Great Travel Websites

Planning a trip is made world's easier (yeah, pun intentional and awful) by the plethora of websites out there, but at some point the web got a little too big and tracking down the best ones became a little more trouble than it was worth.

Here are a few of my favorites that might make it a little easier for you:

Kayak
This is, hands down, the first place I go every time I am even speculating a potential adventure. It checks a huge variety of other sites and airlines for the best deals on flights and hotels. As any diligently frugal traveler would, I of course check out other places as well, but this site usually provides if not the best deal, a good baseline for what to compare against.

Well Abroad
WellAbroad® provides comprehensive information to travelers and international citizens concerning the health, travel, and security status of various countries throughout the world. The information is regularly updated to provide the most accurate data.

Trip Advisor
Trip Advisor operates a wide variety of travel related sites and boasts huge audience numbers. Aside from offering options for flights and hotels, the basis is to provide recommendations from other frequent travelers on the best spots to hit and places to go at nearly any location in the world.

Travel Zoo
This site offers a great weekly collection of some of the best travel deals out there. It's automatic, free, and continuously reminds you there are way too many cool places to see.

Lonely Planet
You probably wouldn't have found your way to my blog if you didn't already know what these guys were all about. If you haven't checked their website yet though, I recommend it - a lot of great resources.

Virtual Tourist
An online community for travelers that encourages dialogue and posting of good activities or experiences. Easy to navigate and fun to surf.

Couch Surfing
Couch Surfing...truly a cheap traveling phenom. I admit I haven't tried first hand, but I've heard some great stories and positive feedback from friends that have.

Hostel World
Again...if you don't know what this bible-like website is all about, then you need to plan your first real adventure. You'll never turn back.