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CARIBBEAN MAPS & GUIDES
Caribbean Guides
Virgins Islands | Antilles, Leeward & Windward Islands | The Other Islands

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CARIBBEAN GUIDES

     
  CARIBBEAN GUIDE BOOKS  
 
 
 

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Fodor's
Caribbean 2004

Author: Fodor's
Published: 2003

Fodor's Gold Guides:

  • New two-color interiors make it easier to find the information you need.
  • Fodor's Choice ratings tell what not to miss.
  • Hotel and restaurant reviews cover all budgets.
  • New ¢ sign category flags the best budget options.
  • Multi-day itineraries help readers build the right trip for them.
  • Smart Travel Tips, a complete chapter packed with contacts and great advice.
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 

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Best Places
to Stay in
the Caribbean, Sixth Edition

Authors: Bill Jamison, Cheryl Alters Jamison
Published: 6th edition, 2000

Customer Review: Just the right book - I got this book when planning a 20th anniversary trip to the Caribbean with my husband. I hadn't been to the Caribbean before and was overwhelmed by the choices. The book helped me narrow down my choice to two wonderful hotels on Grenada, an island I had never thought of visiting. The book's descriptions are vivid and accurate. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title - Reviewer: syates13 from New York, USA, March 21, 2003

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 

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100 Best
Resorts of
the Caribbean, 5th

Author: Kay Showker
Published: 5th edition 2002

Book Description: This full-color guide to top 100 Caribbean resorts. Features the best resorts--not necessarily the hightest priced. Information on ambience, accommodations, amenities, dining, sports, and more is included.

Customer Review: A great guide - We bought this book to help us plan our Caribbean vacation. The reviews were very informative and gave enough detail on the different resorts to help us make an informed decision. ... The author provides phone numbers and web addresses to enable you to get more information on a particular place. The end result? We found a terrific resort that lived up to all our expectations. A beachfront cottage on a quiet stretch of Caribbean beach which we plan to visit every year. I would not hesitate to use this book again to find another Caribbean resort, but we've already found our slice of heaven. Reviewer: A reader from chicago, il, May 8, 2000

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 

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Caribbean
For Dummies
2nd Edition

by Darwin Porter, Danforth Prince, Kevin Garrett, Echo Montgomery Garrett
Published: 2nd edition 2002

Book Description: This complete guide helps you decide which island to visit based on what you want to do, when you want to go, and how much you have to spend.

Focusing on the islands that are best for first-time visitors--and that offer the biggest bang for the buck--Caribbean For Dummies offers the best of the best and includes:
Reviews of travel basics--from finding the very best deals to overcoming language barriers
Analysis of the benefits of package deals--the easiest, cheapest way to get to the islands
Coverage of Aruba, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Martin/St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
The lowdown on hotels, dining, and nightlife
More than a dozen inside maps

Customer Review: Excellent and Current! - This book is great. It has so much information about the caribbean. These Garrett folks are hilarious. They seem to put their heart into this book and I appreciate it. There is a lot of info for couples looking for romantic spots and for families with kids. This rocks! --Reviewer: Robin O'Brien (see more about me) from Atlanta, GA United States, May 1, 2001

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 

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Caribbean
with Kids,

by Paris Permenter, John Bigley
Published: Third Edition 2002

You're taking a vacation, and you're taking the kids--and the latter needn't cancel out the former. The Caribbean has long been a vacation favorite, but there's much more to keeping the kids happy than just packing the ubiquitous bathing suit, shovel, and pail. Caribbean With Kids knows which resorts and seaside inns welcome children, have programs planned for them, and provide them with the chance to play with kids their own age, while you and the spouse explore more adult pleasures.

The guide also opens the door to activities the whole family can enjoy together, such as hand-feeding hummingbirds in Jamaica, snorkeling with stingrays in Grand Cayman, swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas, and exploring caves in Puerto Rico.

This is, however, not just an entertainment primer; it's a full-fledged guide book. Along with all the child-related activities there are the necessary details on passports and travel agents, when to go and what to pack, transportation around and between the islands, recommended children's books, and island food. There's also a chapter on each island, featuring arrival and departure information, lodgings, shopping, what there is do to, and practical stuff like currency, electricity, Web sites, and tourist boards.

Paris Permenter and John Bigley know kids, know parents, and know the Caribbean. They make it as clear as the Caribbean Sea that a family holiday doesn't have to be an oxymoron. ( Amazon.com - Stephanie Gold)

Customer Review: Great Book for Planning a Trip to the Carribean - This book really provides a great deal of useful information and has helped us plan our upcomming vaction. My kids have read the relevant sections and are real excited about the trip. - Reviewer: A reader from Fairfax, VA USA, March 25, 1999

 
     
     
 

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Caribbean
Vacations 2 Ed:
How to Create
Your Own Tropical Adventure

by Karl Luntta
Published: 2nd edition 2001

Book Description: In a region so exotic and diverse, many travelers feel overwhelmed and unqualified to plan their own Caribbean visits. Karl Luntta helps readers find the islands that best suit their interests by pointing out the top locales for diving, sportfishing, hiking, golfing, shopping, festivals, and relaxing. Whether readers want to hike to the mist-shrouded summit of Saba's Mt. Scenery, sun themselves on a pink-sand Barbuda beach, discover the perfect patisserie on Martinique, or "jump up" at Trinidad's famous frenetic Carnival, Caribbean Vacations provides in-depth information on all aspects of the islands. Easy-to-use and full of tips, this book puts readers in control of the perfect getaway.

