by Shannon Bradford

Created on: July 21, 2011   Last Updated: July 27, 2011

Travel advice should be unbiased and real, nearing the point of so truthful it hurts. Travelers don’t want a glossed-over account of a destination, they want the real deal. So when the travel-advice world is oversaturated at best, finding reliable advice is difficult, if not something of a chore. Friends and family might be a good place to start, but when your destination is outside of their experience, finding a reputable source can feel overwhelming. Your search for real – and reliable – advice should start and end here.  

Lonely Planet. Long heralded as the backpacker’s bible, this guidebook company offers real-world tips about traveling every corner of the world. They have books for every trip – from whirlwind guides of an entire region to country-specific guides that take you through almost every inch of the land. The Lonely Planet guides are unique because they’re reported by people who have actually been there – this means they’ve stayed at the hotels, eaten at the restaurants, and traveled the trails. Their guides offer recommendations for all levels of budgeting, from super-economical to luxury. Their reports are useful for any type of trip and they make no qualms about writing what they experience, including the not-so-savory details of an establishment.

Frommer’s. This guide is focused on every aspect of budget travel so you can have the best trip at the lowest price. Like the Lonely Planet guides, their advice comes first-hand through travel writers who have lived and breathed the experience.Their website comes with a Trip Recommender which allows you to select your criteria – type of trip and must-haves – and then offers a variety of destinations tailored to your wishes.

Fodor’s Travel Guides. Much like the other guides, Fodor’s offers real-world looks into every part of the globe. Fodor’s differs slightly from Lonely Planet and Frommer’s, with a smaller array of budget options for a money-minded traveler. Most importantly, Fodor’s provides ample tips and advice for traveling your region of choice, and offers detailed guidance every step of the way.

Rick Steves. If your destination is anywhere in Europe, then you better take a look at what Rick Steves has to say. The man is a self-contained compendium of knowledge on traveling Europe, and offers all types of travel advice from packing tips to “back door” trips. If group travel, cruises, or family getaways are on the itinerary, then make sure to check him out first. He appears frequently on the radio and on TV, and can always be counted on for a colorful and informative look into a little corner of Europe.

Travel Forums. There are a multitude of travel forums out there, but sometimes it’s worth a look into what real travelers have to say. This is where you can find answers to your specific travel questions, or submit on yourself if it hasn’t yet been asked. The sources listed above all offer travel forums on their websites, and sifting through these is sometimes more helpful than the guide itself.

No travel guide will serve all your needs, so it’s important to scope each one out before you buy. The type of trip you are planning is crucial in this decision, as one source might provide more useful information than the other. No matter the guide selection, be sure to use careful judgment before you start your trip. You are ultimately in control of your adventure, so make sure you make your choices for yourself, and not just because a guidebook recommends it. 

Learn more about this author, Shannon Bradford.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.