The Rough Guide to Europe, 2003 Edition

By Rough Guides

European authors bring travelers the hidden highlights others miss, including the best values across the continent and insights into Europe's cultural, political, and contemporary life. of color... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1858289149
• ISBN13: 9781858289144
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Rough Guides
• Length: 1153 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.5" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent when used properly!

The Rough Guide to Europe is excellent in providing a lively overview of every country in Europe (plus Morocco). Rough Guide is unafraid to put in the good with the bad, giving a clear critical analysis of what's worth seeing and what isn't. All the cities and destinations one would expect to find--from Slovenian resorts to Paris to Santiago de Compostela--are included in here.Of course, putting all the relevant information for the whole of Europe would require several dozen 2000-page travel guides, so travelers to a specific country will also want to pick up one of Rough Guide's country-specific books. Yet if I had to backpack across the whole of Europe with a single book, this would be it!The maps for such cities as Sevilla, Venice, and Lisbon are excellent for the brief visitor, and really give a feel of how to distribute your all-too-often limited time.If there is any minor issue I have with this guide, it is that the hotel selections are limited and generally inferior to what you might find in a full guide to a particular city. Of course, this goes back to having to squeeze in several dozen nations in one book.All in all, if you are planning on visiting several countries or just meandering through Europe, Rough Guide to Europe is a one great buy.

Rough Guide is a must for European Trip

What I like best about the Rough Guides is that they give critical reviews. They will point out the tourist traps and will give negative reviews. I find that Frommer's and Fodor's rarely point out the negatives to a particular... The rough guide is very critical and is a great balance to these other guides.If you aren't interested in "roughing" it and staying in lower priced hotels.. the guides are still very useful in rating attractions, and areas in which to stay... but you will need another book to look at more moderate and luxury hotels.I would definitely read this book before going to Europe.

witty, precise and full of good stuff

The Rough Guide series consistently keeps me pleased with their insightful, entertaining and accurate (given the changing nature of our planet) information. The listings are organized really well, so I was blissfully able to avoid tedious searching when I needed a quick point of reference. The Europe guide is clearly an equal to Lonely Planet, actually I find that I now prefer R.G. ....just as informative (practical info, social & cultural context), slightly less preachy, and definately more fun.

Not a student guide, but better Literature than other Guides

The Rough Guide reads well, and their price ranking system (1-5) for all locations is sharp, clear and useful. Their Ireland Guide is especially good. They provide well-researched information that puts each place they discuss in context, unlike the Let's Go, which simply lists one thing after another. This is more for 30-something middle class couples with a bit of money for bed & breakfast accommodation and evening jazz than for low-low budget travellers. Also does less to relate how to come closer to the local culture than Lonely Planet (though it's better then Let's Go).

Buy this to get AWAY from Let's Go

On the other hand, this is the book to have if you don't want to stay in frat-house hostels. We found it good for getting away from other Americans and staying in hotels and, yes, hostels, with British and European travelers. Also had lots of clubs and local music info other books didn't know about. Definitely the way to see Europe from the inside.