No help with deciding where to go

This might be a good guide if you already know whch places you're going to visit - then you could maybe use this guide to decide what to see and where to stay when you get there. But it's no good if you want to decide which towns and regions to visit. Each section starts and ends with detail, detail about the town's main sites and hotels and estaurants, so it feels like you're reading a 1000 page shopping list. <br /><br />For me what it needs is an intro of one or two pages on each main town with an impresionistic overview of whether it's a good place to go and the good points and bad points. Preferably with more photos.

pretty good guidebook

found it much more useful then the time out NYC guidebook. Went to a couple of suggested bars which were fun. the pull out map is particularly useful.<br />However, NYC is a city you want to get lost in so don't get the guidebook out too often!<br /><br />

Backbacker

After using the Lonely Planet's 'South East Asia on a Shoestring' I was sceptical of buying another of LP's guides. However for some reason I found myself with 'Central America on a Shoestring' and it actually turned out to be a very handy travel companion. The information was up to date (probably as we somehow managed to be one of the first people to get our hands on it) and the writers remained nicely neutral to cater for various ages and travel desires. Definitely recommended.

Changes several preconceptions about Spain and the Spanish

About 75,000 retired British people move permanently to Spain each year and there are roughly 300,000 already living in Spain, mainly on the costas. They've moved to obtain a better standard of living, to enjoy more sun and less stress, or to get away from ever-encroaching Big Brother government. A fair proportion of them have not bothered to learn anything about the history and culture of Spain and, sadly, the vast majority have failed to learn even the basics of the Spanish language. Whether you're thinking of moving to Spain or simply want to spend a holiday there, this book is a fascinating introduction to the country's"hidden past," as the sub-title suggests.<br /><br />Spaniards generally still believe it is their absolute right - even their obligation - to enjoy themselves. This may be the reason, researchers suggest, why Spaniards live longer than other Europeans. Of course their diet, heavy in fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and olive oil, helps too. Inevitably, there is a down-side as well: the Spanish are Europe's biggest consumers of cocaine, alongside the British. <br /><br />There is a dark side to Spain's recent history. The atrocities committed by both the left and the right during, and most pertinently by Franco's regime after, the Civil War of 1936-39 have to all intents and purposes been buried with all those thousands of bodies. Only now, over sixty years later are unmarked graves being exhumed and stories being told. Tremlett movingly follows this tragic journey of the good and the bad, the victims and the killers. Supporters of the communist cause were murdered and buried along countless roadsides. About 30,000 children of communist Spaniards were abducted and adopted. Even after the transition to democracy in 1975, it seems that a tacit agreement of silence was made about all this. <br /><br />Civil wars are often worse than other types of conflict, as it's brother against brother, neighbour against neighbour. At the war's end, 500,000 Spaniards were dead, not to mention the Italians and Germans who fought for Franco and those Russians and other foreigners who volunteered for the International Brigades. Thousands went into exile. Then the post-war regime systematically rooted out sympathisers of the enemy and sent them to labour camps or executed them. Now, though, you'll be hard put to it to find a statue of Franco; even the national anthem has been expunged of words - Francoist words; only now are they considering writing new words for the anthem.<br /><br />To balance the endemic networking and nepotism of the Spanish system, they have other values, such as nobility, fairness, valour and justice. In Spain, the politically correct brigade is never going to reach the idiotic levels it has attained in the litigation-fearful UK. That's because the Spanish are radically opposed to banning anything `that smacks of restriction or prohibition, as it's considered immoral, old-fashioned and fascist.' When you've lived through one dictatorship, you're unlikely to welcome another.<br /><br />Whenever possible, Spain has grasped change with eagerness. Their women won the vote in 1931, only three years after the UK and well ahead of France, Italy or Belgium. Granted, many of these freedoms were curtailed by Franco while he was in power. But now, for such an ostensibly male chauvinist country, women can be seen in all walks and all levels of life, including the Guardia Civil. It's estimated that Spain has the highest plastic surgery rate in Europe, and one of the highest rates of organ donorship. <br /><br />Eschewing the mañana stereotype, Spaniards actually have a can-do attitude. For example, the Madrid airport is the biggest infrastructure project in Europe, three times the size of Heathrow Terminal Five. The builders won the project for Terminal Five fifteen years ago and work still hasn't started; the same builders won the Madrid airport project four years ago and it is half-completed already. Yes, much of Spain resembles a building-site - but at least they get on with it!<br /><br />From new buildings to old. The British Isles is rich in history and castles and many British tourists are saddened and surprised at the dereliction of many fortifications in Spain. But bear in mind that Spain has about 8,000 castles and other fortifications and hundreds of monasteries and convents. It's just impossible to allocate restoration funds to all of them.<br /><br />Tremlett strives to learn what binds gypsies, jails and flamenco. He attempts to discover the attractions of legal brothels - night clubs. He travels throughout the Basque and Catalan lands in the hope of learning the reasons for their demands for separation from Spain, wondering why Galicia, who also has a strong case, is quite content to remain without autonomy. <br /><br />The foregoing is a random selection from an interesting, humane and well-researched book by a British journalist who married a Spanish woman and has lived in Madrid for over a decade. Tremlett is clearly writing about a country he loves, a country and a people who amaze and mystify him. Spain's history is still shaping him and his family and, indeed, all of those expats who have chosen to live there.<br />

