Tours and Travel Books

I don't know that I would call this book indispensible - the Eyewitness Ireland tourbook would win that title - but this book was helpful and worth having, particularly when one is stumbling into the car and trying to make some sense out of what one really WANTS to accomplish in a day's touring when one keeps getting sidetracked by interesting graveyards and undiscovered, delightful garden labyrinths. I used this book in some way every day or so during a 14 day Ireland vacation.

Daytrips is an excellent book and a must when going to Ireland. It is very informative, thorough, and user friendly. Pat, the author, has broken the country down into 55 daily trips and in each one she suggests not only a complete set of tour directions and stops but also a list of places to eat as well as "practicalities" or very useful suggestions to make your time enjoyable. She offers an online forum where she will answer any question within 24 hours. Her website also has suggested places to stay that go along with her daytrips. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed her book and have used it extensively to planning our trip to Ireland. It will definitely accomply us there. With all the travel books on Ireland out there, this is by far the best.

Although I read Patricia Preston's "Daytrips Ireland" three times before traveling, I still took the heavily highlighted and underlined book with me. There was just more valuable material in the book than I could memorize. Especially helpful were the pages with little blow-up maps for day trips like through Connemara. Although I thought our meals would be casual, pop-in-wherever we were, I also ended up using the restaurant recommendations. Pat obviously knows the people in the places she recommends.

If you can only get one travel book of Ireland to plan a trip, get this one. It contains not only the day trips with complete and thorough directions for most of Ireland's highlights, but has unique information lacking in most other guide books - like hours of operation and cost. We were actually able to plan our budget better since ALL costs could be estimated reliably. Used with Lonely Planet (my second choice of books) which has more lower-end lodging recommendations, I could plan a great low cost trip!

This book was a great help in not only planning my trip to Ireland but a valuable tool while we were there. We basically did a "plan as you go" type trip and were constantly referring to Pat's book as a base from where to start. The city maps that she includes are a great reference for every first time traveller. The only thing that I would have liked to have added in the book was more of her recommendations for lodgings. But on the whole a fabulous reference for everyone visiting the Emerald Isle...!

Having grown up in the Southwest, I sometimes get a bit weary of all the newcomers who think they have to write a book about their "discovery" of this region. This book stands in contrast to many of those books in that it invites the reader to come along on the path of discovery.
The text is written clearly and competently edited. Directions to the sites are easy to follow, and the difficulty level of each hike is realistic if the adventurer is healthy and in good shape.
The information the author gives about the sites is fairly accurate, considering he is not a trained anthropologist. In fact, that may be an advantage in that the text is not cluttered up with a bunch of incomprehensible jargon; however, the author's explicit demand that those wishing to visit these sites show them complete respect should satisfy any professional in the field since they are notoriously picky about laymen visiting sites without the company of an expert.
In all, it's an enjoyable read that gets me excited about taking a hike.

This book was okay, but you can pretty much find all of this info (and more) on the internet. Most of these ruins didn't really seem that "seldom seen" to me. However, if you don't want to do the research on the web, I would recommend this book as a good resource.

The ruins are mostly in Arizona which really doesn't have the best ones.

Let's face it, when it comes to hiking books, by-and-large they're not the most researched publications in the world. They tell you where to begin a hike, where to end, and a bit about what you'll see along the way, but almost nothing beyond the author's own observations.

Ruins Seldom Seen is the first hiking guide I've seen that is truly different. In addition to the usual practical information, the book provides information on the history of ancient Native American pueblos, cliff dwellings and rock arts sites. You learn which Indians occupied specific archaeological sites, when they were occupied, and what purpose the sites served (not all ruins were used for habitation). Clearly, the author has done his homework. If you don't believe it, just check the bibliography, which contains page after page of research papers written by professional archaeologists.

It's also refreshing to read a book about Indian ruins that isn't obsessed with "glamour" sites in the Four Corners area. Actually, the book does contain quite a few chapters on Anasazi cliff dwellings and rock art sites in New Mexico and southern Utah, but the emphasis is on ruins in Arizona that you've probably never even heard of let alone seen. I was amazed to learn there are cliff dwellings in the Sierra Ancha Mts., Superstition Mts. and other places in central Arizona that are every bit as fascinating as those further north. As for the many "hilltop pueblos" covered in the book, I was equally amazed to learn that so many of them even exist in the Grand Canyon state. Anyone who is not aware of such places has clearly not done THEIR homework.

