of any mention of tipping jaded me against this particular guidebook.
A .......2007-05-12
Written by a team of six authors (Nicola Williams, Oliver Berry, Steve Fallon, Catherine Le Nevez, Daniel Robinson, and Miles Roddis) with 23 combined years of living in France, the seventh edition of Lonely Planet's travel guide France is as high-quality as ever, packed with up-to-date research, 184 maps, and a handful of color photographs. From locations and descriptions of restaurants, hotels, and businesses, to a solid primer on adapting to French culture, to historical insights, transportation tips, recommended tours and trails, an extensive index, and even unique touches such as the URLs of France's most popular bloggers, this updated and expanded seventh edition of France is a "must-have" for anyone determined to make the most of their visit to this proud nation. Readers can even visit [...] for additional daily updates!
Decent,...but I wouldn't use it alone.......2007-03-26
I bought this with the Rick Steve's France book because I couldn't decide between the two. Everyone told me that Lonely planet guides are great...but I have watched Rick Steve's shows on TV. Lonely Planet France was okay...but, it lists like 10 hotels for each area, 10-15 restaurants to eat in each area, whereas Rick Steve's France narrows it down to 3 or 4 hotels/restaurants that you must try. Lonely Planet is fine...and it is helpful, but I use it in conjunction with other guide books.
Lonely Planet France.......2007-03-10
This is a nice research book for those who have not been to France. Much to big and bulky to take on the trip. It would be nice to have pull out maps of the different historical sites such as the Louvre incorporated in the book.
Amazon.com
From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years, and as a result has experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.
This bestselling guide is the ticket to no-nonsense travel in Turkey. Far-reaching coverage of the sights--from the modern to the ancient--is complemented by a Turkish food guide, useful language section and glossary, and thorough accommodation coverage (from hostels to hotels). A section devoted to Turkish carpets explains everything from traditional patterns to making a good buy. --Kathryn True
Book Description
Imagine Byzantine chariot teams clashing as you cross the Hippodrome in Istanbul. Hear the whoosh of the flame in the balloon as you float over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Tackle Yusufeli Gorge's mighty 'King Kong' rapids on the Coruh River. Learn how to cut your raki with water to lessen a hangover.
Eight authors, more than 300 days of in-country research, 123 detailed maps, dozens of doner kebaps consumed.
Special trekking chapter, complete with resources section, by trekking specialist Kate Clow.
From the caravan trail to tips for daredevils, explore Turkey your own way with our in-depth itineraries.
Content updated daily: visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews and traveller suggestions.
Customer Reviews:
american living in turkey- great guide.......2007-10-15
Come ivsit Turkey and use Lonely Planet to help you with your tour! I have lived in Turkey for a year. The Lonely Planet goes everywhere with us...it is worn and bent and highlighted and marked up and excellent. We have been completely happy with all the suggestions from LP. Here is the thing. Turkey is a fabulous country, however, there are a few things LP cannot control.
1. The prices are inaccurate but that is not LPs fault. The Lira is very unstable and has had an outragous inflation rate. Also, you have to be good at bargaining to get a good rate and most of us Westerners are uncomforatble with this.
2. Directions/ getting around....the majority of Turks rely on public transportation. There are VERY FEW road signs if you are driving. LPs maps are great, but unfortunately hard to follow without signs. I know people are sometimes frustrated with the bus routes...they can be inconvienent and drop off in the middle of the night, and hard to find your way around if you don't speak Turkish....again not LPs fault. Just keep asking for someone who speaks English to help you and the hospitable people of Turkey will find someone.
I find LPs history background one of the best things about it. It is just enough to get you interested in seeing a place and you can supplement it by GOING to the museums. We have been 100% satisfied, but you must have realiztic expectations.
This book covered all areas of my interest.......2007-06-06
From pensions to informative summaries on the ruins this book covered all basis. The guide was accurate in their description of places and allowed us to travel around freely without assistance even though we had only about 20 words of Turkey under our belt. It came back well worn and happy.
Lonely Planet Turkey--great preparation for your trip.......2006-11-04
This book provides a well rounded view of the country, from its history and culture to the best places to stay, eat and shop. It's easy to read and navigate and a great help in planning a trip.
Good, but not as good as other Lonely Planet.......2006-10-07
As a disclaimer, I am a huge fan of the Lonely Planet travel guides. I like to travel, and have lately traveled to quite a few countries following recommendations from Lonely Planet. Just before going to Turkey, I was in Greece "with Lonely Planet".
