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Summary: Enticingly written cultural/historical regional overviews.
Review: I enjoyed reading this book for the sense it gives you of each of the regions of this wonderful country. Unfortunately, this is an "uncommon guide" in that it does not go into detail on locations with maps and other assistance. Some other feedback for travelers bound for Madrid: The Wellington Hotel was under renovations this august (1999). Although the staff was so friendly, the hotel is lacking in atmosphere. We ended up relocating to another nearby hotel, the Villa Real, where they offered us a much nicer room AND and an excellent breakfast for the same cost. The staff there was, as we found to be so common in Spain, very gracious, helpful and hospitable.Bring a "streetwise" guide for the cities you visit and you will do fine.
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Summary: I used it every day.
Review: I have traveled to Spain several times and found Discovering Spain to be extremely useful. Penelope Casas knowledge of the food and culture of Spain is unmatched in print. Excellent.
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Summary: A fairly common guide with expensive tastes
Review: I was attracted to this book by Penelope Casas because I had found her cookery books very useful and authentic. I was also intrigued by the subtitle 'An uncommon guide'. However I have found this to be quite a common guide - not much here that others haven't written in other guidebooks about. Also the author seems to have very expensive tastes in accommodation and eating places. My experience in Spain has been that the most expensive is generally neither the best nor the most authentic. This guidebook seems, as it claims itself in the spiel on the back cover, is definitely for an American readership.
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Summary: Wonderful & very descriptive
Review: It was the "book of choice" when I eurailed through Spain. I found it to be accurate & detailed on history & sights to see.
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Summary: A Must-have Guide to one of Europe's Gems
Review: Penelope Casas' love of Spain pours out from every page of this wonderful book. In addition to the invaluable travel information, Ms. Casas infuses the book with historical anecdotes, suggestions for ferreting out artisanal treasures and a wealth of information on Spanish gastronomy. One can almost feel the presence of a caring friend gently guiding us to discover a culture of which she is so proud. I would rather die than travel in Spain without this book!
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Summary: Great Book - Check Out the Website
Review: Penelope Casas, the world's leading authority on Spanish cuisine, has written the best and most comprehensive guide to travel in Spain. Now she has a new website - discoveringspain.com. Check it out
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Summary: this book inspires such enthusiasm for Spain!
Review: This book truly fulfills it's intent - to be an uncommon guide. The references to history, culture and food are valuable, and Ms. Casas' love for Spain shines throughout. We are a family of four planning to live in Spain for next year - our family millenium project. This book has really inspired us to appreciate the beauty of the culture, people and food of all the different areas of Spain. It is so much more than the usual maps and tourist "must-sees". The only problem will now be to decide where we want to live as Ms. Casas has given us so many new options! (if you read this Ms. Casas, please let us know your thoughts on this!)
Rating:
Summary: this book inspires such enthusiasm for Spain!
Review: This book truly fulfills it's intent - to be an uncommon guide. The references to history, culture and food are valuable, and Ms. Casas' love for Spain shines throughout. We are a family of four planning to live in Spain for next year - our family millenium project. This book has really inspired us to appreciate the beauty of the culture, people and food of all the different areas of Spain. It is so much more than the usual maps and tourist "must-sees". The only problem will now be to decide where we want to live as Ms. Casas has given us so many new options! (if you read this Ms. Casas, please let us know your thoughts on this!)
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reading for any one traveling in Spain
Review: This book will take you deep into Spanish culture. So well writting that you feel you are there with Penelope. She goes into such detail even if is an out of the way village. One of those places is Beceite in Aragon, which holds a special place in our hearts, beautiful little village between the rivers Matarrana and Uldemo. This book is money well spent, highly reccommended.Martha M. Velazquez espanacyclingvacations.
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Summary: The Definitive Guide to Spain
Review: This is the definitive guide to Spain. When Carol and I travel in Spain, we're three--the two of us and Penelope. We've been living in Spain since 1992 (the date of the first edition) and we've never traveled in this wonderful country without her. Her asides on history are worth the price of admission, her recommendations on where to eat and stay are invaribly reliable (although she could use some up-dating here and there in the countryside) and her take on places to see and what to do are a genuine menu of Spanish delights. If it matters, this is the preferred guide book of the American Embassy staff.
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