To Myanmar with Love: A Travel Guide for the Connoisseur (To Asia with Love)

I was really looking forward to this book while doing research for my upcoming trip. I had read the Lonely Planet guide, plus a few non-fiction books on the history of the country, but wanted more than the dry facts in those.This book does share some cool experiences, but the thing that disappointed me were that most of them take place in the large cities, and most of them are quite esoteric in nature. Many are not something that a prospective traveler could repeat if they wanted to (some are, to be fair). Other than the main tourist areas (Yangon, Mandalay and a few near Bagan), the rest of the country is mostly ignored. It was very obvious that many of the authors just stayed at the very British Strand Hotel in Yangon and merely wandered around the neighborhood near the hotel (count how many galleries and shops are mentioned near the hotel).It does give some sense of atmosphere and of a few of the people living there...I was just hoping for more "meat" that I could then use in my planning.In my opinion, this is more of a library borrow book rather than a purchase and cherish (or use for planning).

It is really too bad that there are no guidebooks for Myanmar besides The Lonely Planet, Insight and this book, Myanmar with Love. Since I have the other two and didn't find them as helpful as I would have liked, I thought I'd take a chance on this one. I regret that decision. This is not a guide book but a collection of reminiscences from a group of people who are regular visitors to Myanmar.There are no practical information beyond the name and addresses of a few restaurants some of the writers enjoyed. There is no guide to Burmese cuisine, only some sketchy descriptions of random meals, leaving me just as lost now than before I read this book when it comes to ordering a meal in Myanmar. There is no information about how to get from one place to another, not much about the sights other than the writers' personal impressions or experiences that are not helpful in any practical way.If you like reading short, uninspiring reminiscences, you might enjoy this book. If you are hoping for practical information that will help you plan your trip, this book will not do the job.

I believe i am a fairly well traveled person, yet I don't for one moment believe I have ever read a travel guide which has inspired me to travel to a country more than this. The great advice that was given with such warmth for the people and their culture was never over estimated and such great experiences shared by the many contributors, made me feel I was there before I had hoped off the plane.This is a guide that no serious traveler should ever contemplate not having if you are lucky enough to be able to make the journey.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Myanmar. Because so many individual writers contributed their own stories and experiences while traveling in Myanmar, the book was much deeper than the typical destination guide. It truly gave you a feel for the people and the land in addition to practical tips -- such as wearing shoes that are easy to take off and on while visiting temples. I will be purchasing other books in this series because of how much I enjoyed this book.

I think this is the loveliest travel book I've ever purchased. It won't take the place of your Lonely Planet, but every single page has something that will fascinate and make you want to get to Burma that much faster. I've never looked forward to going anywhere more than I'm looking forward to going to Burma, and I think this book has something to do with my anticipation. Just get it. Enjoy it. Read it slowly.

I bought this book in tandem with Lonely Planet's Book on Myanmar. It is not a travel guide, but gives excellent ideas of things to do, places to eat, experiences to seek while in Burma. Well-written, it is a joy to peruse--and even reread, which I am doing before our trip there. I think it helps open the soul a bit to southeast Asia--to prepare to experience the delights of Burmese culture, food, history, and the lovely people.

Interesting stories and suggestions from individuals, but poorly organized content and slightly outdated considering the changes going on in Myanmar.

This book wont tell you where and what to do, but it does set the scene for you before you arrive, its an enjoyable book and should be complimented with a traditional guidebook.

This is quite simply the best travel guide I have ever read. It offers a series of first hand accounts of people's experiences of traveling in Myanmar. These accounts manage to get across the uniqueness of traveling in this beautiful country. You are probably still going to need a lonely planet to give you the city by city information that you will need. But this book gives a much deeper insight into a wide range of activities and experiences.It includes a comprehensive chapter on how to donate responsibly and lists a wide range of further reading. An excellent book.

This book is very interesting because it invites you to share travel experiences that are special and include precious tips. Some are very well written so you can feel the atmosphere. I don't understand why the book, who's function is to be a guide, is so very heavy due to the nice paper and some superflu stuff.I would have preferred a lighter book that I can take with me. What's the sense of getting all the adresses if I can't have the book with me ? Few poeple travel as comfortably as these writers...

Excellent book to read before going to Burma and also to take and read again while there. Full of helpful insights, interestingly organized; not just another guidebook. Great companion to a standard guidebook.