Frommer's Caribbean, My "Bible" To Warm Seas and...
Written: Apr 13 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy reference to the full chain of islands.
Cons: Should still purchase particular island book when a final travel destination is made.
The Bottom Line: The many beautiful Islands of the Caribbean are given an excellent overview.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: |
...Incredibly Beautiful Islands.
Though I have not touched on having been to all the islands and countries that the Caribbean offers, I can tell you I have read much about them.
My wife and I started traveling in earnest about six or seven years ago. We both still work but try to get in at least three or four trips a year whether just for a few days or a couple of weeks. One or two are warm weather destinations. We go on our own and we have gone with our children. Frommer's Caribbean has been a huge help in making travel decisions.
First; What it Doesn't Include
For those who may think of picking up the Frommer's 2005 Caribbean book for information about The Bahamas, Cuba,(for those who are not US citizens), and Turks/Caicos, don't look for information in this book. Frommer's does not consider them Caribbean Islands. None of them are in or have a shore line that is on the Caribbean Sea. The ones I mentioned are all in the Atlantic and/or the Gulf of Mexico.
All the islands in the book are part of the Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles Islands. These form the northern and eastern boundaries of the Caribbean Sea. Frommer's does issue books about the islands not included in this book. Turks and Caicos Islands are worth a look. Get there before they become as popular as South Beach, Florida. Though I've been to the Bahamas once I was never drawn back.
What is Included
Starting at the far west are The Cayman Islands and the Antilles' chain continues east and then arches south like a fish-hook ending with Trinidad.
The full list of countries, discussed in this guide, in alphabetical order follows.
Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, The British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Nevis, Puerto Rico, Saba, St Barthelemy, St Eustatius, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten/St.Martin, St. Vincent & the Granadines, Trinadad & Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands.
Opening Information
The guide opens with the first chapter giving their list of Best Beaches, Best Snorkeling, Best Dive Sites, Best Sailing, Best Golf Courses and nine other best categories including Best Shopping and Best Gambling.
This is a fun way to get a feel of the islands. Having been to three of the top listed beaches gives me time to bring up memories and also compare what they have said to my own personal experience. I like reading of places I have never been to for reference to possible future travel.
Each section lists five to ten "Bests". I am not much of a golfer but it was good to see that the "Teeth of the Dog" that is at Casa deCampo, DR, where I've been, and the El Conquistador Resort where I'm going to be staying later this month are on the list. Both places are also listed as the Best for tennis facilities.
Each "Best" gives about five sentences of information. That's plenty enough to wet the appetite. Phone numbers, addresses and the pages in the book that will give more detailed information are part of the paragraph of information.
The Second Chapter
This chapter gives overall information about each of the Caribbean Islands in a nutshell. Each island is mentioned and is given five or six sentence telling of some history, terrain, what it is noted for and who it attracts. Many chapters also include what the island's people are like and what to expect from them. This is a good way to get an overview of the islands. It also helps my wife and I make decisions on travel destinations. In reading about Granada, "The Spice Island", we are drawn to it. Unfortunately due to the hurricane last year that tore the island apart, we will wait a year or two but it was this book that grabbed our interest. The brief information in this chapter gives one the chance to decide whether to read much more detail of the island in the dedicated chapter later in the book.
I also like that the book continues this chapter with a paragraph of what the cuisine is like on each island. That's important to this big guy.
Chapter Three
This is the area where you can get some pointers of entry requirements, currency, climate, laws, special needs, cruises and air travel info, and booking your own place. Most of the information is the same in the last six years books but there are slight changes in the suggested places to stay.
The Rest of the Book
The rest of the book follows all the countries in alphabetical order giving much more detail than the second chapter's overviews. Each chapter, though slightly different, hold pretty much the same formula opening with Essentials that gives travel information and some bullet "Fast Facts" about the island. A Where to Stay section follows including what they consider starred resorts and hotels. These are nicely listed in categories rated Expensive, Moderate and Inexpensive.
