There are about half a dozen pages of photographs of the Amsterdam area, unnaturally sunny and uncrowded. Amsterdam is one of Europe's most interesting and picturesque cities, but nobody goes there for the weather, and the crowds of pedestrians and bicycles are part of the charm. The description of Dutch culture was spot on. Amsterdammers in particular are very broad-minded-one of the reasons that Amsterdam is a favorite vacation spot for gays and lesbians--but they're not part of the have-a-nice-day crowd. Expect them to be polite and helpful, rather than effusive.
I have half a dozen guides to Amsterdam and find that no one of them covers all aspects of a visit. "Lonely Planet Amsterdam" is most useful as a way of finding somewhere quick to eat when you're out sight-seeing.
From Ticino's rustic villages to the Alpine summit vistas, Switzerland's breathtaking landscape entices the walker to roam. Whether you tackle the entire Alpine Pass Route or sample Switzerland's mountain grandeur in an easy day, this comprehensive, practical guide is your ideal companion. <ul>
illustrated guide to Switzerland's flora and fauna </li></ul>
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding Book.......2004-10-30
Excellent book with fine maps and accurate descriptions. It was an outstanding resource for planning out some long trail runs, and was nicely complemented by the efficient Swiss trail signs. Lonely Planet does a very good job with travel guides, but excels the most when doing the walking/trekking guides.
Very helpful, detailed, accurate.......2002-10-05
Last summer I went to Switzerland with my girlfriend. She had this book with her. It was great! It helped us to see interesting places, find affordable hotels, good restaurant. I recommend this book to anyone who is planning on going to Switzerland.
Fantastic resource, very detailed and accurate.......2000-03-22
This was by far the most helpful resource that I took to Switzerland--extremely detailed, logically organized, and quite accurate. Walking in Switzerland was extremely helpful in its well-written trail and regional descriptions as well as precise information on surrounding logistics. A must for anybody who intends to hike (seriously or casually) in the region. At the risk of gushing overmuch, this is quite possibly the most useful travel guide I've ever bought.
This was a great resource.......1998-11-11
It took us to places that the locals thought were not available without local knowledge. I highly recommend this book. Please e-mail me with your comments
Average customer rating:
- The worst Lonely Planet I have read so far !
- Belgian exchange student knows her stuff, and this is it
|
Lonely Planet Belgium & Luxembourg (Lonely Planet Belgium and Luxembourg)
Leanne Logan , and Geert Cole
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Luxembourg
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Belgium
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Travel Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
- Lonely Planet the Netherlands (Lonely Planet Netherlands)
- Lonely Planet Germany
- The Rough Guide to Belgium & Luxembourg (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
- Lonely Planet France
- Top 10 Brussels & Antwerp Bruges, Ghent (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
ASIN: 1740593405 |
Book Description
Whether your idea of bliss is world-class art, picture-perfect castles and romantic, medieval Bruges or clubbing in Antwerp, acres of chocolate and 800-odd types of beer, Belgium and Luxembourg are more satisfying than a pot of moules et frites. This newly updated, comprehensive guide leads you to the very heart of Europe.
* BE INSPIRED - with highlights and itineraries from Flanders fields to bustling Brussels * GOURMET TREATS - the cream of top restaurants and grand cafes, with a chapter dedicated to Belgium's national brew * BE IN THE KNOW - incisive history and culture of the countries plus French and Flemish language guide * STAY IN STYLE - rest your head in the pick of chambres d'hotes, gits and hotels * EXPLORE THE COUNTRYSIDE - practical walking and cycling coverage from the flat Flanders coast to the scenic Ardennes
Customer Reviews:
The worst Lonely Planet I have read so far !.......2006-04-12
As much as I am faithul to Lonely Planet guidebooks, I was shocked by reading their edition of Belgium & Luxembourg. Not only did we have to wait 2004 to have a LP guidebook for those 2 countries (which must be after about all other regions in the world, even Antarctica, Papua New Guinea and tiny tropical islands), but it's not even half satisfying.
They should have kept the previous title "Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp", as there is frankly not much about the rest of the country. For instance, Belgium has some 3000 castles, but for some reason only 2 (yes, a miserable 2 !) are listed in the Lonely Planet. Same sparsity for the abbeys. Then, the book is heavily centered on Brussels and Flanders, as if the author didn't know more about Wallonia than the average occasional tourist. No mention of towns like Huy, Ciney or Gembloux - in fact they are not even on the guide's map ! No mention of the beautiful stone villages of the Condroz and Meuse Valley. It's like if they had written a guidebook about England without writing about the Cotswolds, Mendips and the country's many castles and stately homes ! It seems that the author is more interested in finding the best pubs and clubs in Antwerp than in historical and cultural sightseeing. There is more than lots of beer and legal drugs in Belgium !