Because of its originality wealth of historical information, I give the book Ruins Seldom Seen and enthusiastic "thumbs up."

I've hiked almost all of these hikes using this book. About half are accurate, the other half, forget it. You cannot find the trailhead. I was pissed off alot of the time because I drove miles out of my way and couldn't find the trail. Also, this book is old and the topography has changed quite a bit. SOme of his strenous hikes are not, but usually it is the other way around. He needs to drive these roads again, some of the "well graded" dirt roads are horrible, rough and rocky. Don't even think of going to White Mountain Tanks near Phoenix, it is a zoo. The Picacho Peak site was great, though.

This book is awesome. We love Maine and this book has helped us explore it. I tell everyone I know to buy this book if they are going to Maine, whether it's their first or 30th time there.

This is the guidebook we include in each of our B&B rooms.
Guests frequently take it with them on their day trips and
I have found it to be full of very comprehensive information
on what the State of Maine has to offer.

My husband and I re-located to Maine in 1995. We have used this book extensively to plan day and weekend trips around the state. There are so many wonderful places to explore and this book always gives us some good tips and starting points. We currently have the 10th edition.

"Maine: An Explorer's Guide" was my first purchase in the series. Since then, I have used "Vermont..." and "Maryland...". While perhaps not ideal for novices in a region, they are excellent for one who has some familiarity with the state one is visiting. The descriptions of history, geography, cultural and recreational offerings; and the listings of inviting, independent restaurants, shops and accommodations have always been accurate, informative and insightful. If you are likely to visit more than once, or stay longer than a few days, this is the book for you. As a piece of advice, buy a good map to go with it.

This was just a so so book on Maine. It has some good stuff and some not so good stuff. I bought it because it was the only one in the store with an extensive section on the little town of Kittery which is near the border with New Hampshire. It was a good section and I got a lot of information and use out of it. However, when I started reading the rest of the book I kind of got a little lost. The sections on "where to eat" and "selective shopping" were confusing because they were organized differently. They've put phone numbers for places without an area code and directions like "North along Route 1" which doesn't make any sense to me not knowing where anything in Maine is. I suppose it would be a really good book for someone with some knowledge about Maine or someone who actually lives there and wants to get away for the weekend or something. On the plus side the maps were really good and the photos were nice (black and white, but nice). My copy had five pages in a row that were upside down. Not sure what that's all about. I wasn't able to make it to Maine on a trip I made to the area, but I plan to go one of these days and I will take this book with me when I do because it still has a lot of good information.

I did the Camino in 2003 using this book as a guide. In fact it was the only one I brought with me.

It's strengths are not in the trail directions it gives. There are much better guides for that. I suggest you consult one of the Camino web sites to find out the most current and recommended version of those. the operative word is current. The Camino does change from year to year, new alberges open, others disappear, the trail moves, street names change (Franco related ones are definitely on the outs), etc.

That said, this is a wonderful book for the historical background and descriptions of the countryside it provides. I read this book and I became fixated on doing the Camino. If you are going to do the Camino or are just interested in the Camino, read this book. If you know someone who is going to do the Camino, get them this book. It is the best book I've ever read in terms of Camino cultural information.

I bought this book in 2003 before embarking upon the Camino Frances. It turned out to be a marvelous multi-faceted reference. Due to weight considerations, I left it at home, instead of schlepping it 800 KM across Spain. Then, outside of Burgo de Ranero, I see THIS BOOK, waiting for me on a roadside bench. "That's my book!", I exclaim. Needless to say, it traveled with me the rest of the way to Santiago. Regardless of weight. If there's only one book you get about the culture, history and architecture of the Camino, this should be it. Buy this book!

