Fodor's India

by Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.

Book Overview

Fodor's. For Choice Travel Experiences. Fodor's helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. While you're at the helm, Fodor's offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It's like having a friend in India -Updated frequently, Fodor's India provides the most accurate and up-to-date information...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400019125
• ISBN13: 9781400019120
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Fodor's Travel Publications
• Length: 784 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Good qualitative info, not so good on the quantitative part

I bought this book a couple of weeks ago because it was a more recent edition than that from Lonely Planet and in general I must say it seems pretty good; however, I do miss the "Getting There & Away" part that you always find in the Lonely Planet guides. How am I supposed to plan my trip if I don't know the transportation available at each city and the distance in kms/hrs/$$ from that city to other major cities, which this book lacks. Furthermore, there are no prices, just "$" signs, one cheep, many expensive, there is a reference but still... I just got me a Lonely Planet. Had to come back and re-review. Came back from India about a month ago and ended taking the Fodor's for the trip, not the Lonely Planet. Why? LP has a lot of very detailed info -mostly quantitative: prices, time tables, etc- that is very useful for planing your trip and is geared to users that travel without an itinerary. This is very good for travelers that are very price conscious, unstructured travelers, backpackers and doitallyourselfers that make decisions on the fly and hence need all of this very detailed info, missed the train to Agra, should I take a bus? Where? How much? The only bus stops at Shimla, should I stay? What is there to see/do? On the other hand, Fodor's has info of a more quantitative nature, that is more useful when you have a more structured trip. What restaurants to visit, what hotel to stay at, etc. There is a big emphasis on the epicurean traveler, costs be dammed, you see it the way the book is organized, were LP talks about the eateries by zone, Fodor's talks about types of food, no matter were the place is, it is assumed that visiting the place is more important that going to the other side of town to do so. Whenever I stuck to the Fodor's Choice or the Fodor's Recommends, I was gladly surprised by the quality of the service/place that was recommended, the best restaurants, best bars, best experiences, best hotels in every town, they are all there, I even surprised some locals. At the end, you have to decide what type of travel you'll be doing and buy accordingly.

Very helpful

The book is very helpful for someone planning a first trip to India, answering many, if not all, of the questions I have. Because India is such a large country, there is almost an overwhelming amount of information. It is also a large book --more than 600 pages -- to carry in a day pack, but I plan to do it anyway!

An information-packed travel guide

Now in an updated and strongly recommended fifith edition, Fodor's India is an information-packed travel guide to just about everything business or vacation travelers need to know or would like to see in this vast and dazzling nation. From where to go tiger-spotting to paying homage to holy sites to learning how to navigate bazaars and much more, Fodor's India brims with over 600 pages full not only of places to go, but tips for blending in and making the most of one's experience when one gets there. Over 600 pages cover the sights to see in various sections of India as well as a basic overview of the culture, language, and strategies for navigating. Fodor is a premier publisher of travel guides offering expert information on cities and countries abroad. Send for their free catalog for a complete title listing.

good, could be better

This is a good book for getting an overview of where to go and what to do. It also does a good job of listing hotels (though it's not the best for lower end venues). The book is frustrating, however, in that the person who makes the maps does not seem to be coordinating his/her efforts with the person who writes the text. Maps list main streets, but not the ones where major hotels are located (except in the big cities). Hence, you have no idea if your hotel is near or far away from major sites. This is especially problematic for single travelers who might wish to favor a central location to minimize commute times and the troubles that accompany them. Also, there is some inconsistency in the text. A suggested "ideal" itinerary will exclude an item that is later listed in the text as a "must see." Perhaps the problem occurs when different reviewers provide updates for the guides and don't bother to read the existing text carefully. Is the book worth your time? Yes, for the early stages of planning a trip. But you will definitely need another guide for information that could easily have been provided here. Finally, the guide subscribes to the PC nonsense that has become so popular lately....they soft peddle important things like SAFETY tips. It's not being a wet rag to acknowledge that there are some serious safety concerns you must keep in mind....and spelling them out for each area.

No one guide has it all...

When you're embarking on any big adventure, and India certainly is, you'd be foolish to rely on one guide, and this one is no exception. (Take a look at my review of Lonely Planet India). Fodor's is always pretty reliable when it comes to restaurants and hotels, especially if you're not a low budget traveller. Prices of course are usually out-of-date pretty quickly, and the exchange rate fluctuates all the time, but their "$$$" system gives a good idea of the relative costs of different places. I also like the "star" system highlighting sites to see--in a country chock-full of palaces, temples, forts, and natural wonders, it helps to prioritize if time is short. The maps of local areas are OK as you plan your trip, but of course no guide book has really good maps--pick one up as you arrive in a major city, and as you plan your itinerary around the country, a country map is critical. Fodors is, however, short on history and culture, and some reading before you go is critical. And remember--things change, particularly in a place like India--local knowledge from your hotel or guide (from a reputable company, not someone you stop on the street) is always the best bet.