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Book Description

Independent and indispensable, this up-to-date guide to Western Europe will take you around Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.

• 168 detailed maps
• hand-picked places to stay and eat for all budgets
• the lowdown on the highlights, from the Eiffel Tower to the Acropolis
• road-tested tips on getting around the region
• comprehensive language guide

Excerpted from Lonely Planet Western Europe, Sixth Edition by Susie Ashworth. Copyright © 2003. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Western Europe means many things to many people. Some marvel at its diversity of cultures and languages crammed into such a small area, the wealth of its museums, theatre and architecture, and the seemingly endless shopping opportunities, restaurants and nightlife on offer in many of its bustling cities. Others are attracted to Western Europe's varied scenery, from sun-drenched beaches and dense forests to mountain lakes and snow-capped peaks. Many citizens of the Americas and Australasia see Western Europe as their ancestral homeland and birthplace of much of their culture and civilization. Almost all visitors are delighted by the minimal amount of bureaucracy, the well-developed tourist facilities and efficient transport that make it possible to explore this fascinating region with a minimum of fuss.

Western Europe is often looked upon as the hub of the developed world - at least historically. Though its growth rate is not what it was in the heady days of the 1950s and '60s, Western Europe remains an economic powerhouse and a leader in art, literature and music. For the visitor to the region, the biggest problem is simply choosing where to go, and what to see and do. There are magnificent museums and galleries such as the British Museum in London, the Louvre in Paris and the Prado in Madrid. There are architectural treasures like the Parthenon in Athens, Gaudi's fantastic church in Barcelona and Germany's fairy-tale castles. And there are superb natural features: the soaring Swiss Alps, the magnificent stretches of rugged coastline in western Ireland and the tranquil, sunny islands of Greece. For the energetic, there are walking trails ranging from the high-altitude circuit of Mont Blanc in France to the West Highland Way in Scotland, ski runs from Andorra to Zermatt in Switzerland and there's sailing, windsurfing and swimming all along the Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean coasts. And there are places where it's simply just fun to be, whether it's clubbing in Berlin, pub-crawling through Dublin or watching the world go by from a sidewalk cafe in Paris or Rome.

This edition of Western Europe provides an insight into the history, people and culture of this diverse collection of countries and offers practical information to help you make the most of your time and money.

There's information on how to get to Western Europe and how to get around once you're there. There are extensive details on what to see, when to see it and how much it costs. The thousands of recommendations about places to stay range from French camping grounds and German hostels to Spanish pensions and Irish B&Bs. Cafes, restaurants and bars are covered in equally exhaustive detail, with suggestions which cover every budget - from the cheapest of cheap eats to the ideal place for that big splurge. There are even recommendations on what to buy and where to buy it.

Western Europe is a wonderful region to visit and there is a whole lot out there waiting to be enjoyed. This newly updated edition of Western Europe will guide you, so don't procrastinate any longer about that trip of a lifetime - go now!

First Sentence:
The Getting Around chapter has information organised tours. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
doubles with bath, tourist office annexe, university mensa, singles without bath, doubles with shower, dorm beds, closest camping ground, vegie options, efficient tourist office, main tourist office, nearest camping ground, municipal tourist office, rooms per person, main train station, pronunciation guidelines, bus eireann, intercity bus station, doubles without bath, most train stations, open yearround, hourly trains, rail loop, main post office, ferry quay, good tapas Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
American Express, Western Europe, New Zealand, Santa Maria, Stay Camping, Luxembourg City, Guest House, New York, National Express, Centraal Station, Notre Dame, San Marco, Auberge de Jeunesse, Plaza Mayor, Black Forest, The Hague, Thomas Cook, Andorra la Vella, Art Nouveau, Sun Apr-Oct, Sun July, Harz Mountains, Sun Nov-Mar, Lake District, Stazione Centrale New!
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