2 comments about Michelin Germany: Benelux, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic: Tourist And Motoring Atlas (Michelin Tourist and Motoring Atlas : Germany, Austria, Benelux, Switzerland, Czech Republic (Spiral)).

1. Terrific compilation of every village, hamlet, point-of-interest, and topographical feature, just about! Easy to "navigate" the maps, as Michelin has left nothing-to-chance. Whether motoring, or traveling by train, this guide will enlighten, add much to any journey, and answer the age-old question, "Are we there, yet?"



2. This atlas has a very clear format which uses an attractive colouring scheme. There is no want of detail (villages and minor roads are clearly shown), yet the pages are not cluttered. The atlas is easy to use, easy to hold, and, importantly, the spiral binding is sturdy.
   It really is the ideal road atlas of Germany, Benelux, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic, and I heartily recommend it to anyone planning a road trip to the region.

2 comments about Michelin Green Guide Alsace-Lorraine-Champagne (Michelin Green Guides).

1. This was a great companion to our (my husband & I) tour of the Alsace reagion of France which is worth the trip! It is a beautiful not-well traveled region of France. We visited this French/German area on a trip where we visited Mont Blanc and the French Riveria as well. We were greeted with only friendliness from the wineries and other French people that we met on our visit to Alsace.



2. Maps are good, but could be a little more complete. Found a typo or two on it, but worked for me to navigate to more obscure parts of Alsace.

5 comments about Michelin Germany (Michelin Map) (Multilingual Edition).

1. I purchaed this map for an upcoming trip to Germany. The map is very accurate and easy to use



2. A big map with lots of detail. Cumbersome for travel. The whole of Germany. Wish it had something to indicate the former East/West demarcation.



3. Four stars is the best any guidebook will ever get from me, but this is one I've used often and extensively while driving around Germany, even though I know the country as well as most natives. I use it to take notice of the secondary cities and less-famous sites that I might be passing en route from Munich, say, to Hamburg. It's a book with a recognizable "attitude", and that's an advantage over most taste-neutral guides. Even if I don't agree 100% with Michelin's Frenchifying attitude, I know what its opinions mean and I can interpret its judgments. Of course the hotel and restaurant info in Michelin is useless in these days of internet access, and besides this book is already eight years old. Once you understand its format, you can find what you want to know very quickly. The pages and cover are durable enough to put in a backpack or even a big pocket, and to use during soggy weather. This is the book that first-time travelers to Deutschland will find most helpful.



4. What's to say?
   Accurate.
   Easy to read.
   As are all Michelin maps.



5. The map is OK for a general overview of roads in Germany; however, detail is lacking. The best option is to purchase a Germany map that is specific to an area, such as Bavaria, that will show ALL the roads for the area you are traveling in. This map was most useful when used to confirm that my rental car GPS system was pointing me in the correct direction.
   
   Probably the best option is to use this map as a backup before leaving the USA and then buy a map at a local Esso (truck stop) when in country - one that will provide better details of roads, towns.

5 comments about Rick Steves' Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Map: Including Berlin, Munich, Salzburg and Vienna City.

1. Before I moved to Germany from the States I received this book from a friend of my mother's who had spent a few years attending university in Spain and said that Rick Steve's books were what everyone at the university used. Since moving to Germany this book has been great. I carry it around with me whenever we travel because it has so much valuable information.
   
   Some of the other reviews have been extremely negative, but as someone who uses the book on a regular basis and actually lives in the country, I know that this book is great. It is less expensive than others and it gives great suggestions for places to stay. He does spend more time with Berlin and Munich, but considering these are two of the largest cities that have long histories, it only makes sense. The hotel suggestions are great, the last time we were in Berlin we opted to choose our own place that was less expensive. It was neat with all the Bears around (it was called the Bearliner), but it smelled. So, if you plan on travelling to Germany I really suggest getting this book.



2. This was the very first travel book - my mother in law bought it for me right after we were stationed in Germany 6 years ago. I'm still using the 2001 version (yes, I know that's bad!) but it's gotten me all over! The simplified maps and the hotel recommendations have kept my trips easy and fun.
   --Vicki Landes, author of "Europe For The Senses - A Photographic Journal"



3. First and foremost, to clarify, this product that you are supposedly reading reviews for is Rick Steves' MAP of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It appears that the other reviews are of Rick Steves' guidebooks! Again, this product is NOT one of Rick Steves' famous guidebooks (which I would always rate as 5 stars, incidentally!). This map is very basic; don't count on using it to find your way around a country or city. Only the major cities and towns are marked. Likewise, in the city maps of Berlin, Munich, Salzburg and Vienna, only the major thoroughfares are mapped. You should use this map only as a reference to his guidebook of the region to plan your trip. You will want to get a 'real' map that's much more detailed, e.g. Michelin, when you arrive. Best part of this map? The cool water resistant paper on which it is printed. Especially if you have small children who are apt to spill liquid, as mine did on Day One upon receiving it from Amazon!