As good as ever, possibly better

Last year's guide saw an extensive redesign; this year sees another. The effect is to make it brighter and clearer than before, a world away from the guide up until 2006. There is now more colour, more mini chef interviews and impressive, detailed reproductions of city maps, particularly the London area, along with the normal larger maps at the back. <br />London restaurants still take up the chunk of the book, unfairly perhaps, but that is the nature of these things - most people who go to posh restaurants and write reviews of them live in the south east. What a dismal reflection on our 'second city', Birmingham, that it has just five restaurants worthy of mention! The London section is split into different areas - central, Victoria etc, which can be slightly confusing if you're not sure where you are. (I know this sounds silly, but for many visitors this is the case.)<br />Returning this year is the list of contributors (how could they think to leave them out last year?), notably thanked in 'this book could not exist' terms. Other interesting points: the Guide doesn't deem it worthy to even mention that Britain is now completely non-smoking, which I found surprising. 'Readers' choice' restaurants have been introduced, which on top of the 'Also Recommended' places seems excessive. (I hope this isn't the sign of more dumbing down to come!) Also dropped is the list of 'London restaurants by cuisine', a shame, as it was extremely helpful. Plus, personally speaking I'd like to see a list every year of eateries that have dropped out since the previous edition, and why (closure, drop in standards etc).<br />As usual, the rating for a main section restaurants starts at 1/10, and the guide again tries to stress that this is a considerable achievement. It's certainly true that many of those places can be darn expensive. No one gets 10/10 - Gordon Ramsay did a few years back - but a few get 9, including The Fat Duck. Just reading reviews of venues like this makes the mouth water. Those of us on lower budgets can but dream and remain content with ticking off the more moderately priced venues.<br />Lastly, the shape and cover of the Guide look good and underline its authority. It remains one of the most carefully researched, meticulously proofed guide books available.

Superficial

DO NOT buy it if you don't want to sleep on a bench in the park.
I visited Spain in August, 2003 -the spanish holyday-month where every little hostel seems to be fully booked I experienced that the book mainly is concerned around big tourist attractions and cities. When travelling around to small villages there is basically no information, obvioulsy as a result of what has interested the authors. But more seriously, there is a great lack of info about places to stay incl. telephone numbers which is a big problem as the tourist offices most of the time seems to be closed at this time of the year.

Buy the Let's Go guidebook instead

I thought it was a struggle to navigate South America using the Lonely Planet shoestring guide for that region, but I knew nothing about frustration and despair until I made the mistake of buying this.

Nothing as trivial as a guidebook should make a person shout and swear in public, yet that is what I was reduced to. I'm not proud of it, but there you go.

Large sections have clearly been updated only cosmetically, since information is often woefully inaccurate despite the fact it should be only a year or so old.

If you want to locate a"scene" or know where the"hipsters" are supposed to"hang," this book and its embarrassing attempts to be cool may be of some use. If, however, you'd like practical information, up-to-date prices, accurate descriptions, and help in planning what can be a daunting trip, just don't bother buying this book.

I sold mine while still on the road and haven't missed it once.

Another great Eyewitness guide

Beautifully printed and clearly set out. Used this for a trip to the Amalfi coast and it highlighted some hidden gems to explore. Also included some good restaurant listings and tips. Excellent coverage of all areas, including Pompeii and Vesuvius.

Absolute bible for any traveller

This book was invaluable during my travel around the islands. I thoroughly recommend it. The advice on hostels and hotels was spot on and became my bible for deciding where to visit and what to do. I also heard from others I met travelling that they rate it over other similar guide books as they are more `frank' about their advice on the standards of places to stay.

Delicious

A quote from the cover - 'A delicious, cleansing, funny, wise and joyful book, so wonderfully full of energy and life. I loved it'. Tis true. It's an ideal relaxation book. The author swims in rivers, lakes, lidos, the sea and other outdoor watery places around Britain and describes beautifully the experience of the inner man and the nature he feels so much a part of. He throws in interesting history and anecdote to enlighten us as to how many of the swimming holes came to be. You end up feeling like you're sharing the journey with someone who truely loves what he's doing.