Let's Go Europe - Let's Go

… Well, maybe not the world but Europe is at least a good start isn’t it? And by the way, this is in the 'right' category for travel books and NOT Europe (in general) - it's just that CIAO haven't presented it that way! Hummpphhh! Grumble grumble!

Anyway, I’ve chosen to review ‘Let’s Go Europe’ guide as in many ways it can be described as a travel bible of some form. In brief here, it’s huge ...
...of coloured maps to be found at the front and rear of the book)! It’s up-to-date (every Let’s Go book is revised annually) and it’s also wide-reaching (it includes fairly-detailed reviews of major European cities and regions from (as it says itself (p.79)) ‘Athens to Abba’ – or from Greece to Sweden in my own sketchy translation! To be precise 39 (no more and no less) countries are featured.

Content(s)-wise, ... more

… Well, maybe not the world but Europe is at least a good start isn’t it? And by the way, this is in the 'right' category for travel books and NOT Europe (in general) - it's just that CIAO haven't presented it that way! Hummpphhh! Grumble grumble!

Anyway, I’ve chosen to review ‘Let’s Go Europe’ guide as in many ways it can be described as a travel bible of some form. In brief here, it’s huge (1006 (count’em!) pages of written information excluding 46 extra pages of coloured maps to be found at the front and rear of the book)! It’s up-to-date (every Let’s Go book is revised annually) and it’s also wide-reaching (it includes fairly-detailed reviews of major European cities and regions from (as it says itself (p.79)) ‘Athens to Abba’ – or from Greece to Sweden in my own sketchy translation! To be precise 39 (no more and no less) countries are featured.

Content(s)-wise, it does concentrate on budget travel which can be counted as either a positive or negative point in accordance to your own particular needs (it’s great if you’re looking for Europe’s ‘cheapies’ in the food and accommodation line but less great if you really require a little more luxury on your well-earned travels).

Price-wise, the RRP of the book is £15.99 in the UK, $22.99 in the US and $35.99 in Canada although, as a tip, copies that are a year out (for example, if you purchase a 2001 copy in 2002) can most often be found at a greatly reduced price. I bought my copy in a book clearance store in the glamorous resort of Bridlington for a mere £2.99 (I know, I know – what a rock chick je suis). Cheap at (way less than) half the price thanks very much! The motto here is ‘look around, shop around’ of course.

As a concept, this book, in its own invariable doorstopper form, can be said to be an absolute must for the average traveller. It can be anything from a basic reference point (possibly for the more experienced traveller whose needs are generally more minimal) to a provider of more specific route and indeed itinerary information (in this case for the less experienced traveller whose needs are potentially greater). In any case, it is greatly deserving of a space on one of your shelves and is able to inspire more than a few dream itineraries.

In looking at the book in more detail, I’ve decided to write about its pros and cons (or my likes and dislikes regarding the book) in a detailed list form. What follows represents my own particular viewpoints on the product and, as ever, I respect the fact that yours may differ greatly from pro to con and area to area.
PROS (include):+ A methodical, well-marked guide to each city and each area. Using
Paris here as a random example, the guide includes tips on:

• Getting there and away (including flight, train and bus information).
• Getting around (a more specific guide to all varieties of public transportation).
• Orientation (a geographical distinction between the main two halves of the city (la rive gauche et la rive droite (the left and right banks of the Seine)).
• Practical information (listing tourist and financial services, local services and emergency and communications information).
• Accommodations (roughly five pages listed by each ‘arrondissement’ or area).
• Food and cafés (roughly four pages again listed by arrondissement).
• Sights, museums and entertainment (roughly seven pages listed mainly by each ‘tourist’ area or genre).
• Shopping (by arrondissement).
• Nightlife (ditto).

… And finally… Phew!

* Excursions from Paris (various towns and tourist attractions in northern to mid-France).So, as you can (hopefully!) see, information for especially major cities is extremely comprehensive and again, in the nature of ‘budget’ travel, should be able to provide most, if not all, required details.

+ Clear language, yes, that’s right - clarity of English.

I don’t want to be too patronising here but the book is written in a straightforward and no-nonsense way – essential for any well-meaning travel guide. Descriptions are clear and are often (very) straight to the point yet they almost always instantly provide sufficient information kind of at the touch of a button or, more aptly, at the flick of a page as you may prefer to say.

+ Inclusion of accurate maps.

So, so important this and I say they’re accurate because I’ve used ‘em! A travel book without (accurate) maps is a little bit like not being able to organise the proverbial p*** up in a brewery or like the ashtray on a motorbike syndrome (sorry, for the comparisons but)! Zip!

+ Suggestions of possible itineraries

I know fairly and squarely that most happy ‘travelbunnies’ want to make there own plans but having a page to finger guide to possible routes can often give even the most hardened traveller just a bit more inspiration. As an ex-Eurailer, I am all too well aware of the pitfalls of pithy mock-inspiring but never-ever possible journeys. All I’m saying folks is that sometimes you need a few written (nay screwed) down words to point you in the right direction. Know whatta mean?

+ Inclusion of a ‘handy’ language glossary.

Yeah, once again, I have to state the obvious (hands up the bleeding linguist around here!) but if you are planning to travel around Europe you absolutely need a language chart/glossary (complete with pronunciation tips) in order to enhance your journey. And here you can practise until your little heart is content with the fine linguistic prowess of ‘perfect’ English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and (finally!) Russian. Good innit? Phew again! Indeed.

CONS:

- I’ve decided to group the ‘cons’ bit together in paragraph form as it reads better but also because I generally don’t have anything really, awfully and terribly bad to say. My two major criticisms of ‘Let’s Go Europe’ (and often of any!) travel book in general are:

* this book is far too bulky and heavy to be ‘handy’

&

* this book (again like any other!) can be too subjective rather than not objective enough. Your travels are NOT someone else’s travels and vice versa!

By these I mean that firstly the book is quite impractical with its sheer width and depth. Again, from ex-Eurailing experiences I know the book can act like a piece of gold bullion in one’s rucksack and can tend to weigh one down somewhat. Still, the way to overcome this is to actually become a bit of a sad git like me! Research your destination(s) well in advance and photocopy relevant information, maps etc. to store in a file as a lightweight more practical alternative. Easy eh?

Similarly, regarding the subjectivity issue, make sure you use this guide and others like it as only part-of your total file of information. As you are obviously aware, the *Internet (*‘cos my dictionary says it’s capital ‘I’’) offers a plethora of travel information, articles and recommendations that can be finely researched and tuned to any individual itinerary. By and large, you’re bound to have a more invigorating (enjoyable, suitable, perfect, etc. – delete as required) trip if you make maximum use of all the resources you can possibly pull together. (Tip: CIAO, Dooyoo and Epinions (the American equivalent of these sites) are positively brimming with recommendations as if you didn’t possibly know that already!)

Anyway, I think I’ve got it covered here and there or just about but my last words are, as ever, pretty damn simple:

DO try to get a copy of this book by hook or by crook (beg it, steal it, borrow it, look at it and, as you like, photocopy it (at work!).

But DON’T make it the ‘be all and end all’ of your journey. Be flexible AND practical, shop around furiously for mines of travel information from other locations, store ‘em together, pack lightly and have a great trip!

Enjoy everywhere and anywhere!

Happy travels!

- J

 

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