London (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE) - Softcover

Michael Leapman; Mary Scott; Mary Scott

4.12

2,765 ratings by Goodreads

9781564581839: London (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1564581837 ISBN 13: 9781564581839

Publisher: DK Travel, 1993

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Truly the guides that show you what others only tell you, this book features stunning 3D and cutaway views of museums, cathedrals, and other must-see sights; detailed street maps; a handy phrase section; advice on the best places to eat, drink, shop, sleep, and be entertained; and a Survival Guide to help the traveler sort out essential information such as currency, transportation, and communications. As world traveler and TV personality Michael Palin says, "the Eyewitness Travel Guides are irresistibly seductive.... They also deliver where it matters most -- uncluttered and accurate information."

The Royals, the theatre, the sightseeing, and the shopping are just a few of the highlights in DK's Eyewitness Travel Guide: London. Featuring more than 1200 color photographs and sixteen district chapters, the city is made easily accessible with street-by-street maps and striking 3-D aerial overviews. Along the way, explore such sights as Westminster Abbey, covered in a four-page feature with a structural cutaway, historical timeline, floor plans, photos of its architectural highpoints and artifacts, and a guided tour. For art devotees, visit the Tate Gallery, shown here in floor plans, photos of major works, and summaries of the many remarkable collections. Buckingham Palace is vividly depicted in an illustrated aerial view surrounded by photos its key rooms, daily rituals and its royal inhabitants. The magnificent St. Paul's Cathedral is thrillingly captured in a four-page feature with cutaways of the church and another of its splendid dome, photos of its architectural points, and a guided tour throughout the cathedral. Other overviews spotlight the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, and the Tower of London. This exceptional travel reference includes five guided walks, including one that takes you through Mayfair and Knightsbridge, showcasing the area's elegant Georgian residences. From early Roman occupation through the Restoration, from Victorian rule to two World Wars and contemporary trends, an enthralling chapter offers an enlightening overview of the history of this monumental city, complete with historical timelines of the periods and monarchs. The city's shopping, nightlife, performing arts, British cookery, pubs, and their spirited beverages are spotlighted in various articles and features. With so much to see and do in London, there's not fathoming it all without the help of this knowledgeable and entertaining handbook.

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Review:

The essence of London, found "in the swing, tramp, and trudge; in the bellow and uproar; the carriages, motor cars, omnibuses, vans, sandwich men shuffling and swinging; brass bands; barrel organs; in the triumph and the jingle and the strange high singing of some aeroplane overhead..." (Mrs. Dalloway), is ably conveyed in the visual burst of Dorling Kindersley's London guide. This compact book is filled to overflowing with a montage of timelines, street maps, 3-D aerial views, district maps, cutaways of important buildings--including Buckingham Palace and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre--and more than 1,200 full-color photographs.

Like all of DK's books, this reference is overwhelming when you first crack open the pages. There's so much information, you almost don't know where to start. Lucky for tourists, London's editors kept a steady eye on usability when they organized the book. It begins with a short history (mostly conveyed in images) and then moves to an extensive section on the sights and sounds of the city by the Thames. The aim is to give you a "portrait" of each area before divulging the details, of which there is no lack. If you're worried about the practicalities of the trip, fear not: London is on your side. A section on travelers' needs and a handy survival guide--including instructions, complete with photographic aides, on how to use different types of public telephones--should eliminate any apprehension about exploring this wondrous city. Perhaps the most useful feature for those on the go who want portable information, and for those who hate to haul out maps in public ("Hey! I'm a tourist!"), is the "Street Finder," a comprehensive index of street names and 24 pages of corresponding maps. Small enough to fit in your backpack, London is the guide to grab before hopping on the Underground. --Heidi Robinson

Review:

...You feel, looking at them, as if you could close the book and step into the street. -- Contra Costa Times

...considered to be the world's best travel resource to over 30 destinations around the world, make it easier to plan a splendid vacation. -- North American Press Syndication

Both novice and experienced travelers will be captivated. -- US News & World Report

Each book is a visual as well as informational feast about a particular place. -- The New York Times

Easily the best city guides available today. -- PLAYBOY

Encyclopedic in scope, it's meant to be used before, during, and after your stay. -- Travel & Leisure

The Best Guidebooks Ever -- SKY MAGAZINE

The best travel guides ever. -- Sky Magazine -Delta In flight Magazine

The most graphically exciting and visually pleasing series on the market. -- Chicago Tribune

Want to know where to get a great espresso on your way to the Uffizi? Or how much to tip a hotel maid in New York City? Try these travel guides, each an intricate trove of 3-D aerial views, landmark floor plans, color photos and essential eating, shopping and entertainment info. With titles covering Paris, Prague, and London, these pocket-sized guides are like a Michelangelo fresco: deliriously rich in detail. -- People Magazine

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