Seeking good 'zero commercial' travel resources on the web

April 18, 2006 7:37 AM

This must have been discussed before. But could not find good answers via quick searching. I am looking for good website and blogs that would help me plan trips.

Most sites feel too commercial and bloated with links to travel deals, more links to somewhere else, and what not. I am looking for sites that i can use to get some 'inspiration' about different regions and places to visit. Right now Ithinking about new england. But it can be somewhere else in a few months. It would be nice to get user commentaries, travel journals, image galleries, alternate travel route ideas and maps, recommendation and suggestions about places from travelers and users themselves instead of 200 links to travelocity, expedia. I am sure there are sites like these. It would be great if I get some of the ones preferred by metafilter community.

I am sure I can go and buy a book at the store for this kind of info. But I wonder if there are community sites that are low on fat and high on useful content. I would be actually willing to pay for subscriptions if there are good options.

My main thing is I am looking for inspiration, ideas and possibilities around planning a trip.

thanks!

posted by flyby22 to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Try :-

Lonely Planet's ThornTree forums (worldwide).

Roadside America - Guide to Uniquely Odd Tourist Attractions (US).

Ball of Dirt (for independent travellers - worldwide).

Stick Rice (South East Asia travelogues).
posted by plep at 8:17 AM on April 18, 2006

The Graffiti Wall at Rick Steves site can be useful.
posted by Staggering Jack at 9:01 AM on April 18, 2006

Bootsnall has journals and forums that have definitely inspired me.
posted by superfem at 1:40 PM on April 18, 2006

I've found tripadvisor to be useful, especially for hotel reviews.
posted by Wet Spot at 5:31 PM on April 18, 2006

World 66
posted by airguitar at 8:27 PM on April 18, 2006

you guys are super!
posted by flyby22 at 8:39 PM on April 18, 2006

I love Matt Barrett's Greece Pages. They're really helpful in both making you want to go to Greece and planning your trip once you decide. They're quite funny with a good personal feel, too.
posted by hazyjane at 12:33 AM on April 19, 2006