Useful Websites : Travel

DISCLAIMER: Our inclusion of any website in this directory is not an endorsement of that site's products or services. We have tried to select the most useful and interesting sites available, but we cannot be responsible for the accuracy of information or the quality of products and services offered by these sites. Please choose all travel accomodations, products, and services with caution.

General

See also:
TRAVEL : Places

**Click here for Current Travel Security Info**
See also : Know Before You Go : Customs & Border Restrictions

TRANSPARENT LANGUAGE ONLINE (formerly Byki) : 'Web-based Language Learning that's easy, fast, and effective! Byki is a powerful language-learning system that uses flashcards to teach you a set of words or phrases. It is the fastest possible way to lock foreign words and phrases into your long-term memory. Byki offers over 80 language options, ESL, personal progress tracking, pronunciation analysis, international language and cultural resources, and more!' NOTE: New users will have to set up a personal username and password by clicking on the 'Sign Up Now' button. If you're logging on at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to get started. From Recorded Books

ATM Locator (Visa) - Finds cash machines accepting Visa cards anywhere in the world. MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card offer similar services.

Bed&Breakfast.com - Worldwide directory of B&Bs. (HomeAway, Inc.; site includes advertisements)

Better Business Bureau : Travel - Consumer advice and news on travel. There is also a related BBB Travel Blog.

Better World Club Travel Links - Selected links to websites on active vacations, air travel, auto travel, cruises, cycling, eco-friendly travel, family vacations, travel guides, hotels & lodging, food & restaurants, mass transit, specialty travel, and more. (Better World Club, 'environmentally friendly auto club')

Budget Travel - Companion site for Budget Travel Magazine, offering destination information, trip ideas, travel tips, how-to handbook, and more (site includes advertisements, Newsweek Budget Travel, Inc.). See also Frugal Traveler, and Practical Traveler : 19 Web Sites for Travel Savings in 2012 (New York Times). (These sites include advertisements)

Concierge - Home page for Condé Nast Traveler. (Site includes advertisements)

Conversion Charts - These charts for travelers show conversions for Length & Distance, Weight & Volume, Temperature, and Clothing sizes (American Express). Oanda also offers a variety of measurement conversion tools (Oanda.com; site includes advertisements).

Currency Converter - A useful tool for checking out currencies and exchange rates before you travel; allows you to create and print a traveler's currency cheat sheet. The same site offers free downloadable currency converters for mobile devices including Blackberry, iPhone, Windows Phone and Android (Oanda.com; site includes advertisements). Visa also offers a currency converter tool (site includes advertisements).

Explorion - Historical travelogues, full texts of classic books, journals of discovery and personal adventures by Marco Polo, Cabeza de Vaca, Mary Wollstonecraft, Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Edith Wharton, Roald Amundsen, Theodore Roosevelt and many more. Searchable by author, volume or geographic location. 'See the world through the eyes and words of great writers and voyagers.' (Site includes advertisements)

Fodor's Destinations - A popular publisher of international travel information. Includes a collection of practical travel tips. (Site includes advertisements)

Fodor's Foreign Languages for Travellers - Basic travel-related words and expressions in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese. Includes audio (site includes advertisements). For additional foreign language resources, see South Plainfield Public Library's Language links.

Forbes Travel - Travel information and news, with an emphasis on luxury travel. (Site includes advertisements)

Frommer's - Another popular publisher of travel information. Website offers destinations & hotels, trip ideas for different types of travellers (families, singles, seniors, disabled, etc.) and activities (arts & culture, outdoor & adventure, road trip, theme park, etc.), deals & news, tips & tools, and more. Site may be slow to load and navigate. (Site includes advertisements)

Green Hotels - This site lists accomodations which have instituted measures to save water and energy and reduce solid waste. Click on 'Member Hotels' for the directory, arranged by state. Hotels outside the U.S. are listed at the end. Site may be slow to load and navigate. See also Parks, Hostels, & Other Adventures, below.

