Customer Reviews

Frommer's Ireland Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day - Full Size)

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Frommer's Ireland Day by Day is a handy reference guide to one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. This travel guide wants to help you, the curious world traveler, in your quest to find the best attractions, the finest dining, and the other points of interest so that your vacation to Ireland will be memorable and enjoyable.

This travel guide is different from others in one important way: It covers specific travel excursions to different parts of Ireland, with daily breakdowns on what to see and do. Let's say, for instance, that I plan to visit the capital city of Dublin and I have exactly three days in which to visit. If I turn to the section on Dublin, I will see guides for different numbers of days, one of which is titled Dublin in 3 Days. The guide will help you make the most of your short trip by guiding you to the best the Dublin has to offer in a three day time span. Other parts of the book include similar itineraries, not necessarily by number of days (most are like this, but not all), but by some type of criteria. Some focus on outdoor activities. Some of the trips focus on things to do with kids in tow. Whatever the concentration is, this guide offers you a specific breakdown of the best points of interest and what you should see/do to make the most of your trip.

Besides the individual self- guided tours, what most readers will remember best about this travel guide are the illustrations. There are actual photographs of the Irish countryside and city attractions and many of them are very enticing. The book is small in size, physically, so don't expect to find large, coffee- table book images. The pictures are smaller than that, but they are attention- grabbing nonetheless and they will attract many readers with their historic significance, natural beauty, etc. In addition to the photos, you will also find plenty of maps in this travel guide. A large, pull- out map at the back of the guide is available for use, but there are also dozens of smaller maps throughout, each offering a road guide with specific points of interest clearly marked.

This Ireland travel guide is a reference guide and thus it doesn't offer much in the way of general reading. With the exception of the chapter that covers the history of Ireland and a few other sections, the reading in this guide is brief and factual, covering only the key points for a specific location, its dining options, natural attractions, contact information, etc. So, this is not the type of guide you want to buy if you want to study the nation of Ireland and expand your knowledge. This is really intended as a reference guide for travelers and most people who buy it will refer to it only when they need to look something up.

Ireland is a fascinating nation rich in history and natural beauty and this travel guide is a good reference guide for those who plan to visit the Emerald isle. It offers clear information, attractive photographs, helpful maps, and plenty of self- guided tours. It makes a good choice for those who are planning to travel to Ireland and want to make the most of their stay.

Over the years I've crisscrossed lands and oceans and most times made the journey with my trusted Frommer's Guide in hand. The Frommer's Ireland Day By Day is literally a book that I did not want to put down. This is one of the better guide books that I have read.

Loaded into this 504 page travelpedia of the Emerald Isle are maps, photos, facts, history, eateries, transportation, lodging, directory and much, much more. As a photographer I was pleased with the photographs. The points of interest photographs are well produced and obviously not from the the usual files of stock photography.

The FYI listings are on point tidbits and highlighted in various colors. The enclosed maps are colorful, navigable, and easy to read. Whether its visiting ancient ground or grabbing a pint at the local pub, the things to do and places to see listings go on and on. It documents well the Ireland that I want to see.

Whether its upscale dining or the locals best kept secret, Frommer's Ireland Day by Day offers a cornucopia of detailed information including the house favorites. This writing offers a good listing of local lodging options and assures the reader that they are plentiful and priced for every budget.

As I've found out through the years, each and every edition of Frommer's travel guide seems to get better. The Frommer's Ireland Day by Day is no exception. It is an outstanding compilation of all that is the magic of the Emerald Isle. I highly recommend it.

At over 500 glossy pages, Frommer's "Ireland day by day" is by far the most complete travel guide book to date. There are over 104 detailed maps of regions, counties and towns, details of ten regions of Ireland, eighty-five self guided tours and a cool waterproof map of the country (1" = 20 miles) with blow-ups of Dublin and Belfast and a Dublin Transportation map of the underground (in a plastic envelope).

Typical of Frommer's layout, there are four chapters that cover the "Best of Ireland", "Strategies for seeing Ireland", "The Best All-Ireland Itineraries" and "Dublin and the best day trips". The other twelve chapters cover the Counties of Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Killarney, Kerry, Galway, Clare, Sligo and Mayo. Galway City, Belfast and Northern Ireland have their own special sections.

For one example, take Cork County. Dozens of special interest tourist sites are detailed (want to see famous St. Anne's Church, the Cork Butter Museum or the Blarney Castle and Stone?). Several places to stay are listed from quaint to the fancy with details on ambience, price and phone numbers. Several varieties of restaurants are detailed as well citing the type of food, the quality and the price. Nightlife is particularly cited with lots to choose from depending on your style. All these include a website, a phone number and detailed recommendations. Plus, there is the Counties places for "Foodies", the most `Storied' drinking pubs, County Cork with Kids, County Cork Outdoors (great landscape and park excursions), and more. In fact, like every County, it is covered from north to south to east to west. Every County is given this detailed attention.

Of course, Frommer's tells you what to do "Before you go", about "Getting There", "Getting Around", "Tips on Accommodations", and Frommer's famous "Fast Facts", which give you some important clues on items that will make your travel easier and more enjoyable. "Erin Go Braugh! (Ireland Forever!)