 
 
     
     
 

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Caribbean
Hiking: A
Walking and
Hiking Guide to Twenty-Nine of the Caribbean's Best Islands

by M. Timothy O'Keefe
Published: 2001

Book Description: Want to explore boiling lakes, cool off beneath pristine waterfalls, and indulge in real Caribbean cuisine? Then get out of the water, swap your swimsuit for hiking shorts, your flip-flops for walking shoes, and get into the island. As your hiking guide, M. Timothy O'Keefe takes you beyond the clamor and commercialism into the heart and soul of the largely ignored hinterlands of 30 spectacular islands.

Island by island, from the Caymans to Trinidad, make your Caribbean Hiking experience pleasurable with: maps and detailed descriptions of how to locate and enjoy each hike; the region's plants and trees identified as well as their dangers and uses; advice to stay healthy on the islands; a wide variety of hikes, from city walks to mountain ascents; concise, colorful histories of each island. No matter which island you visit, Caribbean Hiking makes it easy for you to enjoy the laid-back tropical atmosphere while you hike the many exotic jungles, mountains, and beautiful beaches that beckon the curious and adventurous traveler. (6 x 9, 416 pages, b&w photos, maps)

 
 
     
     
 

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The Caribbean:
A Walking and
Hiking Guide

by Leonard M. Adkins
Published: 3rd Edition 1998

Customer Review: Took me to places I would never have known about - After having bought Adkins' "Appalachian Trail: A Visitor's Companion," I thought I would give his guide to walking the Caribbean a try. Thoroughly researched, the book directed me to some of the best walks and hikes I've ever had. Using it, my vacation became an exploration of isolated and uncrowded beaches, desert landscapes, wet rain forests and steaming volcanoes. As examples: on Dominica, I caught a glimpse of the endangered Sisserou parrot, on Saba I followed century-old step trails and in the British Virgin Islands walked completely around an island without seeing another person. If you are unsure of venturing out on your own, local guide companies are identified. For those who want less of an adventure or who only have a few hours (such as cruise ship passengers), Adkins has included walking tours of the historic port towns and botanical gardens. He even directs you to beaches where you and everyone else is permitted to enjoy the sun sans clothing. As far as I know, this is the only book dedicated exclusively to walking and hiking the islands.- Reviewer: Jim from West Virginia, US, May 4, 2001

 
 
     
     
 

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Caribbean:
Adventures
in Nature

by Michael Defreitas

Book Description: This guide is for people who want to get away from tourist-filled resorts and restaurants and get close to the things that make the Caribbean so special -- unspoiled beaches, teeming coral reefs, abundant tropical wildlife, and friendly people. Covering all the major islands and island groups plus Puerto Rico and Cuba, Caribbean: Adventures in Nature zeroes in on each locale's natural history and culture and presents scores of excursions and activities -- from kayaking and bird-watching to caving and archaeological tours -- not found in other guides.

 
 
     
     
 

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A Traveler's
Guide to
Caribbean History

by Don Dachner, Dene Dachner
Published: 1997

From the Author: One of the Caribbean adventures you will experience when you leave your cruise ship or island resort will be to venture alone or with a guide for an island historical tour. You will discover a lost but not forgotten past. This book will enrich this Caribbean experience by helping you to appreciate and understand what lies behind the curtain of time. It will help you to "Step Into The Past".

Book Description: This book is written in two parts. Part 1 covers the history of the region in general. You can get an overview of Caribbean history in just 68 pages. Part 2 covers the history of 19 of the islands that were major players during the region's historical development.

 
 
 

 

 
 
VIRGIN ISLANDS GUIDES
 

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Frommer's
Portable
Virgin Islands

Authors: Darwin Porter , Danforth Prince
Published: 2003

Book Description: Frommer's Portable Guides offer all the detailed information and insider advice of a Frommer's Complete Guide--but in a concise, pocket-sized format.

Perfect for the short-term traveler who insists on value and doesn't want to wade through or carry a full-size guidebook, this series selects the very best choices in all price categories and takes you straight to the top sights. Get the latest on hotels, restaurants, sightseeing, sports, shopping, and nightlife in a nutshell in these lightweight, inexpensive guides.

