I have purchased a number of DK Eyewitness guide books over the years, and this has been another disappointment in a long line. First, the books are heavy to carry (and pages can't be easily torn out). Second, the indexes are unreliable; some popular topics and landmarks are there; other equally-popular ones are not. Third, the pictures are pretty, but small, and the text description too little even on famous chateaux. Not much history, not much description, not much indication of why we should visit the place. The driving and walking routes plotted are no better than many others that are available, including on line, and much worse than some. The hotel and restaurant information is minimal, and tucked away in the back in a separate small section.
If you want basic touring information, go with Frommers. If you want more detail on history, art, and architecture, go with the Insight Guide which I loved (though they ought to be updated more often)--that makes a great on-site guide. If you want the ultimate in history, architecture, and detail, buy Michelin Green.

I have purchased a number of DK Eyewitness guide books over the years, and this has been another disappointment in a long line. First, the books are heavy to carry (and pages can't be easily torn out). Second, the indexes are unreliable; some popular topics and landmarks are there; other equally-popular ones are not. Third, the pictures are pretty, but small, and the text description too little even on famous chateaux. Not much history, not much description, not much indication of why we should visit the place. The driving and walking routes plotted are no better than many others that are available, including on line, and much worse than some. The hotel and restaurant information is minimal, and tucked away in the back in a separate small section.
If you want basic touring information, go with Frommers. If you want more detail on history, art, and architecture, go with the Insight Guide which I loved (though they ought to be updated more often)--that makes a great on-site guide. If you want the ultimate in history, architecture, and detail, buy Michelin Green.

I have purchased a number of DK Eyewitness guide books over the years, and this has been another disappointment in a long line. First, the books are heavy to carry (and pages can't be easily torn out). Second, the indexes are unreliable; some popular topics and landmarks are there; other equally-popular ones are not. Third, the pictures are pretty, but small, and the text description too little even on famous chateaux. Not much history, not much description, not much indication of why we should visit the place. The driving and walking routes plotted are no better than many others that are available, including on line, and much worse than some. The hotel and restaurant information is minimal, and tucked away in the back in a separate small section.
If you want basic touring information, go with Frommers. If you want more detail on history, art, and architecture, go with the Insight Guide which I loved (though they ought to be updated more often)--that makes a great on-site guide. If you want the ultimate in history, architecture, and detail, buy Michelin Green.

Whenever I'm getting ready to take a trip, I check to see if there is an Eyewitness Guide for my destination. My husband and I spent one week of a two-week 25th anniversary trip in the Loire Valley and this book was our guide. I love that everything is divided into regions and that you get so many pictures so that you know what you're really going to go see. My main complaint with a lot of other guides is that you have to rely on a short written description and often when you get there, it's nothing like you expected.

There are numerous maps with the sites marked. They also include restaurants and hotels rated by price and region. There's a history of the region in the front of the book.

All of their guides follow the same basic format, so if you travel a lot, there's no surprises between the books.

My star ratings:

One star - couldn't finish the book
Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author
Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.
Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.
Five start - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.

Whenever I'm getting ready to take a trip, I check to see if there is an Eyewitness Guide for my destination. My husband and I spent one week of a two-week 25th anniversary trip in the Loire Valley and this book was our guide. I love that everything is divided into regions and that you get so many pictures so that you know what you're really going to go see. My main complaint with a lot of other guides is that you have to rely on a short written description and often when you get there, it's nothing like you expected.

There are numerous maps with the sites marked. They also include restaurants and hotels rated by price and region. There's a history of the region in the front of the book.

All of their guides follow the same basic format, so if you travel a lot, there's no surprises between the books.

My star ratings:

One star - couldn't finish the book
Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author
Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.
Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.
Five start - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.