World ~ General Information

Latest Tips:

Take a photo of everything

Buy a digital camera (it'll change your life) and a big memory card (minimum 1 gigabyte). Snap pictures of where you parked your rental car, the ferry schedule, how full the gas tank was when you returned the car to the lot, and so on. You can always delete the photos later.

ATM? Credit cards? Traveler's checks?

All of the above. To get cash, use an ATM. Your bank may have agreements with foreign banks; Bank of America, for one, belongs to the Global ATM Alliance, which means its customers can make free withdrawals from over 30,000 ATMs in eight countries. Use credit cards to make purchases (if you have more than one, figure out which has the lowest conversion fee). In some countries, they'll print your account number on the receipt, so don't blithely toss it in the trash. For emergencies, it helps to bring a few hundred dollars in traveler's checks.

Don't call home

There are ways to place calls cheaply from abroad, both with a cell phone and without (such as Skype). But unless you're traveling around the world for months on end, you don't really need to call. Create a Web-based e-mail account and keep in touch that way. You can go online at an Internet café for about $3 an hour. In the U.S., also look for libraries, which tend to have free access.

Almost every city has a transit pass

And it's always a better deal than buying á la carte.

Know your rights

If you're bumped from a domestic flight and you get onto another flight within one to two hours, the airline pays you the equivalent of a one-way fare ($200 max); more than two hours and you get up to $400. Vouchers are an option, too. If your checked bag is delayed, the airline covers expenses for toiletries and clothing until it delivers the bag to you. For a lost bag, the carrier must reimburse you, up to $3,000. If your hotel is overbooked, the hotel must find you a room at a comparable or better property nearby, at no extra charge.

Don't save the best for the last day

What if the weather takes a turn for the worse? What if you get sick? What if a giant meteor falls from the sky and lands right on your room? You'll wish that you had gone snorkeling earlier in your trip.

Nothing kills the fun like a long wait

For most major attractions, you can buy tickets online in advance. Also, in many cities there are passes that can be a great deal, especially because they let you skip to the head of the line. The big U.S. pass companies are CityPass and Go Card. The New York CityPass, for instance, costs $53 for adults - a smart value even if you're only going to three of the five attractions offered: the regular price for the Guggenheim Museum is $18; Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, $24; American Museum of Natural History & Rose Center, $14; Empire State Building, $18; and Museum of Modern Art, $20.

Jet lag is inevitable

Human beings were not designed to fly halfway around the world. All you can really do is not drink alcohol on the plane, keep hydrated, get in synch with the new time zone as soon as you can, and exercise after landing (the last one is crucial).

"See you inside!"

Some popular museums - such as the Louvre in Paris - have more than one entrance; the lesser-known ones often have shorter lines. And for some attractions, you can buy tickets at places other than the end of a long line at the front door. Tickets for Versailles are available in advance at Fnac record stores in France and at fnac.com; in Rome, tickets purchased at the Palatine museum also let you walk right into the Colosseum.

A tax loophole for hunter-gatherers

When returning to the U.S., Americans may bring $800 of goods for personal use without having to pay duties or taxes. If you buy more than that, ship it home: You can send $200 of goods per day to yourself at a U.S. address. You can also send duty-free gifts worth up to $100 per person per day to people in the U.S. Bear in mind that shipping companies charge based on bulk or weight, whichever costs more, so pack efficiently.

Basic training

If the airport you're flying into is served by a train, take it if you're heading anywhere near the city center. Unless, of course, you're traveling in a group of three or more people, when a taxi is probably more cost-effective.

If you're going to complain, do it right

1. Speak up as soon as you have a problem. The longer you wait, the more the company will assume it wasn't that big of a deal.

2. Unsatisfied with the response? Politely ask for a supervisor. Never take "no" from someone who isn't empowered to say yes. The corollary is: Don't complain to anyone who can't help you. All that you're doing is ruining their day.

3. Even - or especially - if someone promises you the world, get it in writing.

4. Build a case! Take notes, keep receipts, get names. Your goal is to show that you really mean business.

5. When corresponding, do it by letter or e-mail. It beats calling, getting passed around, and telling your story over and over. But make copies before you send any originals.
 

