Mediterranean France. It stretches from the Alpes-Maritimes above Nice to the Pyrénées frontier with Spain, a territory basking in the sun, walled in by nine mountain chains. Encompassing the Cote D'Azure, Provence, Languedoc, and Roussillon, it's got some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, luxury resorts, swank casinos, sumptuous beaches, Carmague cowboys, pink flamingos, plus renowned vineyards and exceptional cuisine. It's a given; people don't need to be sold on Mediterranean France. They want a guide book that's geared toward their tastes and travel needs. Traveler's Mediterranean France Companion is strong in many areas. Most important, it knows the region and it presents a variety of travel options. There are a zillion sports to engage in (sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, snorkeling, scuba, fishing, tennis, horseback riding, biking, hiking, rock climbing, and so on), and Burke tells where to go for each. He also knows the pleasures of the open country road and provides itineraries for lovely drives through the hills and along the coast. There's advice on art museums, country markets, and festivals, regional cuisine, wineries, and even nudist colonies. But most guides present this sort of information, and Burke's guide does more. Burke conveys the feel of the place, from the luminous vegetables and fruit in the markets to the old stones of the buildings, the ceaseless song of the cicada in summer to the "lizarding" sun-seekers of Saint-Tropez, and there are Nik Wheeler's vivid photographs to enhance Burke's prose. The reference in back completes the picture, with tourist information sites, consulates and embassies, hotels, restaurants, transportation, and details on climate, communication, money, and electricity. The finished package is a remarkable guide, practical, lyrical, and beautiful, as good to dream on as it is to pack along for the trip. --Stephanie Gold - from Amzon