The Treasures and Pleasures of India: Best of the Best

Rating:
Summary: Shopaholics guide
Review: Do you want to bring back a trunk or two full of Silver (real), rubies, pashminas, hand painted bone china and live like the maharanas in the Palaces? Well then this is the book for you. Its simple, but I would never have known to go to these stores and find such treasures without this guide. Who would have thought we would see a silver covered canopy bed for $3000! Its obvious that expensive hotels are nice, but not so obvious where to get good deals on products. You feel like an "expert buyer." I only wish they had more info on "what makes rubies or silver" real or valuable as without this book it seems so easy to fall into fakes (esp Thailand). Instead of half of the book being about haggling, if there were details on good books to read up on about: carpets, jewelry, silver, whatever can be bought in that country, this series would be much better than what it is. Obviously, you can never get a good deal unless you know about what you are buying but it could also be a primer on luxurious things for the armchair traveller.

Rating:
Summary: The Treasures and Pleasures of India: Best of the Best
Review: Rarely does one discover a guidebook that delivers exactly what it promises. This is the perfect reference for the discriminating traveler who enjoys quality, wishes to discover the best shopping sites and wants just enough sightseeing to satisfy their cultural requirements. Traveling with a group of people this book soon became singled out as the preeminent guide for our purposes. The authors descriptions are very accurate and in keeping with my own experiences. Upon my return I can now reread the book and relive my travels.