Explore the Virgin Islands

Harry Pariser's Explore the Virgin Islands is a guide book written the way all guide books should be: it's insightful, informative, up-to-date, and has a unique voice. This isn't a watered down guide from a massive multi-national publisher: it is the real skinny on what to see and do in the Virgin Islands from a seasoned traveler and writer with an eye for details and interesting facts and a passion for his subject.  Explore the Virgin Islands covers the U.S. (St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas plus Water and Hassel Islands) and British Virgins (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada and more) in breadth and detail, with a keen eye on the history and ecology of one of the Caribbean's most beautiful areas. The book's introduction demonstrates Pariser's true interest in the region and its environment. Pariser includes a ton of great background information, as well as anecdotes about the history of the Virgin Islands old (the Carib Indians, Slavery) and new (Senator Adelbert Bryan). There is also an expanded section on the flora and fauna of the Virgin Islands, its animal life, and of course the many coral reefs. He sends his readers on vacation with the knowledge and appreciation to fully enjoy the complexities and beauties of the Virgin Islands. Explore the Virgin Islands is a handsome, softbound volume with a stunning cover photo. It's filled with numerous detailed maps, color and black and white photographs, and helpful charts and sidebars (more than one hundred) with diverse information ranging from Anegada's pink flamingos to Blackbeard the Pirate. Indeed, it's Pariser's mix of island history and folklore with complete travel nuts and bolts that make this book both interesting and useful. Vacationers will find everything here they need on the practicalities of planning their trip - where to stay, what to eat, and the best things to do. Each island's most popular attractions are given ample space. For example, on St. John the hiking trails and the U.S.V. I. National Park are fully explored, while St. Croix's diving gets the spotlight, with lots of information on dive sites and shops. All of this is presented with relevant phone numbers, website and email addresses, locations, opening times and more. As part-time Virgin Islands residents we are familiar with most of the travel guides to the area, and this book is clearly our favorite. It contains a great mix of information attractively presented, with the entertaining sections on the history and natural wonders of the Virgin Islands, both above and below the water, complimented and balanced by the practical advice that any traveler would need. It is an indispensable tool for your pre-trip planning. But, once you are here, you will find yourself picking it up for a restaurant phone number, to check for what you might see while snorkeling, or to find out the name of an interesting building you saw while walking in any one of the islands' towns during the afternoon.

(Planeta.com Journal) - This new guidebook covers all the angles for visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix). Harry Pariser is one of our favorite authors and has also written about Costa Rica and Barbados. The travel essentials are well documented. Harry points out destinations for the nature tourist such as the St. Croix Aquarium and provides a guide to local plants and animals. Excellent!

If you are planning on traveling to the US Virgin Islands, this is a must have book. As a resident of St. John for several years, I found that Mr. Pariser's book was full of more than just spots for tourists to find a good deal, or a great beach, or a nice hiking trail. It was packed with familiar and particular details that make the Virgin Islands a great place to vacation. His knowledge of the local people, the food, the island slang, the little nooks and crannies is thorough and all right on the money. Make sure to bring this book with you to discover all the places he talks about and you will really see the Virgin Islands from a great point of view.

Having lived on St. John for 20 years, it was fun to learn new information about this special island from Explore the Virgin Islands. Mr Pariser has hiked the trails and met the people. His book is the most personalized and comprehensive guide I have read. It is a must for anyone visiting S. John. Pariser's most complete guide is unique and fits easily into your beach bag or backpack. If you're planning on visiting the USVI , and St. John in particular, be sure to take this guide along!

Virgin implies serene, unspoiled, and the Virgin Islands are just that. "Explore the Virgin Islands" is in its seventh edition, and offers a complete and comprehensive tourist guide for potential travelers to the Virgin islands. With maps, photos, plenty of tourist information such as hotels, car rental, and information on activities abound. An absolute must for anyone considering a trip to somewhere nice this winter, "Explore the Virgin Islands" is solidly recommended.