Lonely Planet Western Europe - Softcover

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Western Europe is often looked upon as the hub of the developed world - at least historically. Though its growth rate is not what it was in the heady days of the 1950s and '60s, Western Europe remains an economic powerhouse and a leader in art, literature and music. For the visitor to the region, the biggest problem is simply choosing where to go, and what to see and do. There are magnificent museums and galleries such as the British Museum in London, the Louvre in Paris and the Prado in Madrid. There are architectural treasures like the Parthenon in Athens, Gaudi's fantastic church in Barcelona and Germany's fairy-tale castles. And there are superb natural features: the soaring Swiss Alps, the magnificent stretches of rugged coastline in western Ireland and the tranquil, sunny islands of Greece. For the energetic, there are walking trails ranging from the high-altitude circuit of Mont Blanc in France to the West Highland Way in Scotland, ski runs from Andorra to Zermatt in Switzerland and there's sailing, windsurfing and swimming all along the Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean coasts. And there are places where it's simply just fun to be, whether it's clubbing in Berlin, pub-crawling through Dublin or watching the world go by from a sidewalk cafe in Paris or Rome.

This edition of Western Europe provides an insight into the history, people and culture of this diverse collection of countries and offers practical information to help you make the most of your time and money.

There's information on how to get to Western Europe and how to get around once you're there. There are extensive details on what to see, when to see it and how much it costs. The thousands of recommendations about places to stay range from French camping grounds and German hostels to Spanish pensions and Irish B&Bs. Cafes, restaurants and bars are covered in equally exhaustive detail, with suggestions which cover every budget - from the cheapest of cheap eats to the ideal place for that big splurge. There are even recommendations on what to buy and where to buy it.

Western Europe is a wonderful region to visit and there is a whole lot out there waiting to be enjoyed. This newly updated edition of Western Europe will guide you, so don't procrastinate any longer about that trip of a lifetime - go now!