Belgian exchange student knows her stuff, and this is it.......2002-12-09
I'm an exchange student living in Belgium for a year.. and this book is AMAZING! I'm determined to do everything in this book, and I'm already on my way! A few of the pricing things and anything to do with money is a little outdated (ie: the Diamond museum in Antwerp is no longer free). But the authors know their stuff, and (quoting Notting Hill) has actually been to Belgium, which is a plus. And not only do they know their stuff, they give it to you straight up. No sugar coating, nothing, and that's a huge plus. Go out, buy the book, then visit our amazing country!
Average customer rating:
- Agonizingly self-absorbed
- Writing is a job too
- Amsterdamnation
- My 'dam pathetic unemployed life
- 'Dam Right
|
My 'Dam Life: Three Years in Holland (Lonely Planet Journeys (Travel Literature))
Sean Condon
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Travel
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Memoirs
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Travel
| Writing
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Netherlands
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Biographies
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Reference Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Travel Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
- The Undutchables: An Observation of the Netherlands, Its Culture And Its Inhabitants
- Amsterdam: A Traveler's Literary Companion
- The Xenophobe's Guide to the Dutch
- In-Flight Dutch: Learn Before You Land (LL (R) In-Flight)
- Teach Yourself Dutch Complete Course Package (Book + 2CDs) (Teach Yourself Language Complete Courses)
ASIN: 0864427816 |
Book Description
Sean Condon has moved to Amsterdam. He got married, and he's unemployed (what's worse, so is his wife). Sean is back and funnier than ever, this time exploring the strange habits of the Dutch. He also keeps a watchful and wonderfully self-deprecating eye on the whole strange business of writing about yourself doing, well, nothing much, in this post-modern age. Sean's uncanny ability to find the absurd in everyday life misses nothing and My `Dam Life will strike a side-splitting chord with anyone who has ever been unemployed, been married or tried not to be deported from a foreign land.
Customer Reviews:
Agonizingly self-absorbed.......2006-11-30
What a thoroughly irritating book. If you are seeking a useful perspective on Amsterdam, the Netherlands, or the Dutch, there is very nearly zero content of interest.
That Condon could live in one of the most interesting cities in Europe for 3 years, write a book about it and say so little about the place is astonishing - a true testament to his self absorption.
I found myself cringing at the relentless focus on his apparent worthlessness, handled without insight, and with lame attempts at humor that rarely work.
The only two interesting characters in the book, his wife and Keith, are barely covered. I found myself wishing to hear more about them, only from someone else.
One can only wish that someone would return his video games and take away his word processor.
Having said all that, I did give him 2 stars instead of 1 because of his few brief asides regarding the oddness of his occasional interactions with celebrities were insightful and interesting. It mirrored some of my own experiences and really captured the tone.
Writing is a job too.......2006-09-26
This book is hilarious! And somewhat tounge-in-cheek. Relax and enjoy it! (This should have been a 5-star review, alas I clicked on the wrong star and I'm not able to change it.) A couple of reviewers and an acquaintance of mine are quite bothered by the fact that in My Dam Life Condon is unemployed and that his poor wife has to make up for his "laziness" by "struggling to make ends meet." Sean Condon is an author! What good would he be in an office from 9-5 everyday? This isn't his first successful book and no doubt he's pulling in the dough just as well or better than his wife.
Amsterdamnation .......2006-03-17
Sean Condon gives us a precious gift; his own idleness. If he actually had something meaningful to do and an interesting life to write about, he'd be off doing it without so much as a see ya later.
But instead, he's forced, not altogether happily, to find meaning in the word soup of sound-bites, daily exchanges and media droppings that form the soundtrack of the inside of our heads in this day and age. And it's brilliant.
I mean, Sean and Sally land in the most quirky, sexy, kinky, interesting, liberated city in Europe. And you know what? The dialogue inside Sean's head, about the minutiae of everyday life, is kinkier, sexier, quirkier and more interesting than the Amsterdam it finds itself in.
So buy his book, but don't buy too many copies, because he might become rich and successful and then he'd have to find another schtick. Sean would turn into another Larry David, pretending (unconvincingly) that his fabulous life annoys him. So enjoy Condon's books, but let's try to keep him a failure, because it's just better that way for all concerned. Prospective readers can borrow my copy to preserve the bitter, penniless Sean Condon we love. OK?
My 'dam pathetic unemployed life.......2005-10-14
I found this book to be a complete waste of time; the only reason I even bothered to finish it was because I had some of these (seeded?) positive reviews lingering in my mind and I kept expecting it to get better.
Although the book does offer some insight into a certain sub-culture in the Netherlands (with a sprinkling of humor here and there), I should have taken the hint from some of the previous reviews before I ordered. As others have alluded, this is more of an autobiography than a book about the city or the culture. And a worthwhile autobiography it is not - I wasn't particularly impressed with the way the author chooses to live his life as a lazy unemployed slob while his wife struggles to make ends meet.
