The guidebook is a tricky thing. Too often it fails to offer anything more than an account of the specific tastes of the author. However, if done correctly, the guidebook can open the targeted region to the reader in a way for which no amount of fortunate stumbling could manage. "Europe on a Shoestring" is this type of a book.
Lonely Planet published its first guidebook in 1973 and has since been churning out guides to just about everywhere on earth (check out Antarctica if skeptical). The publisher is known for its excellent and exhaustive guidebooks--a reputation that will certainly not be damaged by "Europe on a Shoestring."
"Europe on a Shoestring" is aimed at the independent traveler--the person who wants all of Europe at the minimum cost. This guidebook does an exceptional job. Whereas some books written for the thrifty traveler are clearly conceived with an older and less adventurous audience in mind, "Europe on a Shoestring" offers the traveler more than tips on quaint cultural events and tourist sites. Lonely Planet seeks to point the reader in the direction of the hippest clubs and best drinks to be had in any given location. As such, it renders itself nearly ideal for the student traveler (someone without much green who is looking for a touch of unrestrained adventure).
Full of concise hints on where to stay and eat, what to do and how to get there, "Europe on a Shoestring" offers an astoundingly low word-to-information ratio. It is able to do so because it sacrifices anything that could be considered less than essential. "Europe on a Shoestring" does, however, offer a brief history of each nation as well as cultural tips and a glossary of crucial terms in most of the region's languages.
This is not a guide for someone interested in a particular country or city. It instead aims to cover all of Europe (which it does with a bit of North Africa and the Middle East to boot). "Europe on a Shoestring" is for the traveler who is looking to see much of Europe, as opposed to only a handful of countries (if you fit into the latter category, pick up one of Lonely Planet's nation-specific guides).
As a guidebook, "Europe on a Shoestring" is unmatched. Whereas many guidebooks written by individuals are very obviously biased (certain locales are left out in favor of others that the author prefers), "Europe on a Shoestring" gives a fair treatment to everything it covers (that's 50 contributors for you).
"Europe on a Shoestring" is what it purports to be: a guide for the budgeted traveler of Europe. Although the book is certainly not complete, it does provide the reader with a host of information bound to make any European travel more complete and less expensive.
"Europe on a Shoestring" is published by Lonely Planet.
--Brian Gettler