Cork: The Bradt City Guide (Bradt Mini Guide)

• Paperback - 01 February, 2005 - Bradt Travel Guides
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• By: Linda Fallon
• ISBN: 1841621056

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Reviews by readers

Basic Guide Written for the Tea and Cookies Crowd

I bought this guide in advance of my June 2005 visit to Cork and the surrounding area. Although I have traveled throughout Europe, this was my first visit to Ireland. Cork, as a 2005 European City of Culture, was a disappointment. Even locals admitted to me that not much really was happening in Cork this year. Although "the city," as many locals referred to Cork, can be busy and hosts a fair number of bars, there aren't many attractions in town.

This guidebook provides a general outline of city locales, and a substantial review of the restaurant scene. If you enjoy tea and cookies, as well as visits to the "English Market" and Butter Museum, then you would probably give this guide a higher rating. However, there seem to be few alternatives of recent vintage. As with any guidebook, be prepared for significant changes in listed and actual prices. I contacted several of the listed lodgings as well as many additional ones I located on the internet, and discovered the rates were significantly higher than those listed in the guidebook. I ended up finding a place in Rushbrooke, a 20-minute train ride from Cork, which was both affordable and comfortable. Cobh is a good lodging option and is frequently served by rail (except on Sundays, when the first train is after noon.)

Of course, you may have a different experience and value the insights in this guidebook. However, I was generally disappointed by the guidebook and by Cork. Hopefully, both will see improvements for future travelers.

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