My favorite travel sites, resources and products. Got a suggestion? Send a comment in the form below.
To book flights, hotel and car rental:
- Expedia
- Travelocity
- Cheap Tickets
- Priceline
- **If you’re going to use Priceline and bid on travel, you must check out Bidding For Travel where you can get tips on what hotels are going for in the your destination city.
- Hotwire
Travel Information and Magazines:
- U.S. Department of State Passports — Everything you need to know about getting your passport here. Don’t bother with hiring a service to expedite when you can pay a little extra and have it done directly with the source. Don’t fret if you’re pushing on a deadline; make sure to let them know your dates of travel and they will work hard to get it to you before then.
- Visas and travel conditions abroad — Click on your destination country.
- Budget Travel
- Frommer’s
- Virtual Tourist
My favorite traveling products (only items I have actually used and like):
- EarPlanes Pressure Regulating Earplugs
— These are special earplugs that really do prevent the air-pressure pain of take-off and especially the descent. They are a must for anyone who gets ear-pressure pain when flying, and are especially great for young children. - Triple Play Sit n Stroll 5 in 1 Combination Car Seat Stroller
— We have used ours internationally twice; it’s perfect for strolling down a street and then jumping into a cab, and even can be used as a booster seat in restaurants.
- Rick Steves Silk Money Belt
— Amazingly comfortable in hot, sticky weather. This is a must for travelers, even if you’re traveling domestically. (I wish my mother had used one when she got pick-pocketed in the Houston airport last year.)
- Emergency Rain Poncho — This is a cheap rain poncho ($.99) and if you’re a large group, having a few of these will save the day if rain should fall. Umbrellas are great, but they’re awkward, bulky and hard to share.
- Alacer – Emer’Gen-C – Lemon-Lime, 30 packets
— This is a version of that other drink with the cartoon teacher on the package, but cheaper and with all the same vitamins. My family and I drink this everyday during our trips. The kids like to mix them with juice on the airplane. We haven’t been sick once — and we travel a lot.
- Flip UltraHD Camcorder
— If you don’t have a Flip yet, you’re missing out. For about $100, you can take high-quality videos, email ‘em, take still pics and more all from this ingenious device which is about the size of a bar of soap. I just don’t lug around our expensive camera when this will do, and if it gets lost or stolen, no big deal. Plus, friends and family can see what we’re up to on the other side of the world almost instantly.
Travel Articles & Posts:
