Review: Real travelers tell it like it is
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 13, 2012
I hope to go to Europe one day, so I was eager to read this authors first person perspective on his travels there, and I was not disappointed. This short book is full of chatty information and observations that should come in handy one day. Nothing is left out here: from the graffiti, trash, and overzealous street vendors to the sweeping beauty, sense of awe and utter delight at being in the midst of historical places. One thing that really stood out was the descriptions of Westminster Abbey and the Sistine Chapel.  These churches are still used as places of worship but are regularly overrun with tourists who are decidedly non-reverential. That would be a jarring experience and one I would not have anticipated, so I was glad the author touched on the fact that the noise level/inane chattering was unacceptable. I suppose I thought that I, too, could try and wing it through London, Paris and Rome in a week, but really, it just sounded completely exhausting and overwhelming trying to cover that much ground in such a short period of time. This was a funny, quick and fairly handy book that I read in one sitting. Enjoyed!