Let's Go 2001: Britain & Ireland: The World's Bestselling Budget Travel Series

Rating:
Summary: CAVEAT EMPTOR
Review: As a loyal and longtime fan of the LP (Lonely Planet) Series, I thought I would economize and buy the "Let's Go Britain and Ireland 2000" since LP does *not* offer a combined (i.e. UK & Ireland)book. Boy, what a disappointment! This book falls terribly short of LP standards--if you are considering this book *please* splurge for the two separate LP guides instead. "Let's Go" skimps on info and offers little more than tourist brochure quality advice (seriously!). Granted, the information provided in this guidebook is basic enough for the occassional tourist but NOT of the caliber and detail demanded by the seasoned traveller or backpacker. (Forget about wanting to *drive* to any location--"Let's Go" does not even provide driving routes, ONLY provides maps of major tourist cities (and sometimes not even the major cities!), and truthfully only covers the larger cities and tourist spots. Forget about any "off the course" travel if "Let's Go" is your guide!) I learned from my mistake--hopefully you can too: BUY LONELY PLANET INSTEAD! Sorry "Let's Go"---you made my 2 months of travel in the UK and Ireland more trouble than pleasure!

Rating:
Summary: A Useful Resource depending on your trip's focus
Review: I used the 1997 edition to travel alone through England and Scotland for 3 1/2 weeks in October of '97. I found it very useful and informative. I knew ahead of time many of the things I wanted to do and see. This guide was quite helpful in getting me around England by public transportation. My focus was mainly on larger cities with a couple of side trips to the country. Using the guide allowed me to find a nice, clean place to sleep in each city I stayed. In one city I stayed at a great hostel not in the guide, but it was nice to know that I had the guide to fall back on if needed. I can understand the disappointment of the writer of the "Caveat Emptor" review. This is not the best guide for off the beaten path travel. However, as a first time solo traveller, woman, and British Lit fan, I found it very useful, comforting, and fun. The only problem I had with the '97 version was the pitifully vague index. I am glad to say that they index of the 2000 version appears to be much more thorough. I would certainly purchase this guide again.

Rating:
Summary: CAVEAT EMPTOR
Review: Let's Go: Britain and Ireland is an awesome guidebook! It really helped me out in my travels -- it offers very solid factual information, but at the same time it's witty and entertaining. The youthful slant of the writers gives the book a welcome fresh face. I particularly appreciated the tips on English soccer -- or 'football' -- that made me feel like an insider once I reached England. A well-worth it investment. I'll definately be buying the Let's Go series after this.

Rating:
Summary: An informative guide
Review: This guidebook is an excellent buy for anyone who wants to travel to Britain and/or Ireland without spending a lot of money. The book gives HONEST reviews of what to see and what to skip, as well as listings of budget places to eat and stay. The book's writers seem to have a sense of humor and are good at combining the factual and the entertaining. As for another reviewer's complaint that it contains no driving directions/maps--sorry, but most people on a budget can't afford to rent a car and pay for the expensive petrol (gas) in Great Britain! :-) Over all, I would recommend this book.