South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Lonely Planet Country Guide) |
 |
 click here for more details, find new or used items |
Mary Fitzpatrick, Kate Armstrong, Becca Blond, Michael Kohn, Simon Richmond, Alistair Simmonds
|
|
Pages: 680 (Paperback)
ISBN: 1740599705
Pub: Lonely Planet Publications
Pub date: 2006-11-01
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 15874
Reader Reviews:
Disappointing (2/2 people found this helpful)
I have been a fan of lonely planet books in the past and own quite a few of them. However, having just returned from a trip to South Africa where used this one heavily to plan the trip, I was pretty disappointed. In general there seemed to be too heavy an emphasis on the backpacking traveller and people who have lots of time for their travels (lots of details of 5-day hikes and things) as opposed to the general holiday(ing) traveller. I also think that there were just some significant misjudgments in their recommendations. There were several towns described as "choc-full" of activities that then proved to be pretty dull and others that were described as "historic" or "quaint" which had little to look at.
Finally, I also think that there was too much "worthiness" creeping in as well. I think there was an appropriate emphasis on township tours and the complex social situation in South Africa (the section on history was very good) but there was then also sideways digs at places the book perceived to be "tacky" or "artificial" when in some cases these were actually pretty well run tourist attractions. I am sure with more time and with a slightly hardier spirit I could have gone for some of the more "authentic" options the book outlined, but short of time and looking for some ease of travel I actually rather enjoyed some of the "artficial" places the book was so disparaging of.
Like I say- not one for the holidaying tourist- this is strictly one for the backpacker or gap year traveller.
Similar Products
The Rough Guide to Cape Town and the Garden Route - Edition 1
A Rough Guide Map South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Rough Guide Map)
Botswana and Namibia (Lonely Planet Multi Country Guide)
Cape Town (Lonely Planet City Guides)
"Time Out" Cape Town, Winelands and the Garden Route (Time Out Cape Town)
Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Travel & Holiday -> Countries & Regions -> Africa -> South Africa
Books -> Subjects -> Travel & Holiday -> Countries & Regions -> Africa -> Swaziland
Books -> Subjects -> Travel & Holiday -> Guidebook Series -> Lonely Planet
Books -> Subjects -> Travel & Holiday -> General
Books -> Special Features -> Search Inside!
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)