Travel Resources I Actually Use (and Love)

I’ve tested enough travel apps, cards, and sites to know not all “best travel hacks” are worth your time. These? These are the ones I return to again and again — the tools that made our 18-country year not just doable, but easy (and sometimes shockingly cheap). Think of this page as the cheat sheet I’d hand a friend before their first international trip: the resources that save money, get upgrades you didn’t think you deserved, and make 12-hour layovers borderline romantic.

Travel Planning

Before I even book flights, I fall down the rabbit hole of maps, timelines, and “is this worth it?” videos. These are the sites that keep my chaos semi-organized — and help me figure out if a city deserves two days or five (spoiler: it’s always five).

Wanderlog

My favorite for visual trip planning. Plot stops, add notes, see driving times, and share with friends — basically a prettier Google Docs for travel nerds. Perfect for multi-city itineraries.

Visit A City

If you need a done-for-you itinerary (but want to tweak it), this site is gold. It gives day-by-day suggestions, walking routes, and timing — perfect for quick trips where you don’t want to overplan but also don’t want to waste time figuring it out on the ground.

Tripadvisor

Classic for a reason: I use it mostly for reviews on hotels and restaurants (take them with a grain of salt) and for finding “top things to do” when I first research a destination. The forums are surprisingly helpful for niche questions, like “is this hike toddler-friendly?”

Samantha Brown

Travel TV royalty turned practical travel guide. Her blog is full of actually helpful advice — not just “pack light” but *how* to pack light. Great for inspiration when you’re burnt out on endless Instagram reels of the same five European cities.

Rick Steves

The grandfather of European travel tips. His walking tours, guidebooks, and audio guides are still some of the best — especially if you want context beyond “pretty building.” We’ve used his audio tours in Florence and Paris and learned more than some paid tours.

Flights

The first thing I book — and the biggest budget-buster if you don’t do it smart. These are the tools I use to find cheap flights and maximize points without losing my mind.

Google Flights

Price tracking, flexible dates, and the best “map view” for finding hidden deals. Set alerts and watch prices drop like magic.

Skyscanner

Perfect when you’re open to *anywhere*. Search “Everywhere” to see cheapest destinations from your airport — my favorite way to plan spontaneous trips.

Seats.aero

Find award seat availability across airlines in real time. A must if you’re booking with points and want that last-minute business class seat to Europe.

Points.me

Compare award space across airlines to make sure you’re using your points in the smartest way possible — no more wasting miles on bad redemptions.

Lodging

Once flights are set, this is where I look for unique stays, boutique hotels, or deals that make “splurge” trips doable on a budget.

Airbnb

Windmills, canal apartments, cabins in the Alps — still my go-to for unique stays. Just check cleaning fees before you commit.

Booking.com

Best for European hotels, flexible cancellation, and hidden Genius discounts (their loyalty program saves me hundreds).

Expedia

Great for flight + hotel bundles and last-minute chain hotel deals that don’t show up elsewhere.

HotelTonight

Perfect for missed connections or spontaneous nights. Last-minute hotel deals that aren’t terrifyingly sketchy.

Transport

Getting from A to B is often the most stressful part of a trip. These tools make it less chaotic — and sometimes, even fun.

Rome2Rio

Shows every possible way to get between two cities: planes, trains, buses, ferries, you name it.

Rail Europe

Book trains across Europe in one place — especially helpful for countries with tricky English-language sites.

Eurail

Passes for multiple train journeys. Not always cheaper, but when it is, it’s *significantly* cheaper.

FlixBus

Budget buses all over Europe. Surprisingly comfortable (especially if you snag the front row).

Safety

The least fun part of planning but the most necessary. Two quick, free resources that make me feel better every time I travel internationally.

STEP — Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Free trip registration with the U.S. Embassy. They know where you are in case of emergencies — political unrest, natural disasters, etc.

CDC Travelers’ Health

Check health notices, vaccine requirements, and outbreaks before you go. Not glamorous, but important.

Favorites & Must-Haves

These are my “don’t leave home without them” items — the ones that have survived cobblestones, layovers, and 18-country years with me.

Resources