Travel Resources
THE BEST TRAVEL RESOURCES TO SAVE TIME & MONEY
Regardless how well-traveled we are, we always need to properly plan and research our next destination. Local cultures, how to get a visa, local transport or car rental services, accommodations. They all require a careful planning and finding the right resources. This is why, after years of independent traveling, we have created this page to help you have a smoother, less time-consuming and nicer trip.
Do Your Research: travel guidebooks, useful websites, sources and experts' books
With guidebooks for just about every country in the world, Lonely Planet gives you peace of mind. Either you carry it with you or you check it online as you go, their recommendations for restaurants an accommodations, alongside tips on where to go and how to behave will make your trip smooth and easier to plan.
Click here for more info on their products and prices
Depending on where you are from, before embarking on a trip you should always check the website of your country’s Foreign Ministry for any warning they might have issued. On top of that, there are some other websites it’s good to keep in mind.
- The EU Travel and Tourism website gives information on different topics such as how to get a visa for the European Union, the documents you need to travel in the EU, passengers’ rights as well as a brief on European countries, those part of the Schengen area and the members using the Euro.
- The US Government travel website includes information aimed at both US citizens living and traveling abroad, and foreign nationals traveling to the US. Alongside the necessary documents and up-to-date warnings, there is also a section about US embassies and consulates in other countries.
- The website VisaHQ is very useful to check out the visa requirements of every nation. You just need to fill out the form indicating your nationality, where you want to travel to, and where you live.
- As Iran has relatively recently made it easier to travel there, I wrote an article about the whole process to get an Iran visa.
Alongside the laws and technicalities, there are many books that will inspire you to pick your next destination or give you a better understanding of the country you are about to visit. Here are some of the best books about traveling, adventures and the countries we like to travel to more often such as Afghanistan and Iran.
- Magellan by Stefan Zweig. If you are an adventurous spirit, the biography of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan is for you. The first man to sail from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, he was killed in the Philippines when he was on his way to circumnavigate the globe. Fascinating biography that always makes me feel not so adventurous after all.
- Jules Verne’s books are the quintessential travel books, not only engaging and enthralling but also prophetic. Some of his most famous titles? Around the World in Eighty Days, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth.
- 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz. Pretty self-explaining title, this book gives you plenty of ideas on what to visit next. Sacred places, beautiful islands, castles, historical sites, Patricia Schultz has something for everyone. It can definitely be a perfect starting point when deciding where to book your trip.
- The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton. Not a book about the places but one about the actual act of traveling “using” as “local guides” important or historical figures of a place. For sure a fascinating and one-of-a-kind journey.
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This is one of my favorite books about Afghanistan, obviously with the other titles by this writer. Sad and heart-wrenching, given the turbulence of Afghan modern history, many Afghans can relate to the tragic destiny of the characters of this story. Read our posts about our favorite books that will give you an insight of life in Afghanistan.
- One Thousand Splendid Suns. Another favorite on Afghanistan is again a book by Khaled Hosseini. It’s the story of Afghanistan from little before the Soviet intervention in 1979 as seen through the life and experience of two women. Heartbreaking and truly revealing of how decades of war have changed the destiny of so many people.
- Shahnameh by Ferdowsi. The essential book about history, culture and life of Persia from ancient times to the Middle Ages. This book, written around 1000 AD, touches all the most important aspects of old Iran.
Read our post for more inspiring books about modern Iran
Not only books, when you travel you also need to consider safety and health warnings.
If you are out of your comfort zone, you might want to wear some safety clothes. Clever Travel Companion offers a wide choice of pickpocket proof travel gear and clothing such as t-shirts with secret pockets.
If you have sensitive stomach or are traveling to sensitive areas with different hygienic standards from those you are used to, you might want to carry SteriPEN with you to be able to purify the local water or activated charcoal tablets in case of dodgy stomach.
Most of all, make sure you travel with a good travel insurance that covers medical expenses, lost luggage, or early return in case of health issues. With World Nomads you can buy, extend and claim online your insurance even after you have left home and are already traveling.
Best sources for booking your flights
Best Sources For Booking Transport
The list below are some of the most reliable websites to book your transport with.
Accommodations and Hotels
Reliable Tour Companies
Some of these links can earn us a small commission that will help us run the website at no extra cost for you.