Travel : Europe

Starting just east of la Ciotat, the great sweep of Mediterranean coast, all the way to the Italian border, is referred to as the Côte d'Azur or the Riviera. It is a large area with dozens of beaches and, despite the coast's reputation for toney glamor alternating with brash vulgarity, it's a great location for watersports, boating, parascending, climbing, hiking and gliding. The Western Côte d'Azur is a deeply indented coast, characterized by many small towns, miles of sandy beaches, and three great mountainous headlands, called massifs. The Massif des Maures, Massif de l'Estérel and Massif de Tanneron foreshadow the march of the Alps to the sea farther east along the Riviera. They offer stunning long distance views and provide miles of good walking. For years, French vacationers kept the region their secret, staying in their holiday homes or with friends and family. As a result, the massifs remain largely undiscovered territory for foreign visitors, who usually race around and between them on motorways heading for the coast. If you stop to enjoy this region, you'll find it has its own personality and surprises. Among the attractions here are St. Tropez and St. Raphael. Like a lot of people, I got my first glimpse of the Riviera watching classic movies on television. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly trading barbs on a balcony overlooking a yacht-filled harbor, in To Catch a Thief; one of any number of James Bonds or Simon Templars stepping out of the Casino at Monte Carlo; Pink Panther movies, car chases on the Grande Corniche, David Niven in Casino Royale. They all created an indelible impression of a gorgeous, glamorous and expensive jetsetters' paradise. The term jetsetter is a little dusty these days, but substitute Eurotrash, and the idea is the same; celebrities, minor royals and fashionistas mingling with arms dealers, deposed dictators, media tycoons and shipping magnates while gossip columnists write about their lifesty more...

Price: $7.99

Frommer's Amsterdam (15th Edition) is the only guide you'll need to plan the perfect trip to this vibrant, attractive city. Amsterdam is far more complex than its dated reputation as a hippie haven suggests, and we give you the best of both worlds—from the Red Light District to the Van Gogh Museum, from "smoking coffeeshops" to an evening at the Concertgebouw. It's all gezellig to Amsterdammers. Frommer's Amsterdam gives you insider tips on the best museums, big and small; the best antique shops in the Spiegelgracht quarter; the best restaurants for French, modern Dutch, or the Indonesian feast rijsttafel walking tours and biking tours along the Golden Age Canal and the Amstel River; plus information for side trips to Rotterdam, The Hague, Gouda, and other cities. You'll also find candid reviews of a huge selection of accommodations in all price ranges, from romantic B&Bs to family-friendly hotels. Plus you'll get the latest trip-planning advice on everything from bargain airfares to customs requirements, money-saving tips, and a complete shopper's guide. You'll even get a free color fold-out map, a Dutch vocabulary list, and an online directory that makes trip-planning a snap!. more...

Price: $17.99

19 Self-guided Tours. 30 Maps. One Great Trip. At last, a travel guide that tells you how to see the best of everything-in the smartest, most time-efficient way. The best of Amsterdam in one, two, or three days. Thematic tours for every interest, schedule, and taste. Walking tours of the city's best-loved neighborhoods. Hundreds of evocative color photos. Bulleted maps that show you how to go from place to place. Hotels, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife for all budgets. more...

Price: $12.99

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.:. ;. Tips on where to see the magic of modernisme and where to find the best cava. ;. Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not. ;. Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget. ;. Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions. more...

Price: $16.99

A highly informative guide to a great trip in the Low Countries. Leads travelers to the best of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.; Delivers the scoop on top cultural attractions in Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam, Luxembourg City, and other urban centers.; Reveals the best local experiences, from the forests and resorts of Belgium's Ardennes and the wine trail of Luxembourg to the windmills, tulip fields, and carnival celebrations of Holland.; Thoroughly updated to reflect the latest changes in hotels, dining, and attractions. more...

Price: $21.99