Independent Traveler : Travel Tips - Travel advice and other resources 'for a community of travelers who enjoy the fun of planning their own trips and the adventure of independent travel.' Covers air travel, car travel, train travel, specialty travel, money & insurance, troubleshooting, packing, safety & health, and more. (The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor LLC; site includes advertisements)

Karen Brown Travel Guides - 'A hand-picked selection of accomodations throughout Europe, North America and Mexico.' Focus is on inns and B&Bs. (From Karen Brown's Guides, publisher of 17 travel guides; site includes advertisements)

Literary Traveler - For those interested in exploring locales from the world of literature, this site offers informative and interesting articles about writers and creative artists, and the places they lived and traveled. Links, videos, and other resources are included. (Site includes advertisements)

Lonely Planet Guides - Well-researched, up-to-date online travel guides for destinations around the world. (Lonely Planet, travel guide publisher; site includes advertisements)

Magellan's Travel Advice - In-depth travel articles offering helpful advice on dealing with airline aggravations, electricity overseas, laptops & cell phones, photo tips, smart packing, travel health, planning, and safety, plus an assortment of very brief travel tips on a wide variety of travel topics. Also offers a useful Electrical Connection Wizard to determine the plug adaptor(s) needed for any appliances or electronics you'll be travelling with, and whether a transformer or converter is required. (By a travel products retailer; site includes advertisements)

MapQuest - Searchable maps and directions for the U.S. and Canada. Rand McNally, below, also offers maps & directions for the U.S. and Canada. (These sites include advertisements)

National Geographic Traveler - Travel magazine for those interested in 'journeys that are about place, experience, culture, authenticity, living like the locals, and great photography... [with] articles that offer a strong sense of place, inspiring narratives that make readers take trips, and solid service information to help them plan those trips.' Site may be slow to load and navigate. (National Geographic; site includes advertisements)

New York Times Travel - Travel articles, columns, blogs, and destination guides. Includes a Travel Activities & Interests section covering a range of topics including art, beaches, biking, eco-tourism, family, fishing, gardens, history, shopping, spas, wildlife, and more. See also Washington Post : Travel. (Sites include advertisements)

One Bag : the Art and Science of Travelling Light - Tips on traveling light, plus additional useful travel information including a checklist of things to take care of prior to leaving on a trip. (By Doug Dyment; site includes advertisements)

Passports - Explains how to get a passport or renew one, as well as what to do if your passport is lost or stolen. Includes printable passport applications (PDF). You can also search passport offices by zip code. (U.S. State Department)

Rand McNally - Use this site to plan your travel route, find things to do and places to stay, print maps, get directions, and more. Covers the U.S. and Canada.

Timeshares and Vacation Plans - Helpful information and advice if you're thinking of buying a timeshare or vacation plan. (2012, Federal Trade Commission)

Tipping Etiquette - Guidelines on how much to tip at the airport, hotel, touring, cruising, taking a cab, or dining out. NOTE : You may have to enter your zip code to view the page. (AAA Mid-Atlantic)

Travel & Leisure : 'World's Best' Awards - Annual rankings of the top hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, outfitters, airlines, and car-rental agencies around the world, based on readers' evaluations. (Travel & Leisure magazine; site includes advertisements)

Travel Sense - Travel tips, destination info, consumer alerts, searchable directory of travel agents, and more. (American Society of Travel Agents; site includes advertisements)

USA.gov : Travel, Transportation, and Recreation - A wide range of official travel information and services, covering recreation & tourism, safety & security, international travel, air travel, road & train travel, historic sites, and more. Consumer Tips : Travel offers basic consumer advice on travel planning (USA.gov). See also FTC Consumer Travel Tips and other FTC Travel Information for advice on various travel-related topics, including travel scams, timeshares, and school break trips (Federal Trade Commission).

U.S. State Department - Travel publications and travel warnings, international adoption, and other State Department services, country-specific information, Tips for Traveling Abroad, plus links to related sites, and forms & application information for visas and passports. If you plan on traveling to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico and Canada, be sure to check the State Department's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to learn the entry requirements for those regions. See also Safe Trip Abroad, below.

Via Michelin - Driving directions, maps, hotels, restaurants, and other travel information for European countries. (Site includes advertisements)

Weather Conditions (International) - Current weather for countries and cities world-wide (National Weather Service). Select a country from the drop-down menu to start. World Weather offers local weather forecasts for thousands of cities around the world, and for every U.S. ZIP code by state (Weather.com; site includes advertisements).

Wi-Fi-FreeSpot™ Directory - Can't exist without the Internet while traveling? This site lists hundreds of cafés, restaurants, libraries, malls, stores, RV parks, airports, hotels, and other places offering Free Wireless High Speed Internet access to guests, customers and/or the general public. Covers the USA state-by-state, as well as Europe and other regions of the world (site includes advertisements). See also Wi-Fi™ Finder (Wi-Fi Alliance). [NOTE : Wi-Fi Finder locations use Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ equipment.]

