Travel planning can be an exciting, yet daunting experience. Modern technology, most notably the internet, has provided a "sea" of resources for travelers. So how does one navigate through the waves of information and find the best travel planning websites?

Here are some resourceful websites to help smooth the process:

www.travel.state.gov: This US government website provides important information you should see before going abroad. It covers entry requirements: passports, visas, country specific information, travel warnings and more.

www.xe.com Universal Currency Converter: You can perform rate calculations using live, up-to-the minute currency rates. Also see www.oanda.com.

www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/: View local current times around the world.

www.seatguru.com: Find over 300 seat maps for more than 45 different airlines. You can view the actual layout of an aircraft, (e.g. the configuration for a Boeing 777), the seat width, pitch, and seating details including reviews by actual travelers. The site also contains in-flight amenities, airline telephone numbers, and frequent flyer partners.

www.kropla.com/electric2.htm: World Electric Guide - Look up electrical systems in most countries in the world including diagrams of various electrical plugs.

www.cdc.gov: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website provides health information for travelers. Find information on vaccination requirements for countries, and updates on disease outbreaks.

www.atmlocator.info: This website provides links to ATMs around the world.

Reserving a trip online will never be an easy task. There are numerous sites to browse and compare. It is nearly impossible to keep up with all the special offers, deals, promotions and deadlines. Plus, there is the risk of being scammed by sites that are not credible. Most savvy travelers will begin with the more established websites. Here is a list of them in no specific order.

www.expedia.com
www.travelocity.com
www.orbitz.com

If you are traveling as part of a group tour with a tour operator, take a look around the company's website. You will often find testimonials from elated travelers in addition to useful destination information.

Finally, don't forget to read the fine print online and in the brochures. Neglecting to observe the terms and conditions of the company you are using could forfeit your peace of mind.

Have a great trip!

Learn more about this author, Marcia Niles.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Best travel planning websites?
We want to hear your view. Write now!