Bill Goodwin's Travel Guides

My name is Bill Goodwin and I'm the author of Frommer's South Pacific, Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia, and Frommer's Fiji.

In them I tell you everything I have learned during my three decades of travel to French Polynesia, Fiji, the Cook Islands, the Samoas, and the Kingdom of Tonga. I give my unvarnished opinions about their attractions, activities, accommodations, and restaurants. Along the way I spin a few yarns about their fascinating history and colorful characters.

Closer to home, I also write Frommer's Virginia, a comprehensive guide to the Old Dominion, the beautiful commonwealth near which I was born where I have lived—and prowled—most of my adult life.

In all of them I give tips you won't find elsewhere that will enable you to have a whole lot of fun without wasting a single cent on your vacation.

I recommend the best activities and the best places to stay and dine in all price categories. Unless there is no other choice, I recommend only those resorts, hotels, and hostels I would stay in myself. The same goes for seeing the sights, enjoying the great outdoors, or picking a restaurant. And I tell you if I think something or someplace is overrated.

You also have the advantage of my Updates page, on which I report on changes that have occurred since I prepared my current editions.

"I just returned from two days in Tahiti and ten days in Bora Bora. Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia was my constant companion. You are so in tune to the needs of the tourist and how to navigate the islands to get the most out of your vacation. Your recommendations for lodging, restaurants, and activities were right on point. I am a scuba diver and I really appreciated the information you gave me in the book. Thank you!!!!!!!!" – Dr. Lester Joern


"We traveled with your wonderful guide to the South Pacific and would very much like you to know that more than ever before the guide became our faithful companion and Mr. Goodwin a long-time friend." – Rosa Lombardi


"My wife and I recently returned from our first trip to French Polynesia. We found the Frommer's South Pacific guide an invaluable companion in planning interesting activities, determining where to dine, etc." – Lawrence Walz


"I purchased your book, Frommer's Tahiti & French Polynesia, as a guide to plan a recent trip to Moorea and Bora Bora. We are very grateful for the detailed information you provided and found it very helpful. We followed your advice and took the circle island tours on both islands. On Moorea, we had dinner at La Mahogany Restaurant. And you were so right about Belvédère Lookout . . .so stunningly breathtaking it brought tears to my eyes." – Patricia A Whalen


"Thank you for your book, which has just guided us happily around some Fiji islands." – Jan Fletcher


"We've found your guide books very useful on both of our trips to French Polynesia: the one to Moorea and our visit to Bora Bora and Huahine." – William Lundquist


"It is very obvious that the author of this book has actually been to the South Pacific—he is very enthusiastic about the area—and sincerely wants his readers to love it too! We have followed the books on two trips and have found the advice to be 100% accurate. I highly recommend this book—it can be trusted." – Sandra Kyle


"If you are looking for information to help you decide where to go in the South Pacific, [Frommer's South Pacific] is a great place to start. If you know you are going to a specific Island you may want to consider a book on just that Island but this is a great overview and a resource for traveling between the islands." – David Khachadoorian


"If you are traveling to French Polynesia, this is the best book we have been able to locate." – Bill A. Belt


"I recently purchased Frommer's Virginia before a trip that my husband and I took to Richmond. As a long time user of another guidebook that starts with F, I was not sure how I would like the Frommer's Guide, but I have to say I loved it. I am now a convert to Frommer's!" – Allison Ariti


"Thank you very much for writing such an excellent travel guide." – Eric Stamper