In honor of today’s Travel Section focus on Europe, we’re “cleaning house” of the encroaching stacks of titles on European destinations. We haven’t examined these thoroughly, as we do in regular installments of Resourceful Traveler. So take the following as neither rave nor rage, but as a sketch of what’s on the market.
LIVING THERE
“Living and Working in France: A Survival Handbook”
(Survival Books, $21.95)
Here are 456 type-heavy pages that promise to help you make the kind of trip you don’t have to come back from. Topics include finding a job, obtaining visa and residence permits, finding a place to live and setting up utilities, buying or importing a car and opening a bank account. The book also addresses health, insurance and education issues, as well as how to spend leisure time. “Living and Working” titles also available for Canada, Australia, Britain, London, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland. (513-471-4300)
“Live Well in Ireland”
(John Muir, $15.95)
This first-edition book, subtitled “How to Relocate, Retire and Increase Your Standard of Living,” offers 245 pages of text, maps and black-and-white photos. Chapters address the major and immediate relocation decisions such as employment, finances, health, housing, residency requirements, dual nationality and social welfare. But other chapters cover more long-term, human concerns such as history, contemporary and traditional culture, moving your pet and dressing to fit in. Short side stories take up topics as diverse as the American-Irish language barrier, how to buy a pub, and typical prices of common grocery items. (505-982-4078)
STAYING THERE
“Country Inns and Selected Hotels in Great Britain and Ireland”
(Pelican, $19.95)
More than 200 lodgings in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Channel Islands are detailed in the 61st edition of this 300-page directory. Listings are arranged regionally, behind a local events calendar and a short overview of the area’s history, towns and attractions. Each lodging is shown in at least one color photograph — more than 300 color photos throughout the book — with property description, address, phone, meal offerings and a locator map. Prices are quoted in British or Irish pounds, and there’s a sentence or two about bargains for each listing. (800-843-1724)
“Staying off the Beaten Track in England & Wales”
(Arrow/Trafalgar Square, $15.95)
This is the 19th edition of the bed-and-breakfast guide to more than 600 moderately priced inns, houses, farms and small hotels. Listings describe each property and include address, phone, rates, meals and written directions for finding the place. Line drawings show what the exterior looks like.
DINING
“The Non-Connoisseur’s Menu Guide”
(Random House, $10.95)
That’s not the whole title above; here’s the rest of it: “…to Ordering and Enjoying French, Italian and Spanish/Latin American Cuisine.” It appears to go beyond serving as a simple menu translator by introducing each culture through that country’s indigenous cuisine. In 192 pages, measuring 3 by 8 inches, specific drinks and dishes are defined course-by-course, from aperitifs, through appetizers, breads, salads, entrees and desserts, and finishing with wines, liqueurs and coffee. There’s also a brief glossary of cooking terms for each cuisine, and what amounts to a dictionary of familiar vegetables, meats and so forth — listed alphabetically in their not-so-familiar foreign names, each of which is followed by pronunciation cues.
IBERIA
“Rick Steves’ Spain & Portugal 2000”
(John Muir, $16.95)
This is the latest imprint of the title updated every year since its inception in 1996. After a 24-page introduction, the remainder of its 266 pages tackle the destinations, with a few hand-drawn maps included. Spain is approached through chapters on each of the large cities, the hill towns of Andalusia and the Costa Del Sol. Portugal is presented through chapters on Lisbon, the Algarve and the central region. A short chapter is devoted to the how-tos and why-tos of making a side trip to Morocco. A brief appendix covers general history, holidays, phone codes and the difference between American and European numbering customs.
“Time Out: Barcelona”
(Penguin, $14.95)
With their strong focus on contemporary music and entertainment, the Time Out guides are known for appealing to under-30 travelers. This third edition appears to be no exception. History, tradition, architecture, local culture and museums aren’t overlooked, they just occupy a smaller percent of the 312 pages here. Small photos are scattered throughout, and the typography’s black-bar headlines make it easy to thumb to a topic of interest. There are other Time Out guides for most major European cities.
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Contact Resourceful Traveler in care of Toni Stroud at tstroud@tribune.com.
