Customer Reviews

Let's Go 2006 Europe (Let's Go: Europe)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I lived in the UK for a year and did quite a bit of traveling through Europe and will do nothing but rave about the Let's Go series, however the Let's Go Europe is not what I would recommend.

Europe is a BIG place...lots to see and do and the countries are all very differnet. To try and squeeze all this into one book somewhat defeats its purpose. They do a good job of stuffing a lot of information between the cover leaving you with a really big book (which is awkward to carry around) - but at the end of the day you still end up missing stuff because, let's face it, they just can't fit it all.

I think for those looking to go to Europe, my recommendation would be to buy individual guide books for each country or major city you plan to spend any length of time in. I did this for a 10 day trip to Rome and my Let's Go Rome book was invaluable to me. I took notes in it and used a lot of the recommendations.

Buying a separate book for each country/city is a bit more expensive, but definitely worth it.

This book is the perfect base guide if you are travelling in Europe. If you are doing mostly Western Europe (Italy, France, Spain, Britain, Netherlands, etc.) I would recomment Let's Go Western Europe. It is a little more in depth and it still has the main northern and Eastern Europe cities like Budapest, Prague, Helinsky, Copenhaguen, etc.
This guide has every place you can imagine, plus very detailed information about travelling, lodging, sights, eating, and nightlife. If you want a good guide for parties, get Party Europe 2005. It is much more detailed but it only has 14 places. It will still be a good supplemental guide and the review of most places are about half a page, when in Let's go are about a tenth.
I strongly recommend this book if you are going to be travelling in Europe. The Western Europe option is more expensive but it is going to be well worth it.
Just to let you know, this guide includes: maps of most major cities; subway maps of a few; info on hostels, food, sights, and nightlife; sample itinerarie; and much otheruseful information.

Not great ? ... nope.

First things first ... I used one of these guides for my very first trip to Europe in the 80's when really there was nothing else around for the budget traveller.

Things are different now ... Lonely Planet and a gazillion other publications make Let's Go one choice among many - but it still has that 'poor student' backpacking mentality and for that it's still unique.

My main gripe ? ... piss poor editing from one year to the next. Thanks to them I actually missed Tivoli Gardens in Denmark - they did not bother to check the actual dates running and we got there one weekend too late. It had just closed. Boo.

Oh well ... still a good guide and for bargains, very good.

(except not *everything* is teeming with seedy sensuality !)

The maps in the book are ok for planning a little but pick up a map from the tourist office when you get in to you next city to actualy find your way around. The book is cheap enough that i didn't care what i did to it so i just cut out the cities i was visiting and brought the pages instead of the book. Good for lightening the load. The info was mostly accurate but some prices were out of date. Especialy transit and shuttle prices in a few places, but never more than a little change. I still think i prefer my lonely planet books.

An excellent and cheap guide for Europe. Coverage is good considering the size. Some countries do get a short shrift though. Good color maps and the guide is especially useful for planning trips between different countries.

This is the 5th Let's Go guide I purchase. I've been buying these guides since 1998. It's a MUST for every backpacker. It always gives you the coolest hostels and the most practical tips. I use to travel every year to different countries, and I don't feel safe to travel around without my Let's Go in my backpack. In my opinion, they are the best guides ever written, even better than the "lonely planet" ones. Just buy it!!

I used this book in Europe. Although I found a few good Internet cafes by using this book, finding historical places is often very difficult because there's no pictures of the buildings it refers to. Also, don't believe the prices stated for a lot of the places. It would make a world of difference, if its topics were supplemented by pictures to give a clearer understanding and find places a lot easier. The maps in this book are horrible. You can get lost by relying on them alone.

I spent 6 weeks traveling Europe this Summer with this book and Europe on a Shoestring by Lonely Planet. While both were excellent books this one was far more usefull and had countless great suggestions on places to eat, stay, and things to do. I would HIGHLY reccomend this book as one to take with you if you are backpacking through Europe.

This guide rocks. If you really want to have the best time of your life, buy a copy of Party Europe as well. Let's Go tells you where to stay and eat, Party Europe will tell you how to have fun. Great combination. Can't wait to head back to the old country.

I bought this guide in 2006 and still have it and use it. Although thick, it is relatively light and can be carried during trips. I have lent it several times and it has not lost its quality. Strongly recommend you buy one before going to Europe.