Frommer's Spain 2007

by Darwin Porter, Danforth Prince

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go -- they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us! Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Spain features gorgeous color photos of the cities, villages, and countryside vistas that make a trip to Spain magical. We'll show you the best of the big Madrid, with its tapas bars, nonstop nightlife, and the world-class Prado Museum; Barcelona, with Gaudí's wild modernist architecture, the astounding Picasso Museum, and the colorful street life of La Rambla; and Seville, from its monumental Gothic cathedral to the locals' favorite flamenco clubs. We'll take you into the countryside, where you can stay in historic paradors, tour the best sherry wineries in Andalusia, retrace the steps of Christian pilgrims in Galicia, and follow the careers of visionary artists like Salvador Dalí (in Cadaques) and El Greco (in charming, romantic Toledo). And we'll guide you to the country's best beaches, from the islands of Majorca and Ibiza to the mega-resorts along the Costa del Sol. Frommer's makes it easy to explore Spain as an independent traveler, always knowing that you have good advice, complete information, and helpful maps at your fingertips. It's all done with the trademark Frommer's attention to style, accuracy, and detail. Also included are an in-depth guide to Spain's art and architecture, as well as all the latest trip-planning advice on everything from bargain airfares to rail passes.

Genres: Travel, Reference, Nonfiction

706 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Darwin Porter (1937-) is an American travel writer, producing numerous titles, mostly for the Frommer guidebook series, over a 50-year career span.

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be visiting Madrid Spain this summer. Partly, to attend a professional conference. Partly to learn more and experience a place that I have never been to before. This guide is a great help in planning activities once I get to Spain. I have had good luck with prior Frommer's guides, and I hope that this lives up to its predecessors.

Structure of this volume? At the outset, the book discusses "the best of" Spain, including small towns, vineyards, museums, and restaurants. A second chapter provides more detail on Spain and what to do while there. Chapter 3 is a series of itineraries. Then, in depth views of various areas within the country--Madrid, Andalusia, Barcelona, the Basque Country, and so on among the chapters. For each area explored, the reader will learn where to stay, where to eat, getting around, and places to see and so on.

To provide an example. . . . Madrid. The chapter begins with a discussion of transportation, the layout of the city, important neighborhoods. I will be using the Madrid Metro, and there is a nice map of the system (forewarned is forearmed). Then, discussions of places to see, such as The Prado, the Royal Palace, cathedrals, art galleries, and so on. In short, a nice--albeit not lengthy--summary of suggested places to go and to see.

The last two sections? One focuses on planning for the trip to Spain. The final segment of the book is the always helpful listing of terms and phrases.

I look to this volume as a provider of useful information when I visit Madrid. And the track record of Frommer's volumes is that I will find it a helpful resource once I get to Madrid.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give this a two as I'm nowhere near done. I'm going to Barcelona and Minorca (ne: Menorca) in July for two weeks, so, I've only been concentrating on those two sections of the book. And at the same time, I think I'm more concerned about where to eat, drink, and have a good time, then I am with ancient ruins and the like, although I will take up some Gaudi and Picasso (and hopefully some Dali, although I think that's in Figueres, but, it's like a 20-min. train ride) whilst there. Lots of art, sculpture, and good stuff though.

[Jeff Klosterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frommers always does a wonderful job but this was especially enjoyable. "Spain 2012" brought this colorful country to life and would be a great resource for travelers to that nation. It gave expert advice regardless of your budget.

[Otis Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took this to Spain. Not for the budget traveler.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frommer's is Frommer's - solid but nothing spectacular.

[Cesar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frommer's is always a good choice when traveling to a new place.