4. I got this thinking it would get me started on planning my trip to Europe. I had a list of things I wanted to see. When I got the map I was so happy to see that all the tourist attractions were ALREADY MARKED on the map! They were clearly labeled and easy to locate and read. Great product...well worth the money!



5. This is a great high-level roadmap of Germany, but it lacks the detail needed to really explore the countryside. If you are driving through Germany like we did, buy an atlas that provides more route detail. There are so many country lanes in Germany that even a detail book sometimes misses the many villages you'll encounter along the way. If you're taking the train, this map works fine. If you're driving, look at something else.

5 comments about Streetwise Munich Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Munich, Germany - Folding pocket size travel map with metro map including S-Bahn & U-Bahn.

1. I was extremely disappointed in this map, which is incomplete, inadequate and even inaccurate in spots. If you're a casual tourist who is only spending a day in the Bavarian capital, then this map would probably fit your basic needs. But if you're planning on spending a week or more in the city, or if you want to see more than the city center, then avoid the map at all costs.

   The map shows only the inner city, with few streets shown beyond Briennerstrasse or the Isar. This is simply not acceptable, especially if you want to see anything of the city beyond Marienplatz. There is also some outdated information on the reverse, giving U Bahn stations on the wrong cross streets. This could present clear problems for travelers. I do not recommend this map to anyone unless you're restricting yourself to a small area in the pedestrian-only zone.




2. The people at Streetwise should be embarassed to even sell this map. Its poor design is EXTREME. I was so shocked at its terrible quality because OTHER Streetwise maps have always been so useful. Not this one. Streetwise Munich is missing a majority of Munich, it doesn't include an U-Bahn or S-Bahn plan, and is so difficult to read that you'll be more confused than aided by it. It is a total failure.
   
   This map does not live up to the Streetwise name. I don't recommend this product at all.



3. This foldable water-proof map is perfect for finding your way around the city. Like most old European cities, streets go in all types of directions. Map also has layout of trnsport system making it even more helpful.



4. We bought this map for Oktoberfest and used it everyday many times a day. I helped us navigate the S-Bahn and the city. It is perfect!!!



5. The Munich map is great. There is a U-Bahn and S-Bahn map which can get you from the airport into the city. I don't speak a word of German and the map helped enormously getting around. I would just point and then the Germans would just point. Voila I got where I wanted to go. The map also covers the Haidhausen neighborhood where there are some rather interesting restaurants.

5 comments about Streetwise Budapest Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Budapest, Hungary - Folding pocket size travel map with metro map.

1. The problem with this map is that in trying to be so small it limits its usefulness. You can't track a whole trip on one page, or easily find a street by name. I should have learned my lesson about these Streetwise maps by now.



2. Map is indestructible. Coupled with a compass attached to my camera it eliminates the appearance of being lost.



3. The item in question (a plastic laminated city map of Budapest) was just fine and came as offered. But it was shipped in a ridiculous amount of unnecessary packaging which A) I'm sure increased my shipping costs and B) is very bad for the environment. I think it would be a good idea for you to look at whether or not all this packaging is really needed?



4. I happily used this map for my November 2008 trip. This map is first-rate -- the streets are clearly marked, the major destinations are labeled properly and placed correctly. I also found the inset map of central Pest (and where many of the major sights are) to be very helpful, with virtually all of the smallest streets marked. This map and my camera were really all I needed for many fine days of sightseeing in Budapest.



5. This map was a travel necessity. What a lifesaver, Budapest was a challange but Streetwise was very easy to use and helped us to get around. very durable!

5 comments about Streetwise Berlin Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Berlin, Germany - Folding pocket size travel map with metro map including S-Bahn and U-Bahn.

1. I just received my Streetwise Berlin map. I'm sorry I bothered. It is a real disappointment. For one thing, it is very small - the map area when fully opened is only about 25" x 8" which means that for one thing, detail is lacking, for another only the central slice of the city is covered, and everything is so small as to make the map difficult to use.
   I would strongly suggest avoiding this map. Instead, seriously consider the city maps by Berndtson. I have used their maps in several European cities, they are a lot larger though still, when folded, as compact as the Streetwise one, they are easy to use, well-marked and detailed, and also laminated (the Streetwise map is laminated too, but that does not make up for its other probelms.)
   I have also used Hammond city maps in Europe and found them quite good too. At least their Prague map is excellent.
   Don't waste the momey on the cruddy Streetwise map when far superior products are out there for the same price.



2. It did not cover everywhere in Berlin I needed to be, both north and south. But its small size was convenient to fold and unfold without too much bother, and the lamination made that easy to do, as well as waterproof. The u-bahn/s-bahn system map was, likewise, not perfect but adequate: I had to squint to read it, but it was convenient to picture the whole system in one place, and to have the transport map in the same easy-fold easy-go map as Berlin itself.



3. Those who complain about the area covered are missing the point of Streetwise maps. They don't require the constant folding and unfolding of a more comprehensive map. If you expect to be primarily in the city center, a Streetwise map is perfect, and it's so easy to tuck into a pocket or bag. Any Berlin map does run the risk of becoming outdated, since the city has changed regularly since reunification, but the 2008 revised edition now being sold is reliable and seems up to date.



