Lonely Planet Mediterranean Europe (Mediterranean Europe, 5th ed) (Paperback)

~ Daniel Robinson (Author), etc. (Author), Bryn Thomas (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Best for curious and independent-minded travelers' --Wall Street Journal
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

Contains information on: the best places to eat and stay on any budget; a language guide with useful words and phrases in 12 essential languages; all the transport options, from high-speed rail in France to island-hopping in the Aegean; and the nitty-gritty on visas, borders and converting dirhams to drachmas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 992 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 5th edition (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1864501545
• ISBN-13: 978-1864501544
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,364,788 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, April 17, 2008

By	Nancy A. Thome "Max's Mom" (Baraboo, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mediterranean Europe (Multi Country Guide) (Paperback)

I have always been a fan of Lonely Planet, but I am very disappointed with this guide. It contains very little information about sights and attractions - about 3/4 of each entry is devoted to telling you where to sleep and eat. I can find lodging and eateries on my own, thanks. I would like to know what sights and attractions are not to be missed if you happen to be near them? Which ones are worth going out of your way for?Which ones are kid pleasers (I will be travelling with my 2 children)? The little bit of information this guide does give about sights and attractions is not helpful in answering these questions. There is far less information about travelling with children than in any other guide book I have read. There is far more information about drinking - I like to sample the local beer, wine, and liquor as much as anyone else, but reading this book, you'd think it was written for people whose top travel priority is getting inebriated at every location. One thing I do like, that sets Lonely Planet guides apart, is there is more than the average amount of background information about the history and culture.

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can never go wrong with a Lonely Planet book, February 5, 2001

By	Hilde B (Norway) - See all my reviews

I have just returned to Norway after a year backpacking around in Latin America (of course accompanied by the Lonely Planet books). I do not claim to be an expert, but I know what I look for in a travel guide!

This edition of the LP Mediterranean Europe does not dissappoint me. It is up to date on the information, and as with all the other LP books it is easy to find your way around with it. It includes maps over the big cities, quite accurate price estimates for the hotels, and time schedules for bus, train etc.

You will find that if you are walking around with the LP book under your arm, many of the local people will approach you and ask you if you need help. Say yes - even if you don't need help! It is a great opportunity to get in contact with the local people!

This book is a must on your travel!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Useless for trip planning purposes, July 26, 2008

By	M. Steinmann (Edinburgh) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mediterranean Europe (Multi Country Guide) (Paperback)

I agree with Nancy's review - I just bought this book as an aid to determine my next destination, among options such as Italy, Malta, Greece, and Turkey. I am very disappointed, as I'm finding the book virtually useless for that purpose. I thought it would give me a good overview of what each destination has to offer by way of sights, and it is only barely contributing anything of value; I have had to abandon it and return to Google. All the info on accommodation I can find easily on TripAdvisor, and while the info on restaurants may be useful once you're actually in your destination of choice, who wants to lug around a big book on 14 countries just for a few restaurant tips? A book covering such a large, fascinating region should focus on helping to plan your destinations, not the specific logistics of sleeping & eating; the latter are better obtained from a smaller book specific to a given destination.

It's too big to serve as a practical sleeping/eating guide, and it's too skimpy on the good stuff to be used as a planning tool.