For the traveler who needs help planning a trip abroad, there’s now plenty of help right at your fingertips. Before the internet, if you wanted travel information you went to a travel agency, either in person or by phone. Sometimes one requested brochures from a tour company you may have seen in a newspaper or magazine advertisement. Other means included checking out travel books and guides at your local library. This was how trips were planned for the most part in the distant past.
Thankfully you can plan a trip from start to finish just like a travel professional, thanks to a number of top international travel websites. They’ll make your travel planning so much easier, and save you money in the interim. It's almost too good to be true. With so many travel guides sites, which one would suit your needs internationally?
There are some travel guide book companies who’ve been around for more than 50 years. Just from their brand name alone you know you can get the best travel information possible. The newer travel guide websites fit a certain niche for the younger or less experienced travelers. Let's see what each of these international travel guide websites have to offer, and which ones will be right for you.
Frommer's
Since 1957 Frommer's are the preeminent and most trusted name in travel today. They want the traveler to experience a travel destination the way locals do. That's the whole point of even traveling in the first place. Another one of their features is they offer something for everyone, whether your budget is limited or even unlimited.
Arthur Frommer is still very involved with the website and writing his blogs. The trip ideas offer a range from arts & culture to cultural immersion. This is a great way to prepare for any trip. For those who want a handy hard copy travel guidebook you can order their books online. Take advantage of their informative message board.
Let’s Go
One problem with a vast majority of these international travel guide websites, they rarely cater specifically to student travelers. Let’s Go has been around for 50 years. It was started by Harvard University students explicitly for students. Initially they began writing their travel information (which would be like today’s blogs) into a series of travel content. For those who want to embark on a travel adventure, without the tourist trappings, this is the best budget travel guide site around.
Trip Advisor
This is the largest travel site both domestically and internationally. If you prefer to read the countless reviews and ratings of destinations, hotels, attractions, restaurants, and other travel information from actual travelers, nothing else compares to Trip Advisor. Not only does it feature a plethora of travel choices, you can even plan a trip just like the old school travel agents of yore. In addition, Trip Advisor provides information on booking flights, hotels, and vacation rentals. .
Rough Guides
Their first travel guide book was published in 1982. From its immediate success came their series of travel content which still continues today. The Rough Guides travel book collection covers over 200 worldwide destinations. On their website's homepage you will see an exquisite photo of a featured travel location. The site offers content on everything you want to know of your planned destination.
Rough Guides deal with subjects including traveling with infants and small children to centering a trip for music lovers from classical to the Beatles. You'll also find archived travel articles, and a community where you can get valuable inside information from other varied travelers for their keen insights, reviews, photos, and experiences.
In Your Pocket
If it’s a specific European city you’re interested in learning more about, then In Your Pocket is the one to go to. Founded by a German and some Belgian bothers in 1991, they took their idea to produce information on an urban city in Europe by giving readers a thorough look into its local community, not just the touristy hot spots from other travel sites. For those interested in immersing into the regional culture this is highly recommended and a uniquely one.
Lonely Planet
The brand name alone says it all. It was founded by Tony and Maureen Wheeler 40 years ago. They had written a couple of successful books regarding traveling on a budget, which is how Lonely Planet got its start. This is the ultimate travel guide website for those wanting to do the hostel, or bed & breakfast, or guesthouse way of traveling. Lonely Planet has a vast community of forums, blogs, travel interests, and various other links to help you with planning your international trip on a shoestring.
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