Fodor's Bahamas, Good Information in an Easy-to-Follow Format
Written: Feb 27 '06 (Updated Apr 09 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to find information.
Cons: Not especially detailed.
The Bottom Line: Though I happen to like Frommer's Guides for it's easy style and more detailed information, Froder's does cover all the basics well.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Fodor's Bahamas Books |
I just came back from my second trip to the Bahamas. I usually use Frommer's Guides to pick up travel information and in fact we happen to own their Bahamas guide. This year in the days before our vacation my wife kept that copy close at hand so I referred much more to the Foder's Guide instead.
I was pleased.
New Providence Island
We already had our plans set for staying at Sandal's Royal Bahamian Resort and Spa. (it turned out to be an excellent choice for us). Even though we knew our destination resort I still wanted to learn more about our particular destination, how it was described and also much more about the particular island and what was available for us to see and do. Foder's gave good concise and somewhat detailed information.
Just a reminder, many people look up information about the Bahamas in books dealing with the Caribbean. The fact is the Bahamas aren't considered part of that area and therefore Caribbean books offer limited information about the Bahamas.
Through Foder's Bahamas guide, it is the 18th edition copyright 2005, I was also able to find out a bit more about nearby Paradise Island with the Atlantis Resort that provides non-stop action at the casino and throughout it's property. The same was true about Cable Beach beaches and hotels including the Nassau Wyndham Resort and Chrystal Palace Casino. Be sure to get VERY up to date information about many of Cable Beach's hotels before you make any future travel plans there. It seems a lot of huge changes will be happening in the next couple of years due to Harrah's making some key purchases of properties on Cable Beach. I'll be detailing a bit more about those changes in my review of Nassau where I found out through the guide is the country's capital city and hub of transportation banking and commerce.
Much current information is listed in the book but no mention of the soon-to-come changes that have just become known in the last few months.
Format
The Foder's Bahamas opens with general information about the countries many islands, what to do, and where to go. It's a fine overall chapter that helps give bearings including information about New Providence Island, Grand Bahama Island, The Abacos, Eleuthera & the Exumas, the Other Out Islands and also info regarding Turks & Caicos that have become a very hot destination in the last few years.
The Smart Traveler's Tips present a good deal of information relating to bookings, carriers, cutting costs and more. Helpful hints include information about air, boat, car, bike and other types of travel.
The book lists itineraries for some of these destinations including temperatures and weather at different seasons. A few more pages give a calender of events on a month by month basis.
The six sections including all the islands I mentioned earlier give much more detail to the island referred to. As an example, using the first one, New Providence Island, I found helpful information regarding the island's Casinos, historic sites, fine beaches and party places.
This also includes places to stay, dine and see that are rated by Fodor's with particular destinations that are starred indicating "must see" status or "high recommendation".
Prices are also mentioned giving the reader a good idea as to what may be in their price range for hotels and restaurants.
A Few More Features That Make the Book Helpful
Throughout the book are some differently coloured pages that are headed as CLOSE UP that give some addition history and/or interesting information. While at the Sandal's Resort I was downing a couple-a-few drinks by the name of Goombay Smash. I noticed the recipe happened to be in this section when I went back to it after our trip, so besides some pictures and a t-shirt to remember the trip by, I also have a good recipe.
The Pleasures and Pastimes section gives general information about casinos, dining, fishing, golf, Junkanoo, lodging and more. I picked up a little bit of snorkeling information here. The book has some excellent information for scuba diving throughout the country and has enticed me look for my next trip there.
I found the section that gives a Short History of the Bahamas useful to better understand the culture of the Bahemian people.
The book's back inside cover has a Conversion Chart. I never found any need for it.
My Thoughts
One particular feature I liked about Foder's recommendations is that they don't just go by price. Sure many high end places are mentioned but so are simple more staid destinations and dining opportunities. Being able to look up places through the index in back or by specific sections made the process easy. The text is somewhat dry but maybe that's what most people want in a travel book. "The facts mam, just give me the facts".
I happen to like the easy going style of Frommer's but Foder's is easy reading too, maybe just not as colourful in their descriptions of destinations, something that gives a more personal touch to the former.
The maps they have are simple and pertinent to the text they are set near. There aren't many of them but they give most information needed. I wouldn't get anything more detailed unless I was renting a car on one of the islands.
Sandals Royal Bahamian
Nassau, Bahamas Straw Market and High end Shopping
Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center Just one mile west of Nassau
Nassau International Airport
Foder's Bahamas Guide
Recommended:
Yes
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