Western Europe (Lonely Planet Western Europe) [Paperback]

Reuben Acciano (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lonely Planet Western Europe | Publication Date: February 2005

Whether you dream of lazing on golden Mediterranean beaches, exploring centuries-old Bavarian streets or nursing a pint in a snug Irish pub, Western Europe always inspires with its variety and volume of iconic attractions. This insightful and comprehensive guide enables you to find your perfect multi-country trip.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1112 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 7 edition (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740599276
• ISBN-13: 978-1740599276
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,454,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anthony Haywood was born in Fremantle, Western Australia and is a freelance author based in Germany. His work includes travel guidebooks, short stories, articles and other non-fiction. "Siberia - A Cultural History" was published in 2010 by Signal Books (UK) and Oxford University Press (USA). See www.anthonyjhaywood.com for more about the author and his books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best I have found, July 19, 2000

By 

Econ PhD Student (Cornell University) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Western Europe (Lonley Planet on a Shoestring) (Paperback)

The Lonely Planet guide book series is by far the best set of books I have found for travel. Let's Go, Rough Guide, Frommer's, etc do not live up to these books. LP offers a great blend of interesting facts (history, etc) with the travel information that we all really want.

I am a student who spent the summer of 1999 traveling through Europe - poor, but free. I did read a number of other books before and durring the trip, and will always buy Lonely Planet as they have impressed me as being the best, hands down. If you want to go on a drunken tour, buy Let's Go and end up in the same run down American hostels and American bars as the rest of the American students, but take my word, you will have enough ability to do that with LP, but you will not be forced to either. LP will help you to actually experience the culture, and take in a more European version of Europe than Let's Go, and still give you the opportunity to party like a rock star when you want - its up to you.

It is the most complete and most versitile book I have found. It will cater to budget and intermediate travelers of all ages and groups. I will buy the same series even when I can afford nice resturants and hotels, because LP tells it all.

The same experience is true for my trip this last spring to Ireland. Lonely Planet Ireland is as good as Western Europe, but more detailed.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good overview, but make sure it's what you need, February 22, 2000

By 

Debra L Cerda (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Western Europe (Lonley Planet on a Shoestring) (Paperback)

It is definitely a good overview, but I think it's understandable why you might wind up wishing you'd bought the individual countries instead. My previous experience with Lonely Planet publications has been excellent; therefore, I may have set my expectations a little too high. There were a lot of major cities of interest and note missing from the France section and corresponding maps. This book is best for anyone who tries the "21 countries in 30 days or less" style of travelling. Personally, I depend on the Lonely Planet guides to help me stay a little off the beaten track at a leisurely pace and within my budget. I certainly credit their Costa Rica guide with keeping me safe, well-fed, and satisfied for a month! Do note, that I've come across accomodations listed which are no longer in existence or closed for longterm renovations, so phone ahead!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but a victim of its success, June 7, 2000

By 

Jeff Rutsch (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lonely Planet Western Europe (Lonley Planet on a Shoestring) (Paperback)

Lonely Planet is definitely the guidebook to beat, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it ahead of the others.

However, buyers should be aware of a few problems. The first is the popularity of the Lonely Planet guides...since they're so popular, following the guides too closely steers you entirely to the same well-recommended hostels, restaurants, and so forth, that every other LP reader goes to. These institutions start specifically aiming themselves at the LP crowd. Definitely loses some of the cultural experience, and well-reviewed hostels are something like an American/Australian frat party. I'd view the Lonely Planet guide as a necessary evil. It's very convenient, but their recommendations are self-defeating, especially in the more heavily-touristed areas.

Secondly, most people visiting Europe seem to be doing massive every-big-city-in-three-week tours. This guide is suited for that, but for those spending more time in the indivisual countries, definitely buy the single-country guide.