| As well as being a raving shopaholic, Jane | | | | know which information to believe and which |
| Morris is also a dedicated Travel Buff. This | | | | facts are outdated? Unfortunately, there is |
| is just one article on her many visits to the | | | | no exact answer to that. To get the most out |
| lush clear waters of the CaribbeanImagine all | | | | of your Caribbean travel guide, use them |
| the stories and films you have seen on | | | | sparingly for basic orientation.So once you |
| pirates in the Caribbean, Spanish galleons | | | | have the basics right down to a tee, go out |
| laden with gold, pretty girls all around, | | | | there and discover the towns and cities on |
| beautiful white sandy beaches, swaying palm | | | | your own. That is, after all, what traveling |
| trees, clear blue seas, and reefs that have | | | | is all about - adventure and discovery of new |
| ripped the bottom out of many a fine sailing | | | | things. At the very least, when all other |
| ship, now beautiful diving territory.Well, | | | | signs look foreign, the information on |
| this is what makes up the beauty, the | | | | museums and places of interest are |
| mystery, and the attraction for many people | | | | great.Remember where such facilities exist, |
| as a dream holiday. In fact, there is so much | | | | always try and look for the local 'City' |
| to do that unless you plan your holiday | | | | tour. I did just that on my first holiday in |
| carefully there is so much to miss.That us | | | | Cuba over 15 years ago. After a 2 hour tour |
| why it is so important that you know all | | | | on a coach, I was fully oriented with the |
| there is to know about the vacation | | | | sites, and then settled down to a delightful |
| destination of your dreams - that is exactly | | | | tour on foot - clutching my trusty travel |
| what a Caribbean travel guide offers.But are | | | | guide of course, so I didn't miss any of the |
| Caribbean travel guides really godsend? Or | | | | delights that the beautiful but run-down |
| are they just patronizing materials designed | | | | city has to offer.However, when it comes to |
| for commercial purposes?Well, they're | | | | hotels and restaurants, each to his own taste |
| probably a little of both actually. After | | | | and budget. Remember that bargains rise in |
| all, the people behind Caribbean travel | | | | price with popularity, so there's every bit |
| guides do need a source of income in order to | | | | of chance that that hot new deal in your |
| continue to publish their guides. But a | | | | Caribbean travel guide isn't much of a deal |
| tremendous amount of research has been placed | | | | anymore, considering how pricey it has |
| in these guides so don't dismiss them as | | | | become. And then sometimes, too, the places |
| useless sales and promotion material.What | | | | get easily full with foreigners and travelers |
| else is more nifty, informative and | | | | like you, so you can't always expect your |
| convenient than a Caribbean travel | | | | Caribbean travel guide to point you in the |
| guide?Sure, the Internet may prove more | | | | right place all the time.Then, if you do |
| updated when it comes to information, but you | | | | wander around on your own, you will surely |
| can't carry the Internet everywhere. And | | | | find quality rooms with reasonable prices. |
| believe it or not, it's always much more | | | | They may be located in out-of-the-way places |
| gratifying to pull out a Caribbean travel | | | | that Caribbean travel guide writers may not |
| guide from your carry case, flip a few pages | | | | know about. Remember that because you in the |
| open, then slip it right back when you're | | | | destination, you are in a far better place to |
| tired of reading. It sure beats having to | | | | get what you want out of your vacation.So to |
| wait in the airport, sitting bored silly and | | | | close it off, don't be a sad type who writes |
| wondering whether or not your flight's going | | | | to say that "it wasn't like what you said in |
| to be delayed.That said, don't cling to | | | | the book".Here's a tip: open your eyes, and |
| travel guides religiously. Many travelers | | | | if the island you are on is Spanish - make |
| make that mistake. They are not the bibles | | | | sure you can speak some of the local |
| that they are made out to be by some people. | | | | language, as you will get such a nicer |
| You should know that published materials, | | | | welcome from the locals in the infrequently |
| including travel guides, are out of date the | | | | visited spots - and make sure you take your |
| moment they are published, because by then, | | | | time to explore for yourself!Jane Morris |
| there would have been new updated material | | | | spends all her spare time visiting exotic |
| that came up and it would be too late to | | | | locations around the world. Her favorite |
| include them.So, how are you supposed to use | | | | destination is any island in the Caribbean. |
| Caribbean travel guides then? How would you | | | | |