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Posted In: British Virgin Islands

Alvin Groshans says...

The guide was very positive (a bit too positive) about every destination and didn't necessarily offer a constructive view. If you have a limited amount of time and budget and don't specifically know where you want to go in the Caribbean this guide won't help you narrow it down quickly. I offer the National Geographic website "Island Destinations Rated: Caribbean" as a much better introduction to the islands not written by the local tourism development head that can quickly give you some of the pro's and con's.



Besides this I used this book to try and plan a trip to the Virgin Islands, specifically St. John - however while many things were adequate I felt the book fell short. At a mere 35 pages on St. John (less if you take away full sized pictures) this guide was far too brief for my tastes and I found myself going to the internet to research more. I think if you printed all of this out on your own with 8X11 paper you would get about 10 sheets. If you plan on staying on St. John for a week (not an altogether unexpected plan) you would definitely want more than that right? More detailed driving maps, hiking maps, better beach reviews & pictures, more food recommendations including menu highlights and more detailed points of interest. Fodor's targets the upscale tourist and tends to highlight very touristy areas and businesses - the same things you would get from a tourist brochure for free.

Posted on September 7, 2010

Karri Zambrano says...

First, I like travel guide books that have full-color pictures so that I have a general visual of where I might be going. I like that this edition is chock-full of color pictures of not only the islands landmarks, but also some of the select hotel rooms. Pictures aside, the information in this book is very useful for trip planning or if you're trying to decide which island(s) to go to or stay at. In particular, I found the maps of the individual islands and the ferry schedule (that brings you between the islands) very very useful.



Of course, it helps that this book is written by someone who lives on one of the Virgin Islands, providing some local insight and numerous practical advice. The list of accomodation is pretty exhaustive and I like that the list covers a wide range of prices and styles. Advice on getting around and transportation are also very helpful in planning your vacation and this book gives plenty of it (i.e., whether to rent a car and if not renting a car, what are the taxi/bus situations are like, etc). I also enjoy reading about the recommended restaurants but here, the list is probably not as complete as the list for accomodations. So if you're a foodie like me, I highly recommend going online to do further local food/restaurant research.



This book provides detailed maps of one large town per island. So, if you're going outside of the large towns, I suggest obtaining more detailed island maps when you arrive there, especially if you're getting around by rental car. Some other practical advice that this book gives, such as insurance, air travel, health care and driving on the other side of the road are very good to know. I also like that there's a sesction on the travel and identification documents needed. For instance, although the USVI is a US territory, US persons would still need proofs of citizenship to re-enter the US.



I enjoyed the photos and illustrations, and it is nice that the book itself is quite light, so it's not too inconvenient to carry around. However, I think this is more a book that will help you to plan your travels. I think more specific and updated sources of information for individual islands will be needed when you get there. As encouraged in this book, you should go online to Fodor's or other travel sites for more current information.

Posted on September 7, 2010

Treva Dallen says...

My wife and I have been talking about a vacation to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the last couple of years. This book from Fodor's fits the bill for everything we wanted to know. Basics on travel to the islands, great information on the islands and good recommendations for resorts, hotels and restaurants. Also some very good maps and photos included. Fodor's scores high marks for their travel books, and this one is no exception.

Posted on September 8, 2010

Augusta Ibach says...

Interesting photos and concise reviews with everything you know to plan your travels. I haven't visited the Virgin Islands for many years and want to return.Through the reviews, I have determined where I want to stay and the places to visit. It amazes me how it has changed.



Good reporting. Concise. Recommended

Posted on September 8, 2010

Danille Piccinich says...

I've always like Fodor's, and this book is no exception.Great maps. . . . what to do. . . where to stay. . . . .the list just goes on and on.Very handy guide and worth the money.

Posted on September 8, 2010

Jill Lietz says...

I love visiting the Virgin Islands and was pleased to be able to find this book available. I think they did a great job in describing and using visual images to guide the reader around the islands. Having been to the islands in the past, I would recommend this book to anyone. It is accurate and very helpful with maps and comprehensive summaries.

Posted on September 10, 2010

Dana Kowalczyk says...

If you buy this before you go to the U.S. & British Virgin Islands, you will be prepared for everything. The author goes there so much herself that she has thought of everything interesting to put in it. For instance if you want to go there to get married, can you get your license ahead of time? You can, but you have to go there and pick them up in person. The best time and the cheapest rates are in the off season which is still a really nice time to go. She even goes into where smoking is allowed, the best and the off beat restaurants and ferry service and times, places to see, things to do, etc. She also gives the names and addresses of rental agencies in case you want to rent a villa or condo.



A great book and full of information!

Posted on September 10, 2010

Enola Hengen says...

I am usually not a huge Fodor's fan, but I do recommend this reference as a good general resource for under $12.00, especially for BVI first-timers. It includes the USVI, so if you're planning to be on St. John or St. Thomas, this will be helpful for that, as well. In 240 pages, it provides all the basics, as well as some helpful maps.

Posted on September 12, 2010

Joslyn Nuzenski says...

This is a very nice looking little volume detailing the U.S. & British Virgin Islands. Since my wife and I were planning to visit there this year I thought I should read up on where we should go and what we should do.



The book is grouped into chapters by island, with recommendations for Beaches, Where to Eat, Where to Stay, Sports and the Outdoors, Shopping, and Nightlife for each island. There is also a separate section for diving and snorkeling as well as chartering a yacht. Each chapter is labeled with a quote from a Fodor's online user. These quotes may have seemed like a good idea, but they seem a little unhelpful to me. The opening section of each chapter is the most helpful, where the writers give a brief breakdown of the island - a little history, a little contemporary update and a little bit of what to expect as a tourist.



But while this book does provide plenty of strikingly beautiful "full color" pictures throughout, it's a little lighter on information than I would have liked, especially when it comes to "local" recommendations.



Though the book is written by two local travel writers, the biggest complaint I have with it is that most of the items marked as "Fodor's Choice" throughout the book (whether restaurants, hotels, or beaches) seem to be the most high-end tourist-centric places. Rarely do they recommend an out of the way local eatery or a small-but-homey villa for vacationing. Perhaps the writers are writing for a more upscale audience, but it seems to eliminate much of the local flavor of a vacation spot if the majority of the recommendations are labeled $$$$ (most expensive). I just don't think I need a travel book to tell me that the Ritz Carlton on St. Thomas is going to be a great place to stay.

Posted on September 13, 2010

Christian Rayer says...

This is a good basic introduction to the Virgin Islands.It's not terribly in-depth but hits the highlights that a first time visitor to the islands might enjoy.The book even includes a section on chartering a yacht, which is very popular in the BVI.

Posted on September 15, 2010