Frommer's Spain 2003

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Summary: Travel Through Spain WIth Frommers - The Best Way !
Review: I began using Frommer's travel books/guides in the 1970s, for Central and South America, and Europe. They were my favorite guide books then, and are still the best, providing clear, concise information for the traveler, with a predominately midlevel budget range. All their books, however, usually contain excellent low-budget suggestions, as well as information provided for luxury accommodations. With that endorsement, I most highly recommend "Frommer's Spain 2003." I have traveled in Spain widely, but that was 15 years ago. On a glorious return trip to Spain early last spring, I found the updated guide even more informative than the one I used so long ago.

"Frommer's Spain 2003" provides a wide range of suggested accommodations, from budget to luxury, and I decided, before my trip, on a lovely pension in Barcelona, which was my "base of operations." I made reservations, by telephone, a month in advance and found the place, and the price, to be exactly as described, along with the excellent service. Frommer's suggested local restaurants became my favorites, and the owners of the pension also made some excellent suggestions. I selected my lodgings in Marbella (Costa del Sol), Grenada, Seville, and Madrid from Frommer's, as well, and although I clearly preferred some over others, I was comfortable at all. The information in the guide was accurate in all cases. My ideas for day trips, from each of these cities, were based on a combination of past experience, the advice of friends and Frommer's suggestions. Frommers had the best and most original information about off-the-mainstream places of interest, including festivals, fairs, markets, shopping, entertainment, nightlife, etc.

The fold-out country map, and city maps are extremely easy to follow. I have the world's worst sense of direction, and never got lost - even on my own, original walking tour of Barcelona's winding streets.

All of the many magnificent things to see in Spain, each city's major attractions, the museums, art, churches and galleries are obviously included. It is the selection of lesser known sites, and out-of-the-way itineraries that makes this guide so special. I have read that some people find the book to be too big or bulky. I find it to be just right, and never needed to refer to another guide during my entire trip.

For before trip preparation, you may wish to brush-up on Spanish history, art - whatever your area(s) of interest. If so, you will do well to look at books specifically on the topics of your choice. Frommer's does provide a BRIEF chapter of historical information. It may be sufficient for your needs, but I think it worth mentioning here.

Overall, this is the Best book to take, especially if you plan to take only one, to assist you in enjoying the glories of Spain, past and present!
JANA

Rating:
Summary: Buy a different guide
Review: I broke from my tradition of buying Lonely Planet Guides to try out Frommer's on my trip to Spain.

What a mistake that was! I found several errors in directions to hotels and a complete lake of detail on many of the cities I visited.

Additionally, there were major sections of the country that were not covered at all. If you are going to the south east coast stay away from this book!

The choices are very limited and the descriptions of the hotels seemed to be always overrated. I did not see one instance of "stay away from this hotel because..." like one sees in the Lonely Planet Guides. I don't think the writers have ever visited any of the hotels as one hotel was clear across town (Malaga) instead of "Just across from the train station" as the Frommer's promises.

To sum up, be safe and buy a different guide - maybe edition 19 will be better researched.

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Summary: Helpful guide for those going to Andalucia
Review: I found this guide extremely helpful in my 2-week trip to Andalucia. Plenty of hotel/restaurant suggestions and other relevant information. It is definetely a good buy.

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Summary: Useful for the Beaten Path
Review: I prefer the Frommer Guides to most others, and this is no exception. While a bit short in background, it provided a lot of useful, practical information for my recent trip to Northern Spain. As with most standard guides, however, it falls short in breadth of coverage, emphasizing the well-known sites and omitting lots of fascinating smaller towns and areas. But then, that's why I travel, to discover the real country, not the postcard one. If you're going with a group, or sticking mostly to the main roads, this is a good book to bring.

Rating:
Summary: Useful for the Beaten Path
Review: I prefer the Frommer Guides to most others, and this is no exception. While a bit short in background, it provided a lot of useful, practical information for my recent trip to Northern Spain. As with most standard guides, however, it falls short in breadth of coverage, emphasizing the well-known sites and omitting lots of fascinating smaller towns and areas. But then, that's why I travel, to discover the real country, not the postcard one. If you're going with a group, or sticking mostly to the main roads, this is a good book to bring.

Rating:
Summary: Info was scant or inaccurate
Review: I used this guide for a recent 14-day trip with friends to Granada, Costa del Sol, and Madrid. It was not at all helpful--and several times, the book's recommendations were completely off base. We will not use Frommer's again.

Rating:
Summary: Moderately Useful
Review: My wife and I have been great fans of Frommer's books on our travels. However, we found the Spain Frommer's guide only average. While the book was excellent in terms of highlighting what to see and do, it was way off base when it came not only to restaurant recommendations, but also in terms of the existence of actual restaurants. Many of the restaurants didn't even exist, or had different names altogether. I can understand if this were an old edition. However, we used the 2002 edition, and it wasn't up to usual Frommer standards.

We also used Frommer's for Portugal. That was a bigger disappointment as the ratings of things to do and places to see were way off from what they really were.

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Summary: A Memorable Trip with Frommer's
Review: My wife and I have recently returned from a six-week trip to Spain. Thanks to Frommer's guide, we had the most memorable trip of our lives. The book is helpful, opinionated, personalized, like a good friend talking to you and leading you out of the traps and into the oasis. We were directed to friendly people, affordable meals, great beds, and lovely moments that will live long in our memory. We have used Frommer's guides to America before but never one to a country in Europe. From now on, we're dedicated fans. We won't leave home without it!