Having worked for more than 6 years in a reputed travel agency which handles reasonably good number of inbound guests the book “Lonely Planet” was not unknown to me. As you may be aware, unlike most of us (Indians), Westerners plan their holidays well in advance. They plan their entire itinerary based on Lonely Planet. They refer this book many a times in their communication. So, I was always very curious to read this book in detail to improve my knowledge.
To start with I selected my current living City, Bangalore for the studies.
Hats off to Lonely Planet team for their detailed survey & writing. Not an easy job!
But still I feel there is loads crucial information which is missing.
I could list out few of those, in my first reading itself. Here I am referring 12th edition of Lonely Planet INDIA book
- Book shops – (Page no. 884)
- Though Lonely Planet mentions 3 major book shops in Bangalore, I felt Sapna Book Shop definitely deserves a place. Sapna has biggest collections of books in Bangalore.
- Medical services – (Page n. 884)
- Except Mallya I couldn’t figure out why they have listed other two places ( i.e, Dr. Anoo Chengappa & Chetak Pharma).
- If not for any other place, NIMHANS definitely deserves a place in the book.
- Interesting findings as you read more :
- Travel agencies (Page no. 885)–
- Only two agencies gain an entry – Stic and Arjun Tours
- There are many reputed tour planners / holiday makers / travel agents in the City, who deserve a place in the book. Like Cox & Kings, Kuoni, etc
- Just not over,
- I was really surprised after seeing Top end hotels list (page no. 889) How can they miss hotels like Hotel Leela Kempinski & ITC Windsor Manor!
- Beautiful Resorts on the outskirts of Bangalore were completely ignored.
- There are luxury resorts like Mr. Sanjay Khan’s Golden palms spa & Resorts, Angsana Oasis Spa & Resorts run by Prestige Group. Golfer’s paradise Eagleton & Beautiful Country Inn angina on Kanakpura Road etc – which are not to be missed by the Travellers
- That is it for the time being … more as I dive further into this “Lonely Planet”
- Cheers!
Tags: Bangalore, Lonely Planet