I walked the Camino in the Fall of 2004 and took this book along with a much thinner more practical guide book. I loved, loved, loved having this book! My thin, practical guidebook told me of the trail, and places to stay and eat. This guidebook brought the experience alive for me. Everynight before I went to sleep, I would read the passage about the day I had just walked, and then would read the passage about the next day's walk. I saw and experienced things I would have totally missed if I did not have this book. I would walk along and think of the millions of pilgrams that had walked this path for over 1000 years. In this books there are excerpts from journals of medieval pilgrams, which really made me feel the history of this pilgramage. I too worried about the weight of the book, but found that in the long run it was really worth the added pound in my backpack. I do recommend taking a more practical guidebook as well. I found the guidebook put out by the Confraternity of St. James to be great! If you are not one bit interested in the History and Folklore of the Camino, then skip this book. But if you are, this book is invaluable. I found that I was sharing it with other pilgrams all the time, who wanted more info on what we were experiencing.

My wife and walked part a portion of the Camino Frances (Leon to Santiago de Compostela) in May of 2004. In walking the Camino, I think one must consider several sources. One of these should be topographical and describe the lay of the land, one logistical and describe where you may find comfort, and one cultural. This book is the best that I know of in fulfilling that last category.

While some may find this a useful guide to carry, I agree with some of reviewers who suggest not taking this book on the road. [Hopefully the authors will never read this review... ] I did carry this book, but I ripped out the irrelevant portions of the journey before I began, and every night I ripped out the pages covering the day's journey so as to lighten the load. [ I should point out that I bought another copy when I got home, so as to make amends for the destruction of the book. ]

Even had I never walked I still think what I learned about Spain, the history and cultural of the regions covered by the Camino, and aspects of the architecture and other features covered in this book to be fascinating.

For anyone planning to walk The Way of St James pilgrimage across Norther Spain, this book provides fascinating local history. I read it after I walked, and wish I had done it the other way around.

If you like Tiki, then you love a Tiki Bar and tropical cocktails with the South Pacific ambience. This book tells you where they're all located. Around the world, even. If you travel a bit, you probably should keep it with you. As a Tiki Bar resource, it can't be beat.

great book. loaded with info. on tiki. the only thing missing was web sites for the places in the book. it would be nice to find more info. otherwise great book with a lot of info.

In the ever changing world of Tiki land, you need an up to date reference. Please update this great book with a new edition!!

So you already have a no doubt well-worn copy of the first edition of "TRT" and you're wondering if it's worth buying this new one?

Yes. Get it.

Sure, you've got the expected updates to the fast-changing world of tiki, along with more of the tell-it-like-it-is reviews that were the first edition's trademark.

But Teitelbaum has also expanded the historical information about locations that are no longer with us. And there seem to be more photos and other "urban archaeological" tidbits sprinkled throughout, giving it more of the flavor of Sven Kirsten's "Book of Tiki". These are welcome improvements, and it makes this edition just as suited for armchair reading as it is for actual trip planning.

Maps, perhaps one at the beginning of each state's section, would've been nice. Many of these tiki spots are in the suburbs, which can make it difficult to tell what's near the particular city you're visiting if you're not familiar with the names of the surrounding towns. But that's not enough of a quibble to detract from a solid, five-star rating.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have used the reviews while on several different trips, to Las Vegas, San Diego, and in Southern California. A lot of this info could not be found elsewhere!

A word of advice to lucky purchasers of this book however--do double check, call ahead, and make sure your destination still exists! I have made several blunders as well assuming that a place was open for lunch when many are nightspots only.

That said, a great guide (and check out the inside of the Hanalei/Red Lion Hotel in San Diego--the bartenders make a mean scorpion in a nifty souvenier bowl!!)

There are a lot of guidebooks out there for every major city in North America, but I always find the Access Guides useful, as well as helpful and up to date. So many books are geared toward the foreign tourist with information that you can hardly use. At last here is a book that give honest looks at San Francisco hotels, shops, and restaurants. Keep up the good work..

A San Francisco resident since 1976, I still rely on each new edition of the Access (and Knopf) Guides to maintain familiarity with other neighbourhoods, and supply out-of-town guests with copies of each.

