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Rating: 
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: I just returned from a last minute business trip to Portugal, and bought this guide because it was the only English guide in that I could find in the Lisbon airport. It cost me an outrageous sum, 33 Euros, (the Amazon price is much cheaper!) but was worth every penny.
There is a large section on Lisbon, as well as several sections on different regions in Portugal, Maderia and the Azores. The pictures are excellent, the descriptions provide much historical context, and 'must-see' places have their own special spread, giving great tips as to how to spend your time. Directions to most sights are excellent (for instance, telling you exactly what tram to take to Belem and where best to catch it) and the guide provides many local tips on customs unfamiliar to Americans (for instance, that you will be charged for the bread and cheese that arrives at your restaurant table unasked for - in the U.S. any food that arrives without being ordered is generally assumed to be free). There's also a great little section introducing regional Portuguese cuisine.
I only had two disappointments - I would have liked more information on less expensive places to get good local cuisine in Lisbon - most of the restaurant recommendations were for fairly expensive resaurants - as well as some tips on interesting places to go out for drinks in Alto (a hip Lisbon neighborhood). Also - it helps to read the book very carefully - a quick skim can result in missing important information about the region (for instance, I neglected to find the information about the train to Sintra because it was located at the begining of the section on the general area, not in the Sintra section itself).
Portugal is a wonderful country and I am keeping this guide handy for planning my return trip - as a previous reviewer has noted, a week is not enough time to see as much as Portugal has to offer.
Rating:
Summary: The best guide available
Review: I just returned from spending a week in Portugal, and recommend this book whole-heartedly. I noticed many other tourists carrying this book (written in different languages!). The graphics are a must if you want to decide which of the many, many sites you want to see within a limited amount of time. Recommendations on walking tours are very helpful, and the descriptions of the history behind each site add significantly to what you get out of each visit. If I were to ask for any improvements on this book, I would ask for two things: 1) include a short language CD of the basic phrases listed in the back of the book to aid understanding of the language (reading Portuguese on paper does NOT work, since it sounds so unbelievably different than it looks), and 2) include more detail regarding maps for the longer-distance routes (ie., for when someone wants to rent a car). The intra-city maps are right-on, but the long-distance routes need alot more detail. Portugal itself is a beautiful country (see my pics if you like: www.imageevent.com/tvmule/portugal), and I hope to return one day to see the rest of the country (one week is much too short!). PS - if you rent a car, be prepared to deal with ALOT of impatient drivers, as the locals like to drive fast and are always in a hurry :)
Rating:
Summary: About Portugal, Not Eating and Sleeping There
Review: Portugal by Eyewitness Travel Guides is a great travel guide, and it was a wonderful and invaluable tool during my last trip to Portugal. It is not a typical travel book in that it does not provide extensive reviews of hotels and restaurants, although it does highlight a few of each. Rather, it provides extensive information on the people, history and sights of Portugal. In addition, the information is splendidly presented with vivid photographs and succinct coverage of all the major cities and sights, and even some remote locations. After paging through this book one almost feels intimately knowledgeable with Portugal's history and culture. If you are interested in finding a great place to stay or eat I would recommend looking elsewhere. However, if you are interested in learning about Portugal's culture, sights and history I would strongly recommend Portugal by Eyewitness Travel Guides.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Available
Review: There are two strong books on Portugal - my opinion - and the two books are the Eyewitness Travel (DK) guide which I personally prefer or Lonely Planet Portugal. These two books both just under 500 pages and are both tremendous efforts, very well balanced with photos, maps, history, etc. and both are clearly 5 star guides. I would both (and DK Eyewitness Travel and Lonely Planet) head and shoulders ahead of Frommers, or Rough Guide or similar books that are less well balanced. Overall, the DK guide has better photos and visuals and makes for a better souvenir so it gets the nod as the better book. Portugal is an old country with lots of fun things to see and do. I prefer to Algarve region but also enjoy visiting Lisbon - which can be expensive. Also I like to go well armed with maps and books because unlike the USA or Canada some areas have no English signs so the more information the better. This book is well balanced and like the DK guide is that it pulls a lot of things together such as history and culture, food, towns and lots on Lisbon. The book brings it all to life with just magnificent photos and maps. Either case this is an excellent buy. 5 stars. Jack in Toronto
Rating:
Summary: The Best Available
Review: There are two strong books on Portugal - my opinion - and the two books are the Eyewitness Travel (DK) guide which I personally prefer or Lonely Planet Portugal. These two books both just under 500 pages and are both tremendous efforts, very well balanced with photos, maps, history, etc. and both are clearly 5 star guides. I would both (and DK Eyewitness Travel and Lonely Planet) head and shoulders ahead of Frommers, or Rough Guide or similar books that are less well balanced. Overall, the DK guide has better photos and visuals and makes for a better souvenir so it gets the nod as the better book. Portugal is an old country with lots of fun things to see and do. I prefer to Algarve region but also enjoy visiting Lisbon - which can be expensive. Also I like to go well armed with maps and books because unlike the USA or Canada some areas have no English signs so the more information the better. This book is well balanced and like the DK guide is that it pulls a lot of things together such as history and culture, food, towns and lots on Lisbon. The book brings it all to life with just magnificent photos and maps. Either case this is an excellent buy. 5 stars. Jack in Toronto
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