Lonely Planet: The Peloponnese
David Willett
1st edition, March 2003
ISBN 1–74059–014–7
US$ 13.99
£13.99
I trust LP blindly and bought this guidebook without studying it closely. This was a mistake because it is not the first edition at all. It is a reprint with some minor additions of the Peloponnese section in Lonely Planet, Greece, 5th edition February 2002, first published February 1994. ISBN 1-86450-334-3.
The book reviews all eight provinces of the Peloponnese, Athens, and the islands of Kythira, Poros, Hydra and Spetses. There are maps of twelve cities, the eight provinces, five ancient sites and a general map of the Peloponnese on which highlights are indicated.
Information on Athens was just sufficient not to lose my way. Only seven addresses of hotels are given but what I missed most was a map of the newly-extended metro system. Ironically enough this map is included in the Lonely Planet: Greece edition.
All chapters open with a short description of the provinces followed by more detailed information about the main cities and sights. Ample attention is paid to places of antiquity but I was disappointed by the number of cities described, e.g. in the province of Elia on the west coast no mention is made of the beautiful sandy beaches and the many small seaside resorts all with hotels and numerous ‘domatia’, bed and breakfast accommodation without the breakfast. One of the main reason for me to buy a Lonely Planet guide is coverage of many lesser known places and the many entries and descriptions in the accommodation section. None of this did I find in this book. The average number of accommodation mentioned per city or town is eight, which is a bit meager to say the least. I didn’t find it very helpful to read that "there are several signs of ‘domatia’ (rooms) in the middle of the town". I can see this without a guidebook, I like to read what they are like so that I can make an informed decision.
Online practical contact information is sparsely given in the text. It is not mentioned in the index or in a separate list and therefore difficult to find back again.
Strong points of the book are clear: well-written information about ancient sites and history, the ‘boxed texts’, which give inside information about things typically Greek like Kalamata olives, the Diakofton – Kalavryta railway and much more. What I particularly like is that the names of the provinces and the most important cities are given in Greek letters.
My advice: Don’t buy this edition of the Peloponnese. A better buy is Lonely Planet: Greece which includes this Peloponnese section anyway.