Having been to SF a few times before (some years ago), I purchased this guide as my only guide for the city. I didn't want to carry a big heavy book on my weekend trip and, more often than not, I found myself without the information I needed. The typical questions any visitor might have go unanswered and the information is spotty. For instance, the author gives a list of the primary local radio stations, including the radio dial numbers for them, but fails to tell the reader what some of the primary city bus routes are that run in and out of the center of downtown. And yet, looking at the maps throughout the book, you'll see route numbers on many of the streets depicted, but these refer to bicycle routes, not buses. Really, how many tourists are even going to think about riding a bicycle through probably the hilliest city in the world? The most obvious thing that is lacking is any information about the one thing that any visitor wants to know about: the cable cars (there is mention of the oldstyle electric buses or trolleys). Look in the index under "cable cars", and you won't find it. The basics about the cable car system are missing: what the cable car routes are, where does one get on the cable car (I knew that you can get on one at any stop if it's not full - good luck), and how to pay for the cable car ride (the operater collects the fare or looks at your day pass just before the car leaves the stop).

The restaurant reviews are handy, but again, uneven. My companions were eager to go to Fisherman's Wharf (one place I knew to be such a tourist trap that it was best left unvisited) and have dinner. Once we were there, we found the guide lacking in any mention of the most obvious places to eat in the heart of the Wharf. The author mentions one restaurant, Alioto's, but discounts the rest as simply not worth going to. So we went to Fisherman's Grotto, which I was apprehensive about, but it wasn't bad, certainly not haute cuisine. We were all pleased with what we ordered. I tried the sand dabs, a type of small flat fish caught in the Bay, which were nicely prepared and very delicate: lightly floured and fried in a little butter.

On the plus side: the maps are very handy, and easy to read. I did like the way the book was sectioned-off into the different districts.

Overall, the book is best suited as a supplement to a more thorough guidebook, but not the primary source for your trip. I just can't see how anyone can write a guide book to any city and fail to give information about key places that most tourists will want to know about.

I went on vacation to San Francisco about a month ago and I needed a book that would guide me to the city. Access San Francisco was extremely informative and helpful. I found some great restaurants, cafés and shopping areas. Of course, it also guided me to China Town and the Golden Gate Bridge. Also, the book tells us the history of San Francisco and the different types of neighborhoods one might want to go to. I loved it. Are you planning on going to San Francisco? If so, buy Access San Francisco. Believe me, it is a tourist's must have!

I have always thought this was the best guidebook series going, but since Richard Saul Wurman sold the series to Harper Collins the books have been getting sloppy. The writing has been taken over by "updaters" who don't check the facts. The updater's name doesn't appear until the outside back cover (in this case a woman named Linda Peck).

For instence: in the section on the Fairmont Hotel (p. 84) the writer states that the Crown Room has wonderful buffets, brunches and dinners. In fact, the Crown Room has been closed to the public for the last four years -favoring private functions and banquets which presumably bring in more money per square foot.

Excited that the book said the Crown Room was open, I e-mailed the Fairmont to make sure. They replied that it is still used only for private functions, with the exception of "holiday buffets" such as Easter, Mother's Day, and Christmas. (In other words, special days when they can fill the entire square footage.)

I know that things change in cities, and guide books have trouble keeping up with all the store-front restaurants that open and close. But we're talking about one of the world's most famous hotels -not to mention one of the world's best views which has now been denied to both guests and the public.

On page 21, a paragraph about the War Memorial Opera House says "(See the plan on the next page.)" The problem is that the plan is directly below that paragraph -not on the next page. If you take the writer at her word and turn the page, you are looking at a diagram of the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall instead.

Richard Saul Wurman's entire life has been dedicated to accurate communication. He has worked too hard to build this series to see new editions jammed together without proper proof reading.

Oh yes, with modern printing technology Harper's can just as easily print entire articles in the key color -just as Wurman did. The books look cheapened by having only the paragraph titles in color.

The Conservation Fund's title "The Civil War Battlefield Guide" in my opinion is an invaluable tool for understanding the flow and troop dispositions of several Civil War battles.

In all, there are maps and troop movements for around 60 Civil War engagements and range from smaller battles such as Cloyd's Mountain to major engagements like Gettysburg. Another important feature of the book is the inclusion of modern-day roads included in the maps so the reader and battlefield visitor can better understand where the battle was fought in relation to where he/she may be standing at the time (assuming, of course, that the reader is on the battlefield at the time).

