The New York Times: 36 Hours Europe, 2nd Edition Flexibound – October 14, 2016 by Barbara Ireland ( Taschen)

I have used these short, pithy, fact filled reviews of various cities around the United States and on a much more limited basis around the world for many years with great pleasure. I often learn a great deal about a the various destinations, even when I have traveled there before.

This book is a marvelous overview of many different European cities. I find it great fun to read through the entries as sort of an armchair traveler.Sometimes I threaten to follow a suggested itinerary exactly just to see if you can cram everything in -- but so far I haven't.

Grand tour: Weekend wonders across Europe

This revised and updated edition of The New York Times 36 Hours Europe offers 130 expert itineraries to reveal the continent’s brightest gems and best-kept secrets. From Renaissance splendor in Florence to Flamenco in Seville, from luxurious Lake Como to easygoing Lisbon, you’ll find the antique and the cutting-edge, the renowned and the unexpected, and all distilled in neat 36-hour schedules, so you can transform your weekends into European adventures.

Through ancient wonders, world capitals, and tiny places with infectious personalities, Europe packs some serious travel punches. With more than 50 countries across its length and breadth, the world’s second-smallest continent makes up for size with its intricate cultures and abundant charms, boasting artistic masterpieces and architectural marvels as much as natural splendor.

Features:
More than 4,500 hours worth of insightful itineraries to make the most of your stay
Practical recommendations for over 500 restaurants and 400 hotels
Color-coded tabs and ribbons to bookmark your favorite cities in each region
Nearly 800 photos
Illustrations by Olimpia Zagnoli
Easy-to-reference indexes
Detailed city-by-city maps pinpoint every stop on your itinerary
Also available:
36 Hours: USA & Canada
36 Hours: Asia & Oceania
36 Hours: Latin America & the Caribbean
36 Hours: USA & Canada: East Coast
36 Hours: USA & Canada: West Coast
36 Hours: New York & Beyond
36 Hours: Los Angeles & Beyond