Resources

There are loads of travel resources and products out there.

Websites, apps for your mobile phone, products such as luggage and cameras.

The list goes on and on.

So what are the best resources and products for travel?

Well I’ve created this list of some of my favorite travel resources and travel products.

These are all companies that I personally use and personally recommend.

It’s a growing and changing list that I’ll continually update so be sure to check out this page on a regular basis.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links. What does this mean? Well, at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking on the link on my website. Please email me if you have questions about the companies listed below. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

Guidebooks and Planning Websites

Lonely Planet Guides

Lonely Planet guides have been my go to guides since I started traveling overseas. I use these guides all the time. And I’ve actually found some off the tourist track spots in these guides. You can get them in digital or print form. The great thing is that, in digital form, you can buy only the chapters you need. So if you’re going to Italy, but are only going to Rome and Florence, you can just buy those chapters. Cool, huh?! Disclaimer: I’m an Amazon Affiliate so I will earn a small commission if you click on this link and buy anything from Amazon — even if it’s not a Lonely Planet guide!

Rough Guides

Rough Guides is a British guidebook and reference publisher. While their guidebooks are good, I do like Lonely Planet guidebooks just a bit better. But I love the Rough Guides website! There is some really useful information for planning your trip on the site — especially figuring out where to go. Disclaimer: I’m an Amazon Affiliate so I will earn a small commission if you click on this link and buy anything from Amazon — even if it’s not a Rough Guide!

Eyewitness Guides

I was first turned onto these image-filled guides when I planned my first trip abroad. While Eyewitness Guides are not filled with as much practical information as Lonely Planet or Rick Steves, I find they are a good place to start when you don’t know exactly where to go — especially if you are visual, like me. Disclaimer: I’m an Amazon Affiliate so I will earn a small commission if you click on this link and buy anything from Amazon — even if it’s not an Eyewitness Guide!

Rick Steves

I have some mixed feelings about Rick Steves. Let’s just say there are some things I’d like to see Rick Steves do a bit differently. But I do believe he has good guidebooks. I have always said that what he covers, he covers very well and very thoroughly. And I do trust him to give good, updated information. I use his guidebooks for those firmly on the beaten path destinations. And his logistical information for trains and buses is great too. Disclaimer: I’m an Amazon Affiliate so I will earn a small commission if you click on this link and buy anything from Amazon — even if it’s not a Rick Steves guide!

Technical Stuff

Nord VPN

You want to protect your privacy when you travel, don’t you? Well I bet many of you don’t use a VPN. What’s a VPN? VPN stands for virtual private network. What does it do? It protects your privacy when you are using open wifi at a hotel or cafe. In fact, even if your hotel gives you a password, it’s still a good idea to use a VPN. Nord VPN is the service provider I’ve been using for 3 years now. This is the best way to protect your privacy on open wifi so hackers and nosy advertisers don’t find you. You can use it worldwide and you can use it on up to 6 devices. I even use it when I’m not traveling. Cost is roughly $85/year. Well worth it!  Disclaimer: I’m an affiliate with Nord VPN so I will earn a commission if you click on the link and purchase this amazing product.

T-Mobile

I love T-Mobile! I was an AT&T gal for a long time. But I switched to T-Mobile whose network in the US has been getting better and better. The reason: I get unlimited international texting and international data plus 20 cent per minute calls in over 100 countries. Now the data is at a slower speed when I’m out of the country. But when I’m out walking or driving and get a bit lost and need a map, I can use it without worrying about the cost of using data. It’s awesome! And when I need to make a call, I’ve had reliable service. I highly recommend T-Mobile.

Travel Gear

Eagle Creek packing cubes

I love my packing cubes! I bought my first packing cubes from Eagle Creek back in 2005. And I’ve never looked back. I love the traditional ones best, but I do have a couple of the compression ones which are nice too. Here’s the thing: there are other brands out there that might be cheaper. But Eagle Creek brand is durable. Mine have been overstuffed, stepped on, thrown around — and they’re still in fabulous condition. So my advice is to spend a wee bit more to get something that is going to last. Disclaimer: As an Amazon Affiliate I’ll earn a commission if you click on one of the pictures below and purchase this amazing product. You won’t be sorry you bought these!

Osprey

Also known as “the best backpacks in the world.” Okay, I’m biased. I have 3 Osprey packs. Why? Well I’m a woman and a small one at that. Osprey makes women specific packs. They make packs for everything, including my incredible wheelie backpack that I’ve overstuffed, drug up stairs and onto trains, and generally tormented for about 10 years. It’s still very much intact. And my women’s specific hydration pack for day hikes is amazeballs! It carried all I needed every day as I walked the 96 mile West Highland Way in Scotland. I can’t say enough about these hiking packs and travel packs. They truly rock! Disclaimer: As an Amazon Affiliate I’ll earn a commission if you click on the link and purchase a pack from this amazing company. You won’t be sorry!