Compared to other Lonely Planets, this book on Turkey is weak and the part about Istanbul in particular has been a disappointment.
My comments apply to the 9th edition published in April 2005. I have sent very specific comments to Lonely Planet, and I do certainly hope that future editions will improve on the weaknesses of the 9th edition.
The bottom line is that if you are looking for a travel guide to Turkey, you might still want to consider getting the Lonely Planet, but I recommend you shop around and also look closely at other alternatives.
Inaccurate and out-of-date.......2006-10-03
This guide is seriously out of date. This applies not only to prices, and relative prices, but also to critical information about what is available and how to find it. Having used it (Sept., 2006), my advice is not to rely on it without checking independently that what it says is available and how to get there is correct. Otherwise you may find that you have been expensely (in time or in money) misled. Since you should check with other sources, you might as well simply forget this guide, which is one of the worst I have ever used. Its recommendations about what is worth seeing and the state of hotels, while often useful, can also be wildly wrong.
Amazon.com
From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.
If you have to choose one book to take to Paris, this fully updated Lonely Planet guide will cover all your bases. Whether you're camping, planning to splurge on a chic hotel, picnicking, or set on haute cuisine, this book gives you thousands of options. Also included is a useful 12-page overview of Parisian architecture, detailed entertainment information, notes on day trips to nearby châteaux and villages, plus 20 pages of detailed city maps, including the Metro. --Kathryn True
Book Description
From the heights of Sacré Coeur to the gently rolling Seine, feel the joie de vivre of Europe's crowning glory. Watch Parisian life pass you by from an outdoor café, deck yourself out in fashion finery or escape on an enticing excursion to a chateau. With discerning information on everything Paris has to offer, this guide gives you the city at your fingertips. BE AWESTRUCK - the city is an open-air gallery and this book your private tour guide FLASH THAT CREDIT CARD - from haute couture to flea markets our expert authors take you inside the Parisian shopping scene REST YOUR TÊTE - we've trawled the streets of Paris to bring you this hand-picked selection of sleeping establishments DEVOUR the world's finest cuisine with our delectable eating reviews FIND YOUR WAY around with our 32 easy-to-use colour maps
Customer Reviews:
Positive Thoughts on Lonely Planet Paris.......2007-08-02
Paris is a fascinating city. As a traveler familiar with Lonely Planet's format, the Paris guide was very helpful, particularly with the walking tour and excursion descriptions. I found the maps easy to use and there was a ton of information. Unfortunately, there isn't anything inexpensive about Paris, but public transportation is reasonable and accessible. Thank you, Lonely Planet, for continuing to put out a great travel guide.
Great Guide.......2007-07-18
I've used Lonely Planet guides before, and this is the second Paris edition I've used. The book is structured in very logical way, by arrondissements. Descriptions, directions, addresses, and maps are excellent. The walking tours are particularly good - very descriptive with little to no back-tracking. I appreciate that prices and hours of operation are updated and spelled out clearly.
Lonely Planet Paris.......2007-07-16
I enjoyed this guide. I found it helpful for differnt sites to see and places to go. Of course you have your big hitters such as The Arc de Triumph, Eiffle Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, Sacre Coure etc but it gave ideas of other places to go as well that some people wouldn't think of. I will be traveling with a small child and having places to go that would be interesting and fun to them was a help as well. I liked that it gave different discount ideas. I like the maps and other little secrets that are enclosed to not only save time and money but ensure safety and piece of mind as well!
A big list of restaurant that are useless for a backpacker.......2007-05-18
. The information about the history of Paris was Ok.
. Ok with the walking tour
. All the highlights and backdoor are inside this guide
BUT...looking with a backpacker eyes..
. They should reduce the big restaurant list and make a better explanation of the highlights is the sight section.
Just for your information, I love Lonely Planet...this is a constructive recommendation that I give to all the city guides...
Another important thing, specially for what they call "A city guide"...they should give more information (map and path) of the buses. I found it difficult to understand which bus is convenient to go from one place to another.
I wanted to use the bus in Paris intead of metro to see the beautifull places, but I couldn't. And I will not mention how difficult is the way back to the hotel using the night transportation.
So, I think, less restaurant and better transport and sight information. Yes, I know that you can buy maps and whatever...but...I am paying more that US$15 for a city guide, man...
