Turn to Twitter
Whatever you may be looking for, chances are someone is Tweeting about it. Here are 10 of our favorite follows:
@AnnieFitz If it’s happening in the world of luxury hotels, Annie Fitzsimmons will be first to let you know.
@CruiseRadio Trusted source for cruise news from the newest ships to the latest sales.
@don_george When you want deeper, more thoughtful links and conversations about travel, culture and writing, look to legendary travel writer Don George.
@Heather_Poole Witty flight attendant and author of the memoir Cruising Attitude dishes on airline news.
@JenLeo L.A. Times travel deal guru Jen Leo is the ultimate resource for making the most of travel technology.
@JohnnyJet Frequent flier Johnny Jet and his stable of contributors broadcast travel news, especially about saving money and building mileage.
@NatGeoLive Tune in for live conversations with National Geographic writers, photographers and filmmakers.
@TravelBlggr Florida-based food and travel maven Rachelle Lucas unleashes travel-industry updates seemingly by the minute.
@vagabondish For backpacking inspiration and offbeat news, follow this stream.
@wandermelon This group of professional globetrotters will clue you in on deals, tips and worldwide destinations.
Find Visual Inspiration
Even print-media diehards will love what the latest websites are doing with images.
GloboMaestro.com, a collection of elite concierges, is home to a stockpile of top-notch videos featuring the hidden gems in their cities – currently New York, San Francisco, Miami, and Los Angeles. You’ll find plenty of inspiration just by browsing, but for personalized suggestions, login and “ask a concierge” anything.
To easily track your discoveries – from dream hotels to exotic destinations – create virtual bulletin boards at pinterest.com, which will also serve up ideas from other users. You can search by topic or follow individual people and even in-the-know organizations like tourist boards – San Diego, Savannah and Philadelphia are fabulous examples.
Sifting through the Web’s zillion-plus reviews can be agonizing. Fortunately, that’s what curators are for. When it comes to luxury hotels, the folks at kiwicollection.com have done the homework for you, personally visiting and reviewing every property to bring you only the best. Flip through their stunning themed slideshows (views, spa, safaris, etc.) and start dreaming.
Try These Expert Tips
AIR
To buzz through security without fumbling with your liquids, Bobby Laurie, Virgin America flight attendant and prolific blogger at upupandagay.com, says, “If they sell it in a solid, buy it. Soap is a no-brainer, but believe it or not, there are even solid toothpaste tablets and good solid shampoos.”
LAND
Raphael Pallais, chef concierge at The Plaza hotel in New York bets that you can rely on the concierge for much more than you currently do. He says, “When you’re a guest, you should be lazy and enjoying a vacation, so let the concierge do all the legwork to organize the entire journey and guarantee its enjoyability. Not just the restaurant, but the deep research about the best the city has to offer.”
SEA
John Heald, senior cruise director and blogger for Carnival Cruises, urges you to focus on what really matters. “The ship will no doubt have all the bells and whistles, but don’t forget to take some time with the one you love – hold hands and take a walk to the open decks and stand by the railing and listen to the sound of the sea. It’s the perfect place to remember how much you love that person.”
