Lonely Planet Bahrain, Kuwait & Qatar

Average customer rating:

Qatar section terribly out of date
Great tips for Kuwait & Bahrain
Useful, but way out of date...
Great guide, great places, enjoy!

Lonely Planet Bahrain, Kuwait & Qatar (Lonely Planet Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar)
Gordon Robison , and Paul Greenway
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United-Arab-Emirates & Yemen | Middle East | Travel | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1864501324

Book Description

Whether you're an expat or an independent traveller, you'll discover all you need to know about these three Gulf States - from chaotic camel races to traditional teahouses - with this indispensable guide. <ul>

12 maps, including a full-colour regional map </li>

up-to-date political, historical & cultural information </li>

extensive accommodation & restaurant options for all budgets </li>

helpful advice on getting around, including tips for self-driversuseful Arabic language chapters </li></ul>

Customer Reviews:

Qatar section terribly out of date.......2004-12-15

I bought this book to prepare for my relocation to Qatar (from Australia).

The book is so out of date it is downright useless. For example, even basic information such as visa requirements is wrong (you *can* get a tourist visa when you turn up at Doha airport). And recommendations about what's on, what's good, what's bad are meaningless - many of the things described don't exist any more or have been superceded.

I was seriously considering sending my book to Lonely Planet and asking for my money back, but it's easier to hop onto the web and complain instead. More useful too!

Having said that, I don't know of any other guides to buy instead. My suggestions are:

If you're planning on moving to Qatar, do. Quality of life here is fantastic, except that outdoor activites are curtailed by the heat most of the year. Recommend you get in contact with someone who lives here for tips.

If you're planning on a holiday to Qatar, don't. There is almost nothing here for tourists, except for 4WD'ing on the dunes which is unique and fun (go for Arabian Adventures, they're the best operator). I would recommend instead Oman (for the scenery and Arabic culture) and Dubai (shopping, astonishing real estate developments)

Back to the book: Completely out of date, and you can pick up the history bits off the net. And I'm just talking about the Qatar section here, no comment on the other two countries (but I would *really* question why you would want to go to them)

Great tips for Kuwait & Bahrain.......2004-11-18

I purchaed this book as was traveling extensively between Bahraina and Kuwait - and it was perfect for this. I found the information contained within to be very accurate, and useful in planning my trip.

Bahrain information was spot on - and we managed to follow the complex directions contained to find the Burial grounds, Fort, and basket weavers without hassle. The information on arrival and departure tax into Bahrain was very useful - without this information prior to our travel we might have been refused entry!

I haven't used this book to travel to Qatar, but for Kuwait and Bahrain the information was very useful, and a definite must read before you travel for etiquette and language tips.

Useful, but way out of date..........2003-03-29

I bought this book for a recent business trip to Qatar, and was dissapointed to find quite a number of things that were very out of date. The phone system has been updated since publishing, and now all numbers are 7 instead of 6 digits. you can fix most by adding a 4 at the beginning of most listed numbers, or a 5 for cell phones. Also, some crucial info, like the address to the US Embassy, was wrong. The Embassy moved several years ago. I found most of the societal and historical info to be very handy in preparing for the trip, however, so it was worth it for that.

Great guide, great places, enjoy!.......2001-02-12

I have spent time in all three countries and can say that this book will be invaluable for first time vistors and seasoned traveller alike.

Bahrain with its charming city of Manama, is a Gulf delight, with so many things to see and do. Qatar and espcially Doha is a gem, and Kuwait is exotic, enchanting and modern all at the same time.

There are some great places to eat in all of these places and at good prices (has anyone had a bad meal in the Gulf?) and gives sound advice for people touring the area on a wide range of subjects.

If you are planning to go to Bahrain I would recommend the Mishal Gardens for a Shisha (apple or mixed fruit hubbly bubbly) and the Diplomat Hotel for its great floor show, amongst many things. Also, don't forget to visit the siouk (old shopping markets and shops including gold and real pearls).

Great book! Great destinations!

regards,

Book Description

54 Maps

Customer Reviews:

Wrong mileage.......2006-09-08

I used this book for my travel to Saudi Arabia following the footsteps of Nassir Khusraw, the Persian poet and philosopher who went to Mecca in 1045. According to this book the distance between Medina to Jeddah and Mecca is 390 and 410, respectively. Nassir Khusraw in his "Safarnameh" says the distance between Medina and Mecca is 100 Farsang (about 600 kilometer). I was wondering why he overstimates the distance. In my book, then I added a paragraph explaining the reasons and theorizing that he might have travelled a longer route, due to dangers on the road and search for water. He was always correct in his estimation of the distance between many cities he travelled. Then I found out about MSN Encarta World Atlas. I typed the name of these cities and found out the distance was 629 and 605 kilometer, respectively.
Well done Nassir Khusraw a millenium ago! and Mr. Robison, correct this big mistake as soon as possible. The book has little practical use as far as Mecca and Medina is concerned

Garbage Book.......2000-06-29

First of all this Iranian guy is correct. The official name of this body of water is PERSIAN Gulf. The term Arabian Gulf was invented in 1970s by some Pan Arabists who failed to show up at their geography classes. The author's use of this term shows simply his arrogance and fact that he does not know the region nor its people. By using "Arabian Gulf" he simply wants to impress ignorant Arabs into buying his book.

Other than that his book is useless as it does not touch on the cultural aspects on the region.

Worked well for me.......2000-02-13

Having just returned from a 5 week trip through Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain I can say that Lonely Planet has again produced an accurate and useful guide. And despite the fact that it is several years old, prices and descriptions were still right. The guide's advice to try to get to the Musandem Peninsula in Oman was a fine piece of advice--it is amazingly beautiful.

And to the person who gave one star to this guide because of it's reference to the "Arabian Gulf": relax. If you say "Persian Gulf" to anyone in the Arab Gulf states they will have no idea what body of water you are talking about. I suppose you would be equally upset if 25 years ago a guidebook to China refered to the capital as "Beijing" instead of the Western imposed name "Peking"?

It's the PERSIAN Gulf not the "Arabian" Gulf.......2000-01-03

The book makes repeated references to the "Arabian Gulf" - but there is no such thing. There is an Arabian Sea, and a Gulf of Oman, and the PERSIAN Gulf, but no "Arabian Gulf" exists. The Persian Gulf is the official name of that body of water, and has been known by that name since ancient times. Even the ancient Greeks referred to it by its correct name. One has to wonder, if Lonely Planet is so willing to pander to the Arab governments of the PERSIAN gulf in this manner by renaming the PERSIAN Gulf, then how accurate can their travelogues really be?

Very practical, essential reference.......1998-09-29

This is an essential reference for any tourist, traveller or expatriate relocating to the Arab Gulf states.

The book's information and advice enable a new-comer to develop a sense for local atmospherics and sensitivities so one adapt, integrate and thrive in the host country culture and in the supportive expatriate communities.

Good coverage of cultural, commercial and logistical (i.e., "Where can I find...?") details.

Highly recommended. Written with imagination, humor, and attention to detail.

FWIW, the earlier (1993) edition of this book I used when I was in the United Arab Emirates and Oman in 1995 was 100% accurate. The maps and guides to local services in the smaller cities were exceptionally helpful.

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