Travel the Web before you travel the world

By Wangui Njuguna, USA TODAY.com

Information is abundant on the Web, but who has time to wade through all those sites when planning a trip? We do, that's why we've compiled a list of some of the best travel sites you've probably never heard of. It's not exhaustive, but it does include some bizarre, little known and eminently useful information. Happy trails!

Bookmark worthy:

Travelpunk.com — Backpackers, students, the budget-minded; here's your Holy Grail. ATM locators, hospitals, Eurail maps, hostels, visa info … it's all here.

WorldHum.com — Terrific travel blog that spotlights offbeat travel stories and sites.

BootsnAll.com — Arranged by geography, find e-mails for people who live in your chosen destination and ask them all the stuff the guidebooks don't tell you.

Sleepinginairports.net — You know it's bound to happen, so read reviews about safety and quality, plus a best-and-worst list for catching 'zzzz's at the airport.

ILoveLanguages.com — How many sites can give you pointers in Mingo? Where ever you're going, find tips to pick up the lingo.

Discover a different America:

Roadsideamerica.com — Take a road trip back in time and visit Ohio's pencil sharpener museum, or South Dakota's outhouse museum. All the places your dad wanted to stop at, but your mom wouldn't let him.

Fred and Suzi Dow's U.S. National Forest Campground Guide — The Dows have traveled to hundreds of national forest campgrounds in their 27-foot RV since 1996.

Don't buy it, bid it!

Bid4vacations.com — Packages that can be can be bought for 70% off retail make this site a good place to bid for a winter get-away.

Skyauction.com — All auctions start with an opening bid of $1. Need a better reason to plan that trip?

BiddingForTravel.com — Uncover the secret of finding cheap vacations at Priceline from actual customers who provide bidding tips and insider information.

Down to the wire:

11thhourvacations.com — Find romance or budget vacations at prices that won't let on how long you really procrastinated.

Travelfleamarket.com — Let someone else do the work: Pick a place, pick an area. and you get a list of which site offers what and when.

Weekend get-aways:

Digital City's Travel Guy — Up-to-the-minute lists of weekend Web fares and short-term fare sales organized by city

Spafinder.com — Chill at a spa vacation in Arizona, or some more exotic locale.

I-travel-world.com — Just got to play some golf on vacation? Then you've just got to check out the packages offered across the globe.

Whatever floats your boat:

Cruisemates.com — An authoritative resource for deciding which cruise line suits you and your vacation.

Comparison travel shopping:

Igougo.com — They've been there, done that. Travelers share travelogues, guides, and great deal ideas.

Tripadvisor.com — Fodor's and Frommers' hotel and dining reviews in one easy place, but even more cool are the hotel reviews from folks who've actually been there.

Bob's Internet Travel Tips — Bob's been around a lot and he's willing to share pointers on airfares, hotel sites, plus his opinion on all things travel related.

Sidestep — A side-by-side comparison of fares on leading travel sites is great, but you have to download the freeware to make it happen. The good and the bad; you decide.

Bizrate.com — The king of all comparison-shopper sites can find you tickets, hotels and something to wear when you get there, even a gift for those you leave at home.

Accommodate yourself:

Hoteldiscounts.net — Book a room here, and if you discover a cheaper price, they'll match it.

Dinesite.com — No matter where you're headed, from Poughkeepsie to Albuquerque to Cheyenne or almost any town in between, you'll find dining options.

SeatGuru.com — How to avoid getting stuck in the dreaded middle seat.

OneBag.com — Veteran travelers, convinced overpacking is a cardinal sin, use this great resource for learning to live indefinitely out of a single, carry-on bag.

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Global traveler 101:

State.gov/travel — Before you make 'I've been around the world and back' true this is a must-visit for travel restrictions and warnings.

The world factbook — No cloak and dagger, just the facts from the CIA. Yeah, that CIA.

Connectedtraveler.com — Best offerings are "sustainable tourism" which looks at indigenous cultures, and "humor" that offers hysterical translations of English phrases.

Traveladventures.org — Take a look before you take off; tons of photos from more than 100 countries.

E-vacations.com — A multi-city vacation planner maps out your European tour.

ViaMichelin.com — Brave enough to drive on the wrong side of the road? And the wrong side of the car? Find the info you need about motoring around 40 European countries.

Roller coaster rush:

ThemeParkInsider.com — From Disneyland in Orlando to Phantasialand in Germany, find a park to suit your thrill-seeking needs

Coasterbuzz.com — Get ready to scream with forums that tackle the hottest attractions across the nation. Coaster news is sobering, and a must-read before you get onboard.

For the fun of it:

Brainwoofer.com/travel — Great first-person stories ranging from experiences with minimalist Europe to nightmarish diatribes about airport delays.

Rick Steves'Grafitti Wall — Message boards on subjects like nude beaches, toilet tips, the best walking shoes augment the mundane packing tips and finding-a-great-deal boards.

Johnnyjet.com — John DiScala's exhaustive list of travel links, from where airline crews hang out near the airport to things to do when you're bored in a hotel room

Ask the Pilot — Get the answer to everything you've always wanted to ask the guys in the crisp white shirts, in this Salon.com column written by a professional pilot.

Traveler's rewards:

Signspotting.com — "Promised land: closed." If you'd snapped a picture of that road sign and sent it in, you'd have won $50. Keep your camera ready, your eyes open and you may be the next winner.

Contributors: Laura Bly