Travel Resources: Tips, Operators, and Sites for Your Adventures

Plan Smarter: My Favorite Trip Planning Resources

I’ve lived abroad and planned trips across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. These are the exact tools I personally use to book flights, find accommodation, navigate trains, stay connected, and plan hiking and outdoor adventures — especially if you’re traveling independently.

This page isn’t a random list. Everything here has earned its place through real trips, missed trains, early flights, mountain weather, and slow travel days that needed to work.

Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I genuinely use and trust — thank you for supporting my work and future travels.

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World Nomads is my preferred go-to for any trip!

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Booking.com has hotels and guesthouses worldwide
It has reliable reviews, flexible cancellation, and Genius discounts especially helpful in Europe and Asia.

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GetYourGuide is one of my favorite apps and websites that helps me find fun activities in new destinations around the world. I usually like to price shop between GYG and Viator

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Best for: instant, unlimited data abroad without swapping SIM cards. I use Holafly when I want to land connected right away — especially for multi-country trips, HolaFly has you covered on the fly.

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I use Trip Advisor to sanity-check hotels, tours, and restaurants by reading recent traveler reviews before committing to a booking or activity. It’s seriously so helpful for travel planning!

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I use this for planning hiking routes, checking elevation profiles, and navigating trails offline — especially useful for hut-to-hut hikes and day walks in the Dolomites.

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Best for: durable, minimalist suitcases that hold up well to frequent travel, trains, and long-haul trips.

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wine experiences, small-group tours, and more upscale activities. I often use Viator to compare options — especially for wine tours — and cross-check prices when something looks expensive to make sure it’s actually worth it.

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pre-booked airport transfers with local drivers — ideal when you want a smooth, stress-free arrival, especially after long flights or late landings.

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Omio is great because this database compares trains, buses, and flights in one place, especially useful in Europe when deciding the most efficient way to get between cities.

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If you are just looking for bus routes and ticket prices, Bus Bud is the way to go! It searches for long-distance bus routes worldwide. Incredibly helpful when trains aren’t available!

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Best for: booking flights, hotels, and trains — especially useful for international and Asia-based travel where it can surface options other platforms miss.

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Best for: secure luggage storage in cities worldwide — the platform allows you to look at a map ideal for early arrivals, late departures, or day trips when you don’t want to carry bags around.

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Travel Planning FAQ

I use a combination of resources depending on the trip. For flights, I like Google Flights so that I can plan my trip. I also love Omio. Accommodation searches often start with Booking.com or Airbnb. For trains in Europe, Trainline or Rail Europe is my go-to. I also check tourism boards and blogs for local insights.

I consider factors like location, reviews, and sustainability practices. Staying near public transport or major attractions saves time, and I always read recent reviews for cleanliness and service. Look for properties with eco-certifications if sustainable travel is important to you.

This depends on the destination and time of year. For popular destinations or high seasons (like Christmas markets or summer in Europe), book flights and accommodations 3–6 months in advance. Flexible travel? You can wait for last-minute deals but still research your options early.

Set a daily spending limit and prioritize what’s important—whether that’s luxury accommodations, dining out, or activities. Use budgeting apps like Trail Wallet to track expenses, and look for free or low-cost activities like walking tours. Booking in advance can also help lock in lower prices.

Travel insurance is essential for unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. Look for policies that cover your specific needs—whether that’s adventure activities, international healthcare, or COVID-19 coverage. Popular providers include World Nomads, Allianz, and SafetyWing.

Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your travel dates. Check visa requirements for your destination, and research health guidelines, such as vaccinations. Download maps, save important documents offline, and notify your bank about international travel to avoid card issues.