Insiders' Guide to the Florida Keys and Key West, 12th (Insiders' Guide Series) [Paperback]

Nancy Toppino (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

For more than twenty years, the Insiders' Guide® series has remained the essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information. Each guide is written by locals and true insiders and offers a personal, practical -perspective that readers everywhere have come to know and love.

      

The Florida Keys and Key West are reverently called “Paradise” by locals and visitors alike. Come see why as you kayak through mangrove islands, gaze at gorgeous sunsets, or dive near fragile coral reefs. This authoritative guide show’s you how to navigate ecotourism adventures and water sports as well as colorful street celebrations, a vibrant arts scene, and exciting nightclubs from Key Largo to Key West.

Inside you'll find:

 

•    countless details on how to live and thrive in  the area, from the best shopping

      to the lowdown on real estate

 

•    the inside scoop on popular attractions such as the Pirate Soul Museum,  

     Dolphin Cove, and the Hemingway Home and Museum

 

•    comprehensive listings of restaurants, lodging, and recreation opportunities

 

•    sections dedicated to children and retirement

About the Author

Nancy Toppino's life has been filled with global travels. Her career has included ownership of a newspaper as well as work in television for a Fox affiliate. She has worked on previous editions of Insiders' Guide to the Florida Keys and Key West. She resides and writes from her home in Key West, Florida.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Insiders' Guide; Twelfth edition (December 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762745568
• ISBN-13: 978-0762745562
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,490,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not discerning, February 28, 2008

By 

Stanley Brodsky "[e-mail]" (Tuscaloosa, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Insiders' Guide to the Florida Keys and Key West, 12th (Insiders' Guide Series) (Paperback)

I wanted a review of restaurants and attractions in Key West. The author seems to think that all places are wonderful. There is no sense of critical or discerning judgment: instead, just exaggerated praise. I will not get any use from the book, despite how much about the keys is mentioned.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 12th Edition Still a Commercial Doorstop, July 16, 2008

By 

Marsh Muirhead "Author of 'Key West Explained... (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Insiders' Guide to the Florida Keys and Key West, 12th (Insiders' Guide Series) (Paperback)

This, the 12th Edition of "Insiders' Guide to The Florida Keys and Key West," is more attractive than previous issues. Fourteen pages of truly awesome (Fort Zachary Taylor Beach from the air, Fort Jefferson, the water!) photos are placed at the front, enticing the potential buyer. Also, the display ads found in other editions--banks, hotels, real estate--have been removed.

Let the buyer beware, however. Despite its many (nearly 400) pages, voluminous information, and attractive price, the book has nary a negative thing to say about anything. Descriptions of all accomodations and restuarants are written with sunshine and cheer. And two of the most economical of the quaint small inns in Key West--Curry House and the Angelina Guest House--aren't even mentioned, nor is the famous and funky Hogfish Bar and Grill on Stock Island. Listings are by area--Upper, Middle, Lower Keys--making it awkward to look at, for example, all the offerings for just Key West.

The book does contain many intersting sidebars on a variety of topics -- retirement, schools, crisis intervention, recipes, boating regulations. Still, this is like a yellow pages for the Florida Keys, printed on white paper.

Marsh Muirhead, author of "Key West Explained - a guide for the traveler"

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific resource!!, October 24, 2008

By 

Marcus Lieberman (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Insiders' Guide to the Florida Keys and Key West, 12th (Insiders' Guide Series) (Paperback)

This is a very extensive and useful book on the keys. It lists both the fine food and restaurants and the dives that everyone should see. The maps are terrific, the information is up to date and everything is easy to find. I give the highest rating possible to this handy resource for anyone planning a trip to the Keys.