Of all the places in this world that I haven't been to, Ireland ranks in my top five. Frommer's Ireland Day By Day gives me a glimpse into the Emerald Isle through beautiful photographs, 104 maps, and numerous ways to see it all.

The Day By Day series from Frommer's breaks each travel destination down into multiple ways to take in as much as you can depending on how much time you have to spend. In the case of Ireland, it's broken down into one and two week journeys and then major cities like Dublin and counties are broken down into multi-day trips.

The book also includes suggested sites to visit based on special interests. If you're looking to drink your way across Ireland, there's a pub crawl itinerary. Fans of museums, nature, and other Irish wonders are given suggested travel plans as well.

The photography in the book is breathtaking. From the deepest greens of County Kerry to the beaches of the Antrim Coast, each photograph is beautiful.

For first-time travelers, this is a must. It gives you plenty of tips and strategies to maximize your time in Ireland. Well-seasoned travelers might want to pick up this book to give them deeper looks into each county and city.

Highly recommended due to the wealth of information it offers and for the beautiful photography.

My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland. The books on Ireland are endless but we've always had good luck with Frommer's books so bought this one. We were not disappointed. It is very easy to navigate and user friendly. It begins by showing you a full map of Ireland, breaking down major areas. Then the book is segmented accordingly. There are many maps and advice given on ways to see the sights if you have only one or two days, a week or more. Lots of pictures and the book also includes quite a bit of information on history and culture. Well worth the price!

I have struggled how to review this book without traveling over there to see how well it works.
I do plan to go to Ireland, which is why I opted for this book in the Vine program, however when the book was available and when I could afford to go there, don't exactly coincide.

So I figured I would do the next best thing. See how helpful it would be to do the planning.

THE BOOK IN GENERAL:
First of all I like books, I like the way they feel and I especially like books with loads of pictures. I also like books with heft. This is all that and more: A nicely bound book with a great feel to it. Lots of nice pictures (almost every page) and good quality glossy paper. The map of Ireland is included in a velcro closable heavy plastic insert and is thick and durable and should survive many a consultation. I wish some of my hiking maps (of the Adirondacks were made as sturdy).

OUTLINE OF BOOK:
Since you can search inside this book I won't include the table of contents.
However they did some cool things. When you think of taking a trip there are several things to consider. One is how long will you be there (1 weeks to 2), what type of accommodations do they have (and how costly) and what interests of your own can you pursue. There is also sections on traveling with kids and with pets, as well as inexpensive outings.

There is a list of "Bests" of everything from Outdoors to Castles.
Each of the major sections such as the major cities or counties have similar sections: tours in 1-3 days as well as the best shopping, restaurants, hotels and other important facts a tourist would want to know.

Toward the back of the book there were links to special interest such as biking, wine, learning and tour info. Also essential was what you need to know as a traveller.

USAGE:
This is not only a book I would use to book a trip but one that would also make the trip with me. I can see myself paging through it on a plane or using it on the fly for a day trip.

LINK CHECK: I chose 10 links to see how valid they were: Every one was good.
This included main links for tourist into, to individual site locations as well as tours and small venues.
Initially I included the links in my review, but they were deleted.

SUMMARY:
Unlike past guide books without the internet to supplement them, this guidebook chock full of links will stay current much longer. I'm confident with the info it provides me, that I will be able to book an enjoyable trip to Ireland. Additionally with its info and wonderful pictures, it will also provide entertainment to make the process even more enjoyable.

I have never been to Ireland. I have dreamed of the day when I could go - I have even dreamed of the day that I might be able to move there and live. In preparation for my Someday, I have collected a large variety of books, many of them travel books, and pored through them page-by-page. This book was the latest in a long line of selections regarding traveling to Ireland, and I believe it is among the best.

The book has a terrific layout, as well as a ton of excellent information. The first chapter covers "The Best of Ireland". A few examples are:

Favorite Small Towns
Best of Ireland Outdoors
Best Ruins & Ancient Sites
The Best Lodging Experiences
The Best Museums
and more!

From there, Chapter Two covers "Strategies for Seeing Ireland" and Ch. Three has "The Best All-Ireland Itineraries":

In 1 week
In 2 weeks
Off the Beaten Track
Free & Dirt Cheap Ireland
With Kids
Ancient Ireland

Chapters 5 - 13 cover the counties, and include where to stay & dine, itineraries for different lengths of time, fast facts, etc. And yes, Northern Ireland has its own chapter, as does Belfast.

Ch. 14 covers Irish History & Culture, Ch. 15 is The Best Special-Interest Trips (Package Tours, Food & Wine Tours and Historical Tours are just a few mentioned). Of course, the last chapter is titled The Savvy Traveler and gives hints, tips and ideas on things to do to be prepared for your best trip ever.

This books is a little gem - it's about an inch thick, but is sized nicely to fit in a backpack or purse. It is absolutely LOADED with color photos, small maps and terrific bits of information and trivia. As an added bonus (do I sound like an infomercial yet?), there is a terrific map in the back in its own plastic pocket to help travelers who actually end up taking a trip to Ireland. One side has a map of Ireland with road names, as well as a smaller Dublin Transportation (metro & DART) map. The other side lists town in the Republic of Ireland with their corresponding grid on the map, as well as smaller maps of downtown Dublin and downtown Belfast, and a listing of streets and points of interest for each one.

