Georgia’s Little Black Book of Travel
Over the years, I’ve collected a handful of websites, guidebooks and travel tools that I use for almost every trip I plan. These are the resources I personally rely on to research destinations, compare flights, choose hotels and double-check practical information before travelling.
Most of them are completely free to use, and several have saved me both time and money over the years. A few of these recommendations are UK specific, but I think they are still useful as an additional reference to your government’s own advice (or in case your country does not provide suitable information online).
None of these recommendations are sponsored. They are simply the websites and books I keep coming back to whenever I’m planning my next adventure.
MY TRAVEL PLANNING TOOLKIT
The resources I use to plan every trip
BEST WEBSITES & BOOKS FOR TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Lonely Planet
Despite the volume of information available online (and even though I browse other travel blogs quite a bit), I still think Lonely Planet produces some of the best destination guides around.
The Lonely Planet website has a wealth of information available for free.
However, when I have decided on a destination, I buy both the printed guidebook and its digital version. Firstly because, I wish to support them. Secondly, I like that old fashioned feeling of planning a trip with a physical book! Nevertheless, while out and about I use the digital version on my phone. Less things to carry and also, I don’t like going around with a book that screams ‘tourist’.
The Lonely Planet guidebooks are packed with practical information, neighbourhood guides, suggested itineraries and useful background that you can even access offline while travelling.
Condé Nast Traveller
Even though I don’t typically travel in the level of luxury that Condé Nast Traveller promotes, I still find their travel writing inspiring and informative and I love the stunning photography.
Condé Nast Traveller for me is especially useful for discovering destinations that might not yet be on every traveller’s radar, exciting new openings and even the occasional boutique hotel that won’t break the bank.
Monocle City Guides
If you enjoy your city breaks and love finding independent cafés, design shops, neighbourhood restaurants and beautifully designed hotels, Monocle’s City Guides are brilliant. They are less about ticking off famous landmarks and more about helping you experience a city like a local. I also particularly enjoy reading the essays that offer a glimpse of how locals view their own city.
Furthermore, I enjoy seeing my collection of their city guides on my bookshelf growing. It’s a reminder that, as much as I love discovering niche destinations, exploring the greatest cities in the world never grows old.
BEST WEBSITES FOR CHECKING CLIMATE & WEATHER
WeatherSpark
This is one of the websites I recommend most often.
Rather than simply showing a short-term weather forecast, WeatherSpark lets you compare a destination’s climate throughout the year.
You can see average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, sunshine hours and daylight, making it much easier to decide the best time to visit.
I honestly don’t know how I planned trips before discovering it.
Apple Weather App
Ground breaking, I know. But, I am not trying to re-invent the wheel here.
If I am travelling in the next 2-3 days, and for the duration of my trip, I’ll just create a new tab with my destination and check the weather there.
Personally, I have found the app to be accurate enough, worldwide. I know that many of you enjoy other, fancier apps, even paid ones. But, Apple users, please get in touch and let me know, have you actually found a competitive advantage over the one that comes already loaded on your phone?
BEST WEBSITES FOR FINDING CHEAP FLIGHTS
Google Flights
Google Flights is where I start almost every flight search. It’s incredibly fast and makes comparing dates, airlines and prices effortless.
The calendar view is particularly useful if your travel dates are flexible, helping you spot cheaper departure days in seconds.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is another excellent comparison tool, especially if you’re exploring different airlines or travel dates.
Once I’ve found the flight I want, I will always book directly through the airline’s own website, as it’s usually much easier to manage changes, cancellations and customer support.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SEAT ON A PLANE
AeroLOPA
AeroLOPA is one of my favourite travel resources and one that surprisingly few people know about. It provides incredibly accurate aircraft seat maps, showing the exact cabin layout, seat dimensions and configuration.
It’s invaluable when trying to choose the best seat or compare different aircraft operating the same route.
SeatMaps
SeatMaps combines detailed aircraft seat maps with passenger reviews, making it easier to identify the best -and worst- seats on your flight.
It’s particularly useful in Economy Class, where choosing the right seat can make a noticeable difference on a long journey.
BEST WEBSITES FOR BOOKING TRAIN TICKETS
The Man in Seat 61
Quite simply, The Man in Seat 61 is the best rail travel resource on the internet.
Whether you’re planning a scenic European railway adventure or a more ambitious journey across Asia, you’ll find incredibly detailed advice on routes, sleeper trains, ticket options and practical tips.
Trainline
Trainline makes booking rail tickets across much of Europe quick and straightforward.
It’s especially useful when your journey involves several countries or train operators, allowing you to compare routes and fares in one place.
BEST WEBSITES FOR FINDING AND BOOKING HOTELS
Booking.com
Booking.com is where I book most of my accommodation. The huge choice of properties, genuine guest reviews and flexible cancellation policies make it one of the easiest ways to compare hotels before making a decision.
In my opinion, the great thing about booking.com is the variety of its accommodation options. From luxury boutique hotels and multi-national hotel chains to family owned homestays in the middle of nowhere, you will probably be able to book it here and feel confident that your reservation is valid. I have never had a problem with a booking done through them.
Note, I always compare the final price offered by booking.com with the hotel’s own website.
TOP TIP: Booking.com is on the avios platform, and each booking, if done via the avios website, is eligible for points. This is how I managed to fly business class with British Airways from London to Hong Kong (but you can also use avios with Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and more).
Dezeen
If architecture and interior design are important to you, Dezeen is a fantastic source of hotel inspiration.
Their travel features regularly showcase some of the world’s most interesting design-led hotels, many of which I would never have discovered otherwise.
GHA Discovery
GHA Discovery is one of my favourite hotel loyalty programmes. It brings together dozens of independent hotel brands under a single membership, allowing you to earn rewards and enjoy benefits such as room upgrades, late check-out and member-only rates.
Membership is free, making it well worth joining if you regularly enjoy staying at brands such as Anantara, Avani, Capella, and many more brands around the world.
HOW TO CHECK FOR SAFETY ADVICE & VISA REQUIREMENTS BEFORE TRAVEL
Government Travel Advice
Before travelling anywhere, I always check the official government travel advice. These websites provide the latest information on entry requirements, safety, local laws and health advice.
If you’re travelling from the UK, check the UK Foreign Travel Advice. Travelling from the USA? Head the US Department of State Travel Advisories. If you’re travelling from another country, your own government’s travel advisory should always be your primary source of information.
If your government does not make that information easily available online or if you have safety concerns and need a second opinion, I’d recommend checking the UK website linked above. I live in the UK, but I am not a UK passport holder. So, the information specific to UK passport holders does not apply to me. Nevertheless, I still find it useful to visit the website and check if any potential risks and safety concerns (such as major natural disasters, terrorist activities or hostilities) have been identified.
Sherpa
Sherpa makes it incredibly easy to check visa and entry requirements for destinations around the world.
I haven’t actually ever completed the visa process through them (although you can if you want to), but use it as a reference before planning a trip.
I always confirm the information on the destination country’s official immigration website before booking or travelling.
Travel Health Pro
TravelHealthPro is one of the first websites I check before travelling to a new destination, particularly outside Europe.
Run by the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), it provides country-specific health advice, including recommended and required vaccinations, malaria risk, disease outbreaks and practical guidance on staying healthy while abroad.
Readers from outside the UK should follow the equivalent travel health guidance issued by your own country’s public health authority. If unavailable, Travel Health Pro can be a good substitute.
This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated with any of the businesses or organisations mentioned.