Travel Resources for Savvy Travelers
We’ve planned many trips over the years and have come to trust and rely on certain companies for travel products and services. The travel resources below are ones we love and believe in.
We’ve also learned a few tips along the way (e.g., why you sometimes don’t want to book airline tickets with third-parties like Expedia). These are shared below too.
Pssst! Some links are affiliate links, meaning that if you make a booking or purchase through the link, we’ll earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
Hotels
Booking.com
As professional travel writers, we’re often invited to stay at hotels for free so we can review them. When we have to pay for accommodation, we use Booking.com. The site has a huge selection of hotels and resorts around the world, and it doesn’t charge any booking fees. Plus, it’s so easy to use.
Most properties offer free cancellation and don’t require payment in advance. (You can often pay less, however, for non-refundable prepayment.)
Finding great hotels
So how do we come up with possible hotels we might like to stay at? We read hotel reviews by The Telegraph (British newspaper), Mr. and Mrs Smith, Condé Nast Traveler and Forbes.com.
Google, for example, “best luxury hotels in X city” or “boutique hotels in X country” – these publications and sites often yield articles on great places to stay.
Then we dive deeper and check out reviews of particular hotels on TripAdvisor. If a common theme crops up (like “thin walls” and “noisy”), we’ll give the hotel a pass.
Our hotel reviews
You want swank? These 27+ private pool suites are epic!
As travel writers, we’re often asked: “What’s the best hotel you’ve stayed in?” These swanky villa resorts with private pools top our list.
5 Utterly charming Airbnbs in Victoria, BC
Where to stay in Victoria, BC? We’ve stayed at several utterly charming Airbnb’s and hotels – like this Art Deco manor and historic B&B.
Vacation Homes & Apartments
VRBO
If you’d rather not stay in a hotel, but would like more space to spread out – and a kitchen! – check out VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner). Having a “home away from home” is especially nice when you’re staying put for a while.
VRBO is like Airbnb, but it only offers whole apartment units, cottages and homes – no single rooms in a house (so you don’t have to worry about “sharing” the space with someone else).
Airfares
Airfarewatchdog
Airfarewatchdog searches thousands of routes to find the lowest airfares. (It’s recommended by top publications like the New York Times and Frommers.)
You can also sign up for price drop alerts.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is another good tool to help save you time and money when booking flights. One of the first fare aggregators to include low-cost airlines, it’s still one of the best at coming up with the lowest ticket prices.
It’s especially great for booking low-cost flights within Europe.
Expedia
Expedia is one of the biggest and best online travel agencies for booking flights and more. (If you’re in Canada, use the Canadian Expedia site.)
Tips for booking your flights
We often start looking for flights by checking Google Flights first. It’s great for getting an idea of prices and the airlines that fly to where you want to go.
Then we check directly with the airline website to see what prices they offer and if they have better connections or routes.
Cancellations and refunds
It’s very tempting to buy your airline tickets through a third-party website or online travel agency like Expedia, especially when you can find better fares through them.
Just be aware that your tickets may be non-refundable. And if you need to make a change, you typically have to go through the seller; the airline may not deal directly with you (much more hassle than contacting the airline directly).
If the airline offers flights for the same price as Expedia, for example, you may be better off to book directly with the airline. Sometimes you may even prefer to pay more than the lowest price for the ability to change your flights or cancel them for a refund (perhaps with a penalty) – without losing everything. Because, you know, the best-laid plans of mice and men…
SeatGuru
And don’t forget to check SeatGuru before booking your seat!
It provides seating plans for most airlines and planes. You want to pick a “green” seat. (We personally also like to be closer to the front of the plane.)
Read Our Airline Reviews!
What’s it like to fly Economy on Qatar Airways?
What’s it like to fly Qatar in Economy Class? Fasten your seatbelts as we take you through our Qatar Airways Economy review, filling you in on the legroom, meals, entertainment and strict hand luggage allowance.
Emirates Economy Class Review: What’s it like to fly Economy on Emirates?
What’s it like to fly Emirates in economy class between Seattle and Dubai? We dish on the best seats, legroom, food, amenity kits and more…
Cruises
CruiseDirect
CruiseDirect is a cruise travel agency that promises to offer the lowest rates on cruises. No booking fees either! (But if you cancel, there’s a fee.)
They’ve won a slew of awards, including “North America’s Leading Cruise Travel Agent 2019” (World Travel Awards) and “Favorite Cruise Travel Agent” (short-listed in World of Cruising’s 2020 Wave Awards).
Find deals on mainstream cruises like Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises and Holland America Line, as well as luxury cruises like Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises.
You can book luxury river cruises through CruiseDirect too.
Cruise Guide
Cruise reviews. Cruising tips. How to choose the right cruise for you?
See our ultimate Cruising and Cruise Guide!
Car Rental
Hertz
Hertz is one of the biggest rental car companies, with over 3,700 locations in the U.S. and offices in 150 countries around the world. You can find offices in cities and places away from airports, which can be convenient if you don’t want to rent directly from the airport.
Hertz also has a very good loyalty rewards program.
Small Group Tour Companies
Intrepid Travel
The world’s largest small-group adventure travel company, Intrepid Travel uses expert guides to take you to more than 120 countries. Cycling, sailing, trekking, whale watching in Antarctica – they’ve got you covered.
The average group size is only 10 guests, and the company is dedicated to travel responsibly.
Pssst! Pick the “Comfort” trips for a little more luxury.
Local Guided Tours
GetYourGuide
Traveling independently? You might want local experts to show you around in the city or country you’re visiting.
GetYourGuide is where you can book guided sightseeing and other tours plus adventure activities.
It’s a global platform, used by millions, that connects travelers with more than 40,000 tours and excursions around the world. Choose from a wide range of experiences – everything from guided walking and bicycle tours to cooking classes to pottery lessons with local artisans.
Sights & Attractions
CityPASS
CityPASS bundles the admission fees to some of a city’s best attractions and tours in one low price (saving you up to 30 to 50%). And you get to skip many ticket lines too.
Cities where the pass is offered include New York City (Yeah! We loved visiting the Met Museum and other NYC hot spots with CityPASS), Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Toronto, Chicago and more...
Travel Gear
Our Travel Shop
Our travel gear reviews
The 20 best beach sandals and flip-flops for women
Check out these 20 best beach sandals! From blingy to comfy, they’re the cutest flip-flops and beach sandals for women.
Best Travel Sandals for Beach, City and Adventure
Trip planned? You’ll want the best travel sandals that are both stylish and comfortable. We’ve sussed out 18 great pairs (plus 16 more bonus choices) for both women and men.
Carry-On Essentials For a Great Flight
Collapsible water bottle, slipper socks, the best sleeping mask out there? Trust us, you need to pack these airplane essentials in your carry-on bag for a better flying experience.
If we need travel gear, but don’t have time to go shopping (or can’t find what we need in local stores), we buy it online from Amazon and have it shipped to our door.
Ladies, fess up! Do you ever wear the wrong shoes when you travel? Then you might get a laugh watching this...
Sand In My Suitcase is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and related sites.
