A Guide to Caribbean Island-Hopping

The “1990 Caribbean Islands Handbook” examines the life styles, cultures, languages and history of the islands. The text begins with hints and suggestions for planning a trip, including the documents necessary, money needed and precautions to take. Night life, lodging, dining, shopping and excursions are detailed. With maps. A chapter on water sports.

The guide will help the traveler discover rain forests, coral reefs and deserted beaches. The book’s more than 550 pages are hard-bound, making it an attractive gift or addition to any travel library (Prentice Hall: $15.95).

Excellence continues in the series of “Travel Survival Kit” guides that recently included titles for “Bali & Lombok” by Tony Wheeler, Mary Coverton and Alan Samagalski ($10.95); “Israel” by Neil Tilbury ($13.95); “Brazil” by Mitchel Schoen and William Herzberg ($13.95); “Kashmir, Ladakh & Zaskar” by Margret and Rolf Schettler ($10.95); “Canada” by Mark Lightbody ($16.95), and “Central Africa” by Alex Newton ($10.95). The guides offer a broad spectrum of text and photos and details basics on where to eat and stay and what to see. It includes maps and above-average background data (Lonely Planet).

“Fodor’s ’89 California” is a completely rewritten and updated guide to the state. It offers travelers choices for lodgings, scenic drives, historic and romantic sites, food and wine-tasting areas and state parks. It has 50 new maps (Random House: $13.95).

“Travel Key Europe” by Peter B. Manston tells how to make a phone call, where to get laundry done and where to find a toilet. It offers suggestions on how to get around, where to get help, eating customs, whom to contact for lodging, plus security warnings.

Business and shopping hours are detailed. Despite its more than 470 pages, the guide is compact and fits into most coat pockets (St. Martins: $10.95).