Start your travel planning here.
I want to make planning your next vacation as easy as possible. You have better things to do than hunt the internet to prepare for your next trip. That’s what I am here for. So I have assembled all the necessary resources to plan your trip. From flights to travel insurance, I have you covered. Also, If you’d rather have someone plan your trip for you, I offer a travel planning service.
Flight:
One of the most important part of your trip will be how to get there. Flight Channel and Crystal Travel are great sites for good prices on flights from the US and Canada. However, if you are going to Egypt for example, you will be better off using the Egypt flights link instead of Flight Channel or Crystal simply because it’s a specialized site for travel to and from Egypt. The same goes for the other sites listed below.
| Flight Channel (US/Canada) | Crystal Travel US Flights | Egypt Flights |
| Qatar Airways Worldwide Flights | United Arab Emirates Flights | Portugal Flights |
| Saudi Arabia Flights | Kuwait Flights |
If your flight is delayed, you may be entitled to flight compensation, click here to find out.
Lodging:
Depending on what kind of adventure you want, there are different types of lodging available. From hotels to hostels, it really all depends on the level of comfort that you need while you are away from home. Hotels are my prefered way to travel because I like the comfort and privacy. But if you want to stay in an actual house, you can always rent an Airbnb. The advantage or an Airbnb is that you can ask the host to show you around or tell you where to go and most of them are more than happy to do it. If you are looking for the cheapest way to travel, go with a hostel.
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Use Code MAXBBOOK to get $12 off regularly priced hotels! |
Cheap Hotels | Living Social Travel |
| Hotels, Hostels, and Resorts | Airbnb | Sandals Resorts |
Vacation Package:
One of the best ways to plan for a simple beach vacation is with a flight and hotel package, because you will usually get a discount for purchasing both of them together. Keep in mind that you have to stay at the same hotel for your entire trip if you choose this option.
| BookVIP | BookingBuddy | Living Social |
Cruise:
If you want to see as many countries as possible during your trip, a cruise will be a good option for you. Every day you will stop at a different port and you can get off the boat to visit if you wish. Once you are done, you return to the boat and they will take you to your next destination.
Chartered Boat:
If you like boats, why not consider renting a boat for your next vacation? It’s a great way to tune up on your boating skills all while discovering new places on your vacation. Since they can be rented with or without a crew, you can have complete freedom to go at your own pace. Click here for more information.
RV Vacation:
Just because you don’t own an RV, doesn’t mean you can’t travel in one. RV’s are one of the most convenient ways to travel, you have access to everything you need, everywhere you go. More infomation and links coming soon.
Traveling by Train:
Coming soon!
Getting To and From the Airport:
Will you be driving to the airport or will you need a ride? Personally, I avoid taking taxis to and from the airports because Uber/Lyft simply offer better pricing. They can drop you off or pick you up. Also they tell you who is coming to pick you up so that you don’t have any surprises. Drivers are always friendly and they even help you with your luggage. Since Lyft tends to have promotions on a regular basis, I will use them more often than Uber just because I like to save money. You can too, Click Here to get $10 off your first ride with Lyft.
| Uber | Lyft | Airport Shuttle |
Airport Parking:
If you plan to drive yourself to and from the airport, I recommend taking a parking reservation beforehand. Prices will always be cheaper if you book ahead of time. Without a reservation, you will pay full price once you get to the airport.
| Park & Fly | Airport Parking Reservation |
Car Rental:
Do you want a car to get around when you arrive at your destination? It’s always best to rent your car beforehand so that you will be sure to have the vehicle you want. Also, it will be ready for you to pick it up upon when you arrive. Listed below are the companies that I use to rent a car.
| National Car Rental | Alamo | |
| AutoEurope | Luxury Cars | BookingBuddy |
| Rental Cars Connect | Enterprise Rent a Car (Canada) |
Don’t forget to buy car insurance for your rental car!
Getting Around Without a Car:
Be prepared to walk more than you usually while on vacation. Even though, all cities have a public transportation system that you can use to get around, you’ll still end up walking sometimes. Some cities even have a hop on hop off bus system that will take you from one attraction to another. Not all cities have them, the ones that do are listed here. In the United States, Canada and Europe there is also drive share programs such as Uber and Lyft or as a last resort, there’s always a taxi. If you are traveling to Europe, use this link to reserve tickets on the subway, bus, train or to book flights. For Asia/Australia/New Zealand trains, bus, flights & hotels, click here.
Travel Insurance:
Last thing you need is an accident ruining your trip. So make sure that you have travel insurance in case something comes up. It will cover medical costs, cancelled flights, lost baggage and more. You can buy some here.
Travel VISA:
Some countries require a visa before you can visit. Click here for the simplest solution for acquiring a visa.
Tickets for Shows and Attractions:
There’s nothing more frustrating than booking a full vacation to go do something, then not be able to do it because the venue is full. So I recommend buying your tickets online before your vacation. This way you can be sure to see what you really want to see.
| Sporting Events | Italy Tours | |
| Ripleys Believe it or Not |
Break the Language Barrier:
Talk & Translate is a great translation app that I like to use. Not only can it translate text but it also translates speech into 33 different languages. This will be extremely handy when you are traveling in a foreign country that doesn’t speak english. Click here to download.
Another really good translation app is Pocket Translator. However, this one can only translate speech. Check it out here!
Other Things to Consider for Your Trip
Do you need a map? Click here for customizable maps.
Will you need to call your friends and family from anywhere in the world? Simply purchase an international SIM card for your phone. Click here to learn more.
Fun Travel Themed Subscription Boxes:
Get a taste of another country without ever leaving your home with travel themed subscription boxes. You can opt for a taste of the world, or simply a taste of Japan. Whichever you select, it’ll be a fun treat while you plan your next vacation. Just so you know, if you sign up for the worldwide box, they will send you a free box just for signing up! Also, if you prefer gear over food, there is an outdoor gear subscription box that you can sign up for.