After years of traveling, I’ve tried out tons of different travel websites, tour companies, airlines, hotels and restaurants. I’ve spent countless hours finding the best sites to get my research from and trying to figure out how to get the best deals at of course the best places. Who doesn’t want the best bang for their buck?! We all do!!! This is a collection of the best travel resources. They are my go to’s……….and I’m always looking for new and better : )

You know where you sit on your computer for hours upon hours upon hours w/ 20 different tabs open, looking for the best options for the lowest cost possible….I know I’m not the only one that does that!! lol

What is value to you?? That word has a lot of different meanings — Is it discounts and savings? Is it an accommodations? Do you want tour guides or do you prefer on your own? You would never pay rack rate, but you don’t mind spending a little bit more than you normally would for a much better service or experience. It also means time. How do you want to spend your time? Relaxed & taking it easy or cramming as much as you can see in. 

 All of these items listed here are products that I have personally used and recommend to others. Here we go!

Sailor Girl Says

Mini Power Strip - While I use the product linked above, you may prefer this different model because it includes USB chargers. For the times when you return from a long time without power and need to charge everything you own in a hurry, from computer to phone to Kindle to multiple camera batteries.

Power Outlet Converter - This universal converter will have you covered for almost everywhere in the world. (Keep in mind that some countries with unusual plugs, like South Africa, are best off picked up upon your arrival in the country.) - MAXAH Universal Converter

Always pay in that country’s currency – credit card. You get the best rate that way.

 Write on the back of your receipts as you go for what it was for. When you get home & have a pile of receipts all in a different language you have no clue!

Rather than taking your passport with you where it can be lost or stolen and then you are really in a jam, Take a picture of your passport to have a copy w/ you at all times. If something ever happens, it’s some form of proof and when you get to the American Embassy they can pull the rest of the info.

 Put anything than could explode, burst, top come off in a ziplock baggie.

 Put shoes in a bag or shower cap.

 Carry a small box of dryer sheets. Your stuff will smell nice.

Carry a car charger with you. You never know if you will end up randomly renting a car. Or if you do a private tour, you can use it in their vehicle.

Use refillable toiletries. Rather than buying travel sizes every time you travel, you put your own products that you love & that you are used to in these bottles.

If you ever have a bottle of wine or liquor…..or really anything liquid…….bubble wrap it, and completely cover in shipping tape and then put in a bag, just in case……that way if it happens to break or leak it will be trapped within the tape……life saver!!!

Anything of value, even a name tag, put in carry on.

ALWAYS bargain w/ street vendors!!! They will take you otherwise. If they don’t take what you offer, walk away; and you really have to start walking away! And then they’ll tell you to come back and take the offer or at least negotiate to a better price than what they were asking………..in most countries outside of the US

Flights

Kayak, Skyscanner, Expedia or Google Flights. I always start here to compare company prices and get an idea for times. After that, I always recommend going directly to a company’s website to compare prices. Often times it’s the same cost as on a 3rd party site, but you are more protected if you need to cancel for any reason without paying for travel insurance……..and sometimes I have found it to be cheaper on their direct site.

My Favorite Airlines -- Southwest, Jet Blue and Delta & Virgin Atlantic, especially for international flights.

Europe – Ryan Air, Easy Jet & Vueling. They are the cheapest!! You get what you pay for. They nickel & dime you on everything!! And if you are a ½ pound over the weight limit you will be charged. They have an option to pay additional $$ for additional pounds - I highly recommend it!! Even if you think you’ll be fine, I will absolutely tell you it’s worth paying the additional 30 or 50 to know you’re covered rather than paying 300 plus more at the airport.

Greece - Aagean Air was good!

Iceland - Iceland Air - My only complaint is they do not serve any meals and no free alcoholic drinks. And the food options to purchase on board is really just snack food. I’ve flown internationally many many times and I’ve never seen an airline not offer a meal on an international flight. I highly recommend bringing food or at least snacks on the flight with you.

