Best Cabo book available in 2017
936263
I used this book for a trip to Southern Baja in April of 2017.  I looked at a lot of other guide books before the trip, and this is the most comprehensive and current one that I found.  The recommendations were all solid for Cabo San Lucas specifically.  None of the books including this one had very useful information about snorkling in Cabo Pulmo or things to see and do in Todos Santos, so I suggest supplementing the book with some internet research before you leave.
2442951
Wow wow wow. We recently travelled down to St John for the second time, and since we were traveling solo I purchased this book. I can't say enough good things about the content. It has helpful maps of roads and trails, itinerarys, and beach descriptions so on point you think the author is traveling with you in your jeep. We especially liked the "Jeep Tour" section as it outlined specific routes around the island. It helped us with the trails, as the author gives you inside hints to where they start and what time of day to hike. The book doesn't miss anything and is a must read if you're traveling down to St John. I had the chance to peek through some other St John traveling books at the villa we were staying in and they didn't compare to the content of this one.
3194878
i have lived in nicaragua for 3 years working at The Bearded Monkey in Granada and have waited for a decent guidebook to come out. i am waiting no longer. this is the best guide by far. the attention to detail is second to none. it goes beyond the hot spots where every backpacker goes. any book will tell you where to stay in san juan del sur or leon, but this book will give you accurate details on places farther afield such as greytown and san juan del norte. it's obvious that these guys have been everywhere they have written about and they don't pull any punches. buy it and check out this incredible country.
61032
Bought two books on St John. Scanned one, but read this one cover to cover. It is funny, witty and most informative. Love this book. It really enriched my trip and made me laugh. Takes into the heart of the people of the island and it quirky culture, not just where to go and what to do. And its readable.

I visited St. John on a quicky tour on my honeymoon and decided to come back for a week later. This book has everything from lessons on how to drive there, how to snorkel, best spots, etc.

By the way, if you are not rick, check out  for some affordable accomodations.
2385174
How can a book written in 1994 be a travel guide for today - 2015. Easy is the answer with this one. It's the maps that show the relative locations of all the parks that makes this book a must use for me. I bought my copy new - and today it's well thumbed pages testify to the awesome detail, complete coverage and of course - the fascinating nature of the High Southwest. Yes - double check on the internet - yes rules on making reservations have changed - but the geography, the importance - the need for a vivid description - still make this a must buy book.
3421773
I have not used this edition extensively but I have used a previous edition quite a bit and found this guidebook the best and most comprehensive of all that I have used, and I have tried all the books that I can find.

I live in the Philippines and travel regularly and so guidebooks are essentially.  I use only two, this and the Lonely Planet, in part because until recently I haven't been able to find the new edition of this guide and so was forced to use the Lonely Planet.  I will still use both for diversity's sake, but I prefer this because it is bigger and more complete.
4629136
In 2013 I made my first cruise to Northern Europe and I got this fabulous book. As Steves recommends at the beginning, I took an exacta knife and cut out the pages I needed for the ports (see below). So I no longer had it when we booked a Baltic cruise for this June. Luckily Steves published an updated SECOND Edition and I rushed out and got it.  This version has 40 more pages (1180 pages) of great info.

Rather than re-invent the wheel, Im using edits from my 2013 review here. There is no other book of its kind out there for cruisers. (Id love for Steves to do one on Caribbean Cruise Ports but he only writes about Europe.

So consider this a guide to  guide you through this guide book  Rick Steves style  so you will know what to expect.

First off, the book is thick  Because the pages are on thin paper you don't realize, till you check the page count, that it contains 1180 pages (!). No, thats NOT a typo! And this is not a book to take along on your cruise  well not entirely. As Steves explains on page 3  a section titled Tear up this book!  you are not going to all the ports listed  There are 13 countries covered here and no one cruise really goes to all of those. And the first 142 pages contain info for you re: planning a cruise and packing. Certainly no reason to carry that part. So Steves suggests reading the applicable sections and then tearing out the pages for the ports you will visit and staple or bind those. (He even sells a binder for the sections on his web site!).