My only real complaint is that some bloody battles (Franklin, Nashville, etc.) were left out. However, the book does an overall good job of including most of the major engagements.

An excellent read and valuable battlefield tour aid. Read and enjoy! Recommended.

I took a group of college students on a "civil wargasm" last spring---to Gettysburg, Antietam, and dozens of sites in Virginia. We took a parcel of books and maps. This is the one we referred to more than any other. By laying out the battle over a modern map, this guide makes it easier to understand what happened where, and definitely enhances a visit to any site, large or small. It is especially useful for stops at battle sites that are only commemorated by historical markers, and for sites that have nearly disappeared under freeways and housing developments. If you plan to visit Civil War sites anywhere, this is the first book you should buy.

This is one of the best books to have to study the civil war locations, and tour the battles. It has superb topographical maps of the battle area's.

It also has more information on the battles and different topic's on the civil war.

I have never been to any of the battles back east, since I have lived in the Midwest and Arizona, so I wish the book had more pictures of the area's then and now. I have talked to a few people and it is sad that we are losing some of these battlefields to land development

I bought this book because i was working for a battlefield in the Park Service this summer and I had some free time to see other Battle fields in the surrounding areas: Richmond, Cold Harbor, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Harper's Ferry, Malverin Hill. And this book is just what I needed, because sometimes the best thing is just a concise history to understand with great detailing maps for comprehension and this has it. I value mine on a Civil War Battlefield trips

I do not live near many of the major battlefield sites, and I have never had this guide in my possession when visiting any battlefields so I cannot comment on its "real-time" usefulness, but I can say that having this guide has been quite valuable in personal study. The maps cleverly overlay the North/South troop placements and movements on modern topographic renderings that include today's highways and other developments. So, before or after a live visit to a particular battlefield, these maps will help you to place the precise historic details in the context of, say, the visitor's center or other modern landmarks (like roads) that can be recognized. I have also found the narrative descriptions to be both brief and comprehensive enough to supplement my readings for particular battles. For instance, I am reading Cozzen's difficult study now about Chickamauga. Having this guide at hand, I can refresh myself on the overview of the battle, and thus better absorb and enjoy the expert details of the book that I'm reading. The chronological order of the battles also provides a great overview of the entire war at a glance (in case, for example, you're not sure how the two Bull Run battles fit together, or how Chickamauga relates to Chattanooga, or how either of these relates to Gettysburg or Vickburg). Lastly, this is just a great book for browsing if you are interested in the Civil War.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R18ES99HHJE7MH France on Foot: Village to Village, Hotel to Hotel: How to Walk the French Trail System on Your Own
Slow down to a memorable vacation in France, on foot. This guide shows you how.

I have planned a walking trip to France 2 times in the previous 10 years and for reasons of sickness and health and family crisis have had to postpone. This book gave me the encouragement to try again even as a middle-aged woman. The author was entertaining, factual, and helpful. If you are unsure about taking on France's GR walks read this book and be convinced that anybody can do and will be glad they did.

I really enjoyed this book. It's filled with very useful information for travelers in France -- on foot or otherwise. It's beautifully produced, with some great photographs.

I'm making plans for my first long distance walk in France as a direct result of this book.

(Update: what a shame it is out of print!)

I think the other reviewers have already covered most of the points. This book is written by a chef, and it is composed like a fine meal. The pace is wonderful: relaxing, but never boring-- the same way he advocates undertaking a long walk in France. Although a backpacker (I am one) would find this book useful, it is not intended for anyone who has ever spent a night without a roof, nor for anyone who intends to ever spend a night without a roof. What it will do is lead you to an experience that will leave you with a sense of accomplishment after enjoying a couple of weeks of beautiful scenery and fabulous food in the most relaxing and healthy manner possible. I am not exaggerating when I say that this is one of the best books I've ever read.

