Customer Reviews

Rick Steves' Provence and the French Riviera 2008

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second Rick Steves book I have taken to Europe. This trip took me to Nice and the French Riviera, and with this travel book it made the trip stress free. Two tips from the guide book were taking the public bus trip from Nice to Menton and traveling inland to the French Grand Canyon. We took the bus trip on Sunday, which only cost us one euro per person for an hour and 15 minute trip, in a clean, comfortable bus and my boyfriend was able to enjoy the views since he didn't have to drive. The second item from the guide book was a trip inland to the French Grand Canyon. What a beautiful ride and the views were spectacular. Worth the trip - but only would have know about it with the guide book.

I felt that Rick's Provence and the French Riviera guide has some of the essentials but not the inspired coverage of his other books. There isn't the excitement that he presents in his Italian and other European guides. The coverage of the hill towns of Provence is somewhat perfunctory.

As far as information goes, this book deserves 5 stars ... it's great for figuring out how to get around, what to see (and what not to see!), and how much money to bring. However, I couldn't give 5 stars, simply because I was hoping for better maps and maybe a few color photographs. The book has crudely drawn maps -- almost with a cartoonish look about them -- that don't seem all that helpful. And as for photos, well, the one on the cover is about it. This is a great book to have when planning your trip to Provence ... however, I would advise supporting it with a 2nd guidebook that touts glossy pages with color pictures and maps!

This book proved an invaluable tool whilst my mom and I were in the Cote d'Azur. It gave excellent information regarding buses (including numbers and cost) and allowed us to travel easily between towns along the Cote d'Azur. Also included were locations of Travel Information offices where we were able to obtain additional bus schedules and maps. This is the only book you'll need for the Cote d'Azur. Maps, tips, walking tours, all excellent!

one of the best books I have read, lots of information and put in a great book form, have purchased his other books.

No one writes guide books for Europe better than Rick Steves. He does a lot of research, makes tested recommendations and writes really well. I would not travel Europe without him.

I travelled with this book for a week over Christmas 2008 and had no problems. My favorites are the self-guided walks and the transportation connections/tips.

I have a wonderful time using this book to plan my visit, although I would still recomend getting a few more reference document such as local map to accomondate this book.

Found this Guide very helpfull with lot of tips of thing to do and places to eat. I though that the walking tours where very helpfull and fun to do.

I have the 2010 guide to Provence. I looked at several before deciding on this one. I've just returned from our trip and couldn't have done it without this guidebook.
While this book has few pictures and is missing the eye candy of glossy photos,
it is the guidebook you need to navigate the small towns of Provence.
Rick Steves and his team provide the historical background like the other guides, but this book gives you the practical info you need to know where to park, where to shop and how to navigate the terrain. Well worth the money.