Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Portugal (2nd ed)

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

 

 

This book was right for hotel recommendataions, both in Lisbon and the smaller cities (I can only speak to Porto, Guimaraes, Coimbra, Sintra, and Pombal.) The chapter on Porto was particularly sharp, offering details and information that I would have almost certainly missed. Be aware, however, that both cinemas (Portuguese and Hollywood) in central Porto are closed, along with a several resturaunts. Bus information to Boavista is inaccurate, as is nearly all information regarding domestic travel in Portugal, particularly by train. Most of it is dated, as a new station in Lisbon has apparently rerouted some lines, but some info is totally wrong. For example, the guide contends that most IC trains to and from Lisbon stop BOTH at Coimbra A and B, when in fact, Coimbra B services the Lisbon line, and A handles local traffic. The reverse is true of Gare Oriente and Santa Apolonia in Lisboa, where it is possible to get off at either station. This is important information, especially if you speak barely functional Portuguese and have a hard time understanding anything more than simple directions about departure times and locations or yes/no responses(quando e? sim/nao/amanha, etc...) Furthermore, there are many more trains runnning on the Lisbon/Porto/Braga line than are mentioned in the book, and contrary to its assertions to the contrary, train travel (with the exception of the local, which painfully slow)is efficent and reasonably priced (the Lisbon-Porto Alfa train, the equivalent of an Amtrak metroliner between New York and Washington, costs about 15 dollars and takes all of 3 hours.) All in all, a good book, but it needs to be updated, particularly with the coming changes and choas during Euro2004.

Lonely Planet consistently proves itself to be THE guide to have while you're traveling. The details are fantastic, the layout is simple, the maps are good, and the recommendations are right on, particularly regarding Lisbon. Further, it's small enough to take with you without looking too conspicuous. I especially like the details of off-the-beaten-path places too often overlooked by the average guidebook. For example, We found ourselves in the little town of Tomar, and the guide really came through with a great restaurant recommendation. If you want to escape to the real Portugal, use this book.

I have used the Lonely Planet guides in Asia, the Middle East, and in Europe. Lately, they seem to have lost their way. Originally, the LP guides were for people who had travelled at least a little bit before and needed some pointers to an area. The guides usually had some sort of walking tours in the cities they indicated. Their guides have become filled with useless colour photos of generic scenes, The quirky, fresh information has disappeared -- In the summer of 2004, I used the LP guides for both Portugal and Spain. I was traveling for about three months. I had been in both places before and had used a LP guide. The most recent guides are stale and minimally updated. They are also occassionally misleading; especially concerning food. Sadly, the LP guide to Portugal is not worth the weight that goes along with carrying it.

The print was so small that we needed a magnefying glass and the description of several of the sites, restaurants and accomodations in Portugal were a little off. All the information they wrote about was available for free at any tourist information desk. The maps were illegible. All the time I was in Portugal using this book, I kept on thinking I should have gotten another book. I brought this book because I saw the Lonely Planet show on the Travel Channel on Portugal. I though it was great, unfortunately the book wasn't as great. I'll never buy a Lonely Planet travel guide again.

I don't expect much from Lonely Planet. Usually, they seem to be written by some sandal wearing reprobate who thinks finding vegetarian food is important. They often skip over interesting historical fact, landmarks, culture and items of artistic merit -to say nothing of local custom and folkways, in order to have enough space to tell you about where the local discos are, and where you can buy more lonely planet books (think about why this is dumb for a minute). Personally, I only buy them because they have good maps in them, and halfway decent (if bizarre) hotel and restaurant recommendations. I also buy them because nobody else really makes serious travel books (I have high hopes for the "Avant Guide" franchise). I'd probably be better off collecting antique Baedekers.

This guide to Portugal was, on the other hand, quite good; well above their average offering. It's out of date in some significant ways. For example, one of the central train stations in Lisbon, Rossio, has been out of service for years; it's somewhat excusable that this is out of date information in the book, but the same thing is on their website, so I have to imagine the next edition will have the same problems. Also, when I went, there were all manner of bizarre ceremonies involving students in robes being tormented by other people; nary a mention in the book. None the less, there were many sights I had never heard of which were mentioned in the book. Many were described as "like out of star wars" by the voluble Miz Hole (or Beach), which pretty much meant: you should really see this. It wasn't a bad description, as Lucas obviously modeled some of his alien looking stuff after Manueline gothic style -just a bit matey for my tastes. There were also a number of excellent "small detail" recommendations for restaurants; a really cool fried chicken restaurant in Porto, run by a midget and a guy who looks like an undertaker -a remarkable hotel in Tomar run by the world's happiest man, Esteve. These sorts of little details made me forgive all the flaws I mentioned above. The details also made me love Portugal. Portugal isn't as dense in history and monuments as Italy, nor is the food as good as in France, but they have a very deep and wonderful culture there. This is quite a good book for getting a flavor for it, and seeing the sights which need seeing.

I enjoyed the book Lonely Planet Portugal. I will be taking it along on my upcoming trip and I am sure it will be a great help to have with me. Lot's of great information!

We recently travelled in Portugal using this guide as our sole source of information. As always, the Lonely Planet series steers independent travelers to the finest little-known places. Maps, evaluations, and descriptions are all excellent and easy to find at a glance. We never travel without the Lonely Planet guides, and found this one excellent as usual.

This was a really good book to bring with me to Portugal. I was there for over a week, and stayed with a Portuguese friend. I judge a guide to be be good when a "native" of the region refers to, mainly agrees with, and learns something from the book.

I honestly did not stay at hotels, so I cannot say how accurate it was for that sort of information. But in terms of historical and site specific information, it was quite a good book to have!

Egypt and Portugal are the only two countries besides America I will ever want to travel in. While not the best guide I have ever read this one is still quite useful. If you ever go there see the Palacio Nacional da Pena in Sintra and the Palaco do Visconde de Estoi near Faro