Insight on Paris.......2007-05-05
The book (more specific the maps)was very helpful in picking the area we want to stay when in Paris.
I looked alot about the different areas and how to organize my trip to the city.
Average customer rating:
- extremely useful
- French Booklet
- French: Lonely Planet Phrasebook
- Useful in all situations
- Excellent Book to get around!!!!!
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French: Lonely Planet Phrasebook
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Lonely Planet Phrasebooks
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ASIN: 1864501529 |
Book Description
Phrasebook in hand, bus ticket secured, you discover the bus driver shares your passion for Monet and fromage. He invited you to meet his family over a long lunch - another language-inspired success.
- extensive two-way dictionary & user-friendly sentence builder
- pronunciation for every word
- how to have fun with the French: food, wine and romance
- travelling basics: transport, health and shopping
- useful culinary dictionary for exploring gourmet options
Customer Reviews:
extremely useful.......2007-10-03
I went to France not knowing any French except what I learned from songs, and somehow I didn't think knowing how to say "fish" and "will you go to bed with me?" would be good enough. This book was really great for a lot of different situations and was way more useful than my friend who claimed to know French from 3 years of high school. The pronunciations were particularly useful, although be careful if you get a "telecarte" as they might sell you minutes on a cell phone you don't have, not a telephone card.
French Booklet.......2007-07-03
Its OK, I didn't use it too much. Everyone speaks English. Would have been more helpful if I'd went into the more rural parts.
French: Lonely Planet Phrasebook.......2007-05-19
The book is very useful for traveling...as expected from a lonely planet speech book. However, it would be better with an audioguide to pronounce it correctly.
Useful in all situations.......2006-12-06
I got this book as a gift before going to Paris for a month and after taking one quarter of French at school. This book is so useful in very many situations! With my basic skills in pronunciation and grammar, this book carried me through at restaurants, metro stations, going out, etc. The two-way dictionary is also great because I had French people look up words they didn't know in English. There's also a funny romance section that I don't know if you would ever use, but it's a great read and my French friends love it as well. Overall I would recommend this phrasebook if you're going to France for a short trip and as long as you learn some basic pronunciation you should be fine!
Excellent Book to get around!!!!!.......2006-03-10
I was in Paris and with the phonetic pronunciation of phases the Parisians would understand us completely. I was so surprised!!! This book was very helpful and I would recommend it to anybody who needs to get around in France. I just bought the Italian version for my next trip!!!!
Book Description
The home of romance? Undoubtedly! Once you've sampled delectable food, discovered unmissable art or wandered along café-lined streets, you'll be head over heels. Filled with the essential ingredients for a short stay, Best of Paris puts the whole city in your pocket.
o PLUNGE INTO CULTURE - the very best of Paris' profusion of museums and galleries
o PLAN YOUR TRIP - easy-to-use maps, inspiring itineraries and detailed walking tours make exploring easy
o FEAST on modern French of haute cuisine at bistros and brasseries: our expert views lead your tastebuds to the finest food and wine
o SLEEP IN VOGUE - hand-picked accommodation options that exude elegant grandeur, sleek modernity or cosy charm
o LUXURIATE - browse chic boutiques, indulge in world-class opera or sip stylish cocktails in cool bars
Customer Reviews:
Not up to LP standards.......2005-08-28
This book had a number of problems, including wrong address information for several sites, mislabeled maps, etc. The suggestions made were as per usual with LP guides, excellent, but when the map and direction goofs adding so much time in looking for things in the book or on the wrong streets, the advantages of having a pocket guideare quickly lost.
Amazon.com
The French have a nickname for the bicycle: la petite reine, or the little queen. With the country's fondness for the queen of the road, its vast network of quiet back roads, magnificent scenery, and scrumptious eateries, it's the perfect choice for discovering the world on two wheels. Lonely Planet has created an excellent guide to touring in France, chock-full of itineraries, maps, information, and advice for those who want to get off the bus and set their own pace. They've mapped out the best rides in the country for neophytes, veterans, and off-roaders, with itineraries ranging from a few hours to two months. Here's a sampling: In Paris you can take the bike paths along the Seine or all the way to Monet's gardens in Giverny. The Loire Valley offers intimate excursions beside sandstone villages, magnificent châteaux, and scenic waterways. Take the tiny, winding roads of Provence to see perched villages and spectacular panoramas of the Cote d'Azur, or dip into Champagne for the terraced vineyards of Dom Perignon. For those up to the challenge, there's the dramatic volcanic landscape of the Massif Central, with its steep climbs and sweeping descents. The guide includes a chapter on the island of Corsica, with its rugged coastal scenery and prehistoric sites.