The other reviews have adequately described this wonderful book, so I will just tell you one or two things about putting it into practice. 1) Get in shape before you go. Prior to leaving, we did a lot of fast walking on flat ground without packs - this was NOT sufficient. Those packs get very heavy going up even a gentle hill. 2) Pack as light as you possibly can, then get rid of half of it. We ended up mailing home or throwing away city shoes, extra pants, makeup, etc.etc. Also, buy a smaller pack than you think you need. 3) Set realistic daily distance goals - the author is a bit too optimistic in our opinion. 4). Always carry water and at least a little food, like granola bars. Some places that look on the map like little towns perfect for lunch are just a group of houses and farm buildings. 5) Try to check "closed" days ahead of time. In France, it is generally not Saturday or Sunday, but some weekday. We walked into a tiny town dead-beat at the end of our first day (a Tuesday) to find it was closing day - not one restaurant, bistro, cafe, ANYTHING open, including the hotel's restaurant. However, all that being said, our walk through the Dordogne was THE single best vacation we've ever had (with the possible exception of Cuba). I love to browse through this book dreaming about our next one, maybe through Provence.

First let me state the obvious: All praise you have heard about this volume is merited. It is truly the "don't leave home without it" golfers' equivalent. Its scope is comprehensive, its selection of comments concise and illustrative. Now for the bad part. From the last edition to this it seems as if all the courses have improved a half-star. Having found the previous ratings dead-on, I was stupefied by the number of "solid" courses being awarded four stars, which in the editor's judgment stands for "Plan your next vacation around it." Sorry, but the ratings are far too liberal this go around.

Still this book is most impressive for its geographic consistency. Thinking that a course deep in the heart of nowhere can't possibly be examined accurately? Think again. The reviews are always accurate. The negative comments are soft-pedaled, but they are there and after awhile you can discern them quite easily.

If you have golf wanderlust, you'll become quite attached to this book.

Compehensive unbiased very helpful guide.MAJOR drawback is next to useless listing by state rather than by city or metropolitan area. Who cares about courses in San Francisco if you're vacationing in Palm Springs!

First let me state the obvious: All praise you have heard about this volume is merited. It is truly the "don't leave home without it" golfers' equivalent. Its scope is comprehensive, its selection of comments concise and illustrative. Now for the bad part. From the last edition to this it seems as if all the courses have improved a half-star. Having found the previous ratings dead-on, I was stupefied by the number of "solid" courses being awarded four stars, which in the editor's judgment stands for "Plan your next vacation around it." Sorry, but the ratings are far too liberal this go around.

Still this book is most impressive for its geographic consistency. Thinking that a course deep in the heart of nowhere can't possibly be examined accurately? Think again. The reviews are always accurate. The negative comments are soft-pedaled, but they are there and after awhile you can discern them quite easily.

If you have golf wanderlust, you'll become quite attached to this book.

This is a truly excellent guide. I would recommend this to any golfer wanting to try new tracks. Having taken up golf again six months ago and having just moved to Oklahoma from Mass. I needed a solid review book to begin exploring my local environs. This book has come up trumps again and again - providing an accurate overview of courses in my area, throughout the rest of the state, and all over the country. I wouldn't agree with every course review but that is part of the fun, and course conditions and upkeep can change in a short period so it would be churlish to nit-pick. Thanks to this sterling guide (my only complaint - some of the distances form major cities are off) I've played some great courses I would never have come across. Indispensable and superior, by a long, long way, to anything else out there. Bravo Golf Digest!

A great book which allows you to book tee times all over the U.S. Information is correct and reviews are interesting. Reviews seem to be very accurate in the courses I have played. A book a true golfer cannot survive without.

Great book, it was a gift for my father, unfortunatly the pages started falling out it, if it came in a hard bound I would have preferred that better. That is why I gave it only 2 star, because of the quality of the binding.

Wonderful!It is a lovely description of the sites and it presents splendid photographs.
I enjoyed it very much.

This is the perfect book for those of us who are James Herriot junkies! I had just finished re-reading the four Herriot books in the American series, and found it great fun to read Jim Harriot's own words describing so many of the scenes in the books, and in the TV series.

Having never been to England, this book with its wonderful pictures was a real treat. Herriot gives his own commentary on all the locations pictured. It was very enjoyable reading.

I put five stars here because I'm sure the hardcover edition rates it. I thought I was ordering hardcover, but got a very cheap paperback instead. This is a book that NEEDS big pages and color pictures; forget about the paperback edition. I tossed it.