Amy Eckert

This Frommer's guide is a great read for the novice traveler. I am going to Europe for the first time in less than a week, and this guide has eased the concerns I had about navigating Europe's train system. It provides a comprehensive explanation and break-down of all the different trains, tickets, and passes available for getting from point A to point B. What's really unique about this guide (at least I think so) is that it lists ten different "itineraries"--spanning one or two weeks--geared toward different aspects of Europe so that travelers can make the best of their time and see everything that suits their interests. Some of the itineraries include "Europe's Best Castles and Palaces," "Europe for Food Lovers," and "Great Cities of Europe," all of which can be mixed and matched.

The guide also highlights each individual country in Western and Eastern Europe by listing the major cities of interest in each country and ranking the quality of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions within them. The authors of the guide are expatriates, journalists, and lovers of travel who offer great insight and travel tips for each country. What I love most is the quality of the writing, the sense that the people who wrote this book are well-traveled. Each chapter on an individual country beautifully blends historical information, scenic descriptions, and useful tips for using transportation, eating, where to go, and what to see.… (meer)