Traveling by bicycle calls for a plethora of information not found in the typical tourist guidebook. Lonely Planet has it all. "Facts for Cyclists" provides practical information on when to ride (based on the weather and wind patterns), a checklist of what to bring, information on buying or renting locally, a list of cycling events, and Internet resources. There are tips for senior, disabled, and gay and lesbian cyclers, and those riding with children, as well as lists of which airlines and which types of trains are bicycle friendly, and how to pack and transport your bike. The "Health and Safety" chapter explains the French rules of the road (including the confusing "Priority to the Right"), and gives tips for getting and staying fit, and treatments for common ailments on the road. Of course, there's the usual information on where to stay, what to eat, and what to see for a wide range of tastes, from camping to a night in a château. There's also a section on the history of cycling in France and a chapter on the Tour de France and its nuances. With the inclusion of the requisite chapter on bicycle maintenance and repair, you're ready to ride. --Lesley Reed
Book Description
This essential guide steers you along France's best cycling routes, to the best patisseries, the friendliest places to stay and the most breathtaking scenery. Find a tour to suit you - a leisurely day trip, a week-long food and wine tour or an epic mountain climb.
- 135 days of France's best cycling - including Corsica
- on-the-road maintenance tips and a guide to French cycle-speak
- where to eat - from markets to cafes and restaurants
- where to stay - from camping to B&Bs and chateaux
- what to see and do, in and out of the saddle
- how to pack and transport your bike
- the Tour de France explained
Customer Reviews:
Loved it!.......2007-06-01
My husband and I used this book about five years ago to tour the Loire region. We have traveled a fair amount but never on bike before this trip. This book gave us a plan of how to do that. (Just the information about bikes on trains made the book worth getting.) We added a little cycling to the beginning of our trip and split some of the rides so we could sightsee more. It's emphasis on backwoods ways of getting into and out of towns was fantastic to help us avoid traffic. We loved seeing all kinds of places we would never have encountered if we hadn't picked up this book. We paired it with the Cadogan Loire Guide for interesting background about where we were visiting and the lodging section photocopied out of some other guide.
I wish they would update it. I tore most of the extra pages out of it (for areas we weren't going to) before our first trip. Glad I saved them. We will use it again this year in Brittany but not without a Michelin map as a back up since it's now so old.
This book sucks!.......2004-06-20
Sorry to be so blunt, but I spent the last 5 weeks cursing the authors of this book (and those that I met on the road with this book felt the same way). Do NOT waste your money on this thing. It is FIVE years old (I live in Seattle and met one of the authors before she left in June '99). The information is totally outdated and some of the campsites no longer exist! My advice is to get a good guide that is updated regularly, maybe get a good idea for a route from the Mountaineers and then get the Michellin map following the scenic (green) routes (or get the special bikes maps from any bookstore (librarie) while you are there). Cycling in France is a breeze. Enjoy France on the bike...there is no greater place to ride. Don't let McGuide mess with your fun. Live to ride...ride to live...
A Must Have Book for Cycling in France.......2003-10-29
Six of us used this book this past June for a nine day trip to the Dordogne region of France. The book is indispensable for do it yourself travel. It tells you everything you need to know regarding the nuts and bolts of putting a trip like this togethter. The suggested routes, restaurants, and hotels were all excellent. I would suggest another book to supplement this one as far as detailed information about the sites is concerned.
The best book available as of 2001.......2001-10-13
As of October 2001, this appears to be the best book available on the subject of bike touring in France. Neither Karen & Terry Whitehill's nor Jerry Simpson's books come even close to being as comprehensive as this book. The best thing about this book is all of the useful logistical information it provides. For example, the authors thoroughly document how to get out of Paris with your bike (both from Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports). They also explain the SNCF's fairly unfriendly policy with respect to bikes on trains. And in typical Lonely Planet fashion, they also document the myriad of important details for survival in France, such as how to make a telephone call and how much to tip.
