Discovering Spain: An Uncommon Guide (1st Edition) [Paperback]

Penelope Casas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 1992 | Series: 1st Edition

Revised and updated

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Revised and updated

Product Details

• Paperback: 591 pages
• Publisher: Knopf; 1st edition (March 17, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679721320
• ISBN-13: 978-0679721321
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,468,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Guide to Spain, March 30, 2004

By 

Richard in Rhinebeck (Rhinebeck, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Discovering Spain: An Uncommon Guide (New, Updated Edition) (Paperback)

This is the definitive guide to Spain. When Carol and I travel in Spain, we're three--the two of us and Penelope. We've been living in Spain since 1992 (the date of the first edition) and we've never traveled in this wonderful country without her. Her asides on history are worth the price of admission, her recommendations on where to eat and stay are invaribly reliable (although she could use some up-dating here and there in the countryside) and her take on places to see and what to do are a genuine menu of Spanish delights. If it matters, this is the preferred guide book of the American Embassy staff.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic travel prose, but frustrating to find places, April 5, 1999

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[e-mail] (Monterey Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discovering Spain: An Uncommon Guide (New, Updated Edition) (Paperback)

we traveled to spain during holy week 1999. the places we visited were influenced primarily by casas' beautiful prose. her book whetted our appetites for spain; both for the places and the food.

valencia and "la pepica," the catedral of paella were memorable, but... try finding the darn restaurant! the main drawback of this book is that there are no maps, no directions, and/or minimal addresses to find the locations that prove to be such a delight. (if you're not a spanish speaker, asking for directions is problematic!)

cuenca and alcala del jucar were everything and more that casas described, but both proved to have many more accomodations than offered by casas. she tends to advise higher priced hotels and paradors, but there proved to be many lovely low priced hotels.

casas is an excellent writer. i loved the book, but gosh, i sure cursed her when i was trying to find the places! btw, we loved spain and will definitely return!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book inspires such enthusiasm for Spain!, December 7, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Vancouver, B.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discovering Spain: An Uncommon Guide (New, Updated Edition) (Paperback)

This book truly fulfills it's intent - to be an uncommon guide. The references to history, culture and food are valuable, and Ms. Casas' love for Spain shines throughout. We are a family of four planning to live in Spain for next year - our family millenium project. This book has really inspired us to appreciate the beauty of the culture, people and food of all the different areas of Spain. It is so much more than the usual maps and tourist "must-sees". The only problem will now be to decide where we want to live as Ms. Casas has given us so many new options! (if you read this Ms. Casas, please let us know your thoughts on this!)