General Books - Page 2

Fodor's Caribbean 2009 (Fodor's Gold Guides)

Fodor's

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in the Caribbean!

•Updated annually, Fodor’s Caribbean provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

•Fodor’s Caribbean features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in the Caribbean.

•Experience the Caribbean like a local! Fodor’s Caribbean includes choices for every traveler, from scuba diving, horseback riding, and sailing to just lounging on the beach, and much more!

•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.

The Best of the British Virgin Islands: An Indispensable Guide for Anyone Visiting Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, Cooper, Guana, and All Other BVI Destinations

Pamela Acheson, Richard B. Myers

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Two Thousand Three Associates Amazon Marketplace: 26 new & used starting at $9.07

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Invaluable! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a super guide for anyone visiting the BVI, either on a sailboat or not. It is about as accurate as it can be, considering signs fade and fall down. We have been there 6 times and always used the previous edition, and this new one is even better. If you are going there--buy this book.

great for traveling to BVI 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Great book for traveling to the BVI - if you are sailing i would recommend a BVI sailing book instead!

Great Book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

A Fabulous book, obviously written by someone who knows and loves the islands. Thank you for helping make the most of our vacation.

Editorial Review:

Brimming with insider hints and local information, this new edition of a trusted travel guide tracks all the newest hotels, resorts, and villas on each of the inhabited British Virgin Islands, along with the best restaurants, coffee houses, and beachside bars. The most spectacular scenic drives, deserted beaches, hidden snorkeling spots, and historic ruins—and the best locales for live, local music—are also revealed, and detailed information is provided for activities from horseback riding and nature walks to boat charters and boutique shopping.

Puerto Rico (Regional Guide)

Brendan Sainsbury

Amazon Price: $12.91 List Price: $18.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $11.41

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not too bad 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is not LP's best outing, but not the worst. Compared to its competitors, it was better if you are interested in visiting the eastern part of the main island (fajardo, etc.). The culebra and san juan parts are also excellent. Could use a little more of everything, though - feels thin at times.

Good guide 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

It covers all the basics, I just went to Puerto Rico and I found it useful and accurate.

Puerto Rico by Lonely Planet 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The book came in in wonderful condition - found some great ideas and resources in planning our trip to Puerto Rico!!

Lonely Planet is always great and this one is no exception. 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We used to buy several different travel books before going on a trip but quickly learned that the Lonely Planet gave us the best and most consistent advice. We had no problems on our recent trip to Puerto Rico.

Editorial Review:

Featuring expanded coverage on music and outdoor activities, this reference is packed with essential information for visitors to Puerto Rico. It includes a GreenDex directory listing of sustainable vendors.

Fodor's In Focus Aruba, 1st Edition (Pocket Guides)

Fodor's

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Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. While you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Aruba!

•Fodor’s In Focus Aruba features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Aruba.

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.

Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands, 13th ed

Nancy Scott; Simon Scott

Amazon Price: $29.95 List Price: $29.95 In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served. By: Cruising Guide Publications Amazon Marketplace: 1 new & used starting at $29.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not very in depth guide 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This guide only gives basic information about cruising the Virgin Islands. It's not much better than the free guides that are given out and supported entirely by ads. It only gives information on islands where a commercial interest has supported the write up. It only gives a mention of islands or anchorages where some one is collecting a fee, so if there is a secluded spot that is free you won't read about it here. It doesn't provide any critique on establishments so you won't know if you are walking into the best restaurant on the island or a complete dump. I don't know if there are better guides for the Virgin Islands but it is a poor example of a cruising guide.

Editorial Review:

Completely revised and updated with full color sketch charts, these guides have been indispensable companions for sailors and visitors to these islands since 1982. Includes a free 17" x 27" color planning chart covering the Virgin Islands from St. Thomas to Anegada. Anchoring and mooring information and fees. Customs, immigration and National Parks regulations. Particulars on marina facilities and the amenities they offer. Water sports - where to go and where to rent equipment. Shore-side facilities, restaurants, beach bars, shops, provisions, Internet connections. Alphabetical - by island - Directory of goods and services. Everything you will need to help make your vacation an enjoyable and memorable experience in a concise easy-to-use format.

Frommer's Portable Turks & Caicos

Alexis Lipsitz Flippin

Amazon Price: $10.39 List Price: $12.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Frommers Amazon Marketplace: 43 new & used starting at $6.78

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

The only mainstream pocket-sized choice 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