If you have read this far, thank you and I apologize for the long review. But when it comes to a travel-type book like this, I firmly believe more information is usually better. Suffice to say, if I ever do end up making my way to Ireland, this book would be added to my bag and kept with me - it gives a plethora of options for the traveler who wants to arrange things in advance, as well as those who prefer to just wing it and go where they will at a moment's notice. Either way - everyone is covered. Peace of mind in packable form!

This is going to sound absurd, but I frankly think that the various travel books are starting to look very similar to one another, so I've started to look at issues like the binding as being a differentiating feature. If you take a Frommer's guide and a Lonely Planet guide, open them to a page of interest, and set them down, Lonely Planet closes. Frommer's stays open. When I'm traveling, I have a camera in one hand, am holding the wheel of the car with the other, and am trying to figure out whether the kids are properly buckled in, all while following directions in a convenient guidebook. If the book closes, all hope is lost.

Walking tours, driving tours, and places to stay among them all are the high points of this travel guide. If you've never visited Ireland, you'll read through this book and dash off to make your reservations. That speaks well both for Ireland and for the guidebook's ability to bring out the interesting points about the country that will inspire your next vacation choice. A convenient fold-out map is snapped into the back cover. It won't help you pronounce the city names but it will help you figure out the train stations in Dublin, the road to take between Ballydehob and Skibbereen, and the way around Belfast.

Worth picking up before you organize your travel plans.

Ireland is the kind of country that is full of sweeping vistas and subtle history, which makes planning a trip a little bit different than if you're visiting a place like Italy or France that has lots of obvious highlights which are serviced by public transportation. Ireland Day by Day gives you the highlights, by country, and then county, and then city or town, so that you can plan a trip even if you don't know where it is in Ireland you want to go, or can arrange a trip based on your interests: scenic views, history, traveling with children, etc. Itineraries are also broken down based on the number of days you have to spend in the country or a particular location.

The book starts out with country highlights and recommendations based on interests, and is then divided into chapters which a are further broken down by county, and then by cities/primary destinations, with further individualized itineraries based on interests. The downside is that attractions may appear in more than one section, which makes the book a little bit heavy, especially since there are loads of fabulous pictures printed on expensive, glossy paper. But this makes it very easy to tailor a trip and while it would make for an unwieldy book if the country were larger, it's perfect for Ireland. And the pictures are great as besides being of high quality, they are of a good variety: landscapes, city views, individual buildings, etc.

I also loved that the restaurant and accommodation guides have interesting little tidbits that you don't find in other travel books, such as the history of the buildings and nearby events, the names of the proprietors, etc. The book is particularly good at pointing out vegetarian and vegetarian friendly cuisine, which is not to say that it ignores other types of food as well, but as a vegetarian who has had a hard time in the past traveling in certain parts of the UK, I am super-appreciative of this information. There are also extensive listings of nightlife, shopping, pub crawls and other things to do grouped by category.

For those of Irish descent, the book also lists places you can go to research your family. There is also a fair bit of information on Irish historical and literary figures (who knew that Ireland had a famous female pirate?!), not to mention famous Americans of Irish descent.

This is a great book for easily planning a trip to Ireland and getting a good overview of the country, including Northern Ireland.

Frommer's sets the pace for all my travels. Their guides rank among the very few that are printed in full-color on thick stock. Moreover, they are slender and fairly compact. Now, they are a bit weighty, but I'll take that few extra ounces over a cheap, black and white text ... any day! (And, the little, plastic-protected map? Genius!)

Frommer's addresses all the requisite fundamentals. Hotels, restaurants, parks, and night-life. Each are done with precision and detail (I especially like reading the specialties of each delightful eatery). Nonetheless, what sets Frommer's apart from their competitors are their "small touches." If you have children, Frommer's offers exciting ideas for your family: donkey sanctuaries, wildlife parks, and blarney castle (just to name a few) (200-201). In fact, there is an entire section entitled, "Northern Ireland with Kids" (442-451). If you love shopping, Frommer's has a list of suggestions: and these aren't Virgin Records or Barnes & Nobles. Frommer's suggests small antique stores, independent bookstores, and historic jewelers in Galaway (304-307). Are you a history buff? Frommer's includes you. Love the outdoors? Frommer's includes you. Have a passion for music? Yep, you're included!

Perhaps even more impressive than the scope and thoroughness of their guides is Frommer's devotion to the area. Their guides contain "mini-lectures" to prepare the traveler on the country's political history, literary contributions (Swift, Wilde, Yeats), and even film offering (Veronica Guerin, Once, Some Mother's Son). Never will the reader of these guides be "that ignorant tourist." I love Frommer for this!

Yes, there are cheaper guides ... but when you are investing thousands into your journey, do you really want to save a few dollars by buying a cut-rate guide. I know I don't. Buy Frommer's and get excited about your journey before you even leave the tarmac!