AIRFARES ~

  Airfare Discount Specialists ~

     Sidestep

     FareChase

     Travelocity

     Expedia

    Travellersweb
     URL: http://www.travellersweb.ws
     London specialists in cheap international airfares, plus hotels,
     vacation packages, and car rentals.  Why not give these blokes
     a try, and save yourself a bundle of money

BACKPACKING ~

Bed and Breakfast ~

Best Tourist Attractions ~ 

Best Tourist Attractions Worldwide
URL: http://www.planetware.ca/ratings/toprated.htm
Top-rated tourist sites listed for 36 countries.

Bugbog world travel planning
URL: http://www.bugbog.com
A destination finder to help you quickly
choose the best place for a holiday

Cruises ~

Cruise4me
URL: http://www.cruise4me.com/
Cruise4me.com the worlds internet cruise source

Food, Restaurant & Travel Guide
URL: http://www.foodtourist.com
Dedicated to food lovers searching for the best restaurants,
food stores, wines and food products.

Access Travel Resources
URL: http://net-mall.8m.com/travel-services
Discover travel discounts on hotel reservations, airline
tickets, car rentals, cruises, and more.

Condos with Confidence
URL: http://condoswithconfidence.com
Condo/Villa vacation rentals with a personal touch
in all U.S. & world-wide vacation destinations.

FAMILY VACATIONS ~ 

Family Adventure Tours
URL: http://www.familyadventures.com
Discover the world through the eyes of a child.  Alaska,
Australia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Nepal,
Tanzania, Turkey

HOME SECURITY ~

B-Safe Home Security
URL: http://www.mercuryenterprises.com/
Home Security whether you're home or away!

HOTELS ~

Hotels At Fabulous Discounts
URL:  http://www.hotelkingdom.com
Welcome to "Hotel Kingdom" where you can find Hotels across
America at Wholesale Rates.  Take Advantage of the Deepest Discounts
on the Internet! Up to 1/2 Off!  Always the lowest rates guaranteed!

Hotels
URL: http://www.hotelgroups.com
Internet booking agency for hotels offering discount rates.

The World Hotels Database
URL: http://dataplace.to
Directory of World Accommodation

Up to 65%savings reservations worldwide
URL: http://www.hotel411.com/
Secret Savings up to 65% on reservations travel
arrangements worldwide with instant online confirmation.

Unusual & Unique Lodging Listing
URL: http://www.unusuallodging.com
Free online reservations service for unusual lodging facilities

Kasbah Travel Search Engine
URL: http://www.kasbah.com
travel guide

Worldwide Hotel Reservations can be made through the
following links:

http://www.4u-hotels.com

http://www.hotels-and-travel.com

http://www.sunscale.com/

HOUSE SITTING ~

House sitting world wide
URL: http://www.housesitworld.com
How to find a house sitter or register for house sitting

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS  ~

Learn Spanish Today
URL: http://www.learnspanishtoday.com
Experience this unique concept in language learning.  Go online
and learn a few words each day.  This Spanish language website
contains free interactive audio/visual Spanish lessons that teach over 500
words and phrases, including Greetings, Travel, Survival, Expressions,
Colors, Numbers, Months, Days of the Weeks, and 100's of other useful
words and phrases.  Also free Spanish quizzes and a game.

Language
URL: http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/translate.dyn
Learn how to say "Hello", "Goodbye", and almost
anything else in many languages

LUGGAGE ~

Luggage
URL: http://www.AllDiscountLuggage.com
Discount luggage.  Save up to 74% on brand name luggage,
and travel accessories, suitcases, briefcases & more!

MAPS ~

GPS MAPS FOR ADVENTURE TRAVEL
URL: http://www.travelbygps.com
Download free GPS Maps for hiking, boating, snowmobiling, fishing, on- and off road sightseeing. GPS Maps are waypoint coordinates, route and track data that lead you through unique travel adventure.  Use GPS for safer, more enjoyable active vacations
 

MEDICAL NEEDS ~

Medical Travel, Inc.
URL: http://www.medicaltravel.org
We are a Full Service Medical Travel Agency that
caters to people with medical needs

NEWSLETTERS & MAGAZINES ~ 

Travel Smart News
URL: http://www.travelsmartnews.com
Travel Smart offers insider information on better travel for less.

