Advantages: info on history, culture Disadvantages: inaccurate directions,casa info
In 2006 I spent some time traveling around Cuba, it was always a dream destination of mine. I was accompanied by my sister and as two girls alone it soon became clear we were not going to have an easy time. The Lonelyplanet was our only source of information (since there is very little access to the internet in many places). It was a disappointment to find ourselves arriving in a city in the evening, looking for the "casas"(you stay in family homes rather than hotels)to find the map was completely wrong, and the casas listed didn't even exist anymore. As a last resort we attempted to find the only hotel listed in the book(which would have used a weeks worth of money from our budget) only to find it had closed down 5 years ago! It was not an enjoyable experience. I think it is time for them to update the book.
Although the guide ...
Advantages: Great for ideas, choosing best time of year to travel Disadvantages: Limited information, some of the dates may be slightly inaccurate
This travel book from the LonelyPlanet team was published about 2 years ago now, and it's a book I've tended to dip into for inspiration intermittently. The format is a week by week guide of travel suggestions throughout the year, a kind of "where to go when" book. From this point of view, it's great for ideas - if you're thinking of taking a week or two in March, you can flick through and see some of the travel experiences best done at that time of year. It could also be used to look up the best time to go somewhere, but I think if you had a specific goal in mind, using a regional travel guide would give you much more information.
The book is very well-illustrated - nearly every suggestion has an image to go with it. There are usually 2 double pages per week, occasionally with a few extra ideas written at the bottom. Every quarter ...
Advantages: Fantastic information about accomodation, Maps Disadvantages: Can be misleading
I travelled around the majority of Morocco using this lonelyplanet. They are a very useful tool for any traveller. This book provides you with up-to-date information on hotels and entertainment. The maps allow you to find the best hotel for you at the cheapest prices without being hassled by the local hotel touts.
It also gives you great ideas of the places you would like to see and the cheapest mode of trasport to get there. The timetables for trains etc in the book are accurate and prices are generally similar to what you end up paying.
As with most lonelyplanets though don't get too mislead by the amzing photography! Go and explore the place and have fun! ...
