Trip Planning Resources

Whether you're planning a round the world trip or you're on the road now, these resources will help you with informative, comprehensive trip planning options: find and book cheap flights, budget accommodation and hotel rooms, and get discounts, maps, guidebooks and travel insurance. Be sure to check back often for additions!

Note: links on this page will open in a new window -- just close that window to return here and continue browsing.

Find the best deal, compare prices and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor -- be sure to check out their new online trip planner; you can find and book hotels and flights or save all your research for future reference and comparison and book later.

Book Your Hotel Room, Hostel Bed or Guesthouse

Plan Ahead for worldwide budget accommodation - make reservations at hostels, budget hotels, guesthouses, campsites or apartments in every corner of the world you plan to travel, and book your tours at the same time! Plan ahead, book your bed!

WooGo.com - if you've ever looked for reasonably priced, decent hotel rooms in London, New York or Berlin, you'll know that this looks almost too good to be true. But, the customer testimonials sold me on these furnished, short and long-stay apartment-hotel rooms in excellent locations, offered straight from the property owners. 70% Off Hotels and Apartments in New York, London and Berlin

Cheap Airline Tickets, Last Minute and Weekend Getaways and Hotel Bookings

Kayak.com - search for the best deals in flights, hotels and packages

Globe Travels -- Consolidator Air Fare. Lower than Available Anywhere Else. Book Now!

Travel Guides, Maps and Hiking Trail Topographics

The Global Exchange Online Fair Trade Store offers books and exciting movies and documentaries produced by grassroots activists from Brazil, Cuba, Palestine, Mexico, South Africa, Indonesia and more, as part of its mission to educate the public about human rights, social justice, and the global economy.

Sierra Club Books. Adventure! Travel!

Satisfy Your Curiosity -- about anywhere in the world, from anywhere in the world, with Encyclopedia Britannica Online

Immerse Yourself in the Global Community with Travelers' Exchange Opportunities

CouchSurfing.com - If you've ever had the lucky experience of striking up a conversation with a stranger on a train and receiving an invitation to crash on their couch for a night, you'll know how special this site is. A community of travelers from all over the world offering and exchanging accomodation of all types, along with firsthand travel advice about their home base and travelled destinations. By far my favourite travel site, with vibrant forums on everything from destination specific recommendations to political activitism to recipe sharing.

Global Exchange -- a non-profit international human rights organization offering reality tours coordinated by locals in host communities in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Tours generally include two meals per day, double room accommodations, translation of all programs, reading and preparatory materials, all transportation within the country, program and entrance fees. Participants are offered the opportunity to learn firsthand about global issues affecting countries, communities and individuals.

WWOOFING - Wwoofing stands for World-wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Host farms accept volunteers to help with their work in exchange for room and board, giving you the opportunity to learn about organic farming and gain firsthand immersion into the culture of the country and people you're visiting. The independent hosts membership also offer many different kinds of work that you can explore in homes that are in keeping with the general ethic of respect for the environment and the idea of an exchange of knowledge and expertise, food and accommodation in exchange for help on a voluntary basis.