Welcome to Wanderlust Magazine
URL: http://www.wanderlust.co.uk
Wanderlust inspires the free-spirited traveller - subscribe online

PASSPORTS ~ 

VIP Passports And Visa Services
URL: http://www.vippassports.com/passports1.htm
Offers first time US passports and renewals, passports in a hurry,
passport information, and passport photos.

Click here!  to find out everything you want to know about Passports.  Application service, phone numbers, costs, etc.  

PLANNING YOUR TRIP ~

PlanetWare Travel Encyclopedia
URL: http://www.planetware.com
A comprehensive, searchable tourist attraction data. Plan travel with photos, maps, descriptions.

Travel Channels
URL: http://www.travelchannels.com
The World Travel Search Engine

Travelroads
URL: http://www.travelroads.com
It's a jungle out there.  Don't get lost on the information superhighway.  Let Travelroads help you find a tour operator the easy way.  Search for companies based on destination, activity and special interest.  Once you have found a match, you can even request a brochure online.  It's easy, fast, and free!

THEATRES ~

Historic Theatre Discovery Tour
URL: http://www.theatrediscovery.com
Unique, self-guided travel options with a focus on live theatre.

TRAVEL ACCESSORIES ~ 

TRAVEL AGENCIES ~ 

The Travel Site
URL: http://www.thetravelsite.com
Vacation planning guide with online reservations and 3000 pages of 
information and a zillion links

Global Asia Travel
URL: http://orlanmantravelhut.com
Worldwide travel reservation system with over 20,000 travel products in over 100 countries.

Travelweb3000
URL: http://www.travelweb3000.com/
Specializing in discount travel and tickets from airlines, hotels, lodgings, rental cars

AA World Traveller
URL: http://home.att.net/~olleiad/
You can book a flight, rent a car, reserve a hotel room or plan a  trip anywhere in the world.

World Travelling
URL: http://www.worldtravelling.com
"World Travelling" is a Free World Hotels, resorts, motels, inns, and motor inns website.

TRAVELOGUES ~

VISA SERVICE ~

VIP Passports And Visa Services
URL: http://www.vippassports.com/passports1.htm
Specializes in work and student visas, US visas, travel visas, fiancé visas, immigration visas, transit visa, and information on all visa requirements.
 

Zierer Visa Service
URL: http://www.zvs.com
Passport and visa information for United States passport holders to all countries of the world.

Africa ~

Priory Travel Guides
URL: http://www.btinternet.com/~stuart.melvin
Independent guide to Zimbabwe and other destinations. Attractions,  hotels, maps.. and much more.

America ~ 

     Alabama ~

     Alaska ~

        Alaska Visitors Center & Activities
        URL: http://www.alaskavisitorscenter.com
        Alaska visitors, vacation and travel information. FREE reservations & itinerary
        service.

     Arizona ~

     Arkansas ~

Florida ~

Everglades Cozy Cabin Florida
URL: http://www.gladeshaven.com/
Everglades Cozy Cabins in Chokoloskee, Florida offer
vacation rentals, tours, fishing guides.

     Georgia ~

        Lake Oconee (Georgia) Adventures
        URL: http://www.visitlakeoconee.org
        Information on Georgia's Lake Oconee.

     Hawaii ~

        Hawaii For Less ~ Budget Vacation Packages
        URL: http://www.hawaii4less.com
        Condo-Car-Air Packages to Hawaii

     Illinois ~

        Overnight Illinois Riverboat Cruises
        URL: http://www.spiritofpeoria.com
        Experience Mississippi riverboat, aboard our 1900's paddle-wheeler  overnight
        excursions & day trips.

     Maryland ~ 

        Riverside Community Association
        URL: http://www.riversidemd.org/
        The Official website of the waterfront city of Riverside, Maryland!

