1. ISBN13: 9780944428863
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

Completely revised and updated for 2009-2011 edition 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 inch color planning chart covering the Virgin Islands from St. Thomas to Anegada. Information covers: 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.

Customer Review :

Best sailing Guide for the BVI!

We are planning our first chartered catamaran trip to the BVI and this has by far been the best source of information for our trip!! Even though we have visited St. John's twice before, this is our first sailing trip and we have found this book so much better than the rest. The map is outstanding and the reviews on the islands extensive. Don't think twice about ordering this book....could not find it anywhere in bookstores!

Rating :

Back to basics

This is the fourth time I buy "Cruising Guide to the BVI", the first one was back in 1995. It continues to be the basic guide to sail in the area and the work Nancy and Simon Scott are doing to its constant updating and upgrading makes this guide an essential tool for anyone who loves to spend some time afloat in that sailing paradise. Congratulations to the authors. I'll hope to be there to buy the next edition!!

Rating :

Getting ready for BVI

" Cruising Guide to the Vergin Islands" is a wonderful wish book if you are getting ready to go to the Islands for a charter vacation. It is loaded with information on routes, anchorages, what to do ashore, what to eat at the many out of the way places located on the coves and harbors scattered around the Vergin Islands. It's divided between the Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands to keep things simple. It even gives some insight on how real estate can be had if you want to Live the dream..Even a chart so you can plot your routes around the Islands. Good reading even if you never make the trip.

Rating :

Excellent cruising guide

This is the third cruising guide that I have purchased for the VI over the years, this one lives up to my high expectations for content and relevance.

Rating :

1. ISBN13: 9781400008650
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

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 U.S. & British Virgin Islands!

•Updated annually, Fodor’s U.S. & British Virgin Islands provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

•Fodor’s U.S. & British Virgin Islands 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 U.S. & British Virgin Islands.

•Experience the U.S. & British Virgin Islands like a local! Fodor’s U.S. & British Virgin Islandsincludes choices for every traveler, from scuba diving, kayaking, and horseback riding to the best beaches ideal for relaxing and family fun, 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.

Customer Review :

Another Fodor Planning Tool for the Perfect Getaway

Another Fodor Planning Tool for the Perfect Getaway

This is the 22nd edition of Foder's full color guide to the U. S. & British Virgin Islands. The five main islands: St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda are featured. A full chapter is devoted to each island and includes highlights specific to the island, tips on getting oriented, and a complete planning guide.

I appreciated the descriptive recommendations of hotels, restaurants, and the numerous scenic sights to visit. The simple planning tools are designed to help the first time visitor get the most enjoyment from their time in the islands and for the veteran traveler to plan the details of their trip.

The book includes information on the ferries which travel between the islands, and provides suggestions for weddings and honeymoons. Opportunities abound for diving and snorkeling, for chartering a yacht, the best places for beach combing, day sails, and shopping.

There are over 120 stunning color photos as well as over 20 maps of the islands. The Fodor professional reviewers have captured the essence of the culture, points of interest, the best places to eat, to stay, and a cross section of entertainment to make your visit a memorable and enjoyable experience.

This is definitely another Fodor winner


Rating :

Not as in depth as one would hope

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.


Rating :

Really informative and well written

I got this on sort of a lark. I'd been watching some House Hunters International episodes and saw one on the US Virgin Islands, and then this book popped up. I'd never read a travel book before and was very surprised how much I liked it.
First, I've traveled quite a bit for my job. I've been to twenty or so countries and never had advanced knowledge of what to expect in any of them. True, most of the time I went from airport (or train station) to hotel to server room and back, so I didn't really need too much info on the country I was visiting, but still, it would have been nice.
Containing great heaps of info on sites, costs, how-to's and other need-to-know items, this book could prove indispensable in planning and then taking your trip. Just the information on customs and passport needs and differences between the BVI and the USVI could save you a lot of worry and time. Even the info on where smoking is allowed (or not allowed) might make a non-smokers dinner plans easier.
Before I go to Europe next year, and I've been there a bunch, I'll be getting one of these for each country we plan to visit.

Rating :

Very pretty book but lacks local flavor

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.

Rating :

Invaluable vacation guide

Having never been to the Caribbean, I figured a travel guide is in order. Now that I have one, I can say that there is more information than I can take. Information overload. But it's necessary for future vacations.

From planning the trip to geography, Fodor's U.S. & British Virgin Islands guide provides all the details necessary. Ferry routes, plane tickets, what to be wary of, it's all included.

Beautiful photos and explanations of local flair, customs, and a breakdown of each island makes this guide invaluable. There is literally no stone unturned. It's like the Virgin Island for dummies, even giving a FAQ for travelers who may ask stupid questions over and over again.

Highly recommended.

Rating :

More reviews...

Editorial Review :

Customer Review :

Great Book

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


Rating :

Excelent book for those who wants detailed information on the BVI

You will find tips and details you may want to know before travelling to the BVI. Information and clues for those who want to know how the BVI life is about.

Rating :

Good book, more geared toward $$$

This is a decent tourist book, but almost all of it is dedicated to where to sleep/eat, and most of the places are aimed more at people who have some disposable income. Could have used a wider discussion on beaches, etc. and if you want a budget book, look elsewhere.

Rating :

Good Guide Information

Contains good maps of each island and info on lodging with websites and prices, where to eat, good beaches, and what boat trips to hire. Ferry service info, with times, prices and phone numbers, is also very helpful to understand modes of transportation between the BVI.

Rating :

great for traveling to BVI

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

Rating :

More reviews...

