Complemented by easy-to use, reliable maps, helpful recommendations, authoritative background information, and up-to-date coverage of things to see and do, these popular travel guides cover in detail countries, regions, and cities around the world for travelers of every budget, along with extensive itineraries, maps with cross-referencing to the text, "Top 10" and "Top 5" lists, and other practical features.
Based on this, I think everyone should read a guidebook of their own country because - you get to read reviews of places you’ve been to and so can compare your views to the book’s; - you get to read of places you now want to visit; - it’s interesting, even funny, to read about your own country from the perspective of what foreigners need to know. E.g. From ‘What to Pack’ section: Umbrella, because the rumours about the weather are true; Lightweight waterproof jacket, because sometimes the umbrella is not enough.
I personally read of five places to visit that I didn’t know of before. I read this ahead of a holiday around the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Very good. I recommend checking online when you've decided what you would like to see from the book, ( about 6 weeks before and again a week before) as some of the information and booking information had changed. Missed a couple of things because of it. Still very good information about what's around.
This book will help you to start your trip or journey in different way that you didn't do , experience or imagine before. It will show you how to plan your vacation wather you are with your family , friends or alone . It just care about everything.
Fairly useful guide for an overall look at Great Britain. Unfortunately, it didn't cater to my specific needs like what libraries or walking trails are near the Bovington Tank Museum (which wasn't included in this guide). I know that's pretty specific, but that was the main reason that I picked up this tome so it was kind of disappointing that it wasn't in there.
Includes great advice on how to fully utilize the London tube system (wish I had read that before I went there last time) and a nice map of the whole thing. Also describes how to properly use cabs, find buses, ride trains- perfect for the timid American traveler who may not be certain how to use public transportation.
I bought The Rough Guide to Scotland and Lonely Planet's guide to Great Britain to plan an extensive solo driving trip. I think I preferred the maps in the Rough Guide and slightly preferred the descriptions in Lonely Planet. I did not use the accommodation or dining recommendations, so I can't speak for them, but everything else seemed quite accurate and up-to-date. I was especially glad to have the ferry information in the Rough Guide. Both are solid guides, and together they helped me research, map, and plan an awesome adventure.
The content was fine, on par with every other Lonely Planet guide I've used. My only complaint is that the quality of the paper is very cheap, like newspaper, even for the photo pages. I always loved being enticed by the beautiful glossy photo pages, but the cheap paper for this edition is pretty sad. Also, I do not like feeling as if I need to wash the ink off my hands each time I open the book. Again, content was fine.
I've used the Planet since my shoestring backpacking days and it's a hard habit to break. But this edition is uneven - it has about a dozen writers and the quality of the section really depends on the author (the Glasgow writer seems best). But I'm not ready to admit I'm old and use Rick Steves for Europe!
Travel books are most fun when you can use them in a practical way and I have used this to make travel plans and visit places. I'm sure I'll be flicking through this in the future but reading through it has given me a number of places I'd like to go to!
I didn't care for the formatting of this book. I had just read the Rick Steves' book on England and prefer his tips on avoiding crowds and getting from one place to another. This book didn't have nearly as much helpful info on the practical side of travelling. I did like the history section.
Just finished exploring Scotland and England - - Once again, Lonely Planet did not disappoint me in its recommendations. The book was more essential before the journey to create the itinerary. It is impossible to see everything and I rely on Lonely Planet to narrow the field a bit.