Information about dining is also given in the chapter about the island. This too is sectioned in Expensive, Moderate, and Inexpensive. Details of the atmosphere and menu are given in a concise, yet descriptive, way.
Further information is given in each islands chapter about beaches, surfing, snorkeling, historic sites, shopping opportunities and the like. Being each island may be noted for different type sports, destinations and entertainment the layout is a bit different in each chapter.
This is where I have learned much about the island I have an interest in.
Right now we are planning a ten day holiday in Puerto Rico where we have only stayed previously for overnights. San Juan happens to be a jumping point to many other islands. This book has given us a wealth of information but, after making our final decision to go there, we purchased the Frommer's Puerto Rico Guide for even more detailed information.
Something else this Book Doesn't Not Have
Frommer's Guides are not know for pictures. Except for the cover that has a pretty gal under an umbrella, and a couple of other colour photos inside, there just aren't any other photos.
Some people may want a travel guide for pictures to get an idea of what a place, or particular beach may look like. Yes, that would be fine but that's not what this book offers or why I use them when making decisions. We do happen to stop by travel agencies to check out pictures in some of the many brochures they have. These are also at the right price, free.
For down to earth advice, we can trust, my wife and I like Frommer's guide for good direction. The Frommer's Caribbean 2005 is perfect for us. I do not own the 2005. I checked it out of the library. There really wasn't much pertinent information we needed that was different from the 2003 issue we do happen to own. We also own the 1999 issue. In saying that, I don't think it is essential to get an update of the Frommer's Caribbean every year.(or write a review of the 2003 book or 1999 copy that are in the database and not yet reviewed) I would say to use any of the last three or four year Frommer's Caribbean books as a good guide and then, if you find a particular island you want to know more of, purchase or borrow the Frommer's guide to the particular island of your choice.
Why I Like the Book
First let me mention that this book is too bulky for our needs when at a destination We rarely take these overview guides with us on a trip. We use them for homework.
My wife and I have used Frommer's as a guide for many of our trips in the US, Europe and Mexico. I find them easy to follow with the same general formula. I particularly like the flow of the commentary in their books. The authors of this book, Darwin Porter & Danford Prince, have a smooth and easy way they talk about pertinent information. It's like you are sitting down with friends as they tell you about places they have been, what they liked and didn't care for. They also have small boxed areas with special tips throughout the book. I like those little nuggets of facts. I also enjoy the personal and relaxed feel they give through their writing style.
There are some maps in this book of the islands. They are not detailed enough for my liking especially if I am going to rent a car and travel on my own on an island. This is another reason why we use the Caribbean only as a guide. We purchase or borrow the individual destination books for a more detailed pull out map. Sure, you can always get a map on the island or perhaps from the car rental place but I like to study maps before a trip so that when I am there I have a good overview and when asking directions, this guy does do that, I have landmarks and a sense of direction already in my mind.
I also like the ratings of the dining opportunities. I have found the inexpensive restaurants section lists some not-to-be-missed tips. We have also used their previous Caribbean books for other trips we have taken. From what I have noted Porter and Prince have been the authors of Frommer's Caribbean since at least 1997 with update issues each year thereafter.
We planned a couple of trips to Jamaica and two to the US Virgin Islands with information from their guides. We did a side trip to the BVI with some information too.
About five years ago we used their earlier guide for two trips to the Dominican Republic too. What I have found is that they keep the books up to date and give a good overall description of the islands. Now that I have visited a few and can compare my personal experience against their commentary, I can tell you they are "on the money". That to me makes it easy to use and trust their information when making future decisions of places to visit in the Caribbean.
1,000 Places To See Before You Die A fun and factual book to just pick up and read every once in a while. There are a number of Caribbean destinations in it.
Popsrocks' reviews of Caribbean Islands
US Virgin Islands
The BATHS of the British Virgin Islands
Jamaica
The Dominican Republic
and
Mexico
Recommended:
Yes
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