1. ISBN13: 9781893643598
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
4. Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Editorial Review :

Explore the Virgin Islands is a comprehensive, infiormative, and fun- to-read travel guide to the US and British Virgin Islands.

Customer Review :

Disappointed - lacking practical details, good tips

I am compelled to write a review because I saw all the great reviews, but was pretty disappointed and felt misled by probably "friends" of the writer? I've traveled extensively and covet my large collection of travel books - favorite is "Maui Revealed."

Here is my take -
1) He has a very dry writing style. You can also sense an underlying, cynical tone towards the deterioration of beautiful St. John. I totally agree and recycle EVERYTHING, but his subtle, snarky writing was a turn off.
2) It had a lot of extraneous details (history, native plants, etc.), but was missing practical details and left me needing more info. For example, every attraction/trail was given a few sentences in attention. Practical tips on how to get there, best time to go, etc. were lacking. I got better tips from Trip Advisor reviews - like Friday's are often a good day to hit St. Thomas because cruise boats are not docked.
3) I also did not see much "inside", "best of" info. As a another poster described, there isn't much "qualitative" substance. I often travel with short time frames so I want to know the "must do's" for a place. His suggested 1,2, etc. day itineraries were literally as vague as... "spend 1 day in St. Thomas, 1 day in St. John"

On the positive side, it does provide the most basic info and maps you will need, but I would have opted for a run-of-the-mill Lonely Planet then and got some colored pics too! :)

Rating :

Can't Wait To Go!

I got this book because I love to travel and I am always looking for information on places I want to go. I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to use and the maps were detailed. I especially liked the tidbits in the book like how to get along with the people and the history of the region. My only wish is that it would be in color so I could get a color preview of what I will see when I go. I can't wait to take it with me and use it on my trip!

Rating :

Great guide, especially if you are interested in understanding where you are going

We found this travel guide to be tremendously helpful. For example, we found a great place to stay, an out-of-the-way restaurant, and visited some sugarcane plantation ruins we discovered with the help of this guide. It really enhanced our trip, and we learned a lot from the background information, one of many things we did not find in the other guides.

Rating :

A great buy!

Would suggest this to anyone visiting the Virgin Islands. Just wish there would have been more on BVI.

Rating :

A must for travelers to the Virgin Islands

Reviewed by Randy A. Lakin for RebeccasReads.com (3/09)

Harry S. Pariser has another new book out, entitled "Explore the Virgin Islands." I am unable to travel, because I have spinal neuropathy, so I love to read travel books. As I read this book I was once again impressed with the wealth of information that this author supplies. The book covers everything from climate, history, economy, food, and religion in each island of the Virgin Islands Chain. The only down point with the author's books is that there are not enough photos of scenic ocean seascapes, but that's just me. Other than that I found the book to be exceptional. The author does a great job of tying all of the information together.

The history section of the book is very interesting, and covers the arrival of Christopher Columbus, the Dutch, and the English to the Virgin Islands. It includes one section on the slave trade, which ran from 1733 to 1782. The United States took over its portion of the Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, on March 31st, 1917, ending 245 years of Danish rule. The author also covers the British Virgin Islands, or "BVI." The BVI comprises the eastern portion of the Virgin Islands and covers 50 or so islands, cays and rocks.

The author lays out the Virgin Islands in this book so that they are very inviting. So many travel books tend to concentrate on France or Italy. Most Americans forget that there is a wonderful world to explore so close to home. So in summation, I have to say the author did a great job with his book, "Explore the Virgin Islands." There is an abundance of information contained in this book. No matter whatever it is that you want to see, it's all there in the Virgin Islands and the author, Harry S. Pariser, makes it easy to find with his new book. Whether its rain forests, hill top views, sailing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, or just sitting on the beach, you'll find where it in the Virgin Islands with the aid of this book. "Explore the Virgin Islands" is a must have for anyone who is going to the US or British Virgin Islands for the first or hundredth time.


Rating :

More reviews...

Editorial Review :

Customer Review :

This Book

This book is wonderful... Helps you plan your trip... So glad I found it!

Rating :

good travel book

I bought this book as a bridal shower gift for a couple who had planned to honeymoon in the area. They raved about the book both before they went and after they returned from the islands. They went in mid Sept 07.

Rating :

so so

The information is good, and seems thorough, but the presentation is lacking...not a single photo, and the maps look juvenile.

Rating :

The Best of St. Thomas and St. John,U.S. Virgin Islands

The book was some what informative. The price of taxis in the islands is very high.Coral world was not what I thought it would be as in the book.There was nothing there.I don't know when the author was in the Virgin Islands last, but there are things I would not recomend.Like shopping for jewlery and other things were very expensive. We were in the Islands from 7/29/07 to 8/05/07. We were told this was their off season maybe this is why things cost more. Overal the book did give some usefull tips.Ann Morris

Rating :

Ok, but not perfect

As far as travel guides go this one is not bad. You are provided with facts, hotels, places to eat, and etc. However, the guide does little to help make suggestions on things that you MUST do in order to maximize your trip...there are no example daily itineraries or "don't miss activities".

AS others have pointed out there is much less detail given on St. John. Part of this is do to St. John being much less populated and developed. If you are spending multiple days on St. John you may need an additional travel guide.

What you are given is a collection of interesting facts that will help you enjoy your trip.

My suggestions -
Snorkel a Secret Harbor
Visit St. John's Trunk Bay
Eat at "The Herve"
Eat at the all-you can-eat buffet on Wednesday night at the Marriot's CoCo Joe's
if you are into Jewelry - bring some extra $$$ for the (alleged) deals in Charlotte Amalie

Rating :

More reviews...