I feel generous giving it two stars - the second star appearing mainly for the catchy title and the sporadic bits of humor.
'Dam Right.......2005-02-16
Sean Condon has written a funny, realistic picture of what it is like to live in Amsterdam. I have lived in Amsterdam and all the things he talks about are right on the money. While living in Europe's most beautiful city can be difficult, painful and frustrating, it is all worthwile to call this great city home.
This book will give you a personal insight into the Dutch culture and people. I highly recommend this for expats or anyone that enjoys travel.
Average customer rating:
|
Lonely Planet Best of Amsterdam
Terry Carter , and Lara Dunston
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Amsterdam
| Netherlands
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Travel Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
- Lonely Planet Best of Brussels, Bruges & Antwerp (Lonely Planet Encounter Series)
- Pocket Map and Guide Amsterdam (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
- Lonely Planet Best of Prague
- Lonely Planet Best of Paris (Lonely Planet Encounter Series)
- Lonely Planet London Encounter (Lonely Planet Encounter London)
ASIN: 1740599713 |
Average customer rating:
|
Lonely Planet Best of Brussels, Bruges & Antwerp (Lonely Planet Encounter Series)
Terry Carter , and Lara Dunston
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Belgium
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Brussels
| Belgium
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Travel Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
- Lonely Planet Best of Amsterdam
- Lonely Planet Amsterdam
- Frommer's Brussels & Bruges with Ghent & Antwerp (Frommer's Complete)
- Streetwise Brussels (Streetwise)
- Brussels (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
ASIN: 1740597397 |
Book Description
Belgium is booming and now's the time to explore its four cities in one. Delve into Euro-culture in dynamic Brussels, stroll around the historic buildings of Bruges, find the sparkle in Antwerp's diamonds and high fashion, and hide away in the bars of up-and-coming Ghent.
Average customer rating:
- Don't go to Amsterdam without it
- Good map except for metro & trams section.
- map
- Definitely worth having.
|
Lonely Planet Amsterdam City Map
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Map
World
| Atlases & Maps
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Amsterdam
| Netherlands
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Reference Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Travel Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
World
| Atlases & Maps
| Reference
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Europe
| Travel
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Netherlands
| Europe
| Travel
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Travel
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
- Lonely Planet Amsterdam
- Joe Pauker's Get Lost! the Cool Guide to Amsterdam (Get Lost)
- Amsterdam Made Easy: The Best Sights and Walks of Amsterdam (Open Road Travel Guides)
- Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Amsterdam (Irreverent Guides)
- Streetwise Amsterdam (Streetwise)
ASIN: 1740596382 |
Book Description
Lonely Planet's city maps present the travelers' city in one easy view
• Complete street and sight index makes navigating the city a breeze for walkers and drivers alike
• All new, improved mapping styles and fully updated
• Sturdy, laminated, easy-fold format
• Quick-find highlights and reviews of the top city sights
• Includes up-to-date transit maps and essential practical information
• Full color throughout with gorgeous photographs
Customer Reviews:
Don't go to Amsterdam without it.......2002-02-02
I went to Amsterdam twice last year and used this map both times. It is extremly durable as I normally kept it in my left rear pocket - still good as new after two trips. I like the laminate since I can use those erasable markers used for presentations to mark landmarks or places of interest. Once done, simply wipe them off and add new ones. The main map showing Amsterdam could be just a tad larger to show areas to the east and south. Bring this map and a small compass and you won't get lost. Worth every penny.
Good map except for metro & trams section........2001-09-18
The maps are actually very good. And I like the weather resistant finish (A real asset considering the climate).
But the section (map) of the trams makes it very hard to figure out or get your bearings. Fortinatly, good maps for this are easy to get, free, and well posted at every stop. However I geuss
I would still say it is a pretty good value.
map.......2000-12-19
I am on holiday in Amsterdam as I write. This is by far the best city map I have ever used. First, it is durable enough that I anticipate it will survive the entire stay. The street names are clearly indicated; the public transportation facilities are identified. Amsterdam can be a bit disorienting because it's a city build with concentric streets. North and South can be confused easily. I have found my bearings several times when I would have been lost without this map. If you are interested in finding you way about Amsterdam, this map will be interesting to you.
Definitely worth having........2000-09-19
We found this map really useful and easy to follow. I don't what the other reviewer means about the street names not being printed on it because they were on my copy! Where a canal has a street either side of it, both streets have the same name-really the two roads are just differnt 'lanes' of the same one, so perhaps this is what confused them. Some of the suffixes of street names are abbreviated to save space, but it is always obvious and the abbreviations are listed and translated. The map is laminated, so it survived the heavy rain better than we did. Just don't stand in any cycle lanes whilst you're reading it.
