Alternatives to Guidebooks
Sometimes guidebooks just don’t provide all the information a traveler might need. Things change and by the time book is in print, some of the information is out of date. Luckily, because of the internet there are many good alternatives out there:
Online Message Boards- Online communities like TravBuddy, Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree, Eurotrip, Traveller’s Point and Boot’s N All provide great places to go to find answers to all your travel questions from other travelers. Information is up to date and active participation ensures that misinformation gets corrected quickly. You can even look for travel partners on the website.
Travel Blogs- Other travelers are a great resource for information and with the proliferation of blogging, many travelers keep up to date journals and articles on travel. The best travel blogs are the one from long term travelers who turned traveling into a profession. Some good travel blogs are Almost Fearless, Travel Blissful, Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site, Indie Travel Podcast, and Everything-Everywhere, and Uncornered Market.
Travel Magazines- Multi-author websites like Jaunted, Gadling, World Hum, and Matador post regular articles on a variety of travel topics. They are updated weekly and, sometimes, even daily. You will find tips, advice, news, and stories that can also help you plan your next holiday.
Citysearch/Yelp!- Online city and restaurant guides can help you find out the best things to see and do in a town. These sites are contributed to by locals so you can find out what’s hot in town, what events and activities are happening from the people that will know the area the best.
If you haven’t been to a country before, a guidebook is worth buying because it has a lot of practical information like train times, bus schedules, lists of hostels, and sites to visit. But remember that guidebooks have their limitations- they are not bibles. Use them for the basics. For additional information, use the resources above to find out current travel information, news, advice, and travel partners. We always use both guidebooks and these other services.
