Having a handy selection of go-to travel resources will give you a huge help in planning for your upcoming travels. They’re easy to use, readily available, give you advice and assist in helping you decide on where you want to go and what you want to see when you’re travelling. They’re fantastic! Here are some of my favourites that I like to use.
Travel Guide Books – The classic. While they’re not the coolest looking travel accessories going around, they sure do have some incredible tips and hidden gems to share. They usually also have detailed maps and descriptive notes from some of the world’s most knowledgeable travellers. Some of my favourites include Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, and Time Out. Many guidebooks are now available as eBooks, or can be downloaded as PDF files. So for those of you that are more digitally inclined, this is a great option.
Airfares – If you’re like me, and don’t have the time or patience to compare individual airline companies and their flight prices, Skyscanner is one that you need to discover. This website allows you to choose a destination and date, and it will give you a list of all of the comparative prices between the airline companies. I’ve managed to find some great steals on flights through this site. Another way to save money on flights, as well as organise them, is through STA Travel. They’re well known for their cheap flights, as well as their ‘round the world’ ticket option.
Accommodation – Choosing accommodation can be tough on the Internet; there are always too many options to choose from! For hostels and hotels, I use Booking.com and Hostel World. There are also many people that swear by CouchSurfing.com and it’s ability to save you a tonne of money. Another fantastic option for booking accommodation, that’s a little different and that would be on my personal favourite, Airbnb. This website allows you to book to stay at someone else’s property, in over 190 countries around the world. You can stay in people’s bungalows, apartments, and penthouses or just in their spare bedroom! The prices work out to be really reasonable and I’ve always found the owners awfully welcoming, and full of knowledge about the local area.
Advice – Asking questions and picking people’s brains is a fantastic way to prepare for your travels. Some people have had the most amazing experiences on their travels and can’t wait to share it with you, and for you to hopefully do the same. Reading travel blogs is also one I can’t suggest more. You’ll find interesting stories and insights into other people’s journeys, and come across destinations and places of interest that you might not have seen otherwise. The writers themselves are usually available to answer your questions, too.
Having these travel resources can really give you the things you need to make your travels truly exciting. They can save you money, allow you to get your trip a little more organised, and will most definitely inspire you!
Written by Katherine Reynolds
www.katthewanderer.com / facebook/katthewanderer / @katthewanderer