Frommer's Germany 2004 (Paperback)

~ Darwin Porter (Author), Danforth Prince (Author) "In this chapter, you'll find our carefully compiled lists of the best that Germany has to offer, from castles to cathedrals to spas, restaurants, and..." (more)
Key Phrases: gooseliver terrine, romantic road, regional bus service, World War, Black Forest, Middle Ages (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go— they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!

Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Germany features gorgeous color photos of the dazzling baroque architecture, picturesque villages, and beer gardens that await you. Come along with us and discover some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, from the medieval towns and half-timbered houses along the Romantic Road to lovely vineyards along the Rhine River. Frommer's offers up-to-date coverage of all the country's highlights— music festivals, hiking in the Black Forest, Oktoberfest, cafes, castles, and Berlin's vibrant, cutting-edge cultural scene.

Inside you'll find candid, detailed reviews of the very best dining and accommodations for any taste and budget. We offer a wealth of sightseeing, sports, shopping, strolls, and special moments— from highlights for the first-time visitor to off-the-beaten-track discoveries that will impress even the most seasoned traveler.

From the Back Cover

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer. And avoid tourist traps. At Frommer’s, we use 150 outspoken travel experts around the world to help you make the right choices. Frommer’s. Your guide to a world of travel experience.

Choose the Only Guide That Gives You:

• Everything you need to plan a memorable vacation.
• Outspoken opinions on what’s worth your time and what’s not.
• Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip no matter what your budget.
• Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.
• The best hotels and restaurants in every price range, with candid reviews.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 696 pages
• Publisher: Frommer's; Revised edition (November 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764539078
• ISBN-13: 978-0764539077
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,436,342 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars above average for historical sites, July 13, 2004

By	Nathan R Bauman (Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I emphatically do not want to find out where all the sleaziest bars are. Travel guides are too full of this sort of thing. However, if you want to visit Germany and come away with a better understanding of the history and historical sites of the country, this book is for you. It offers an introduction to art and architecture, which, although minimal, is better than the Lonely Planet's and other competitors' offerings. The lack of an appropriate series of maps is a definite downside. The section on lodgings is too large. What we really need is for a Rick Steves-type to write the definitive guide to historical and geographical sites of interest.

Not perfect, but better than the competition: thus, four stars out of five.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and grouped, July 26, 2005

By	Jennifer P (Gainesville, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frommer's Germany 2005 (Frommer's Complete) (Paperback)

I've used the Frommer's 2004 Japan with great success, and this book has many of the same traits that I enjoyed. The recommended sites are grouped in easy-to-visit clusters (and regions of large cities are described with easy to read maps nearby). Sidebars include listings of favorite activities (not always visiting the most prestigious museum either) and interesting tidbits about areas (including a memorial to Nazi book burnings that I haven't seen in any other travel guide...and it sounds like a very touching place to visit!). Definitely would recommend this book over any others.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing!!!! Pass on it!, October 18, 2005

By	N. Tatjana C. Versaggi "Art Nerd" (Dripping Springs, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Frommer's Germany 2005 (Frommer's Complete) (Paperback)

I had a great experience with my Frommer's Tuscany, so I tried this one. Frommer's Guides usually have very thorough descriptions of history and interesting tidbits. This aspect was reasonably, if cursorily, done; thus, being the only reason I gave the book 2 stars in stead of one. I disembarked from the plane this morning and could barely wait to write a review. I knew the prices were way off from the moment I received the book. I was looking at the recommended hotels online and the Guide was consistently 25-45 Euros low. That's a huge difference... sometimes nearly $100, but I was willing to let that slide. I found my own hotels. When I got to Berlin, for example, I discovered, with ease, fantastic, mainstream, hotels, pensions or resorts and spas a block or bus/tram ride away from ones that the Guide recommended. These surprisingly (relatively) inexpensive hotels were never even mentioned, though they were far superior. This happened again and again. The restuarants recommended, without exception, had the insanely terrible service (by German standards)or extremely mediocre food or both (but flashy!) and here the prices were surprizingly off as well. It made me feel as though all of the places mentioned had paid to be in the book! Thank goodness I brought 2 back-ups guides and started asking people (since I speak German)! I suggest, in lieu of this book, the Rough Guide and/or Let's Go Germany. Yes, they are also very mainstream, but their recommendations never failed. I was there for nearly 3 weeks and writers Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince were *so* wrong, I am returning their book to the publishing company.