REI

When I lived in Colorado one of my favorite places to go was the REI Flagship store in downtown Denver. I was like a kid in a candy store! REI continues to impress by simply having everything you need: hiking gear, climbing gear, skiing gear, running gear, and yes, travel gear. I bought my first Eagle Creek packing cubes here as well as my toiletry kit. And I’ve purchased clothing for both working out and traveling here. Do check out this wonderful company. And if you’re not a member, sign up, It’s well worth it! Disclaimer: I’m an affiliate with REI so I will earn a commission if you click on the link and purchase anything from this incredible company.

Travel Clothing

Patagonia

Patagonia makes some of the best gear and clothing for travel and outdoor adventures. I’m a huge fan of their baselayer line, Capilene. And I own a couple of skirts that are fabulous for travel. They also make great backpacks and have some of the best jackets to keep you warm. My favorite aspect of Patagonia is they truly care about the planet. They try to keep their carbon footprint low and have a fair trade line of clothing. Yes, some of their items cost a bit more, but they last — a very long time! Disclaimer: I’m an affiliate with Patagonia so I will earn a commission if you click on the link.

The North Face

I’m a fan of The North Face. I think they have a good array of both active wear and casual clothing that works well for travel. I own a few pieces from this company — a tech t shirt for running and walking, a pair of hiking shorts and a rain jacket. The Venture jacket, which is a lightweight rain jacket, is my favorite item. It’s lightweight, packable and keeps me dry. They’ve upgraded to the Venture 2 which comes in both Women’s and Men’s and a lot of different colors. They’ve discontinued my favorite micro fleece but I still stand behind this company. Disclaimer: As an Amazon Affiliate I’ll earn a commission if you click on the link and buy anything from Amazon. 

Oofos

OMG! These recovery sandals changed my life! Okay, that might be a bit over the top. But they are so comfortable that I call them “pillows for my feet.” Oofos not only has these fabulous flip flops/sandals for warmer weather, but closed shoes that make great shoes to take on any trip. They’re comfortable enough (more than enough!) to walk around sight seeing all day, light enough to keep your bag from getting weighed down and stylish enough to wear out to dinner. I cannot recommend these shoes and sandals enough. Each day, after I walked my miles on the West Highland Way in Scotland, I put on my Oofos and my feet felt so much better. These pillows for your feet are worth every cent! Disclaimer: I’m an affiliate with Oofos so I will earn a commission if you click on the link and purchase any of these amazing shoes.

Transportation Resources

Kayak

I admit that, even as a travel planner, I still use Kayak to check on the price of flights. But it’s not the only one I’ll use. However, I think it’s a good starting point to check on airfares. I’ll also use Momondo, Skyscanner and Google Flights. And as a travel planner, I do have access to travel agent only sites where I can find great deals. My advice for finding flights is to check around. The other piece of advice? Often you can still get the best price by booking on the airline websites directly. Plus, if something happens, you don’t have a middle man to go through.

Airfarewatchdog

My favorite site for all things air is Airfarewatchdog.com. You can set up alerts for what city you want to fly to from your home city airport or another one of your choice. Choose preferences for how often you want emails. Then when you get the emails with the prices for the flights you are looking for you can decide when to buy. It’s a great way to keep track of a fare for a specific destination you are looking to travel to. When that price comes down on the dates you need, then you can make your purchase. I love Airfarewatchdog!

Rome2rio

I absolutely love this website that figures out how to get from point A to point B. So, say you want to travel from Budapest to Vienna. Rom2rio will show you the different ways you can get there, approximately how long it will take, and a range of the cost. It shows train options, bus options, taxi, car rental, flights and ferries. I love starting here to see what my options are.

Trainline

I discovered this outstanding website in 2017 as I traveled by train through the UK. Trainline is an independent rail and coach (bus) platform based in London. But they cover much of Europe AND they have really good prices.

Auto Europe

The go to company for car hire in Europe is Auto Europe. They’re a wholesaler of rental cars so you’ll get to compare the different actual car rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar) to see who has the best rate with the best coverage and in the best locations for your pick up and drop off. As a travel planner, I use them and get fabulous rates! But any traveler can use Auto Europe. I highly recommend them! Disclaimer: I’m an affiliate with AutoEurope so I will earn a commission if you click on the link and rent a car through them.