Bali: The Ultimate Guide: To the World's Most Spectacular Tropical Island (I

Informative with lots of photos, maps and cultural information.

Arrived on time. Book will be helpful for our upcoming trip to Bali

Map supposed to be included. no map - some pages glued together apart from that OK still I miss the map

Very good guide book and the maps detached so you can easily travel with them.

This is a good cut above the standard set by the usual travel guides. I use a lot of them, including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, and the DK Eyewitness guides. The Periplus surpasses them all, though I have to add that I have not yet read these others for Bali. I will read at least one of them soon and will not fail to complete this comparison. As for Periplus, though it was published in 2005, the value is in the commentaries on Balinese history and culture, which will not have changed much. Chapters devoted to each aspect of these topics comprise the first quarter of the book, then followed by chapters devoted to the different regions of the island. Chapters are short and easily digestible; writing is very good and clear. Discussion of points of interest are also very well done. All parts of the book contain beautiful photos which, as a photographer, I appreciate very much. The maps are also good and sufficiently detailed. Since my own lodging is already arranged I did not pay any attention to the recommendations on accommodation and restaurants in the back of the book, and a traveler would want to consult more up-to-date info on these topics. But as an introduction to Balinese history, culture, and points of interest, Periplus does a superb job.