Nevada ~

The Nevada Rambler
URL: http://www.nevadarambler.com
Tours, travel, vacations, group travel, and more....

     Texas ~ 

        Terlingua Texas
        URL: http://www.terlinguatx.com
        Promoting travel and tourism in the Terlingua Texas area

     Wisconsin ~ 

        Hortonville Online
        URL: http://www.hortonville-wi.com/
        Your Guide to the Village of Hortonville, Wisconsin and the Surrounding Area.

Argentina ~

Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
URL: http://www.tandilnet.com
General information, maps, photos, places to visit useful addresses
and links related to Tandil.

Armenia ~

Aruba ~ 

Tourism Information for Aruba
URL: http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/about/index.html
Everything you need to know about Aruba.  Sights, beaches, travel,
hotels, and more.  This is a great site.

Australia ~ 

Australian Travel Emporium
URL: http://www.austtravel.com.au
Comprehensive Australian holiday and destination guide covering
all  states and regions.

Australia: A Photographic Experience
URL: http://freepages.travel.rootsweb.com/~ausphotos/index.html
Photos and links of Australia plus some overseas travel pics.

Countrywide Motorcycle Tours Australia
URL: http://www.sci.com.au/countrywide/
The best of what Australia has to offer in motorcycle touring

Australia's Wild Plains Safari Camp
URL: http://www.wildplains.com.au
African safari style lodges and wildlife safaris on the edge of  Kakadu National Park.

Wild places, Northern Australia
URL: http://www.wildplaces.net.au
Information on vacations to the Northern Territory and Kimberley region of Australia.

Austria ~

http://austria.vienna.sunscale.com
Hotel reservations throughout Austria

Bali ~ 

99Bali
URL: http://www.99bali.com
Your guide to business & leisure in Bali, sports, adventures, etc. 
Online Hotel Reservations

Barbados ~ 

Luxury Hide Aways ~ Lascelles House
URL: http://www.luxuryhideaways.com
Villa Rentals - spend a relaxing vacation / holiday on the tranquil
west coast of Barbados

Brazil ~ 

Business Tourism in Rio de Janeiro
URL: http://www.triumphbusiness.com
Assistance to travelers: transportation, restaurants and hotel booking, airport pickups, city tours

Canada ~ 

Accommodation Directory for Canada
URL: http://www.kanadanews.de/accommodation_eng.htm
Canada Accommodations with bed and breakfast, hotel, fishing lodge, guest ranch

     British Columbia ~

     Manitoba ~ 

     Ontario ~

     Quebec ~

Club Noise: Montreal Nightlife
URL: http://www.clubnoise.com
Experience the clubs that make Montreal's nightlife world renown.

Caribbean ~ (Individual islands are listed separately)

Turquoise Net - Caribbean Guide
URL: http://www.turq.com
Caribbean travel and tourism information.

Chile ~ 

Travel to Chile
URL: http://www.tempotravel.cl
All the services you require to travel to and from Chile

Cook Islands ~

The Official Kia Orana Web Site
URL: http://kiaorana.com
Kia Orana.com. Informative and graphical outlook on the Cook Islands.

Costa Rica ~

Zancudo Beach Club
URL: http://www.zancudobeachclub.com
Cabinas, bar and restaurant on black sand Pacific beach in tropical
southern Costa Rica.

Czech Republic ~ 

Romantic Flat in Prague Center
URL: http://www.volny.cz/ute/english/
Newly refurbished with well-equipped kitchenette for short  and long term rental.

Ecuador ~

GALASAM: Land Programs
URL: http://www.galasam.com.ec/programs.htm
Find out about the different programs we offer you in  Ecuador and
also the Galapagos Islands!

Veronica's Home Page
URL: http://redecuador.net/veronica
You will find many photographs of Ecuador and interest links.

