Product Description
Introduces the land, history, government, people, and economy of the small country on the western side of the Iberian peninsula. ... Read more

Product Description
The 1991 edition of the travel guide to Portugal. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Forests of the Iberian Peninsula. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 91. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The woodlands of the Iberian Peninsula are distinct ecosystems on the Iberian Peninsula, spanning mainly Spain and Portugal. Although the various regions are each characterized by distinct vegetation, there are some similarities across the peninsula. While the borders between these regions are not clearly defined, there is a mutual influence which makes it very hard to establish boundaries and some species find their optimal habitat in the intermediate areas. The flora of the peninsula, because of bio-historical, geographical, geological, and orographic conditions, are among of the richest and most varied of all European flora, rivaled only by such countries as Greece and Italy; it is estimated that the Iberian Peninsula has more than 8,000 distinct species of plants, many of them endemic. With more than 8,500 plant species, Spain has the richest flora in Europe. It is now known that the Mediterranean Sea went through great changes of climate and vegetation, among them changes in sea level and variations in the relative positions of the continental plates of Europe and Africa. The Iberian Peninsula, located on an important route between Africa and Europe, was enriched by the arrival, following the climate change, of wetland plants, thermophilic plants (those that require a great deal of heat), xerophilic plants (those that require a dry climate), orophilic (sub-alpine) plants, Boreo-alpine plants, and so on, many of which managed to remain, thanks to the diversity of environments that exist in the mountain ranges, and which allowed them to rise in altitude if the climate was too warm, or descend if it became too cold. The geological complexity of the majority of Iberia...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=8476940 ... Read more

Product Description
In English. Large format hardback. 320 pp. 5 pounds, 12 ounces. Color illustrations. Sewn binding. Issued without dustcover. ... Read more

Product Description
One of a regularly updated series designed for the independent traveller. This guide to Portugal is written with local knowledge, aiming to provide a unique perspective and flavour. It includes regional and city maps, hotel and dining recommendations, a historical overview, and sightseeing details. ... Read more

Product Description
This succinct and lively guide covers all of Portugal's "must see" spots and shows the way off the beaten path to the country's majestic ruins, bustling markets and deserted beaches. Hundreds of accommodation options are included, as well as a useful Portuguese language section.Amazon.com Review
From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there,chances are LonelyPlanet has been therefirst. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides areguaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-pathfinds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks fornearly 30 years and asa result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's"been there" advice. Theoriginal backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range ofaccommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

You won't miss anything Portugal has to offer with this lively guide atyour side. You'll learn where and when to eat, where to stay--from cheappensões to renovated manor houses, important historical and cultural facts, enough Portuguese to get by, and practical tips ranging from proper attire for visiting a church to suggested itineraries. --KathrynTrue ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Good, solid guide with occasional florid prose and out of date information
I don't expect much from Lonely Planet. Usually, they seem to be written by some sandal wearing reprobate who thinks finding vegetarian food is important. They often skip over interesting historical fact, landmarks, culture and items of artistic merit -to say nothing of local custom and folkways, in order to have enough space to tell you about where the local discos are, and where you can buy more lonely planet books (think about why this is dumb for a minute). Personally, I only buy them because they have good maps in them, and halfway decent (if bizarre) hotel and restaurant recommendations. I also buy them because nobody else really makes serious travel books (I have high hopes for the "Avant Guide" franchise). I'd probably be better off collecting antique Baedekers.

This guide to Portugal was, on the other hand, quite good; well above their average offering. It's out of date in some significant ways. For example, one of the central train stations in Lisbon, Rossio, has been out of service for years; it's somewhat excusable that this is out of date information in the book, but the same thing is on their website, so I have to imagine the next edition will have the same problems. Also, when I went, there were all manner of bizarre ceremonies involving students in robes being tormented by other people; nary a mention in the book. None the less, there were many sights I had never heard of which were mentioned in the book. Many were described as "like out of star wars" by the voluble Miz Hole (or Beach), which pretty much meant: you should really see this. It wasn't a bad description, as Lucas obviously modeled some ofhis alien looking stuff after Manueline gothic style -just a bit matey for my tastes. There were also a number of excellent "small detail" recommendations for restaurants; a really cool fried chicken restaurant in Porto, run by a midget and a guy who looks like an undertaker -a remarkable hotel in Tomar run by the world's happiest man, Esteve. These sorts of little details made me forgive all the flaws I mentioned above. The details also made me love Portugal. Portugal isn't as dense in history and monuments as Italy, nor is the food as good as in France, but they have a very deep and wonderful culture there. This is quite a good book for getting a flavor for it, and seeing the sights which need seeing.

