Frommer's Spain [With Full-Color Fold-Out]

by Arthur Frommer and frommer-s-staff

Spain ranks as the second most popular destination for travellers in the world. This year - the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the reopening of Barcelona's world-class opera house, and the 'Year of the Jacobeo' festival all add up to another big destination for tourism. The guide covers the main cities, the countryside, and the major beach resorts and islands. Previous Edition ISBN: 0028612027

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 002862372X
• ISBN13: 9780028623726
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: MacMillan Publishing Company
• Length: 707 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.1" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Thorough, Comprehensive and well-put together - excellent guide for Spain

Thorough, Comprehensive and well-put together. From all the travel books out there on Spain this one is not a compilation of mere facts, photos, phone numbers and page-fillers. What sets Frommer's apart is the information provided and the style in which is presented. You will find lodging options for various budgets, a list of most important sites to see and even suggested ways to spend time in a city if you have only 1 day or as much as 5 days, great places to eat and great places to splurge if you can stretch your dollar. Be aware that this is not a book for the ones on a shoestring budget. Frommer provides a good introduction to Spain without being overloading you with mass amounts of information or pictures, a truly well-balanced book. When I backpacked 4 months through Europe I had a copy of the Lonely Planet for Europe (a thick and heavy book) because it covered more cities and esoteric towns, a ripped chapters of all the international youth hostals Europe of the countries I visited, and as primary guide for nominal cities and capitals I used Frommers (ripped the book and kept only chapters of countries planning to visit - so I can keep the weight down).

Travel Through Spain WIth Frommers - The Best Way !

I began using Frommer's travel books/guides in the 1970s, for Central and South America, and Europe. They were my favorite guide books then, and are still the best, providing clear, concise information for the traveler, with a predominately midlevel budget range. All their books, however, usually contain excellent low-budget suggestions, as well as information provided for luxury accommodations. With that endorsement, I most highly recommend "Frommer's Spain 2003." I have traveled in Spain widely, but that was 15 years ago. On a glorious return trip to Spain early last spring, I found the updated guide even more informative than the one I used so long ago."Frommer's Spain 2003" provides a wide range of suggested accommodations, from budget to luxury, and I decided, before my trip, on a lovely pension in Barcelona, which was my "base of operations." I made reservations, by telephone, a month in advance and found the place, and the price, to be exactly as described, along with the excellent service. Frommer's suggested local restaurants became my favorites, and the owners of the pension also made some excellent suggestions. I selected my lodgings in Marbella (Costa del Sol), Grenada, Seville, and Madrid from Frommer's, as well, and although I clearly preferred some over others, I was comfortable at all. The information in the guide was accurate in all cases. My ideas for day trips, from each of these cities, were based on a combination of past experience, the advice of friends and Frommer's suggestions. Frommers had the best and most original information about off-the-mainstream places of interest, including festivals, fairs, markets, shopping, entertainment, nightlife, etc.The fold-out country map, and city maps are extremely easy to follow. I have the world's worst sense of direction, and never got lost - even on my own, original walking tour of Barcelona's winding streets.All of the many magnificent things to see in Spain, each city's major attractions, the museums, art, churches and galleries are obviously included. It is the selection of lesser known sites, and out-of-the-way itineraries that makes this guide so special. I have read that some people find the book to be too big or bulky. I find it to be just right, and never needed to refer to another guide during my entire trip.For before trip preparation, you may wish to brush-up on Spanish history, art - whatever your area(s) of interest. If so, you will do well to look at books specifically on the topics of your choice. Frommer's does provide a BRIEF chapter of historical information. It may be sufficient for your needs, but I think it worth mentioning here.Overall, this is the Best book to take, especially if you plan to take only one, to assist you in enjoying the glories of Spain, past and present! JANA

Useful for the Beaten Path

I prefer the Frommer Guides to most others, and this is no exception. While a bit short in background, it provided a lot of useful, practical information for my recent trip to Northern Spain. As with most standard guides, however, it falls short in breadth of coverage, emphasizing the well-known sites and omitting lots of fascinating smaller towns and areas. But then, that's why I travel, to discover the real country, not the postcard one. If you're going with a group, or sticking mostly to the main roads, this is a good book to bring.

A Memorable Trip with Frommer's

My wife and I have recently returned from a six-week trip to Spain. Thanks to Frommer's guide, we had the most memorable trip of our lives. The book is helpful, opinionated, personalized, like a good friend talking to you and leading you out of the traps and into the oasis. We were directed to friendly people, affordable meals, great beds, and lovely moments that will live long in our memory. We have used Frommer's guides to America before but never one to a country in Europe. From now on, we're dedicated fans. We won't leave home without it!

Helpful guide for those going to Andalucia

I found this guide extremely helpful in my 2-week trip to Andalucia. Plenty of hotel/restaurant suggestions and other relevant information. It is definetely a good buy.