Czech and Slovak Republics Guide

After being escorted through the wilds and wilderness of Utah by Ted Brewer's guide a few years back, I made a note to look for him again on my next trip. When some friends and I went to Prague in December of last year I was pleasantly surprised to find his guide to the Czech/Slovak Republics. This guide distinguishes itself from most other guides by not containing much in the way of pictures. I was a little concerned at first, but discovered that this was actually much better, in that I didn't have any preconceived notions about what the castles and countryside was supposed to look like.Brewer brought a unique wit and insight into his Utah book, and its present here in this guide. Many books just present information, but Brewer gives out advice and personal recommendations which I generally found excellent. Prague can be a little overwhelming and his guideposts and instructions were a welcome lifeline.All my other friends brought different copies of various travel books, and I thought this one was clearly the best.

Eastern Europe, once off limits to the West, has become a tourist mecca in the last decade. It has also become the focus of many travel guides, from the factual/impersonal Blue Guides and Michelin series, to the commercial/commonplace Fodor's/Frommers guides, to the Lonely Planet/Rough Guide user-friendly types. The Czech & Slovak Republics Guide by Ted Brewer falls in the latter category. Mr. Brewer is not afraid to state personal favorites in all categories-a method of guide-writing which I, personally, have found to be extremely useful in my travels. This guide, as all Czech/Slovak guides are, is very Prague-heavy. However, Mr. Brewer did devote over 100 informative pages to Slovakia-considerably more than many other guides of this area.The "Practical Information" sections for each town/city addressed are also extensive. And the "Finds & Favorites" box at the beginning of each new chapter bring focus to many items which the casual traveler might miss otherwise. This guide is definitely money well spent.