4. great asset to our recent Berlin Trip. this light and easy to use Berlin map was used every day! We depended on this map and the fact that it is a plastic coated fold out, it is going to be used again and again, to be sure. Highly recommended for central Berlin and the train map...



5. This Streetwise map, which was delivered later than promised from Amazon and too late for my trip to Germany, turned out to be less than hoped for in that its area was too confined to the center area of the city and insufficient for use beyond the center. I have used Streetwise maps for other cities in Europe, but this was more limited for general use than the others. They are convenient, but a larger city paper map was more useful in this case anyway.

5 comments about Streetwise Prague Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Prague, Czech Republic.

1. This map is convienient (like the others in the series) because you can fold it in half and stick it in your pocket without it getting all ripped up. However, I ended up referring to other maps as well to verify where I was going. The Prague map is particularly inconvenient in that it divides the Stare Mesto (the central area where most tourists spend their time) in half, such that I frequently had to turn it over as I traced my path.



2. Worked out perfectly for our recent trip to Prague. We used it every day.



3. There are maps with even more detail, but this map is an essential. Lightweight, laminated (waterproof), pocket-sized, and with almost all the detail that most visitors need. Fully-opened, it is still small, unobtrusive, and easy to use. A handy gazeteer lists many streets and monuments, with map grid locations. There are some very tiny streets/alleys that are hard to make out, but that is true for almost any
   pocket-sized folding map. I buy a Streetwise for any city destination.



4. In typical Streetwise fashion, this is an excellent map that is key to exploring the city of Prague which has many confusing streets with confusing names.
   
   This is a map not a guide and while it does point out places of interest it is obviously meant as a map first and foremost. None of the free maps I found came close to be as legible and understandable. The fact that it is a trifold lamninated map makes it very easy to keep in your jacket and use.
   
   A definite must have for Prague in my opinion.



5. The map is convenient to use, and the lamination keeps it from getting destroyed from use. But it is relatively expensive considering you can get the same map in your tourist guide or for free from any one of a number of places once you get to Prague.

5 comments about Rick Steves' German Phrase Book and Dictionary.

1. I really liked the pronunciation guides and the phrases, but i had difficulty finding the specific words that I wanted. For example, I couldn't look at a restaurant menu and then look in this book and figure out what my food options were. Probably works better for a touristy trip, than my permanent move.



2. The book was well organized and good hints and tips. But I barely used it in Frankfurt and the areas I visited...lots of English spoken there.



3. I bought Rick Steves' German Phrase Book before making a business trip to Leipzig last month. I had three years of high school German almost 40 years ago, but was told that "everyone in Germany speaks fluent English." I feel strongly that Americans should get over their arrogance about speaking English only, so I brushed up on essential phrases hoping that I would have a chance to practice my very rusty German. Did I ever!
   
   I discovered that many, perhaps most, older people in the former DDR do not speak English at all, but were overwhelmingly patient and encouraging of my efforts to communicate in their language. Whenever I knew that I would be dealing with a specific activity, such as buying a train ticket,I got out my phrase book and reviewed the language I would need to complete the transaction. Rick Steves' books are easy and practical to use, and I found that this one prodded my memory of German vocabulary and syntax to the point that I was chatting away quite comfortably by the end of the week!
   
   I was so pleased with my German phrase book that I ordered the Spanish version for my daughter and her beau, who are planning a trip to Puerto Rico during Spring Break!



4. this little book will be a great help to me in traveling in Germany--although I do have a rather spare knowledge of the language, the idiom often escapes me--hence this will be a genuine positive, too, thanks to its small size.



5. This is a great beginners book to visiting Germany. The information is well-organized and helpful.

3 comments about Rick Steves' Germany 2010 with map.

1. I wish I'd reviewed the table of contents prior to purchasing this book. I assumed a travel book to Germany would cover the 2nd biggest German city, Hamburg, but I was mistaken. The city of Hamburg isn't mentioned at all, he gives various tourist recommendations for the south and east, but I really wanted a book that would cover the country in general including Hamburg. This may be a 5 star book for others, but for me this was a bad purchase.



2. My wife and I both have our original roots in Germany. It has been a goal of ours to visit the areas in Germany where our ancestors migrated from in the 1880's. We have valued Rick Steves insights into Europe for many years and will utilize the Germany guidebook througout our stay in Germany. We will also take advantage of the many suggestions outlined in the guidebook that will help us to prepare more efficiently even before we leave the USA. We are very experienced travelers here in the states but this will be our first trip to Europe and, therefore, we will welcome any and all assistance (advice) to make this a truly memorable adventure.



3. What can I say, Rick Steve's does it again with his latest update on Germany! I usually buy his country guide along with the matching Michelin Green Guide for any European Country we plan on visiting. An excellent combination! Make sure you always check for the latest edition of any tour guide... things change rapidly in Europe!