Customer Reviews

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The master of guide books finally did one of my favourite regions ... Estonia & the Baltic !! I've been hoping for several years and jumped on this first edition as soon as it came out. Despite the fact that I go to Estonia at least once a year for a break from the faster paced part of Europe I live in; I have discovered many new bits of info in this book that compliment the knowledge I have accumulated over the years. Knowing the area quite well, both Winter & Summer, I can vouch for the accuracy of the tourist information throughout the country. In fact, the special regional coverage of the Lake Peipsi, Käsmu Boulder Peninsula, Lahemaa National Park, Saaremaa Island are well done to cover all the options for a first time visitor. Tallinn has been very well presented with photos of some of the less noted, but very charming architetural details you'll find through out the city as you stroll the medieval streets. As always Eyewitness has it all ... the maps, info and details down to a T. It's as user friendly and welcoming as the Estonians themselves ! I only wish I had had this guide when I first started going to Estonia as it would have made the preparatives so much easier !!! Next stop is Latvia and you can guess who is going to be prepping & accompanying me on that trip !!

My wife and I are planning a business / 20th wedding anniversary trip to Latvia. We have pre-booked several events and this guide has been helpful for us as we know more about where we are going to be. Plus it gives some local phrases in the native language. I would recommend it to anyone. Job well done

So this review is really for the series, not this specific book, mainly because I haven't taken this trip yet.
I love the DK Eyewitness travel guides, and for me they are as much of a souvenir as any bought during a trip, my shelf of them brings back many memories. But that doesn't mean they are right for everyone. Other guide books give much better practical information for budget, or on their own travelers, and I use them also. But as far as describing the sights and attractions of a city or area, the photos and quick blurbs go a long way. I find reading these books before arrival gives me a better idea of what I'd like to see, and a great deal of that is due to the photographs.
The maps for each area are useful, but only for that area; they don't connect to other areas very clearly. I always carry the freebie map from the tourist info center in my pocket. And I have noticed that, sometimes, some areas of larger cities are completely ignored, another reason to get a map.
Use these guides as a "What to" instead of a "How to" and you will be happy with them.

In preparing for travel to Latvia, this was one of a few credible travel books. I trust DK books because of the helpful background information, beautiful layout, and honest reviews. I wish the editors published separate books for each of these countries, as there could be so much more material to include with more space. DK continues to impress.

The book arrived on time and in good condition. It is a typical Eyewitness book - with good text, good organiztion, and beautiful photographs.