Netherlands

As always, this Michelin Green Guide is an excellent first book for any tourist. Great city maps, lots of details on the history, culture, architecture, etc. of the country. No info on hotels or restaurants; that's the job of other guides. But for city/town info, there is no better guide!

Michelin's "Netherlands" guide is a compact and comprehensive companion when travelling in the Low Countries. It is pleasant to read and gives you the necessary historical, geographical and cultural background of the country as well as on its provinces and towns. It basically gives you the information, proposition for itineries etc. which you need and expect, without being too lengthy. Complemented with Michelin's 1:400.000 map, it is an excellent basis to plan a trip and then follow it through. The only point, which could be improved is the index, which does not reference all the sites marked as worth visiting on the overview maps on the first pages of the guide. Some sites (example Muiden castle) are not referenced in themselves but as excursions, which can be done in the environs of a town (such as Amsterdam).

I like the rating system used by the authors to evaluate theinterest of a prospective tourist site. It's helpful in trip planning. On the other hand, the detail given in describing individual cities or sites should be sufficient for the casual tourist. The book includes brief history lessons that increased my interest in the historical sites described. It's worth [the price].