Travel to Spain

Frommer's Spain 2007 (Frommer's Complete)

Format: Paperback
Author: Darwin Porter
ReleaseDate: 02 October, 2006
Publisher: Frommer's
Rating:

Just.... Blah
On my upcoming trip there in May I thought I might update and perhaps complement my old guide by getting a 2007 edition
from another publisher. I've been to Spain several times, and until now I've been using the Lonely Planet 2003 Spain guide. So, I picked up the Frommer's 2007 and started reading it in depth when I got home. Well, it's just not that good. The layout is very annoying and they barely list any hotels that aren't expensive. Also, they leave alot of tidbits out that the lonely planet has. (Like the chapter on Toledo for example, says nothing about the mass migration of the population to high rises around the city. Lonely Planet mentions things of this nature. Many of the Lonely Planet chapters usually make mention of a negative aspect of a certain area, which every good book should have. )

Not to mention the maps in the frommer's are basically nonexistent. Nothing more than a faraway street map with only the main roads filled in. The map of sevilla for example, only lists a couple major arteries and the names of plazas. For a city as confusing as sevilla, this isn't a big help. Good thing I already know my way around. To conclude, I'd say that Frommer's is just missing that one essential aspect: Soul. The book has no soul. No opinions, no diversity, no explanations of seedy happenings or places to stay away of because of certain things. Just no soul or passion and terrrrrrrrrible maps.

Buy the 2005 version and save some money
None of the entries have been updated to reflect 2006 pricing for entry fees to museums, etc. I just got back from Spain a few days ago, having used the 2006 Frommer's Spain to plan our trip. The book has a small section in the front called "What's new in Spain" or something along those lines, but the rest of the book does not appear to have been updated for 2006. We ended up spending more than we had expected at almost every single place we visited on Frommer's advice due to the fact that the pricing was outdated. In hindsight, I would have saved some money and bought a used 2005 version. And FYI, most attractions have student discounts which knock up to half of the admission price off, so don't leave your student ID at home if you have one!.

Thorough, Comprehensive and well-put together - excellent guide for Spain


From all the travel books out there on Spain this one is not a compilation of mere facts, photos, phone numbers and page-fillers. Thorough, Comprehensive and well-put together.

What sets Frommer's apart is the information provided and the style in which is presented. You will find lodging options for various budgets, a list of most important sites to see and even suggested ways to spend time in a city if you have only 1 day or as much as 5 days, great places to eat and great places to splurge if you can stretch your dollar. Be aware that this is not a book for the ones on a shoestring budget. Frommer provides a good introduction to Spain without being overloading you with mass amounts of information or pictures, a truly well-balanced book.

When I backpacked 4 months through Europe I had a copy of the Lonely Planet for Europe (a thick and heavy book) because it covered more cities and esoteric towns, a ripped chapters of all the international youth hostals Europe of the countries I visited, and as primary guide for nominal cities and capitals I used Frommers (ripped the book and kept only chapters of countries planning to visit - so I can keep the weight down).

Related products:
click image or link for details on these Spain travel books.

	Rick Steves' Spain 2006 (Rick Steves)
	Frommer's Portugal (Frommer's Complete)
	Spain (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
	Rick Steves' Spain 2007 (Rick Steves)