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 

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Explore the Virgin Islands, Harry S. Pariser,
Explore the Virgin Islands, Harry S. Pariser,

Explore the
Virgin Islands
Fifth Edition

Author: Harry S. Pariser
Published: 2002

Take the advise of those readers who know & love the islands, and who are residents - buy this book before you come --and -- even if you live here and think you know it all -- buy the book and discover familiar places in a new light, and new places you were unaware of.
Harry Pariser knows these islands, likes the people and has hiked the trails. Let him tell you about island food, island lingo and island etiquette while you explore, shop, wine and dine using this neat book as your guide.
From the Author
This is not like any other guide to the Virgin Islands because it gives you a great deal of background information on history and culture as well as the information you need to plan your trip. There are many photos, charts, web sites, and e-mails. Maps include dive sites as well as attractions and beaches. Online updates are also available, as is a message board.

 
 
 
 

 

 
 

BVI GUIDE BOOKS

 

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Fodor's US &
British Virgin Islands:
The Guide for All Budgets,
Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore On and Off the Beaten Path

Author: Fodor's (Author)
Published: 16th edition 2002

Inside Flap Copy: No matter what your budget or whether it's your first trip or fifteenth, Fodor's Gold Guides get you where you want to go. In this completely up-to-date guide our experts who live in the Virgin Islands give you the inside track, showing you all the things to see and do -- from must-see sights to off-the-beaten-path adventures, from shopping to outdoor fun. Fodor's US & British Virgin Islands shows you hundreds of hotel and restaurant choices in all price ranges -- from budget-friendly B&Bs to luxury hotels, from casual eateries to the hottest new restaurants, complete with thorough reviews showing what makes each place special. The Smart Travel Tips A to Z section helps you take care of the nitty gritty with essential local contacts and great advice -- from how to take your mountain bike with you to what to do in an emergency. Plus, web links and mix-and-match itineraries make planning a snap

 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 

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Photographs of the British Virgin Islands by Mauricio Handler and Amy Ullrich

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The British
Virgin Islands:
A Photographic Portrait

Photos by BVI resident Mauricio Handler
Text by Sail magazine editor Amy Ullrich
Published: 2000

Cruising Sir Francis Drake Channel from Tortola to Virgin Gorda, exploring the islands, enjoying the beaches and snorkeling over the beautiful coral reefs are all visual memories that are caught by the talented photographer Mauricio Handler. Text is written by Amy Ullrich, managing editor of SAIL Magazine and author of numerous articles on sailing in the Caribbean.

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 

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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, Third Edition

Author: Pamela Acheson
Published: 2003

Book Description
Brimming with insider hints and local information, this third edition guide has been updated and expanded to cover all of the British Virgin Islands in detail. Shared are tips such as where to find the most spectacular scenic drives, deserted beaches, hidden snorkeling spots, and the best locales for live, local music. Also covered are the best restaurants, resorts, inns, and private villas of the islands, as well as activities from sailing and horseback riding to nature walks and day trips to other islands.

Customer Review: A must-have for a trip to the BVI - We took this book with us on our recent trip to Virgin Gorda in the BVI, and we were amazed at how accurate the information was. We went to many places on Virgin Gorda recommended in Acheson's book and were thrilled that her reviews were so on-target. Would highly recommend this book to anyone planning a trip to the British Virgin Islands, and especially to Virgin Gorda. - Reviewer: A reader from Gainesville, FL United States, March 31, 2003

 
 
 

 

 
 
US VIRGIN ISLANDS GUIDE BOOKS
 
 

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St John On Foot and By Car, US Virgin Islands Guide, Koladis
St John On Foot and By Car, US Virgin Islands Guide, Koladis

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St. John
On Foot
and By Car

Authors: Rebecca S. Koladis, Randall S. Koladis
Published: 2001

St. John On Foot And By Car is an informative and entertaining guidebook featuring 4 self-guided walking and motor tours of the history, culture and natural beauty of St. John, US Virgin Islands. There is information on hiking trails and popular swimming and snorkeling beaches. Handy field guides help visitors learn firsthand about the exotic fauna and flora of this tropical paradise. Included are guides to local plants and trees as well as to the exciting array of tropical fish and other marine inhabitants of the crystal-clear waters surrounding St. John - excerpt: Amazon Book Description
full color photos by St. John photographer Dean Hulse and illustrations by Natasha Singer

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 

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St John Off the Beaten Track: Guide to St. John US Virgin Islands
St John Off the Beaten Track: Guide to St. John US Virgin Islands

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St. John
Off the Beaten Track:
A Unique and Unusual Guide to St. John, U.S.V.I
Author: Gerald Singer, Natasha Singer
Photographer: Dean Hulse
Published: 1997
.

This unique, captivating guide takes you where no other guide book can - to the little known, hard to reach, out of the way and easy to miss parts of this special island in the US Virgins. Other guidebooks can tell you where to stay, eat, shop, or rent a car. But Off the Beaten Track takes you off the road and on to the islands many hiking trails, telling insider stories as you go. Then it takes you off the trails, scrambling up rocks, walking the shoreline, and wandering up and down lush green guts. It will also lead you to the best snorkeling, the lesser-known beaches old plantation ruins and much more. - excerpt: Amazon Book Description
Full color photos by St. John photographer Dean Hulse and illustrations by