Travel Planning and Inspiration
The holidays are over, and it’s time to get back to our day-to-day lives; all in a new year! For some of us the pressure is on to fullfill New Years resolutions and expectations, and that probably includes a trip to a dream destination.
But, if you’re like most people, you are still recovering from the holiday rush of your travel or family & friends coming and going.
Now is a perfect time to start planning your trips for 2017.
And, nothing helps with planning and inspiration more than great websites, apps, and blogs to provide all the info you need and photographs to bring people, places and cultures to life.
We have a few suggestions.
Routehappy: Fly Happy
If you’re looking for happiness on your next flight, this website gives you a rating of airlines heading to your destination. Everything from fares, schedules, seats and leg room are calculated for your comfort and happiness. The score is derived from a myriad of happiness factors that are important to travelers, everything from seat types and configurations, entertainment options, and Wi-Fi and one thing most important to my happiness would be routing – non-stop, or many stops.
I conducted a test search for a flight from Atlanta to New York, the site gave the highest ratings, 8.2 (JFK) and 8.1 (EWR & LGA), to Delta and a 4.4 to Spirit and the lowest scores, for the longest duration which means stops and seat size too. It allows searches for coach, premium economy, business, and first class. Routehappy doesn’t get you any unique deals, but it can at least steer you to an airline and flight you might prefer.
Routehappy.com
Vayable: Let Local Insiders Guide You
Vayable matches visitors with very knowledgeable locals who can provide the insider’s, expert one-on-one guidance about their hometown. The guides know what’s trending and where the “must see” attractions are in their town and area.
The insiders have exceptional local knowledge and skills and can design specific tours around what you want to experiece. Prices for services may be set or calculated based on what you want to experience.
As the tourist, you search for experiences and tour guides that are interesting to you. With a quick search of Atlanta, I found four guides who will take you on an adventurous trip hiking in the mountains & streams, a guide who will take you on a walking tour of downtown Atlanta, and a guide who will hike with you around Stone Mountain.
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, hiring a local guide sounds like the best deal!
Roomer: Reversing the non-refundable fee
We have all done it. Searched for a great hotel deal on one of the online travel sites. They are tempting with the discounts and low rates, and for many of us, we don’t read the fine print. It states pay now for a great deal – but, and there always seems to be a but, when the dealing is good. But, it is nonrefundable.
What happens when your sweet deals turn into a bitter-sweet deal. Maybe there is a family emergency, you have to cancel for work, or you find something more appropriate for what you want to do in your destination. If this happens you lose your entire payment, right? Not necessarily. On the website Roomer, you can post the unuseable reservations where other travelers might select and purchase your room (with Roomer making sure the hotel accepts the transfer). Obviously, you have to sell at a discounted price, which you set, and Roomer doesn’t guarantee that somebody will buy your listing. But a there a chance for even a partial recovery is better than losing the whole prepayment. Roomer says it arranges for hotels to accept a name change on a prepaid room and that many hotels are happy to agree and they are not interested in why you needed to cancel.
You must sign up by giving your email address to get the deals info… but it’s worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for that great deal!
roomertravel.com
USA Today Travel Online
Find your inspiration on USA Today’s online digital travel magazine. Their website, and it’s filled with great travel news and information about destinations from around the world.
Great photography and interesting facts and tips about trending detinations and must see cites from coast to coast.
Find information on flights, cruises, business travels, deals and expert tips form their Road Warriors – those travelers who are out there beating the pavement and traveling the world. They know the latest.
And, don’t forget the food too. For most of us, that is one of the main highlights of our trips.
Inspiration from photographs
The saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words!” And, scenes captured by an excellent travel photography does not need any dialogue. When determing your next vacation, nothing helps get you there like great photos, clear, fantastic lighting and perfect angles.
One photography who “takes you there” is Ellen Clark. She has photographed people, places and cultures around the world. She will inspire you…. No words are needed.
ellenclarktravel.com
And, of course, check out Travel Bags With Annita for destination inspiration our just got back features some of our fun out on the road.
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