indispensable

as always the LP is an essential purchase before a trip abroad. Reliable and up to date info.

Absolutely hilariuos!

The best book on character of a nation I've ever read. Very funny in style and very informative in content. Must-read for all interested in interactions with the English.

Make sure you purchase the latest edition!

Italy is a country steeped in ancient culture and, for the most part, it is a combination of that culture - both ancient and modern, the countryside and the people which visitors come to see. As with any foreign country, the visitor needs a guide book - especially one which is so well written it simply exudes ideas about where to go and what to visit. This book really is the only guide you will ever need.<br /><br />By comparison to other guide books, I found this one far easier to follow. It really is user friendly. Just as France is far more than Paris and the Eiffel Tower, so Italy is also far more than Rome and the Coliseum and this book will give you the broadest possible outline for each of the main towns and cities in addition to the more famous attractions.<br /><br />In my own case, I am often in some seaport looking for shipwrecks. Whilst the ships themselves are not included, almost all the local facilities are there to be found.<br /><br />In short; Thoroughly recommended. Just make certain you purchase the latest edition.<br /><br />NM<br /><br />

C'est la Folie

A read that is sheer delight. You will want to re-read it as soon as you reach the last page!

Perhaps didn't know enough to appreciate it

I didn't laugh quite as out loud as I had been led to believe. Perhaps it's because I didn't know the places or didn't empathise with the writer but I didn't find it funny, and in fact gave up about half way through the book. It is well written, but it just didn't 'hook me' in any way.

Its like Instant coffee!!!

Top 10 series is a big fave with me . It provides a fantastic overview based on several criteria ...also the walking routes mentioned in the book are great ! <br /><br />By no means, the most comprehensive guide , it however, is brilliant when you need to hit the highlights in limited time . <br />And of course, being an avid shopper , any pointers on those are always welcome ! <br />

Why Kilometers?.

We have had a good look through this book and find it well written and researched.<br />There are many beaches that we were unaware of and from our naturist point of view it has added some new areas for us to want to visit.<br />Our only gripe is that the whole book uses metric which is pointless when describing distances in this country with roads measured in yards and miles and car odometers the same.

Great books on French lifestyle by a great writer!

I've read many books written by people living in France about their lifestyle - some good and some not so good. Karen's books are the best; they're highly entertaining, witty, interesting and honest. I can't wait to read her third book

Beware. Do other research before booking!

We bought this book as we hate large commercial campsites. It's certainly an engaging read, and we selected an ideal-sounding site, with no noise/smells/intrusive lights. The field was nice, the owner charming, and the site quiet, - apart from the trains. Dear God, the TRAINS!! They went past all day and night, ranging from passenger ones, which were loud enough, to heavy oil trains, - it was like being buzzed by low-flying Chinooks! Sleep was very difficult, even with ear-plugs. I certainly don't expect camping-out to be totally quiet, but there are limits. <br />I seriously doubt that the author stayed overnight at this site, unless he was deaf, drugged or spectacularly drunk. If we choose another site from this"personal selection" (really?), I will be checking the Ordnance Survey maps and other reviews before booking.

Excellent choice!

I strongly recommend this guide -- it's fantastic.<br />Although does not contain any 'fancy' graphic elements (no photos, pictures etc.) -- you'll find all of the information you need. This is a book for serious travellers -- thanks to the guide you'll find exciting (and peaceful!) places -- just the way you like the most. Excellent choice for both short escapades and long-term trips.

Excellent!!

This guide proved invaluable on a recent 4 day mini break my husband and I took in Rome. The layout is excellent, very easy to use and the quality of information brilliant. We would have been lost without it.

Great NYC Resource

As it is our first time t New York this guide gave us a great starting point to the city. We researched before our trip on the places we wanted to see and the tips on the different attractions. This is a great book/resource for anyone traveling to NYC.

Up to their usual standard

As always The Eyewitness Travel Guide has come up trumps with their New York City Guide. Full of varied, well researched and documented information together with a condensed history plus contemporary life styles. Numerous great photos get you in the mood and inspire you to get there and quickly. Having said all that - there are several hotels mentioned in the different groups but I fee that a broader, more varied selection would be useful to help all visitors. Also purchasing it from Amazon saved me a few pounds - always a bonus!!

Great overall content to get a feel for the area I am travelling in!

I am due to go travelling in May around these areas and I found the boook very helpful to give me a good feel for each of the areas. It tells you a history of the area, things to do and a few places to stay etc. I decided I will buy some individual lonely planets for the places I am spending more time in i.e. china however, if it is a fleeting visit then this is an ideal book!<br />

Really useful

Not much else to ay really, it was"really useful"!<br />I'm a Time Out fan anyway and this is certainly a useful little book with some great tips.

Helpful, but don't treat it as a bible

Was invaluable in my trip through south america. There are plenty of inaccuracies though. You can't depend on the timetales and costs of things but it does provide you with all of the information that you'll need to have a successful and enjoyable trip.

Inspiring

We recently travelled around South East Asia and this book was worth its weight in gold! We rarely went anywhere without it and I can remember many a long train/bus journey pouring over it for ideas and inspiration. <br /><br />It was particularly helpful in the early planning stages of our trip when we were at home in cold England and trying to imagine the countries that we were going to visit. It assisted us in planning our route and discovering the places that would be of most interest to us. <br /><br />Of course, when you are actually there and living the experience, you make your own way and your own decisions, but this book was a bit like a security blanket for us - whenever we lost our way or became confused, it was always there to help. Due to any travel book being out of date almost the minute that it's published, of course a few recommended restaurants/hotels no longer existed but we used websites to help us with those things anyway. What was most valuable, was the history and advice about each different country and the things to do/attractions there - most of which we wouldn't have even known about before reading this book. <br /><br />Lonely Planet is always brilliant, they are my preferred travel guide and I use them every time I travel. I love that the books are really down to earth and offer real advice that doesn't beat around the bush - if a town is run-down and seedy they will tell it like it is! <br /><br />If you are planning a trip to amazing South East Asia - buy this book! Even if you don't take it with you (it is quite heavy) it will inspire and excite you before your travels. Another piece of advice: if you are planning on travelling light, rip out the pages of the book that you will need e.g. the countries that you are going to, and take them with you as smaller, lightweight books rather than carrying the whole thing about with you. I'm not ususally one for defacing books, but as any fellow traveler will know, you have to do what you can when you're on the road!

Full of ideas

I've found Lonely Planet guides to be a helpful aid when travelling. The extra weight in your bag is justified by the wealth of ideas and local information to help you along your journey. This is a comprehensive guide to an enormous and multi-faceted country, well priced and bursting with suggestions for all sorts of traveler. This is the newest edition and its information is therefore particularly useful and relevant.

yes, yes, yes

First bought and read this book about a year ago and thought it would be fun to try and say"yes" more and see where it led me. It did make me a lot happier and I done things I normally wouldn't have agreed to. Along the way I met lots of new and exceptional people, who have became firm friends. If I hadn't said yes I would of only of passed them in the corridor. Definite must read,film remake was OK but sadly to Americanised. Picked the book back up to day and already feeling a lot more positive, remembering where it led me last time. Read this book, it may change your life.

Italian Phrasebook

Useful. Lots of detail for every occasion- but small enough to put in a pocket or small bag.