Besides Mine of Course…
Finding concise information in the age of Google can be intimidating- there is so much information it may seem like too much! Sometimes websites that work really well in your home country might not be used elsewhere. My criteria is based on how accessible these websites are internationally, how easy the apps and websites are to navigate, how useful they have been to me, and to the best of my knowledge how accurate they are.
Picking Seats on Flights
There’s a few different websites devoted to choosing the best seat on your flight, but Seat Guru is my favorite for the most accuracy and information. It’s owned by Tripadvisor, and has reviews in a similar manner so people who have flown on the airline can add the most current information about the seat layouts.
Why it’s Awesome- Instead of searching by plane, Seat Guru allows you to put your flight information in and they will match that to the plane used so it’s super easy. They also have details of things that you should be aware of before picking a seat like if it’s in a highly trafficked area, if the seats don’t recline, or if it has extra legroom.
Is there an App for that?- Yes they have a free app, however after checking it out I found some bugs and the reviews are poor so I suggest using the website until the issues are fixed.
Vegan & Vegetarian Travelers
This website and app is like a “Yelp” or “Trip Advisor” with reviews on restaurants but limited only to vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly options.
Why it’s awesome- Restaurants are sorted into categories of Vegan, Vegetarian, Veg Friendly and they also list stores that carry plenty of vegan/vegetarian options. It is Google map integrated so you can find options closest to your location.
Is there an app for that?- Yes, for $3.99 but has stellar ratings.
Searching for Flights
There are loads of flight search engines out there and usually people have their favorites. I have tried a myriad of sites through the years, and found a couple that I prefer to work with although I do keep up with various websites that pop up all the time to see if one will snatch me away from these tried and true favorites:
Why it’s Awesome- It’s very easy to navigate and is kind of the OG of flight booking websites. They’ve kept up with the times by adding flexible dates, the “anywhere” option, third party booking site comparisons, and fare alerts (and predictions). This makes it easier to stick with using one app instead of using different apps for fare alerts, Expedia, Priceline, etc.
Is There an App for that?- There is a free app that’s easy to use on phones.
Since it’s Skynet Google, the flight engine incorporates all you know and love in their system including Google Maps, familiar filtering algorithms and even the I’m Feeling Lucky button.
Why it’s Awesome- Unlike other search engines they are adding a flight tracker that tracks the aircraft for a booked flight predicting travel delays before airlines notify. The Google Trips app immediately uploads any hotel, flight, train etc bookings from Gmail and creates itineraries, so if you’re a regular user of GSuite or Gmail this is just another way for Google to simplify things.
Is There an App for that?- No, but you can access through the regular Google app or use Google Trips to hold all itinerary information.
Long Term Traveling & Volunteering
Most traveling expenses consist of transportation, accommodation, and food costs. Thankfully there are a number of websites that are geared towards matching volunteers with places to work at where food and accommodation is covered! This enables travelers to see the world for less, while meeting local hosts and getting job experience in the meantime. Both websites have volunteer opportunities that are unpaid- meaning you won’t be earning money but you work a few hours a day (terms are negotiated with hosts or vary depending on opportunity chosen) and do not have to pay to do so, unlike many “Voluntourism” gigs.
Work on a Organic Farm (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
Why its awesome- You can search by country, learn valuable skills on how to live a more sustainable life, and it’s also available for families or people of any age.
Why it’s awesome- They have tons of coverage all around the world, there are jobs from teaching families English, farming, NGOS, etc. You can volunteer anywhere from two weeks to a year.
FYI- Both sites have a subscription fee that lasts a year- Workaway is $30 USD and WWOOF varies depending on country.
Is there an app for that?- Neither of them have apps.
Traveling by Train
The Man in Seat 61– A great source for train and ferry travel across the world. The website was started by a man who worked in the railroad industry for years, and spent a lot of his life traveling via rail and ferry. He compiled years of information and research into one website where he discusses rail travel by country as well as popular and scenic routes.
Why it’s Awesome- This is the only website that contains this extent of first-hand knowledge of train travel internationally. It’s organized by regions, not super flashy but easy to navigate, and has pictures of different cabins so you have an idea of what accomodation you should be expecting. He also has a guide to travelling anywhere in Europe by Train which I highly recommend reading if you’re not sure how to start planning a trip on rail!
Is there an app for that?- No
All Things Cruise Related
Cruise Critic- Are you interested in planning a cruise but don’t know where to start or have specific questions? I’d recommend checking out Cruise Critic as it’s a database for all things cruise related. They have plenty of helpful articles like the first time guide to cruising, and they also post cruise deals.
Why it’s Awesome- The boards have a wealth of knowledge about different cabins, ships, ports, cruising etc and also “Roll Calls” where members can meet other members on their cruise online prior to embarking. This website has the largest amount of active knowledgeable members I’ve seen yet, and its very organized by ships and destination. It’s also a great place for reading and writing a review if you want others to know about your cruise experience.
Is there an app for that?- There is a free iOS app for forums only, which might be worth it if you plan on having frequent discussions on your phone.
Learning a Different Language (for free!)
Duolingo- Duolingo has apps for the Android and iPhone, but you can also learn on the website. There is a free version and paid version which enables you to play offline and no ads, I’ve had success with the free version. It’s not a replacement for a Rosetta Stone or especially language lessons with a teacher, but it’s extremely helpful for learning vocabulary and basic conversational skills for visiting other countries.
Why it’s Awesome- Besides the fact that it’s FREE, they teach Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Dutch, Irish, Welsh, Swedish, Danish, Russian, Swahili, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Romanian, Greek, Turkish, Vietnamese, Hebrew, Norwegian, Ukrainian, Hungarian, Czech, Korean, Esperanto, and for you Game of Thrones fans- HIGH VALYRIAN. That’s right, if you want to learn a imaginary language you can do so on Duolingo. Of course the languages mentioned are just the Duolingo programs for English speakers- non English speakers also have oodles of programs to choose from which is pretty amazing!
If you already are familiar with the language or it’s been a while since you’ve played and you don’t want to start from the beginning you can take a placement test. You can also join online “clubs” and practice with both bots and other people to improve.
For the Hiker & Backpacker
All Trails- A website for hikers and backpackers that has comprehensive maps, reviews, and hike information. The free version gives you all of that but the Pro ($2.50 monthly) allows maps to be printed, downloaded and used offline, where the free version requires internet access.
Why it’s Awesome- They’re still growing but have an extensive list of trails outside the US. Creating a account or connecting one to facebook enables users to log their hikes, upload photos, and write reviews of parks and trails.The map interface makes it easy to search for parks based on location and within the parks the different routes are listed.
Is There an App for that?- Yes, the app is free and you get the Pro features on the app if you pay for it as well.
I’ll do my best to update this on a bi-annual basis! If there’s a website or app that you think I should check out in any travel related category contact me here.
Putting in my oar for Duolingo three years of Duolingo (plus, admittedly, six weeks of immersion summer camp) as a teenager got me to place into German 201 when I started college without ever having a day of formal instruction. Its not so useful for philosophy discussions and the like (although the German tree does actually have philosophy and religion at the end), but if you need to know where is the bathroom or my ankle hurts, its good.