On the Road Around South of France : Driving Holiday's in Southern France [Paperback]

Melissa Shales (Author)

Book Description

Series: On the Road Around ... | Publication Date: April 11, 1997

Includes 80+ detailed maps, sightseeing information, hotel and restaurant recommendations, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Thomas Cook group has been leading tourists around Europe for more than a 100 years now, and the name has become synonymous with solid information--not to mention nifty travelers checks. Best known for their compendium of European railway schedules, The Thomas Cook European Timetable, the company also produces a series of touring handbooks. On the Road Around the South of France is specifically designed for travelers with cars. The first few sections of the book have the obligatory information about getting to France, how to use the telephones, hours for post offices and banks, etc., followed by a brief history of the country. Where Thomas Cook really differentiates itself from other guidebooks is in the itineraries attached to the different regions On the Road covers: Provence, the Cote d'Azur, coastal Languedoc, the Rhone Valley, and the Auvergne. There are 30 recommended routes between key cities, towns, and attractions in Southern France; each chapter begins with the description of a city or major town followed by chapters detailing routes that lead from that place to other major destinations. Routes are accompanied by detailed driving directions and a sketch map of the route and stops along the way, along with descriptions of restaurants, places to stay, and sights to see. As an added treat, the book is punctuated with beautiful, color photographs throughout.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (April 11, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844249548
• ISBN-13: 978-0844249544
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,300,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars the Cadogan guides are better, October 7, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On the Road Around South of France : Driving Holiday's in Southern France (Paperback)

I took this book with me on my recent trip to Provence. If your intention is really to drive everyday, and spend each night in a new location, then this book would be valuable. But if you are planning a more leisurely visit, then the Cadogan guides are a lot more fun and more useful, especially regarding cultural information.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unkind Guide, March 21, 2001

By 

west - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Road Around South of France : Driving Holiday's in Southern France (Paperback)

We took this book on our first driving trip through Provence, and jettisoned it before the second. While it does contain considerable information, the condescending attitude toward the French is, at best, dispiriting, and, at worst, leads you away from wonderful adventures. In no way does this book encourage the traveler to embrace the uniqueness of French culture and country life. We felt misled by the pretentious put-downs of villages, museums, cafes, restaurants and monuments that we found welcoming, enlightening, warm and delightful. If we had believed that some places were as dreary as the authors painted them, we would have missed our best experiences with hospitable people in beautiful settings.

You're better armed with Michelin maps, Cadogan guides and the host of free maps and brochures available at the well-run and helpful Bureau de Tourisme offices located in almost every village, where kindly hosts and hostesses can help you in English if you're not fluent in French. You can also rely on the helpfulness and good advice of people you meet in Provence. Bon voyage!