Frommer's Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the San Juan Islands. 2nd ed.

Ann Turner is Financial and Budget Manager at the University of British
Columbia Library.

Travel writer Chris McBeath has packed this guidebook with everything a tourist needs to know to get the most out of a visit to her home territory. With her intimate knowledge of the area, she has some strong opinions about the attractions, accommodations, and dining experiences to be found there, and doesn’t hesitate to express them for the benefit of her readers, both verbally and with a star-rating system. An additional flagging system of seven icons indicates special attributes, such as Special Finds—those places only insiders know about, Best Bets for Kids, Great Values, and Overrated—places or experiences not worth your time or money. She begins with 12 annotated lists of the best the islands have to offer, including Best Family Experiences, Best Hiking Trails, Best Wildlife Viewing, and Best Bed-and-Breakfasts & Country Inns. A general introduction to the islands follows, with trip-planning tips and some suggested itineraries: The San Juan Shuffle is a four-day trip; Gulf Islands Getaway, The Wild West Coast, and An Adventure Travel Week are each a week long. There are six chapters containing the in-depth guides: Victoria; Southern Vancouver Island; Central Vancouver Island; Northern Vancouver Island; the Gulf Islands; and the San Juan Islands. They each begin with an introduction to the area, its history, and essential information on how to get there, locate visitor information, and get around by car and public transit. The descriptions of what to see and do, where to stay, and where to dine are a major strength of this guide. They contain an amazing amount of detailed information to help visitors choose what will best suit their needs, including seasonal rates and opening hours. Addresses, phone numbers, and websites are included throughout, and it is a good idea to use them to check on the current situation. The What’s New In the Islands chapter highlights several dozen changes since the previous edition was published in 2007.