TRAVEL RESOURCES
This page contains some useful links to companies we recommend for airfare, accommodation, travel insurance, transportation, tour companies, travel credit cards, gear, and other resources.
Airfare
WayAway is a flight aggregator providing travelers with the best rates on airline tickets and a WayAway Plus membership plan gives you cashback on flights, rental cars, and hotels.
Skyscanner is a flight aggregator with the biggest reach and it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know you are getting the best deal.
AirTreks is the leader for booking round-the-world trips. Its booking engine allows you to build itineraries using multiple airlines and their customer service team can help you with the most complex itineraries, up to 25 stops!
Scott’s Cheap Flights delivers deals straight to your inbox. When you follow airports, they will send you alerts when deals pop up. Follow one or multiple airports to depart from.
Accommodation
As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for both established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, Booking.com has the widest selection of accommodation and we like its no-money-down policy.
Planning a visit to Asia? This site should be your primary resource for booking hotels and guesthouses. It has the most robust inventory and offers the best rates.
HelloVacay offers unheard-of access to private, wholesale travel rates in partnership with Priceline and other providers. Adventure People members receive a FREE membership, valued at $99/ year.
VRBO is short for Vacation Rentals by Owner, and its website does exactly what it sounds like. Here, you can book an array of rental properties such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more.
Traveling on a budget? This is the best website for finding hostel accommodations in over 178 countries. They aim to inspire adventurous minds to experience new places, meet new people and come back with extraordinary stories to tell.
Couchsurfing is a service that connects members to a global community of travelers. It’s a website that allows you to stay on people’s couches or spare rooms for free. It’s also a wonderful way to have a true local experience and meet people when traveling solo.
Are you an animal lover? Trusted Housesitters is a platform that connects you with people in need of home and pet sitting. In exchange, you’ll get free accommodation! Many people have made this style of travel a way of traveling long-term.
Plum Guide offers stays in the world’s best homes. They review every single home in each destination and select the top 3% in each price bracket. Better than Airbnb, book your dream stay! Perfect for groups of friends or family who are traveling together.
Tour Companies
Below is a list of vetted tour operators who are commited to ethical and sustainable travel. By traveling with one of these companies, you are committed to protecting the planet’s most vulnerable destinations by transforming tourism’s impact on nature and people. Join the responsible travel movement!
Intrepid is a small group tour company with a focus on cultural immersion, adventure, overland, active and sustainable travel.
Known as the world’s #1 Adventure Travel Company, G Adventures runs small group tours all around the world with a focus on sustainable travel.
Eco conscious climbing tours and safaris run by two brothers with a local and community focus. Specializes in Mt. Kiliminjaro tours.
Earthwatch Institute is a tour operator that engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.
Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris was founded in 1980 by Doug Cheeseman, a zoology and ecology college professor and his naturalist wife, Gail. Their passion for nature and all living creatures made them pursue safaris all around the world.
San Diego based tour company offering rapidly growing field of volunteer vacations. Operating since 2011, their trips average one to two weeks and focus on volunteering either with children and schools or animals and wildlife.
Offers eco-friendly whale watching and diving tours in Baja California Sur. The only tour operator in Cabo San Lucas certified by the World Cetacean Alliance for Responsible Whale Watching.
Founded in 2007, they operate luxury river cruises around the world. Their two luxury ships, the Aria Amazon and the Aqua Mekong Sail focuses on just the areas of the Amazon and Mekong.
Activities & Experiences
Viator was purchased by Trip Advisor in 2014. It has the largest selection of experiences in destinations all over the world. It’s the go-to website for sightseeing tours, things to do, and day trips. It makes it easy to find and book your next adventure.
GetYourGuide is a platform that lets you book things to do, attractions, and tours, similar to Viator. The main difference between Viator and GetYourGuide comes to when you need a refund. GetYourGuide gives you a refund after 24 hours.
AdventureIO lets you find experiences guided by top pro athletes, brand ambassadors, and local experts. Go surfing with legendary surfer Damien Hobgood or wakeboarding with professional athlete Jeff McKee. Find activities nearby and while traveling.
Eatwith is the world’s largest community for unique culinary experiences led by one-of-a-kind hosts, in over 130 countries. With cooking classes and workshops, Eatwith connects guests with friendly, hand-selected hosts for unique, immersive experiences from the comfort of their own home.
TRAVEL REPORTS
Most Governments maintain websites dedicated to providing their citizens with the most up-to-date travel information. The websites below publish online travel reports containing the most recent news as well as background information on every country.
- The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau
- UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Travel Warnings & Alerts
PASSPORT & VISAS
U.S. citizens will require a passport, valid for at least six months from the date of departure, for our international tours. Trips to certain countries may require a visa as well. See the Passport and Visa Requirements section of the detailed itinerary document for your tour to determine the exact requirements. If you need a visa, please contact the country’s consulate office nearest to you.
Be sure to check the expiration date and physical condition of your passport and verify the travel document requirements with the consulates of the countries you are planning to visit during your trip.
As of January 31, 2008, a valid passport is required for all U.S. citizens (including infants and children) traveling by air, land or sea to and from Canada, Mexico, Central, and South America, Bermuda and the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
International guests who plan to take one of our trips in the U.S. will need a passport and visitors from certain countries may need a visa as well. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
Here are some helpful websites:
- US Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau
- UK Identity and Passport Service
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- CIBT Visa Services
- iVisa Visa Checker
IMMUNIZATIONS AND TRAVEL HEALTH ISSUES
It’s important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information for the region you will be visiting. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic.
We’ve provided links to a number of websites that contain excellent background information related to travel health issues. Nevertheless, these websites are no substitute for a personal consultation with a qualified medical professional.
- U.S. National Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Health Canada’s Information for Travelers
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MD Travel Health
- Foreign Commonwealth Office – Know Before You Go
WEATHER FORECASTS
- The Weather Channel for 10-day forecasts and historical temperature and precipitation averages for cities around the world.
- AccuWeather for extended forecasts for cities around the world.
SUN AND MOONRISE/SET TABLES
- Sun and Moon Rise/Set for times for the current year (U.S. cities only)
- Moon Phases for U.S. cities only
WORLD CLOCK AND TIME ZONES
- World Clock for the current local time for cities around the world
CURRENCY
- Currency Conversion to convert the value of one currency into another for most of the world’s major currencies
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Electrical Power Around the World for voltages and frequencies and outlets, plugs and adapters
MAPS
- Google Maps to view maps of countries and places around the world online
- Hard Copy Maps to purchase hard copy maps for countries around the world
TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS
- Moon Travel Guides offers more than 250 travel guidebooks to both U.S. and international destinations with expert travel advice, maps, and trip ideas.
- Lonely Planet offers practical information, recommendations, best-value tips, maps, language guidance, and health and safety advice.
- Fodor’s is a good source for hotel and restaurant ideas.
- Frommer’s is another good source for hotels, trip ideas, etc.
- Rough Guides are good general guidebooks for information about countries all around the world.
GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATION
- The World Factbook for information about a country’s geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, and more.