www.lonelyplanet.com

What’s Good: Find world guides, travel forums, links to travel services, traveler photographs, community blogs, travel-related applications etc. on one user-friendly (and visually exciting) site.  Planning a trip of just curious about an area?  Zero in on your vacation destination using Lonely Planet’s regional search tool and get in depth information including maps, “top city” picks, travel alerts and more..

What’s Bad: Too much of a good thing?  As aesthetically pleasing as the site is, it’s easy to get lost in the site, unable to get back to that tasty tidbit you meant to jot down or research further.  And while there is ton of information on the commonly vacationed-to destinations, the site is lacking information on the more offbeat areas.

www.yelp.com

What’s Good: Read and write reviews on restaurants, shopping, events and other sights or activities in your home town or places you have visited.  Even small town hot-spots have somehow amassed a heap of reviews – and not just those lame three word “I like it” reviews, but ones that are actually helpful.

What’s Bad: Has info on the US and just launched its UK version, but you’re screwed if you plan on venturing much beyone that.

www.frommers.com

What’s Good: Search by destination and get a complete “Guide Book” at your fingertips – and besides the usual hotels, attractions and restaurants, the gang at Frommers has also researched side trips, customs, history, and provided a super helpful write-up on the different neighborhoods in your destination city.  Also check out the “Deals & News” section for a smart mix of timely travel advisories, current travel related events and the coolest places offering the hottest deals.

What’s Bad: Much of the reviews and information comes from the site’s namesake, Arthur Frommer, making reviews and observations kinda one-sided.  Also, after a little browsing, it’s apparent that the site doesn’t exactly cater to the budget-minded traveler.

www.fodors.com

What’s Good: Many sites can give information and reviews for a restaurant – but Fodors takes it one step further and gives you the price you should expect to pay, as well as contact information and a direct link to the establishment’s Website.  In addition, this site has a unique “Best in 3 Days” feature that gives travelers a snapshot overview of what to see and do, even if you will only be somewhere for a few days.

What’s Bad: Besides researching a trip, the site will also let you purchase flight tickets, make hotel reservations, and book tickets for events – but do your research first or be prepared to pay higher prices than you would at most other sites.

www.wikitravel.org

What’s Good: Like the original site – plain ‘ol Wikipedia – this site’s strength is that it completely relinquishes control to the users.  Each of its 21,499 (and counting) destination guides can be edited and added to by the readers – this not only keeps the site perpetually refreshed and up-to-date, but also keeps the crazies from tarnishing the reputation of a town or business (no ranting reviews because one sleep-deprived and cranky traveler had to wait a mite too long for his dinner).

What’s Bad: The site is pretty clunky in appearance, making it tough and somewhat unpleasant to navigate.

Have a cool travel site you love to use?  Send us a comment – we’d love to hear about it!

Tags: travel tools