Average customer rating:
- very useful
- traveling
- Not worth it
- Good background information
- From History to Hemp: a comprehensive guide
|
Lonely Planet Amsterdam: City Guide (Lonely Planet Amsterdam)
Rob Van Driesum
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Netherlands
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Amsterdam
| Netherlands
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside History Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Travel Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0864424442 |
Amazon.com
Most people don't know it, but they're attracted to Amsterdam because it is gezellig. As the author of Lonely Planet's first guide to this human-scaled city explains, "The phrase 'cosmopolitan melting-pot' is often used carelessly for cities around the world but it is particularly appropriate for Amsterdam, which has traditionally enticed migrants and nonconformists. Despite (or because of) this transient mix, people accept each other as they are and strive to be gezellig, a nigh-untranslatable term that means something like 'companionable,' 'chummy' or 'convivial,' a mood often experienced by people warmly chatting over a drink or two in a cozy 'brown' café."
This book offers concise and useful history and art notes, an insider's view of entertainment options (what is a brown café* anyway?), detailed walking tours, accommodation options for all traveling styles, where to eat (from Assyrian to "Za"--as in pizza), the best ways to get around, day tripping (and otherwise tripping), plus 18 full-color maps. With this guide, you won't get lost, and you will not be at a loss for something to do.
*A brown café is "stained by smoke, has sand on the wooden floor, and provides an atmosphere conducive to deep and meaningful conversation. There might be Persian rugs on the tables to soak up spilled beer."
Book Description
24 Maps
Customer Reviews:
very useful.......2003-11-06
I found this very useful on a trip to Amsterdam.
the LP authors have done a good job sorting out the citys many highlight. As with all LP guides this features a useful and informative background section.
It misses out of a 5th star becaus the hostel ratings are a bit hit and miss.
Unlike other guides which make a big deal of the "sex & drugs" aspects of Amsterdam the guide tries to present the basics of the wallen (red light district) treating it much like any other part of the city. still there are some interesting listings of the brown cafes that any visitor should experience
ASsd with most LP guides the tilt is towards the independant traveller on a budget and it does a good job for that demographic. enjoy your travels.
traveling.......2000-12-19
I am on holiday in Amsterdam as I write. This book has been invaluable in my stay. I am residing at the Hotel Prinsenhof. I doubt I would have had the good fortune to find this cozy hotel without the Lonely Planet Guide. It is faithful to the Lonely Planet format, providing detailed information including address, phone and fax numbers. There are also tips which have saved me money. One was to purchase a Year Pass for the museums. I now may visit any of the major museums as often as I like, for free. I like free. ;D If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam, or would simply like to find some things you may not have tried, yet, this book will be interesting to you.
Not worth it.......2000-05-17
A useless attempt at a guide book. The writing in unengaging, the maps distorted and misleading, the information given on sights and accomodation far from reliable. It seems the guide is at pains to try to tell the traveller what they can do in Amsterdam--I say, find another guide, or do it on your own. This guide won't help, it will make you a few bucks poorer (and won't list good budget housing--I found accomodation not mentioned in the guide at a fraction of the lowest price published in the guide--complete with a room of my own), and more frustrated.
Good background information.......2000-04-28
I read most of this book through before I travelled to the Netherlands, but didn't end up using it while I was there. I used the Rough Guide far more while tramping around. It does have lots of great background information, so it was worth the time I spent reading. But it does lack spirit. If you choose this guidebook, supplement it with Joe Pauker's Cool Guide to Amsterdam, which will get you into the coffeeshops and the underground culture.
From History to Hemp: a comprehensive guide.......1999-12-30
I used this Lonely Planet guide on a recent trip to Amsterdam; it was invaluable! I planned most of my excursions based on the in-depth information provided and was never led astray. I liked how the author didn't make assumptions about my personal tastes, but covered all sorts of museums and coffeeshops and shopping leaving me free to choose my path. I also appreciated the interesting history of Amsterdam included with the book and sprinkled in throughout the neighborhood descriptions. If you are a traveller that savors the anticipation of the trip, this guide provides hours of reading before you even arrive! The maps included were all I needed to navigate the city.
Average customer rating:
- Incomplete and Inaccurate
- Filled with factual mistakes
- A Must Have
- good for initial orientation but lacks complete coverage
- Not a good Lonely Planet
|
Lonely Planet the Netherlands (Lonely Planet Netherlands)
Jeremy Gray , and Reuben Acciano
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Lonely Planet
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Travel Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
- Lonely Planet Belgium & Luxembourg
- Lonely Planet Germany
- Lonely Planet Amsterdam
- Holland (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
- Lonely Planet France
ASIN: 1740593030 |
Book Description
From the cosmopolitan wonders of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague to windmills, tulips and boundless bike tracks, this indispensable guide will help you to experience all that the Netherlands has to offer. <ul>
