Travel to Spain

The Rough Guide to Andalucia - Edition 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Format: Paperback
Author: Mark Ellingham
ReleaseDate: 29 May, 2006
Publisher: Rough Guides
Rating:

Top this.
(But I wouldn't want one any heavier than this. This high-quality guide is 50% thicker than the Lonely Planet guide to Andalucia, yet it's not too big or heavy for a light packer. ) There's no filler; it's dense with practical information.

The "Let's Go" guides have excellent lists of accommodations and eats, but the rest of it tends to be immature and alarmist purple prose. (I'll never forget this comment on Morocco: "But be careful, camels have been known to carry syphilis. " OK, how many people do you know that have caught syphilis from a camel?!) I call it "Let's Not Go" because they always try to scare you. Other travelers I've met had similar comments and once we had some laughs swapping ridiculous citations.

Rick Steves is just too political for me. His "guides" read like tiresome negative campaign commercials or anti-American polemics.

This guide is about Andalucia. It starts off with a section called "34 Things Not To Miss" with a nice color photo of each, includes a good index, clear and legible maps, and a section on Gibraltar. All the opening/closing times were accurate for the places I went. Those who enjoy intelligent historical and background commentary will like this.

There's no logistical info on Madrid but that's OK: those who land there can go to the prominent "i" booth in Barajas airport or Atocha (train station) for free maps and friendly information in English.

Accommodation prices are absent because they vary by season, but good values are pointed out. The money section should warn about the blue "EXACT Transfer" exchange booths in train stations which charge exorbitant fees (like 25%!) and refuse to cancel the transaction once they have your money. (They display different rates for three amount ranges, but charge the highest rate regardless of your amount; it would be a crime in most places. ) Note that prices on everything have skyrocketed since the advent of the Euro: the Ave ("AHH-vay") fast train between Madrid and Sevilla cost 70 Euros each way (!) and taxi fares were what I would expect to pay in the U. S. (Tapas is still a deal. ) I also suggest a glance at the State Department's consular information sheet online --your tax dollars at work.

Great overall resource
One shortcoming is that the book does not include prices for the accommodation it recommends. I found this book extremely helpful, if a bit bulky. Prices are always helpful if you're traveling on a budget; even though they become outdated quickly, they at least give you an idea.

Including the frequency of bus and train routes was very helpful, but they should also include web sites to check current schedules.

I do recommend this book.

A must-have for the Andalucian-bound!!!

Uncluttered, with honest facts AND opinions about where to eat, landmarks, hotels, hostels, and more, the Rough Guide is peerless in it's thorough usefulness. Keeping in the tradition of the insight, clarity, and usefulness which has made Rough Guide among the best of guide book series, the Rough Guide to Andalucia is the definitive book for any tourist interested in visitng that region.

This book does an excellent job of presenting more than your usual tourist traps. Special needs travelers (pets, children, handicapped) can also get a sense of what may and may not be good ideas for your Andalucian odyssey.

All in all, if you're looking for a guide book that presents what you NEED to know without a lot of editorial musings, you will find the Rough Guide to Andalucia not only at the forefront of this genre, but without competition when it comes to giving you all things the "non-touristy tourist" wants to know.

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

	Lonely Planet Andalucia
	Top 10 Andalucia and Costa Del Sol (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
	Seville & Andalusia (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
	Michelin the Green Guide Andalucia (Michelin Green Guide: Andalucia)
	Michelin Andalucia