With respect to the actual tour documentation, this book does a good job. There are tour choices in all regions of the country including Corsica. Routes are well documented and the road choices seemed pretty reasonable. Cue sheets are provided with good distance information between all intermediate points. Some tours have elevation profiles included. I would have liked to have seen a bit more information about food and lodging availability--particularly in the intermediate towns.
The truth about cyling in France is that the bike touring part is really easy. Unless you are worried about hills (in which case you should stay in the Loire), all you need is a Michelin map. The color scheme tells you all you need to know about route choices (seek out the white roads, and green highlights mean scenic routes). You can usually find some place to stay and eat in any town and if you can't, you can usually find another town a few kilometers down the road. All of France is wonderful for riding, so you really don't need a book to lay out a tour for you. What you do need is information telling you how to get around with your bike and how to survive once you are over there. This book does that exceptionally well.
your own tour de france.......2001-04-25
With this book, you find the most interesting roads to ride on. In addition, you will also find nice stories of professionals who ride these roads - experiences on what to do & what NOT to do. So, whether you come to france, or stay at home, with this book, you'll have your own tour de france in your room!
Book Description
Hot deserts and cool beaches, lush oases and clamorous bazaars, ultramodern cities and relics of fallen empires - discover Arabia's diverse attractions with this comprehensive guide to the Peninsula. Dive for Bahraini pearls, haggle for treasures in Dubai's Gold Souq, explore Oman's wilderness and wander the mountain villages of Yemen - Lonely Planet shows you how.
• GET THE WHOLE STORY - the only guide that covers the entire Peninsula
• BE INSPIRED - customized itineraries and preplanning information help you plot your Arabian odyssey
• CONNECT WITH CULTURE - history, culture and arts sections reveal the Peninsula way of life
• EXPLORE THE FAITH - special coverage of Islam, its heritage, traditions and customs
• GET AROUND - detailed maps and transport information help you get from Bahrain to Yemen and back again
Customer Reviews:
Very useful indeed.......2006-03-21
This book became a surrogate Bible for my father and me on a recent trip to the UAE, Yeman and Oman. It's a tad out of date as regards the big cities - Dubai, for example, has even more hotels and malls than the book would indicate - but the information was still exceptionally useful.
Indeed, the UAE map was the only such map we had access to during what should have been a routine drive from Dubai to Fujairah. Our driver was singularly inept, and we were almost constantly greatful for the map to direct him onto the relevant route.
As far as Dubai, Sharjah and Muscat are concerned, the sights given the best reviews in this book are the key places for any visitor to have a look at. I still regret that we weren't able to get a look over the Jumeirah Mosque, which looks stunning in photos, although if anything the Grand Mosque in Muscat is undersold (it is simply awe-inspiring).
The smaller centres - Fujairah and Salalah being the two we saw - are largely accurate as well, although the latter isn't really painted as being as sleepy as it is outside of the Khareef season. The section on Fujairah is a particular gem, since the city itself is not a tourist destination at all and yet there is somehow some interest to be had in the restaurant reviews (yes, the Sadaf and al-Meshwar are as weird as they say).
The two stars missing are due to the coverage of Yemen. Admittedly, Yemen is a difficult country to come to grips with in the first place, but the LP treatment here is inaccurate in a great many ways.
One of the prime examples is in the attitude toward bargaining, which the book says is not done in an enthusiastic manner at all. This is quite simply not the case, with shopkeepers in mountain villages and the Souq al-Milh alike expecting a vigorous haggle before most goods are handed over. Indeed, our guide even went as far as to haggle with a young girl near a village over the matter of roughly $1US. A traveller doesn't have to haggle, by any means, but not to do so is to perpetuate the same gullible-tourist stereotype as it would be in the rest of the region.
Secondly, the guidebook sings the praises of Kowkaban and Shibam quite highly and undersells the Haraz Mountains. Having been to both regions, I can safely say that the Haraz (and the villages in them - particularly al-Hajjara) are simply breathtaking. Kowkaban and Shibam are far from unattractive, but pale into insignificance in comparison. Likewise, the claim that the locals in the Haraz are less keen to be photographed is unusual at least - as the children in the region loved my camera, while those in Kowkaban were stolidly indifferent. The women of both regions were naturally reticent, but with the exception of them there was only one Harazi photo declined - and even then the boy changed his mind on seeing the camera.
