With my time in Greece drawing to a close, I realised that I should get at least a little more organised for my next ports-of-call, or at least work out where I will be going. The best starting place I have found for this has not been Lonely Planet (who wants to lug something the size of War and Peace around Europe for 3 months?) but the tinterweb.
Specifically, the following sites have helped enormously:
5) WikiTravel
This one is only getting started, but its a great place to read reviews of cities (including what to say, where to eat etc) and leave reviews of your own. In its infancy, but its at least a lot easier than carrying a book around.
4) Thorn Tree
This is the Lonely Planets site that could end up replacing their publishing arm. Similar to WikiTravel, though edges it at the moment due to having more content. To its detriment, it isn't well organised, but I suppose that's what forums are.
3) Sky Scanner
Enables the user to look up flights to/from almost anywhere - specifically on cheap airlines. Similar to HostelWorld (below) its usually best not best to book flights through the site, but a great way to find how you can get around.
2) Google Maps
One of the great things about the Lonely Planet was that it always had a map (regardless of quality) of the place you are going, which reduces time spent:
a) being lost; and
b) wandering into slightly sketchy areas (unless you like that sort of thing)
Google Maps has (pretty much) smashed that concept and even lets you know what is in the region and whether the streets are one-way. Further, the scary new invention that is 'Street view' can let you even see what the place looks like.
1) HostelWorld
THE place for finding places to stay on almost any corner of the Earth. This is a brilliant site, enabling reviews of the venues on a manner of categories as well as enabling user comments. You can book through the site, or, look the place up on the web and book seperately (avoiding down-payment etc). I have seen this abused though, with people working at the venues standing over guests while they write their reviews, but its generally tip-top.
2 comments:
I would have thought that the whole internet was heavier to carry around than a guide book?!
I do always want to start with a book, for some reason - old-skoolness? I like the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Guides, which have lots of pretty pictures. That probably betrays my age, but at least I am not up to Fodors or Baedecker.
A site I find really useful is http://www.tripadvisor.com/
Before I booked hotels I would often check this for reviews & ratings.
Hi Dylan
Sam from Skyscanner.net here.
Thanks for including us in your top 5.
Just wanted to clarify your point about booking through Skyscanner with regards to your line:
"it's usually not best to book flights through the site"
Skyscanner are not a travel agent, we are a flight search engine. We always send users directly to the airline's website to make their booking, once they have selected their flights.
We don't take any bookings ourselves, therefore we cut out the middleman and users always get the best deal - because they are booking directly with the airline.
cheers
Sam
www.Skyscanner.net
Flight Search Engine
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