How much you need this book depends partly on how experienced a cruiser you are. If youve never cruised before  on only been on to the Caribbean, those first 142-pages will be really helpful. Ive got 20 cruises under my belt and learned a few things, but not many. Steves writing style (actually the research and much of the writing are by Cameron Hewitt ,the dedicated writer for this volume) is fun to read and you can read that whole section in one reading.

Next come the sections on each port. Theres not a lot of history given; this is a hands on tips book and Steves tell you where you will arrive and how to get from the port to the tourist attractions. He explains which shore excursions you should buy from the cruise company  Normandy is apparently one because of the logistics  and which you should use a local tour company (and he provides some names) or  in the case of Bergen, Norway, for instance  you can do on your own with his walking tour. Theres info for each of the ports on location of ATMs, Internet cafes and even a final section giving emergency phone number in case you miss your ship! (My advice: don't  miss it, that is!)

So those are the pluses. If there is a minus it is that, if you don't need the first section for first-timers, you should see how many of the ports included are on your ships itinerary. I counted 32 ports in the book. Some are major ones - Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm and St. Petersburg  while others are less visited (Estonia, Latvia and Poland).. MANY cruise ships leave from Harwich, England (a bus transfer from London) but that is not included. Four other London ports are.

So, in summary, this a REALLY good book for those going to Northern Europe (but not as far as Iceland  its not included. Reykjavik is a major overnight cruise por. But not here. ) If you are going to St. Petersburg, there is a large section for you. Otherwise, you might want to verify ports are included. I know of no other book that covers cruise ports so this is a start. I hope it will be updated at least bi-annually and cover more ports where the major cruise lines go. In fact there will be one on Scandinavian Cruise Ports coming on August 18, 2018 (just as the 2018 cruise season is ending.

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm
Anything Phonographic
2813180
I always like DK Eyewitness Travel guides and this one is no exception. The detail and the illustrations make this the best SFO guide I've found. I will be happy when DK begins to offer their books in an electronic format for my phone or Kindle.
361101
As a bike tour leader in the Southwest, I used bought many Moon  "handbooks" over the years, buying each new edition as it's  published. Metzger's New Mexico Handbook is amongst the best, and if I were  to carry only one guidebook with me, this would be it. The Handbook's main  drawback is that it's accommodation and restaurant listings are not  descriptive enough. To make most of my accommodation and restaurant  choices, I go to the excellent Frommer's guides to New Mexico: New Mexico  and Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque. With the Handbook and a Frommer's guide on  hand, you'd have the best combination of guides there is. Plus, the  Handbook has an excellent "booklist" at the back for further  exploration.
1835184
When I go travelling I always look at different guide books to try to find the best one. I didn't go backpacking in Yucatan but stayed in Cancun and travelled from here to see Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, and pyramids among other places and for this the Lonely Planet book seemed to be the best. I found a very nice and cheap place to eat in Cancun and one of the last day there I found out that this place was in the book also... I just hadn't been using the book for this purpose :D
4285794
Lonely Plant Travel books have come a long way in their 40 years. I was very un- interested in their first attempts to publish a good travel book. Now this has changed and it is one of the most informative travel books on the market.

The travel book, HAWAII, is excellent. There is a large color map attached to the back cover and you will find this most useful in your visits to the various islands.. In addition to help you get started on the book and your travel plans, there is a two page section at the front of the book that will help you get oriented as far as the various islands are concerned. And if you have never visited Hawaii, there are 20 suggestions starting on page 10. There are 20 different locations and sites that you will want to visit.

Regardless of the island or islands you plan to visit, the information on restaurants and where to stay is very good. More important though is the information given about each area of the islands. It is concise, accurate and worth your reading and planning time. Great travel book at a great travel price with over 680 pages of facts and suggestions. The quality of the paper and printing makes it easy on the eyes.
3238098
The story begins as Jack Smith, one of the best writers ever at the LA Times and his wife venture down to Baja in search of the perfect getaway. The simple concept evolves into a complex relationship between the Smiths, Mr Gomez, the promoter-builder-friend-cultural bridge and God. By the time the house is finished all three have been stressed to the max.

This is a wonderful gift for anyone, especially  someone wanting to build or refurbish that perfect getaway. Also a wonderful bridge from the culture of the north to the pace of Baja.

