Many believe that the clunky, info-packed books could soon go the way of typewriters and telegrams - and that we are witnessing the gradual demise of the printed travel guide. So it’s easy to understand the dismay and nostalgia generated by the announcement that Lonely Planet is shedding a third of its staff. Everywhere we went, of course, we met others with their own coffee-stained tomes - travellers who had spurned sanitized package tours and chosen to wander dubious side streets in search of “the most delicious dolmas in Istanbul” or “dumpling in Xian”. Magical rambles in Mandu and a tiny hotel in Peling, where a tyrannical manager banged on the door till we awoke to see the sunrise. Colourful souks in Cairo and cavernous restaurants serving duck pancakes in Beijing. Our bookshelves were stuffed with bluespined guides, and each of these battered volumes had taken us somewhere special. As were so many others in the 1990s and early 2000s. Clearly, if Lonely Planet was “the Bible of backpackers”, then we were all its adherents. The tourists had two things in common : they all were sipping sweet, dreadful anisette with dutiful expressions, and they all possessed copies of Lonely Planet or Rough Guide. The Barcelonians in the little bar seemed relaxed and were all drinking ordinary stuff. Then, satisfied that we’d followed the recommendations of our trusty travel guide, we sat back. Our acquaintance with Mumbai’s suburban trains came in handy, though, and we squeezed past the chattering throng and ordered a glass of anisette. Offices were emptying out for the day and we reached our destination in the throes of a thirsty rush hour. But - as I keep mentioning, the books are only 'guides' not bibles so with that in mind, it doesn't really matter however out of date the guide is.It took a few squints at the Lonely Planet and a couple of wrong turns, but we finally found the bar on a buzzing Barcelona side street. Yes - The problem with these India Travel guides is as soon as they give a rave review about a place it completely changes making it immediately out of date. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip. Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit.
Of these, we've picked only the best and our 5th edition takes you to them. We've explored the lush waterways of Kerala, bartered in Mumbai's bazaars, taken tea in charming hill stations and sampled seafood in Goa's beach shacks. South India is distinct from the north and Lonely Planet knows how. Lonely Planet South India Introduction text Click on the following link to go directly to the appropriate page: Once again I have to recommend as the best source for his book as they have a great selection of new and used books which means that some of them are up for around $4-6. Follow the link below to see these reviews:Īlternately scroll down to the bottom of the page to see our visitors opinions on this book or of course add your own. The only other real competitor is the The Rough Guide version which to be honest and despite having some other good reviews, I don't consider as half the book this one is.Ī has loads of user generated reviews for this book which also give a good insight into the book from people who have also used it. Well bare in mind the point above and if the answer is still yes then I can tell you that you won't find a better South India Regional travel guide. South India (Lonely Planet Regional Guide) Of course if you trip is only taking you to South India then this is definitely the book for you.
A guide book should be used as it's title suggests - as a guide. Many people have problems with the big lonely planet India book as they say that India is just too big and diverse to be covered in just one book so use regional guides instead and I can understand that but my problem is that you don't need a guide book to tell you everything about a place because that is why you are there - to Find out for yourself. Unlike it's bigger sister - (the complete India guide), this book is compact enough to be practical and has everything in it that the big one does as well. A review of the Lonely planet South India travel guide.