Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and the road. For a true traveler the destination is only a minor detail in planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into an unfamiliar culture is paramount. Before you begin to crack the travel guides, pick a destination or plan a travel itinerary, visit some of these off the beaten path travel sites. Whatever level of expertise you tout, whether it is international travel, student travel, discount travel or just plain old USA travel, these sites are guaranteed to expand your horizons:
Social-Travel Networks
1. IgoUgo.com
Honest advice to get you going.
It’s no wonder IgoUgo won the 2005 Webby Award for the Best Travel Site in
the U.S. It definitely stands apart from other online travel communities
that allow travelers to share photos and stories. Their newly added Travel
Deals provides the best bargains in the coming week from a variety of
travel sites, saving you the hassle of online booking research. IgoUgo
rewards contributing writers and photographers with GO points, which can
be redeemed at online retailers and used for frequent flier miles.
Cool Feature:
Have a favorite IgoUgo member? You can search for a member, view their
profile, and stay up to date on their travels.
2. Triporama.com
Plan Together. Travel Together.
Triporama enables you to plan a group trip and share the details with
your group. It’s like your own personal trip website. Tools on the
site include storing and sharing your research, manage invites, and posting
messages to your group.
Don’t Miss!
- Group Travel Guide’s Recommendations.
3. Tripadvisor.com
Get the truth, then go.
Tripadvisor.com has compiled over 5 million traveler reviews and opinions
on hotels, vacations and more. Here you can find the honest truth about
your destination, without feeling like you’re being 'sold'. Reviewers
have the option of uploading their own vacation pictures. The hotel website
may show you a room with a view, but the travelers pictures may tell a
different story...
Cool Feature:
goLists- Travelers create a list of what to see
and things to do in a certain destination.
4. Triptie.com
Tying Travel Together.
Triptie.com was created based on the idea that travelers make the best
travel agents. By allowing travelers to share personal vacation itineraries,
stories, and photos, everyone becomes someone else’s agent. Unlike
similar travel sites, you can easily pull pieces from other itineraries
and make them a part of your own.
Cool Feature:
Create your hometown Itinerary for when friends…or
travelers from around the globe come and stay.
5. Iagora.com
Connecting Internationals Since 1998
Looking to get away, and stay away? Iagora.com offers information on internships,
study abroad, and permanent positions available abroad. This site will
help you find housing, hotels, and provide tips for working and living
abroad. By signing up for premiere membership you can submit your resume
and network for job offers from around the globe.
Cool Feature:
iPeople- Browse through member profiles and contact information to get
personal information on others who are working and living abroad.
6. Bootsnall.com
The Ultimate Resource for the Independent
Traveler
BootsnAll features guides, stories, book reviews, and insiders from every
continent. The site also has message boards, blogs, and travel deals.
You can book flights, hotels, and even hostels through provided links….they
really do live up to the ‘nall when it comes to traveling.
Don’t Miss!
- 50 Most Recent Travel Stories.
7. Wayn.com
Where Are You Now?
Think Myspace, for travel lovers. WAYN.com (where are you now?) allows
users to keep a log of their travels…past, present, and future.
The idea is that you share them with other members, and maybe even meet
some of them along the way.
Cool Feature:
An integrated instant messaging program.
8. Planetware.com
Your Unlimited Travel Guide to the World
Many of the most popular travel sites provide little information on U.S
destinations. It may be hard to come across a site with detailed guides
for U.S cities. That is what sets Planetware.com apart from other destination
guide websites. Their ultimate goal is to eventually database every attraction
in the world.
Cool Feature:
Enter your Hobbies and Activities and it will bring up destinations that
can entertain them.
9. Realtravel.com
Real People, Real Advice, Real Experiences.
Voted as one of the 12 Best Travel Sites by Forbes.com, Realtravel is
an online community for all things related to travel. Featuring photos,
blogs, member profiles, and links to the latest in travel deals, it is
a great way for people to obtain and share advice on travel experiences.
Cool Feature:
Featured Destination Page
10. Hotspottin.com
Think Zagat-for international nightlife, without the attitude. Arranged
by city, users can submit a “hotspot,” rate it, and even upload
their own madcap photos from their night out.
Don’t Miss! Most Popular Hotspot-
because that makes it the hottest spot.
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