I bought Spain 2008 for my trip. My main language is Spanish, my second language is English so I was looking for a book in Spanish to guide me into my Spain trip. I look many books in Spanish and English I couldn't find a better explained book than this Spain 2008 by Rick Steves. I just came from my trip and I have to say the book is fantastic!!! it is literally a guide to what to see what not to see and how you can save money, the advices he gives you for each city what to do and see are great, very well explained, simple and easy. Also he explains a small summary of the history around the place you will see. He says where to go and how to go, buses #, timetables and prices. I have to say he was short by 10% on each of prices. I assume it is for the economic crisis Spain is going trough so the buses he said was 1 euro in the book when was 1.10, but that is something Rick couldn't knew off course.
We met some tourist in our first stop, Madrid and see them in the next cities by the end of the trip all of them were with us following what the book suggest. You will never find a better written book that guides you in a trip to Europe. The book cost me $25.00 I saved way more thatn than just with the suggestion of the splitter (Rick suggest to buy a splitter in US $2.00 cost that can be plug in the audio guide and share it by headphones for two people so you rent only one instead two if that cost an average of 4 euro each) and I visited more than 8 places that use audioguide between museums and churches. I save at last 16 euros, so the book was paid. All of the tourist friends we made came to me like I was a local that can guide them trough the tourist places in the city, and more likely I was thanks to the book. I highly recommend you to buy this book!!!! Make yourself a big favor!!

I bought Spain 2008 for my trip. My main language is Spanish, my second language is English so I was looking for a book in Spanish to guide me into my Spain trip. I look many books in Spanish and English I couldn't find a better explained book than this Spain 2008 by Rick Steves. I just came from my trip and I have to say the book is fantastic!!! it is literally a guide to what to see what not to see and how you can save money, the advices he gives you for each city what to do and see are great, very well explained, simple and easy. Also he explains a small summary of the history around the place you will see. He says where to go and how to go, buses #, timetables and prices. I have to say he was short by 10% on each of prices. I assume it is for the economic crisis Spain is going trough so the buses he said was 1 euro in the book when was 1.10, but that is something Rick couldn't knew off course.
We met some tourist in our first stop, Madrid and see them in the next cities by the end of the trip all of them were with us following what the book suggest. You will never find a better written book that guides you in a trip to Europe. The book cost me $25.00 I saved way more thatn than just with the suggestion of the splitter (Rick suggest to buy a splitter in US $2.00 cost that can be plug in the audio guide and share it by headphones for two people so you rent only one instead two if that cost an average of 4 euro each) and I visited more than 8 places that use audioguide between museums and churches. I save at last 16 euros, so the book was paid. All of the tourist friends we made came to me like I was a local that can guide them trough the tourist places in the city, and more likely I was thanks to the book. I highly recommend you to buy this book!!!! Make yourself a big favor!!

The book was great for our trip to spain. We are always able to see much more than if we went without the book

I used this book and found helpful information. In Madrid the two restaurant suggestions near our hotel were great. I was disappointed to find no information on Valencia. There is a reference to a website but that is after the fact once you are travelling. Also, the great buildup for Nerja at the Costa del Sol is not justified. We were at Torremolinos and thought we must go to Nerja since it was so fondly written about. However, we were extremely disappointed and the water quality was inferior to where we were. And it takes hours to get there by train and bus. I guess any travel book is good once you go for the second time, but, many of the references to places were confusing to me on a first time visit and I missed doing all that I wanted.

I always use Rick's books when traveling Europe! He is very detailed & walks you thru every step of your trip!

i'm thrilled with the purchase of our first rick steves travel book. his website and tv shows are VERY informative and practical and this 2008 book on Spain does not disappoint. it's not too clunky to take with us on our travels - yet, for day trips, we're photocopying a few "walking tour" pages so we don't have to take the book with us when we're travelling lighter. ... while he doesn't highlight EVERY inch of spain, he surely hits all the highlights! NO complaints and we look forward to experiencing more of the world through his expertise!

Good book with good comments. Maps are useful but could be more detailed. I generally also like more pictures.

Rick Steve's Spain was the second travel book I purchased; I had gotten Rick Steve's London for a previous trip. Rick covers everything, and it's easy to read (not dry like other travel books). He covers the history on down to finding local restaurants with the best ambience and food. I plan on purchasing his books for future international travel.

Rick Steve's books are so full of great information. I have a friend who planned their trip around his books, and everything Rick recommended was just as stated. I have planned my upcoming trip the same way.

Rick Steve's books are all wonderful in my opinion, but this one I especially appreciate, as my little sister has lived in Madrid for about 9 years, & I visit whenever I can. I think Steves hits the nail on head with his focus on how much of your time to spend where, although since I've been able to stay with my sister & her guy, I don't have to be concerned with hotels or hostels. I also have more time to spend, & so go slower than a tour or fast trip would. I do think his picks for where to focus a limited amount of time are on track, however, & his section on Madrid & surrounding day trips, which I am most familiar with, are straight up. I love reading his books, they go down like stories, very easy to read, & you're taking in information without even realizing it.
His description of Madrid's night life is real & surreal & the truth, it is completly strange to be out on the streets & sidewalks at 11:00 PM seeing the crowds of people, not all partier's, but whole families, just strolling. It feels safe, in fact the only real crime to concern yourself with is the one Steves stress's, which is pick-pocketing. I've been fortunate although dumb on occasion, hasn't happened to me, although it did to my sister her first year or two there. Her experiences helped me learn what not to do. You never feel weird like you do in large American cities as woman alone out late.
The public transportation is also excellent as Steves states, the bus's are a bit more complicated, but you really can easily get around as a newcomer on the subways, without speaking spanish, the signs & free maps are clear, & the 10 punch cards are a bargain, exactly as he says.
I've read other of Steves books about places I haven't been, & wouldn't hesitate to place myself in his hands.

Rick Steve's books are all wonderful in my opinion, but this one I especially appreciate, as my little sister has lived in Madrid for about 9 years, & I visit whenever I can. I think Steves hits the nail on head with his focus on how much of your time to spend where, although since I've been able to stay with my sister & her guy, I don't have to be concerned with hotels or hostels. I also have more time to spend, & so go slower than a tour or fast trip would. I do think his picks for where to focus a limited amount of time are on track, however, & his section on Madrid & surrounding day trips, which I am most familiar with, are straight up. I love reading his books, they go down like stories, very easy to read, & you're taking in information without even realizing it.
His description of Madrid's night life is real & surreal & the truth, it is completly strange to be out on the streets & sidewalks at 11:00 PM seeing the crowds of people, not all partier's, but whole families, just strolling. It feels safe, in fact the only real crime to concern yourself with is the one Steves stress's, which is pick-pocketing. I've been fortunate although dumb on occasion, hasn't happened to me, although it did to my sister her first year or two there. Her experiences helped me learn what not to do. You never feel weird like you do in large American cities as woman alone out late.
The public transportation is also excellent as Steves states, the bus's are a bit more complicated, but you really can easily get around as a newcomer on the subways, without speaking spanish, the signs & free maps are clear, & the 10 punch cards are a bargain, exactly as he says.
I've read other of Steves books about places I haven't been, & wouldn't hesitate to place myself in his hands.

A typically useful/practical Rick Steve's guide book. The recommended hotels we stayed at were just what we were looking for.