Customer Reviews

Frommer's Sweden (2nd Ed)

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

 

 

I've been waffling over whether or not to review Frommer's Sweden (4th edition; April 2005), since I didn't actually go everywhere in Sweden that Frommer covered. But I feel compelled to point out some of the shortcomings I experienced in this book. First, while I understand that information is subject to rapid change, we should assume some of it remains stable: like the location of hotels. After exiting the tunnelbana, we followed Frommer's map to find our hotel. I became alarmed when we passed another hotel which, according to Frommer's map, should not have been anywhere near where it was. But it did prepare me to reach the x marking our spot to find out that our hotel was nowhere to be found. Fortunately I had the street address on our confirmation, because the hotel turned out to be in the opposite direction and less than a block away from our arrival point. Nor was this the book's only failing...and I might not have known that if we were not in Sweden visiting a native. The book's guide to customs on tipping was incorrect. The number they provide for emergencies in "Fast Facts: Sweden" (p. 51) (equivalent to 911 in the US) has been out of date since 1996. (Frommers does, oddly, give the correct number in some other sections.) The Stockholm Waterfestival they list for August has not been held since, as near as I can determine, the late 90s.

I don't mean to suggest the book is worthless. We did get a lot of value out of it, in both Stockholm and Visby. But I want to strongly caution those who wish to use this book to be prepared to adjust if they encounter these errors or others of which I am unaware. And, in an emergency, dial 112.

I'm perplexed by the glowing reviews of this guide; I think the differences in opinion reveal different demographics and approaches to travel, but these are big issues that travel guides need to address and make clear. If your guide is best for wealthy middle-aged people, then come right out and say it. Label it or market it as such.

I knew this was not a good guide for me when, in Chapter 1 under "Best Travel Experiences" the #1 listed "experience" is "Shopping in the Kingdom of Crystal," going on to say that "many visitors come to Sweden just to shop for glass." You are kidding me, right?? Do I look like a high-society time traveler from the Victorian Age who goes around the world collecting crystal?? Of course I want *some* info on shopping, but to say that people go to Sweden to buy glass is ridiculous. It certainly does not fit my needs or interests as a 32-y.o. solo budget traveler. Speaking of budget, be warned that this guide does not cover hostels, includes too many splurges and posh spots, and turns a big nose up to public transportation for traveling between cities. I was really dismayed to read that all of the Suggested Itineraries for the country in Ch. 4 require car rental. At the very least the guide could have provided separate itineraries for those renting cars and those taking trains and buses.

The back cover of this book claims that the guide offers insider tips and exact prices and that, with this guide, you can "experience a place the way the locals do." None of this statements are true. For at least 2 of the museums in Stockholm, the book has listed the entry price as free. They are certainly not free, and I doubt they were free last year or the year before that. So poor research, poor fact-checking, and poor editing all around.

Other issues I had with this book:
-The maps are really, really crappy.
-The Gothenburg section makes absolutely no mention of the islands in the Archipelago.
-The section on Swedish words and phrases is hidden in the back, following a list of major hotel chains and their phone numbers (who needs this???), and consists of a measly 1/2 page. The list doesn't even include the word for please. Do you need to learn Swedish to get by in Sweden? No. But it's just common courtesy to learn some of the local language. This list is an insult.
-Too much space is devoted to detailing specific dishes at restaurants. I consider myself a foodie, but even I found the restaurant descriptions to be unnecessarily long.

This guide was clearly written by an outsider, not any type of insider or native. I don't think it provides an accurate picture of Sweden, and it does not suit the needs of a younger traveler or budget traveler. I realized before I left that it would not help me at all so I did not bring it with me on the trip. It's going in the trash now.

It's a very complete guid, with detailed information about the major cities in sweden. It allows you to plan your trip in advance, regarding hotel, restaurants, travel tips, transportation. It woth every penny that you spent on it...

This book was invaluable for us in touring around Sweden. We stayed mostly on the back roads and traveled through small fising villages on the coast and inland areas in the SW part of Sweden. The book helped us decide day to day where to go and what to see. We were on a totally unstructured trip and used the book to decide each night where to go the next day.

Great book to check prior to going to Sweden. Lists what's important. Loved the part that showed 1, 2, or multiple day tour schedules

Frommer's Sweden has been very helpful for planning our trip to Sweden. It's helped us decide where to visit, and where to stay (and probably eat) in those cities. I looked through all the other available guides to Sweden in the bookstores and libraries, and this is one of the best. Too bad it's not more colorful inside.

This book was in new great condition and arrived in a very timely matter. The book is very informative for our travel plans.