If you look around, you'll discover that there aren't a lot of choices when it comes to travel books on Turks & Caicos. That reflects TCI's lingering status as "Turks and Who?"
Go into a bookstore, and you're more likely to find a book covering the entire Caribbean -- with perhaps 20 pages devoted to TCI. That means spending 20-plus bucks and toting around a lot of extra weight.
Lonely Planet offers a TCI diving book, which has more background information than you might expect, but it doesn't have a tremendous amount of the bed-and-butter stuff on hotels, restaurants, etc.
Amazon has some titles from little-known publishers. These may be perfectly good books. However, if you're like me, you're not inclined to spend money on what might be a crapshoot.
Frommer's Portable Turks & Caicos is a good, safe choice. It appears to have slightly more information than is located in Frommer's Caribbean book, and it's far easier to carry around (very nice when you're walking the beach).
This late 2006 edition is still mostly up to date, with one major exception: The Gecko shuttle service went out of business in February 2008, which means you're left only with rental cars or taxis. The book ought to point out that you really don't need a weekly rental on TCI -- a day or two at most works fine. This is one case where free pickup by tour operators makes a lot of sense.
Most of the hotels, restaurants and attractions touted by the book still exist, but there are some omissions. It doesn't list Grace Bay Rentals, the only truly affordable car choice on the island ($40 for a Corolla). It also could use some refreshing to account for the changing Grace Bay Beach oceanfront, which is getting filled up with timeshares and condos. Other quibbles: The book talks about the lack of rain, but doesn't adequately discuss the impact of wind. We stayed five days, and about half the time, the stiff breezes made water activities quite problematic. It's the equivalent of SoCal winter rain -- stay only a few days, and you may have lousy conditions the whole time.
The book is also bit lavish in its praise of TCI snorkeling. Cozumel/Yucatan ('04), Moorea/Bora Bora ('95) and Oahu's Haunama Bay ('86) were all superior. I also wish they'd been a bit more forthright about the relative lack of attractions on the SE side of the island. We went searching a small "kiddie" bay touted in the book, and it was a long wasted trip.
Also, a more detailed map might have been nice, but since we're dealing with a pocket edition, I can understand why that didn't happen. They might also want to point out that walking Grace Bay Road is a lot faster than walking the beach (though not remotely as beautiful)
Meanwhile, their restaurant recommendations were fairly spot-on (Hemingway's, for example, was a good choice).
Overall, if you're only going to TCI, then the only reason NOT to buy this book would be to wait for the update. Otherwise, it's only $10 or so. Compared to the total cost of the trip, that's peanuts.

Editorial Review:

Covering the highlights of a destination, these affordable pocket-sized guides include all the attention to detail found in a full-size Frommer’s Guide in a pint-size package.

• Outspoken opinions on which attractions are worthwhile—and which aren’t
• Exact prices to help travelers plan the perfect trip, no matter what their budget
• The best hotels and restaurants in every price range, with candid reviews

Virgin Anchorages

Simon Scott

List Price: $24.95 By: Cruising Guide Pubns Amazon Marketplace: 8 new & used starting at $23.52

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Helped us Charter the BVI's 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

We have chartered a boat the last two years in the British Virign Islands,this book was a great help when it came to visualizing the islands and where to find mooring balls. Others we have traveled with have also purchased the book.

Awesome guide 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

We just got back from our sailing trip to the Virgin Islands, and this book was a huge asset. I can read charts all day long, but it's just not the same as seeing the actual photo of the bay. I strongly recommend this to anyone planning a trip to the Virgin Islands.

Nice guide but needs an update 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Nice guide but the photographs definitely need an update. The colors and resolution are poor. Being almost 2008, with the cameras, technology, and prints availalble someone should seriously consider updating the quality of the guide.

Editorial Review:

This much requested book is an excellent companion to the Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands. Featuring stunning, color, aerial photography, it captures 46 of the most popular anchorages in the Virgin islands. Graphic illustration overlays aid in navigation to show you where the reefs and rocks are and where you will find safe passage.

Fodor's In Focus St. Maarten, St. Barths & Anguilla, 1st Edition

Fodor's

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in St. Maarten, St. Barts & Anguilla!

•Fodor’s In Focus St. Maarten, St. Barts & Anguilla features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in St. Maarten, St. Barts & Anguilla.

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.

Insight Guide Puerto Rico (Insight Guides Puerto Rico)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Coffee Table Travel Guide 3 out of 5 stars.
21 of 21 people found this review helpful.

We bought the Insight Guide and were pleased by the wonderful photos and the descriptive sections that cover culture, food, activities, and regions. However, if you are looking for hard details essential to making travel plans before and during a trip, this book is totally useless. Even if other books fail to capture the flavor of Puerto Rico, they can be relied upon to locate hotels, restaurants, museums and hours etc. This is a decorative book, worth reading, but not a travel guide in the usual sense of the word. All these impressions are fresh, since we arrived home just last night. As Northern Californians who look to Hawaii and Mexico for tropical vacations, we found PR, especially the time we spent on Vieques, to be at least the equal of our usual locales, and the time on Vieques to be unmatched in terms of mile-long beaches that you have to yourself.

Editorial Review:

Insight Guide Puerto Rico includes a section detailing Puerto Rico's history, 8 features covering the island's life and culture, ranging from its exuberant festivals to its carved religious figures, a region by region visitor's guide to the sights, and a comprehensive Travel Tips section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus 15 maps and many amazing photographs.

Caribbean Passagemaking: A Cruiser's Guide

Les Weatheritt

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

finding paradise at last 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Just the book for me. The review in Caribbean Cruising caught my eye. If they say its good, it is. I've sailed the Caribbean three seasons now and just done all the wet and nasty stuff beating north. Since getting a copy of this book in Trinidad I've got to Bequia in easy style. Oh boy, it makes the Caribbean feel like Paradise.

Editorial Review:

The chain of islands from the Virgins through to the southern Caribbean is considered one of the most desirable tropical cruising grounds for any sailor. It can be sailed in comfort and confidence with only one language, one currency, a modicum of weather forecasting, and an ability to spot weather windows.

This book is an entertaining mine of information for the sun-soaked passage planner as well as the dreamer back home. Here is the full, vital background to help skipper and crew enjoy sailing the region.

Topics include: how to achieve easier passagemaking and sail in comfort; which are the safe and easy harbors; how to spot the weather windows; prevailing winds and currents; ideal equipment for Caribbean waters; and a wealth of practical, down-to-earth hints and tips.