Thirdly, and most importantly, LP is not forthcoming on the risks involved in travel in Yemen. From a reading of the guidebook, one would be tempted to believe that the only difficulties will be in driving on unsealed roads, which is not accurate at all. To begin with, the number of checkpoints requiring permits to travel is not made clear at all. More importantly, the risk of kidnapping is downplayed too much. Admittedly, it is only a small risk and one will probably not be in any real danger if kidnapped, but regions like Sa'ada and Shabwa are indeed more risky than the book would have the reader believe.
Then again, the guidebooks always tend to be written by those who make it back unscarred by the journey...
I'll admit, though, that the friendliness of the Yemenis was quite accurate. They would have to rate as the friendliest nation I have yet experienced.
In conclusion, a very useful resource for anyone seeking to explore this fascinating part of the world. As always, though, a guidebook shouldn't be taken in preference to information from a travel agent, a government or even the Lonely Planet website. Conditions change, but when they're acceptable, this is a great book to use to see a great area.
a useful guide to have along.......2006-03-07
I've used "Arabian Peninsula" on trip to five Gulf countries: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Oman. The only country in which the book led me astray and caused inconvenience was in Qatar. Things are changing so quickly in Qatar that it isn't surprising that the guides are out of date. There's now a city bus service in Doha (which unfortunately goes nowhere near the airport), and a huge Museum of Islamic Art is nearing completion on the Corniche. The book is correct in saying you can get your Qatar visa upon arrival at the airport, but they don't warn you that payment of the visa fee (under US$20) is by credit card only (cash not accepted). In the Doha section, the guide says "some budget hotels are not suitable for, nor will they accept, solo women travelers. The hotels listed below are the exceptions to this rule." Well, that's all fine and dandy, but as a solo male traveler, I'd have liked to have been told which perfectly acceptable (and much cheaper) Doha hotels were available to men. And since politically correct Lonely Planet doesn't care to say, here they are: Doha Hotel, Golden Hotel, and Doha Tower Hotel all behind the Gold Souq, and the Hotel Inter-Diplomat near the National Museum. All these charge about 50 percent less than the cheapest hotel listed in "Arabian Peninsula". And yes, I didn't see women in any of them. Contrary to what's in the guide, you can now get your Kuwait visa at the airport and a hotel booking is not required. I ended up staying at the Safari House Motel near the bus station in Kuwait City as the cheaper Al-Bahrain Hotel in the market area was full. In Dubai I came across another example of Lonely Planet-style bias. This book raves about the rather mediocre Jumeira Mosque, but fails to mention the very interesting Dubai Zoo just a 10-minute walk away. Yes, the enclosures are too small, but if that's the problem, why not list the zoo and say so? It's probably the only chance budget travelers will have to see many endangered Arabian animals. Is Lonely Planet trying to pressure the Dubai authorities into moving their zoo to some remote location inaccessible to most of their readers? It grates when a guidebook consciously makes choices like these for its readers. Anyway, I'd like to note here that I felt perfectly safe in all four Gulf countries I visited, and that virtually everyone I met was very friendly and helpful. It's an interesting area, and this handy little book will certainly see you through.
Great for Travel in Yemen and Dubai.......2006-01-16
It's not easy to write reviews of travel books- they don't lend themselves to the task as well as a good novel. I am not so much judging the quality of the writing as I am the quality of the research. It is doubly hard to write a review of a travel book that covers six different countries. It is hard to visit all the places- being that, with the possible exception of North Korea, some of these countries are the hardest ones in the world to visit. So I am of necessity limiting my review to those countries which I did visit, and thus the review will be unable to cover the entire book.
I found the information on Dubai extremely helpful. I was there for only one day, but was able to use the information provided to find a cheap place to stay ($35 in Dubai ) and make my way to that center of Emirati culture, the mall. The provided maps were accurate and extremely detailed, allowing me to make my way around the center of the city with ease, and stated distances precise. Prices after a year were still relatively the same as those quoted in the book.
Not so in Yemen, where I spent the bulk of my time. This is not due to any fault of Lonely Planet, but rather to the extreme rate of change in that country. At the time of printing in 2004 there were 185 Yemeni Riyal to the dollar; it's now closer to 195. Generally, for travel purposes I found that I needed to multiply amounts listed in Lonely Planet by 150% to get the going rate- and, living in Morocco, I know how to bargain for a good price. This was not trying to take advantage of a tourist, but simply the price of inflation. Bus fares, running at 20-40 Riyal, remained the same.
