The aim of the Eyewitness Travel Guide to Germany is to "show you what others only tell you". To achieve this aim the book has been crammed full of photographs and illustrations. There is not a single page (excluding the listings in the back) that does not have at least one colourful illustration or photograph.
Normally I would not buy a guide book that covers a whole country, especially when that country is as large and diverse as Germany- full of a rich and deep history and culture, fairytale castles, beautiful mountains and vibrant cities. My view is that it is impossible to cover the subject with enough depth in a single book- which is why you have entire books dedicated to one city or region.
So, how does the Eyewitness Travel to Germany succeed as a guide book, and would I recommend it to a potential visitor to Germany?
That is not an easy question to answer. As stated in my review of the 'Rough Guide to Berlin' it really does depend on what you are looking for. Hopefully a guide to the guide book (!) will you determine if this book is for you.
Introducing Germany
(pages 8-61)Here we find a quick overview of the regions of Germany and two maps of the country. It then gives a quick 'Portrait of Germany' with sections on traditions, daily life, flora and fauna, music and many more. Following this is 'Germany through the year' -listing all the major events and the climate you can expect in any given month/ season. Finally, we are given a brief history of the country, focusing mainly on the last couple of hundred years and how events have shaped modern Germany.
This part of the book does a good job of introducing the reader to Germany, especially if, like me, you don't know a whole lot about the country and made for interesting reading.
Germany Area by Area
(pages 62-481)
This is the bulk of the guide is broken down into Berlin, then Eastern, Southern, Western & Northern Germany. We are introduced to a region, and then look at main areas (such as Munich in Bavaria, then the rest of Bavaria etc). As stated before, there isn't a page in this book without at least one photograph, and this part is no exception. There are hundreds of colourful and top quality photographs that really showcase the sights of Germany- page after page of history, architecture and scenery. I really had no idea of the beauty of the country and the sights to be seen. Fantastic!
Accompanying the photographs are descriptions of the various sights and tourist attractions, as well as info on shopping and entertainment in the Munich and Berlin subsections. The text gives a concise and informative guide to major areas of interest, but is not comprehensive. The text is often quite small- so pack your reading glasses…..
Travellers' Needs & Survival Guide
(pages 482-583)This section covers where to eat and stay, shopping and outdoor activities & specialist holidays providing a general guide to the basics. There are also listings, with a short comment, of where to eat and where to stay in each of the main regions covered. Of course the listings do not cover every option but are good for providing ideas and help. The survival guide has a few pages with tips and gives practical and travel information
CONCLUSION
The photographs in this guidebook are really fantastic, and there are lots of them. I found this made the guidebook really inspirational and made me want to go on a tour of Germany- to see the beautiful palaces and cathedrals, hike in the forests, enjoy the culture (and beer), and enjoy beautiful vistas in the Alpine region. There really is a lifetimes' worth of sites in Germany, and the guide shows them in all their glory. Shame I can't afford to see everything (sometimes ignorance is bliss). To this date I have visited only Berlin (not counting a brief visits to transit lounges) and look forward to seeing more of the country- and that is all down to the guide book showcasing what is on offer so well.
Useful to the potential visitor? The only downside is that there is limited detail on each subject. So if you want comprehensive information or more commentary/ discussion it may be worth purchasing additional guides/maps for a particular region/ city you may be visiting.
Summary: Fantastic colourful guide to 'whet your appetite'
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