Christopher Baker's Page

Books to travel with and because of. Frugal or not, what's helpful -- or simply cool -- in print out there these days?' Weigh in on our comment wall and discussion groups below!

You might say this trend is "barely" growing, but that would be just for the sake of a bad pun. Nude beaches have been a European staple for years, and these days au naturel travel is kicking tush all over the planet!

A fetching mix of chic (especially Grace Bay on Providenciales, aka Provo) and laid back to downright pristine (Grand Turk, Salt Cay, West Caicos) makes T&C far more than a group of glorified Caribbean sandbars.

Another Central American eco-powerhouse, its rainforests, beaches, canal, and castaway islets are complemented by Panama City, the most dynamic urb in Central America, offering a UNESCO World Heritage colonial quarter, casinos, nightlife, and more.

Into the world's unspoiled natural places, with awe and respect. And if you're willing to give up your A/C and TV, you can do a lot of it for next to nothing!

Despite everything, the Caribbean's most impressive island offers one of the world's great travel experiences, from its music and culture to Havana and its other cities, as well as beaches and nature.

South America's largest (and many would say sexiest) country has a lifetime's worth of experiences waiting, from the sands of Copacabana to the Amazon jungles, and beyond.

There's no better (not to mention more frugal) way to see some parts of the world than two-wheeling it, on- or off-road.

One of the Caribbean's largest islands, it's famously got its problems, but also has its rewards, from the cliffs of Negril to the waterfalls near Ocho Rios and Port Antonio.

Stependous beaches, rum, cigars, soft adventure, baseball, sensuous merengue music, and some of the oldest historic sites in the Americas. And still an excellent deal!

America's most populous state is practically a country unto itself, divided between green north and arid south. Highlights: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, Napa/Sonoma wine country, Disneyland, redwood country, skiing, lots more.

This Latino commonwealth of the U.S. remains a holiday gem, whether it's the bright lights and colonial quarter of San Juan, the laid-back islets of Vieques and Culebra, or the fascinating towns, beaches, rainforests, and sites all over the island.