As Lonely Planet states, the way to get into the country has changed numerous times over the past few years, as have travel restrictions. So it is now possible for EU and American citizens to get Visas at the airport- though those at the local Yemeni embassy insisted I needed an engraved invitation from a resident of the country in order to enter Yemen. I repeatedly found knowledge of the more up to date laws lacking in different segments of the Yemeni authorities.
The police on one day told me it was no problem to travel to Shibam Hadremowt without a travel permit. A couple days later they had changed their minds, and not even chewing qat with the police chief for two hours could convince him otherwise. But he told me that I could fly there instead. I flew there, but the local airline neglected to mention that the airport there is closed indefinitely, and rerouted me without my permission to a different location, from where I had to pay for a taxi to travel 5 hours across the Hadremowt. For which I needed a travel permit, despite that the police in the capitol saying a permit is no longer necessary for that area. And, this is important, for Lonely Planet does not mention it, it turns out you need a travel permit in order to leave an area as well- the same travel permit you took to get there doesn't count. If you are without a travel agency, they can keep you in an area indefinitely without that travel permit.
Why all this fuss? A number of Westerners have been kidnapped in Yemen over the years, including seven while I was there. Thus Lonely Planet warns against travel to Yemen at this time on their website, and the government requires you hire an expensive travel agency for any travel to the most interesting places in Yemen, in the North. Do not be dissuaded- the kidnappings have only once ever resulted in the death of those kidnapped (among hundreds kidnapped), and that was because of a botched rescue attempt by the government. Generally, those kidnapped are treated very well by local tribes, given lots of food, and considered to be honored guests, in return for some concessions from the government like roads or a school that the government had previously promised. And though travel is difficult within the country, it is well worth it, and figuring out how to get from one place to another has always been part of the joy of travel for me.
Lonely Planet's guides on hotels were very helpful, helping me choose clean yet cheap accommodations in the different cities I visited in Sana'a, Shibam, Shibam Hadremowt, and Ta'izz. The gave me the lowdown on what significant areas to visit, how much to pay, and how to get there. Until there is a more updated version of Lonely Planet Yemen (now five years out of date), this is book is a must for travel in this amazing country of tradition and history.
Book Description
Sniff out fungus worth its weight in gold with a truffle dog in Avignon's forests, p. 178. Learn how to choose the sweetest Cavaillon melon from the lively morning market, p. 223. Fill your lungs cycling through lavender fields from Buoux to Saignon, p. 226. Exfoliate like the stars with a diamond-dust massage in Monaco, p. 88.
--Two long-term, France-based authors, more than 1200 hours of on-the-road research, 63 detailed maps. --Get active with extensive outdoor coverage from bird-watching to donkey rambling. --Bursting with local interviews and brimming with insights on Provencal culture. --You asked for it, we researched it - more of the region's best painting, cooking and French-language courses.
Customer Reviews:
not so useful in traveling with children........2007-09-02
I had taken out the prior version of this book from the library and was pleased to see that there was a 2007 updated version to read. However, in the prior version there was much more specifically directed toward traveling with kids. In this version, most of that was eliminated, and I was bummed not to have that pointed out. While the color pictures are beautiful in the front of the book, more maps and more detail about traveling would have been more useful to me, rather than looking at fields of lavendar. I think a couple driving around for 3 weeks in Provence would have found it really useful. For our 1 week trip with three kids, I found I just didn't use the book very much.
The information on internet cafes was very useful as was the entrance fee and time information to exhibits, etc.
Useful and thorough review.......2007-06-09
contains very useful information. However, the authors only covers major cities and tourist attractions, and ignore many beautiful villages and towns in country side. For this reason, I recommend reading other guide books and travel essays.
A fairly good guide to Provence.......2006-08-12
LP contains so much information that it makes it difficult to plan your trip without any other guide. So, at your planning stage of the trip I suggest you resort to some other guide.
But, while travelling, I found the book to be very useful. It gives you a lot of vital information that every backpacker needs. However, some of the maps in this LP are slightly incorrect, so I suggest you do not rely soley on the LP maps, but use some more detailed ones. Also, for a traveller on tight budget, the book could contain some more info about camping places.
All in all, a good book that is definitely worth the buy.
Almost Great -- Worth The Buy.......2004-12-02
The Lonely Planet series of travel guides is one I have come to depend on, and this is one of the better ones. Good, concise, useable information. The thing that keeps it from being five stars is the hotel and restaurant listings, which are woefully insufficient. But when you're driving around Provence and stumble on a medieval town and want to know if there's a story there or not, this book will tell you.