Hopper App - Great for future flights. It keeps track of deals and notifies you when they happen. This is typically for more last minute flights. But if you are flexible and a great deal pops up = score!

Accommodations

Disney Vacation Club
I am a Disney Vacation Club Member. When I need to get my Disney fix I use my membership. All the resorts are the Deluxe resorts. They are the best of the best…….but the best part about it is I’m paying the same price as it would be at the value resorts. I just have to pick which one I want.

When I’m traveling outside of Disney, there is a lot more research that goes into where I’m staying. Always trying to find that best resort, for the lowest cost possible. I know I’m not the only one that does that..ha.

Booking.com
I love this site!! It usually ends up being the one I book from as well. Plus they have a rewards program. After 10 times booking with them, you get a free night. They used to be really great w/ canceling reservations so many days before the check in date. Most hotels let you cancel risk free if it was 10 days or more before check in date. That has changed a bit over the last couple years. Many hotels still offer it, but the cancel date is a lot further out now. And you’re also paying more for it now, where it used to be the same cost no matter what. If you want the lower price, it’s non-refundable. I don’t like that b/c life happens & plans change. Be cautious of this!! My favorite feature about this site is the Map page. You can see where the hotel is in reference to the main sites (those are not listed on this maps page; but if you go to google maps and find a couple of the sites you can then pin point them when you go back to booking map and compare). If the area is more important than the rating of the hotel, search this way. I of course compare all the resorts in the area that I want.

Hotels.com
I always cross reference with this site. You will often find the hotels to be the same cost as on booking.com, which if they are I used booking.com. I like the site. I’ve never had a problem w/ them. Every now and then you can find something cheaper on this site. Just make sure there aren’t more fees or taxes that get calculated into the final, which makes it more in the end. I’ve seen that before when comparing.

Trivago
I also use Trivago to cross reference too. I like what the site has to offer, but the site is always SO slow and it usually freezes up to where I have to close the browser all together and keep starting over.

Airbnb
Very popular - The biggest directory of homes, apartments, and unusual rentals rented by owner or by. Usually more space & cheaper than a hotel in the same neighborhood. Biggest finding when using this - we all want wifi when we travel; make sure that they have it available and that it’s included in the price.

Hostelworld
If you want the absolute cheapest place to stay, you’ll want to use hostelworld.com. I have some friends who can travel very lightly, I am not one of those people. They go backpacking. I go luggaging..lol. I have to admit, hostels are not necessarily what they used to be. Some of them are very very nice and look like an actual hotel. The problem is you still share rooms & bathrooms & if there is a locker to lock your belonging up, it’s only big enough for a backpack.

Couchsurfing
Far more than just free accommodation. Couchsurfing is a community of travelers dedicated to connecting and sharing. While you could stay for free around the world, I mostly use Couchsurfing to find local community events and meet people in different cities.

Vacations To Go - Need to Get Away?! Good for last minute deals.

Ground Transportation

Rental Cars
Enterprise – This is my go to! Prices are usually the best & customer service is always great. However their prices aren’t as good as they used to be. They have $12.99 per day weekend specials for Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Dollar and Avis – are two of the other most economical companies I’ve found.
cheapcarrentals.com – can be the lowest prices sometimes. But they use the common car companies you would book through anyways. Get the lower price!!

Buses
Megabus, Bolt Bus, and Greyhound - One of the secrets of U.S. travel is that the buses are comfortable, usually have plugs and wifi, and are dirt cheap.

Trains
Seat61, Trainline, RailEurope, Eurorail

It can be tough to book trains on a million different foreign sites in Europe, but Rail Europe makes it simple to do everything from planning routes and checking times to buying tickets.

If you are traveling to many countries consider the rail pass. It can save you a lot of $$. What I did & what I suggest doing is calculate all the individual fares vs what the pass would be. It’s a little time consuming, but it could save you hundreds of dollars…….either way! I’ve used the pass 1 trip to Europe & the other couple times we paid as we went. It really depends how many places you’re going.