Lonely Planet Portugal
I enjoyed the book Lonely Planet Portugal. I will be taking it along on my upcoming trip and I am sure it will be a great help to have with me. Lot's of great information!

Overweight, stale, out of date
I have used the Lonely Planet guides in Asia, the Middle East, and in Europe. Lately, they seem to have lost their way. Originally, the LP guides were for people who had travelled at least a little bit before and needed some pointers to an area. The guides usually had some sort of walking tours in the cities they indicated. Their guides have become filled with useless colour photos of generic scenes, The quirky, fresh information has disappeared -- In the summer of 2004, I used the LP guides for both Portugal and Spain. I was traveling for about three months. I had been in both places before and had used a LP guide. The most recent guides are stale and minimally updated. They are also occassionally misleading; especially concerning food. Sadly, the LP guide to Portugal is not worth the weight that goes along with carrying it.

great tool, but you'll need a bit more...
i've used LP Portugal on many short trips to portugal (i live in madrid, so going to portugal occurs once in a while)... after purchasing several guidebooks, i have ended up taking LP every time and leave the other guidebooks on the shelf at home...despite this, some caveats are necessary!

the pros: the maps and city plans are substantially better than in the competitors' guidebooks.. lonely planet is one of the few economic travel guidebooks (economic travel, i mean, the book is not economical at all!) that gives you information on at least a few hotels that are not youth hostels, dives or other forms of bottom-barrel accommodation; in other words, they at least give you a few mid-range and expensive options if you wish to go that way... all the essentials are there, with great suggestions on places to sleep, eat and visit

the cons: as with ALL of the backpacker/youth travel guidebooks (LP, footprint, rough guide, let's go), the information on sights/monuments/museums, etc., is SEVERELY lacking... there is just the most basic of information on the history of the sights that you have gone so far to see... which makes it necessary to buy another book, pay an expensive guide or some such thing... (for instance, you will rarely read detailed descriptions of the artwork to be found in a church and are often left wandering about saying 'this is so beautiful, i wonder what it is???...i wish the guidebook would tell me more!') i know this would make the guidebooks huge, but even 50% more information on what you are gawking at would be wonderful so as to have a little bit more of a grip on the backgrouns after flying so far to see it!

which is why, despite its quality, i always feel the need to take another guidebook along, just in case...using my usual technique of tearing out just the pages i would need from each book

Not the greatest but still a good help.
Egypt and Portugal are the only two countries besides America I will ever want to travel in. While not the best guide I have ever read this one is still quite useful. If you ever go there see the Palacio Nacional da Pena in Sintra and the Palaco do Visconde de Estoi near Faro ... Read more

Product Description
This series brings together top travel writing and beautiful photographs. Each volume provides a snapshot of the country - in this case, Portugal - its landscape, its culture, its people, its architecture and heritage. ... Read more

Product Description
Portugal, History of Portugal, Politics of Portugal,Foreignrelations of Portugal, Portuguese Armed Forces, Crime inPortugal, Geography of Portugal, Protected areas ofPortugal, Administrative divisions of Portugal,Demographicsof Portugal, Immigration to Portugal, Portuguese people,Religion in Portugal, Languages of Portugal, Portugueselanguage, Mirandese language, Economy of Portugal,Economichistory of Portugal, Telecommunications in Portugal,Renewable energy in Portugal, Science and technology inPortugal, Education in Portugal, Higher education inPortugal, Transport in Portugal, Culture of Portugal,Portuguese literature, Music of Portugal, Architecture ofPortugal, Portuguese cuisine, Portuguese wine, Sport inPortugal, Outline of Portugal, Community of PortugueseLanguage Countries, Portuguese Rapid Reaction Brigade ... Read more