Great........2003-09-02
I must say this is my first experience with Lonely Planet guides, though i already had high recommendations and positive feed-backs. I decided to give it a go with my 4-weeks in Sun. :-) I spent four weeks travelling around Cote D'Azur and Haute-Provence from Monaco to Marseille and into Alps e.g. Castellane, St. Andre, etc. The information contained is ver much accurate and helpful (i was travelling alone, not with a group!). There are sufficient maps of major regions and city but this guide should not be used for the sake of map. Always take a detailed map e.g. a driving one if you got wheels otherwise every tourist office got full detailed city maps.
Five stars stuff.
Average customer rating:
- bought this as a gift
- My Map Has Been to Paris 4 Times
- Easy Paris Navigation
- Mapping out a reaction ... What a letdown.
- Pretty good overview map, but...
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Lonely Planet Paris City Map
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Lonely Planet Paris
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French: Lonely Planet Phrasebook
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Lonely Planet London City Map
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Lonely Planet France
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Streetwise Paris (Streetwise)
ASIN: 1740596390 |
Book Description
Lonely Planet's city maps present the travelers' city in one easy view
• Complete street and sight index makes navigating the city a breeze for walkers and drivers alike
• All new, improved mapping styles and fully updated
• Sturdy, laminated, easy-fold format
• Quick-find highlights and reviews of the top city sights
• Includes up-to-date transit maps and essential practical information
• Full color throughout with gorgeous photographs
Customer Reviews:
bought this as a gift.......2007-02-25
and my mom said it was invaluable on her trip!
My Map Has Been to Paris 4 Times.......2005-07-05
Though I've only traveled to Paris once, my map has guided family and friends through Paris three times without me. The map pictured in the current listing looks a bit different than the traditional green covered Lonely Planet city map series (which is the version I bought a few years ago), but I imagine that if anything that the new version is better.
This was my first European laminated city map, and I (a non-French speaker) was able to navigate around Paris (both on foot and the metro) with complete ease! While in Paris I was staying in Montmartre (near the Basilique du Sacre C'ur) and was happy that in addition to the area around the Seine (where most tourists visit and should), that the city map had detailed blow-up views.
My family and friends also found the map very useful. It is light weight, durable, and water proof - all important considerations when traveling in Europe. Furthermore, the map is useful in retracking your footsteps after your trip. With many small monuments and street names, in addition to all the major attractions, years later I can still trace out my stay in Paris.
Easy Paris Navigation.......2004-07-06
Overall, this is an excellent map for getting around the city. It's a quick guide to all major points of interest. It is especially usefull in navigating the Metro, RER and bus system. We had absolutely no problems in finding every place we wanted to go and am very thankful we had this little gem!
Mapping out a reaction ... What a letdown........2003-08-20
The fact that over the years I have used Lonely Planet publications with entire satisfaction and sometimes delight, merely increases my disappointment with this piece of cartographic mediocrity. From every conceivable point of view, it is awful. Any Paris department store gives out better tourist maps ... free.
Pretty good overview map, but..........2003-05-30
I agree with the other posters - you do need a secondary map or guideline if you want something in more detail. It helped me get around Paris just fine, but I think another map might show more detail. The RER/Metro map is very handy, but it's a tradeoff for more detail on the map. If it's your first trip to Paris, take this map and pick up the Lonely Planet Paris book. This should meet the needs of about 98% of tourists.
Average customer rating:
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Lonely Planet Normandy
Jeanne Oliver
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1864500980 |
Book Description
From lofty cliffs and glamorous beach resorts to sleepy villages on the Seine, Normandy is a sensory delight. This detailed guide will help you explore the region's fascinating heritage and the landscape that inspired the Impressionist movement.
- 25 detailed maps, including a plan of Rouen's stunning cathedral
- in-depth special section on the D-Day landings
- accommodation options ranging from cliffside camp sites to sumptuous mansions
- the cream of Normandy's famously rich cuisine
- includes essential French language chapter
Books:
- Lonely Planet Germany
- Lonely Planet Greece
- Lonely Planet Guatemala
- Lonely Planet Hawaii
- Lonely Planet India
- Lonely Planet Ireland
- Lonely Planet Italy
- Lonely Planet Japan
- Lonely Planet London
- Lonely Planet London
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