Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia (Frommer's Complete Guides) [Paperback]

Bill Goodwin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Frommer's Complete Guides | Publication Date: November 17, 2008

America’s #1 bestselling travel series

Written by more than 175 outspoken travelers around the globe, Frommer’s Complete Guides help travelers experience places the way locals do.

• More annually updated guides than any other series
• 16-page color section and foldout map in all annual guides
• Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and suggested itineraries
• Dozens of detailed maps in an easy-to-read, two-color design

• Download a free companion podcast about Tahiti and French Polynesia at Frommers.com

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!

Our expert author has been covering these exotic islands for years, and he's personally checked out every hotel, every restaurant, every beach, and every activity he recommends. He gives you a feel for the islanders' way of life, and offers a wonderful introduction to the region's unique blend of cultures.

Tahiti is only the gateway to French Polynesia, there are many islands and hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so the first edition of Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia compares all the options, helping you find the tropical getaway that's right for you. We've included web addresses for every hotel, so you can check out pictures as you make your decision. Rely on us for in-depth, honest reviews of lavish honeymoon resorts, intimate inns, simple bungalows, family-friendly motels, and more, with selections in every price category.

We'll point you to the loveliest secluded beaches, and send you to the best places for snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, deep-sea fishing, and more. You'll also get the latest trip-planning information, including tips on finding the best airfare or package deal.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Frommer's. The best trips start here.

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.

• Decide for yourself if Tahiti and the surrounding islands really are the most beautiful in the world.

• Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.

• Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.

• Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.

Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com

About the Author

Bill Goodwin began his writing career as an award-winning newspaper reporter and then served as legal counsel and speechwriter for two influential U.S. senators—Sam Nunn of Georgia and the late Sam Ervin of North Carolina. In 1977 he and a friend took a long break from office life and sailed a 41-foot yacht from Annapolis, Maryland, through the Panama Canal to the Marquesas Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, and Tahiti. He left the boat in Papeete and, with a girlfriend and backpack, explored Tahiti, Moorea, and the Society Islands for as long as the local immigration authorities would allow. He has returned for extended visits many times since, most devoted to researching and writing this book and its forerunner, Frommer's South Pacific. He also is author of Frommer's Fiji and at home, Frommer's Virginia. Find out more at www.billgoodwin.com. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Frommers; 2 edition (November 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470189886
• ISBN-13: 978-0470189887
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #897,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Travel > Australia & South Pacific > Tahiti

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frommer's first try with Tahiti..., January 3, 2007

By 

G. Porecki (Muncie, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia (Frommer's Portable) (Paperback)

is suprisingly good! Probobly because it is based on the Tahiti section of the South Pacific guide (now in 10th edition) it doesn't contain most of the first edition problems - inacurate info, little info etc. It is really nicely researched and though it is quite a slim volume it is really helpful. One of the best guides to Tahiti & Her Islands.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia, May 31, 2008

By 

Bill A. Belt (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia (Frommer's Portable) (Paperback)

Finding this book in Dallas at a major bookstore was next to impossible.Seems like there is little demand for books on the South Pacific. This may be due to expensive airfare to the area and lack of crusie ships traveling in those waters. The book contains the regular Frommer sections and much of it we have "tossed" since we are traveling on a cruise ship. Dining out, hotels, ect. won't be of much use. When I searched various web sites I did not find a lot of great information. This book at least puts the reader in touch with what's worth seeing in Tahati, Moorea and Bora Bora---these are stops our ship will make.The book has a copyright date of 2007 and the sites discussed throughout the book won't be changeing.We found the reading and recommedations to be good. Now we just have to see how accurate they are when we visit. If you are traveling to French Polynesia, this is the best book we have been able to locate. Hotel and dining prices are changeing so rapidly throughout the world I would personally not count of the book prices as being up to date.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Place to Start, but Give Me More!, March 8, 2007

By 

KaBooty (Norwalk, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia (Frommer's Portable) (Paperback)

It appears this is the first edition of the Tahiti and French Polynesia guide, and the only version I could find on Amazon was the Portable version. Maybe a more full version will come out in the future, but for now I just picked up the portable. We're planning our honeymoon to Tahiti, and the book has been invaluable in doing so. You can kind of tell it's a first edition though -- there are even some typos I've come across! Also, there is definitely a lot less information than other guides I've used from Frommer's, but I'm guessing that is the point of the "Portable" line of guides to keep them more travel-sized. Some of the information is a little outdated (already!), but using it as a starting point allows you to take what you learn from there and do the rest of the research online. For example, the exchange rate between XPF & USD is already off by about 10% (not in the favor of the USD), and the Sofitel Moorea they speak of was closed through all of 2006 for renovations, making me think even though this is a first edition, the information was put together in 2005 at the latest because there is no mention of the renovation -- and the hotel would obviously need to be re-evaluated by Frommer's after re-opening.

All in all though, there are some great money saving tips, a lot of information about places to eat, foods to try and sights to see, all in one portable book that we will definitely be taking with us when we go in July. Can't wait! Thanks, Frommer's for helping us save money by planning this ourselves instead of enlisting the help of a travel agent.