Highly recommended, good used copies are scarce but a priceless addition to the library.
3228184
Motorcycle touring is even more fun with a great guide, and Christy Karras is the best! I've also read her Southwest touring book, and they both give you lots of great tips and make the trip all the more fun. Buy this AND the Southwest book!
1790917
An amazing book by Kait Fennell! She really put together a well thought out book of all places worth seeing in Tofino. Probably my favorite section was the random facts and local stories that she told which really made the place come alive before I even visited and got me even more excited for my trip. The title is accurately, definitely more than just a surfing book which is refreshing because although Im excited to finally be back in the water I don't think any trip is complete without a taste of the local culture and food. Great book, would recommend, and sincere author who really knows what shes talking about!
3551639
I usually purchase one of Robert Parker's novels to take on vacation.  They are easy reading and always a pleasure.  I purchased this one for a trip to Cabo, Mexico.  It did not let me down.  I easily read the book in three days of vacation lounging on a chair over looking the Sea of Cortez.

I recommend the book, the author and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!
567897
First off, I have lived in San Francisco for most of my life (so far) and I like to think that I know it pretty well.  Second, living in a City like San Francisco, we are always having visitors or requests for destinations, restaurants, etc.. from people.  I have long been a fan of Fodor's books and their online travel forums.  This is a good 'go to' book.

When I was offered this book by the Vine program, I realized that I hadn't bought a San Francisco guide since Frommer's On $10 a day!  I am so glad that I got this book.  We had guests over the holidays who used it because I wasn't able to personally show them around.  We went through it with them, pointed out areas, etc.. of interest and sent them on their way.  It turned out to be an excellent idea and I will be 'lending' it to future guests.

The maps are excellent and easy to follow, especially the plastic coated larger tear out map at the back of the book,  which has listings for sights, restaurants and much more.  There are numerous colored photos which only add to the excitement of visiting San Francisco.  There are tips and opinions from Fodor's experts and the last info as of the publication date.

This book gives comprehensive and practical information if you only have time to spend in the City or for day trips, over the Golden Gate Bridge, gorgeous Marin County, Sausalito, the Russian River area, the  Napa Valley, which is a visitor's paradise.  Also there is a lot of excellent information if you go to the East Bay, crossing the Bay Bridge, Oakland, Berkeley, etc..

There are 520 pages which include an easy to read index, information on safety, buses, taxis, car rental, public transportation etc.. all of the basics that you need to know.  Hotels, motels, restaurants, sights, districts (neighbors) are all here with ratings to make it easy to choose destinations.  It is easy to choose lodgings according to areas and prices.

This edition basically covers everything that you need to know, and it is small enough to stash in a back pack or purse.

I am a travel book junkie and I tend to purchase way too many  books when I am planning a trip.  If you want only one to take with you or to plan your trip with before you leave home, this just may be the book for you.  It is complete and concise.

I have discovered some new or forgotten sights and restaurants in here myself while reading it for my Vine review and I have not been disappointed.
2098950
I am a huge fan of Rick Steves' books.  My husband and I enjoy cruising and will try to arrive a few days before we leave in order to explore the town of embarkation on our own.  We've used Rick's books for independent touring of London, Barcelona, Rome and Naples and found them to be perfect for our needs.  This year we had a 14 day Mediterranean cruise planned for October - I bought this book and it was just what we needed to plan port days on our own in several of the cities we visited.  Previously we almost always took a shore excursion.  While pricey, we've lucked out with very good tour guides.  However we also wanted to go out on our own - to do that backdoor traveling Rick encourages.  With Rick's new book we toured Venice (his vaporetto tour of the Grand Canal is excellent), Corfu, Mykonos, Split and Dubrovnik on our own - and we enjoyed every moment! Even if this book results in you buying one less shore excursion, it will have paid for itself. The book is terrific - only one of our ports was not covered (Messina Sicily) but we had already planned on taking one of the ship's shore excursions for that port. Buy this book without hesitation - his recommendations are spot on too when it comes to restaurants, best gelato in town, locations of public WC's, and my particular favorite - his walking tours.