I HIGHLY recommend the sleeper trains. They have several options –1. Car that sleeps 6. They are normal seats that recline; but when everyone does it it looks like 1 big bed in the car. You get really close & personal w/ the others real quick…lol. I’ve never done this, but know people that have. Keep you belonging close!!......2. Personal Car. They have 2, 3, & 6 person cars. Some trains are nicer than others. A couple of the times we had air & some other times it was only a window. There is a bathroom somewhere in the train car that you can use. One of the trains we were on even had a shower in that bathroom. These also do NOT have a lot of room, but it’s a private room that does lock.

Sometimes the trains split during the trip. Always ask and make sure you are in part of the train that is actually going to the destination intended.

Save you $$. It’s hotel & transportation!!

Travel Guides

Cruise Critic - This is the first place I go. It has the most conclusive snapshot of that destination, covering everything thing you need to know before going. Even if you aren’t going to that destination while on cruise, it’s a great site for info. It is in list form. The reason I go to other sites afterwards for descriptions & history………It’s a great snapshot of that and must do’s of that destination.

Trip Advisor – This is usually most people go to. I use this more for reccommendations for tour companies than sites. I have found other sites that are better for attractions or site general information.

Yelp - Great for restaurants and seeing menus.

Travel.usnews.com - List the top 10 Things To Do. What I really like about this site is not only gives you the list but description and any information you need to know about it. Length of time, hours, cost, location.

Viator – Great for booking tours. But it’s also very helpful just for research too. You can get an idea of what the must do or popular things to do are in a specific location by seeing what’s listed on this site. If they weren’t popular, they wouldn’t be offered on this website..ha. However, if you go to the bottom, there is a category of “things to do”, (this is on most locations, but not all), where it lists the top sites, attractions, etc and the history & descriptions behind them……… Not just for booking excursions. Towards the bottom of the page you’ll see Top Attractions. Recommended and More Things to Do.

Lonely Planet - First Hand Experienced. You can buy single chapters from most guidebooks, which is convenient if you’re only visiting one city or region in a country.

Apps

 Communication - Viator, Whatapp, FB Messenger. A lot of the time we rely on wifi when traveling. These are apps are favorites for staying connected when doing so.

Geography – Google Maps offline, city maps to go, maps me – My favorite is city maps to go. It used to be free, but not it’s I think $10 a year, but absolutely worth it!! I think this is the only app I’ve actually ever paid for.

Currency Converter

Google Translate (or some sort of translation app)

Photos – PicsArt, PicGrid, Pic Collage,

Transportation - Uber or Lyft– most share rides are cheaper than taxi’s nowadays

Splitwise – Awesome!! If you’re traveling with a group and are splitting costs, this app does it for you rather than you figuring out the calculations yourselves. Each person enters what they’ve spent, the app does the calculations for you and divides it by the number of people.

Picture Sharing - Dropbox, Moments, Cluster - Not only a good source to back up your pictures. But also very handy when traveling with others. Once you drop them in this account, you can give permission to other to view them. That way you can share pictures.

Keep Your Devices Juiced Up

External battery packs or rechargeable power banks are pretty common now a days. We all know phone batteries are not meant to last more than a year anymore. Maybe you surf the web all day, or you love streaming videos or you are like me and take TONS of pictures, all these things drain your battery pretty quickly. Any we all know we can’t go w/ out our phones!! Here’s some ideas to help w/ that………….

Lipstick Charger
Small, Easy, simple are the small lipstick chargers. They are very convenient to have as a back up just in case. The downfall is you only get 1 charge out of it. I wouldn’t recommend this one as a primary way to charge your devices if you need multiple charges or use on an everyday basis. You might as well get something that’s a little bit bigger in size & charges, that still is small & easy to carry around.

Pocket Juice
This is what I have. They have all sorts of sizes. I like the small one b/c it fits easily in a pocket or my purse. Not too heavy. Slim. Easy to travel with. There are ones that will give you more charges, but I find those to be bulky & heavy for carrying around. If you are only going to use them at the hotel, train, plane then go w/ the larger size.

 My Charge
Another great brand.