Egypt ~ 

FJ Expeditions
URL: http://fjexpeditions.virtualave.net
4WD expeditions to Egypt's Western Desert, Jebel Uweinat, Gilf Kebir
and the real "cave of swimmers"

England ~

London Hotels For Less!
URL: http://www.milesfaster.co.uk
All the great London Hotel chains at a discount: Best Western Hotels,
Citadines Apartments, Grange Hotels, Hilton hotels,  Holiday Inn,
Le Meridien Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Millenium Hotels,
Renaissance Hotels, and the Thistle hotels

The Premier London Taxi Website
URL: http://www.london-taxi.co.uk
London-Taxi for taxi bookings, taxi information, London information,
taxi links  and much more.

http://london.4u-hotels.com
Hotel reservations for London

(England.  Also view links listed under "United Kingdom" or "Great Britain")

Europe ~

Dining Europe
URL: http://www.diningeurope.com
Restaurant reviews and dining out in the British Isles and  continental Europe

Vacation Rental Apartments in Europe
URL: http://www.europeapartments.com
Short-term vacation rental apartments in London, Paris, Brussels  and other Europe cities

Accessible Europe
URL: http://www.accessibleurope.com
Accessible Europe provides accessible tourist services all over Europe to  people with disability

Fiji ~

Fiji Travel- Koro Island
URL: http://www.koroisland.com
Fiji - Koro Island real estate, travel and vacation rentals

Finland ~

www.finland-tourism.com
In Finland you'll find pure and varied nature with lots of exciting
and relaxing activities. The vibrant culture provides a great
variety of events and tours suited for different tastes.
 

France ~

FRANCE Magazine
URL: http://www.francemag.com
Travel and cultural information from FRANCE magazine, an English-language  quarterly glossy.

LC International
URL: http://www.lcinter.fr/
French booking center of charming hotels in Paris.

French Holiday Pyrenees A Discovery
URL: http://www.gites-fr.de
Self-catering restored farm. Discover region Midi-Pyrenees Toulouse,  Andorra, and the Carcassonne

Disneyland Paris - Internet-Guidebook
URL: http://www.dlp-guidebook.de/
Unofficial guide to DLP - theme park, hotels and resort - with interactive & news section!

http://paris.hotels-and-travel.com
Hotel reservations for Paris

Georgia Republic ~ 

In-Tourism Ltd.
URL: http://itour.8m.com
Discover the new old country! Welcome to Georgia, Caucasus!

Great Britain ~ 

Travel Britain
URL: http://www.travelbritain.com
UK travel and tourism guide

The Complete Travel Guide to Britain
URL: http://www.tour-britain.com
Travellers one stop guide to Britain - Traditional British gift,  information and Customs

Greece ~ 

Greek Islands Net
URL: http://www.greek-islands.net
Greek Islands Net is a large directory on all Greek islands.

Holidays in Greece - Travel to Greece
URL: http://holidays-in-greece.com
Find out from this web site about the sunshiny beautiful Greece, its accommodation, food, dining.

All About Crete
URL: http://www.cretetravel.com
All the interesting things to see and do on Crete can be found on this website.  Find unique places, information, travel tips, plus, hotels, restaurants, etc.

Mykonos accommodation : travel agency.
URL: http://mykonos-accommodation.com
Mykonos accommodation center: travel agency on beautiful Mykonos island in the Cyclades, Greece.

A Virtual Tour of Zakynthos Island.
URL: http://www.zakynthos-net.gr
Discover the island of Zakynthos (Zante), in Greece.

Grenada ~

Grenada Explorer the Caribbean Guide
URL: http://www.grenadaexplorer.com
Explore our beautiful unspoiled Caribbean island with us.

Grenada Hotels and Resorts, Reservations, Instant confirmation.
Save up to 65% when you book our package deals!!
Grenada has a wide range of holiday accommodations.  From luxurious resorts to comfortable guesthouses, it all depends on you.  There are holiday cottages tastefully decorated, some with self-catering facilities.  Stay at well-known independent hotels for less!  There's no need to shop around for the lowest hotels rates - just tell us how many persons, the dates of your stay, select a hotel quality level and name the price you want to pay.  Find an accommodation that suits your needs and your budget (without airfare) -any package you wish to name. Click here