Customer Reviews:
 Great travel companion March 10, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought this Lonely Planet guide as I was moving to Portugal for a year. I have used previous guides by Lonely Planet but this was has been my favourite: the authors are fantastic: their humour, insider tips and just general description of a place are about 99% correct.
This guide makes Portugal seem much bigger than most people believe it to be. The authors research many places outside of the "usual suspects" and provide rarely-heard of information.
The only sections of this guide that are, one expects to be off, such as transport prices. And even though they can be substantially off, I cannot hold this against the writers, seeing that Lisbon metro and carris changed their prices twice in a year. Also, I cannot give this guide a 5* rating as too many of the places described are almost inaccessible without a private car... And I expect that Lonely Planet users rely much more on public transport.
Overall, a refreshing read - you don't even need to travel there - and very, very useful :)
 Not up to Lonely Planet's usual standard August 24, 2007
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
After having tried a few other guidebook series, I am back to Lonely Planet, as these are simply standard-setting in terms of travellers' reference.
But this is the exception that confirms the rule (along with Lonely Planet Iceland & Faroes). Though published last year, so much of the basic information is not up-to-date - and several recommendations seem like an absolute mystery as they in no way live up to Lonely Planet's usual criteria.
Just too many times I found myself planning according to the book's information and recommendations, and ended up finding nothing or not finding the expected. The examples are too many to be ust coincidence and 'because things change'. I will therefore get rid of this one, and try Footprint or The Rough Guide next time I go to Portugal.
Yet, my critical rating of this guidebook should also be seen in the light of my high expectations, as Lonely Planet - mostly - does set the standard. Try again - new edition.
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