World Time Server - Click on a city in the chart or a country in the left-hand menu to find out the current time in that location. See also Time and Date : World Clock. (Sites include advertisements)

Yahoo! Travel - An extensive, annotated directory of travel sites, arranged by subject. For information on specific places, click on 'Destination Guides'. (Site includes advertisements)

Zagat Surveys - Customer reviews of restaurants, hotels, nightspots and other attractions in 20 U.S. cities / regions, as well as London, Paris, Rome, Montreal, Tokyo, and others. (Site includes advertisements)

Air Travel

**Click here for Current Travel Security Info**
See also : Know Before You Go : Customs & Border Restrictions

About Airport Parking - Information about parking at more than 100 airports, mostly in North America. Also offers online reservations for some airport lots.

Airline Quality Rating - Compares U.S. airlines using published data for on-time arrivals, involuntary denied boardings, mishandled baggage, and a combination of 12 customer complaint categories. Full report is in PDF format. (Purdue University and Wichita State University)

Airlines and Airport Links - Extensive directory of links to websites of airlines (searchable by name, region, or code) and airports (searchable by city, region, or code) in the U.S. and around the world. Site has not been updated since 2005, so expect some broken links, especially for small airlines and small airports (compiled by Warren Fisher, 'aviation enthusiast'; site includes advertisements).

Air Passenger Information - An assortment of useful information for airline passengers, including baggage size requirements and other carry-on restrictions, passengers with disabilities, and flying with children or pets. For information on general delays at any major U.S. airport (not flight-specific), see Flight Delay Information (Federal Aviation Administration). The U.S. Transportation Security Administration also provides information about new airport security procedures and advice to help you pass more quickly through security checks. The TSA now offers MyTSA Mobile Application, which allows you to use your cell phone or other mobile device to check airport status & security wait times, find out what items you can bring on board, and more.

Airsafe.com - Records of airline accidents, plus a variety of airline safety & security-related information. (By Todd Curtis, author of Understanding Aviation Safety Data; site includes advertisements)

Flight Delay & Cancellation Tips - Information on what to do when your flight gets cancelled or is delayed. Use the left-hand menu for additional advice on air travel, including Bumping & Overbooking and Lost Luggage. (UBM Aviation, an aviation industry company)

Flights and Business Travel - Useful travel-related weather information such as airport weather, flight status, and flight forecasts. (Weather.com; site includes advertisements)

FlightStats.com - Information about the status of flights to and from airports around the world (covering 'approximately 99.5% of U.S. flights, and better than 86% of flights worldwide'). Reports on flight delays, cancellations, weather conditions, runway & gate times, and more. You can search for the status of a specific flight, get a list of all flights arriving at a given airport, or view all flights on a given route. You can also register for email or text-message alerts. (FlightStats, Inc., publisher of flight information; site includes advertisements)

Seat Guru - Information on how to get the airplane seat that best suits your needs, with helpful descriptions and easy-to-use coded seating maps for different planes of the major airlines. Select your airline and aircraft from the menu on the left to start. (Site includes advertisements)

Auto, Bus, & Train Travel

511 NJ traffic information 511 NJ - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has designated 511 as the national travel information telephone number. 511 NJ is a free phone and web service that provides motorists with up-to-the-minute information about accidents, incidents, construction, and other unusual delays on New Jersey Interstate and State highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Atlantic City Expressway, as well as all bridge and tunnel crossings. It offers real time traffic and travel information seven days a week, 365 days a year. In addition, 511 NJ broadcasts Amber alerts and other emergency messages (New Jersey Department of Transportation, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, the New Jersey State Police, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and the Delaware River Port Authority). Click here for 511 Travel Information in other states (Federal Highway Administration).

America's Scenic Byways - Information on nationally-designated scenic roads and byways, offering the finest natural and manmade vistas, historic areas, cultural attractions, and more. Includes trip ideas and suggested routes. (Federal Highway Administration)

Amtrak - U.S. passenger train information, including schedules, routes, stations, online reservations, and more.

Bus Lines - Links to bus companies around the world; arranged by popularity, but you can also view the list alphabetically. See also Bus Tours and Charters and Hop-On, Hop-Off Buses. (Yahoo.com; site includes advertisements)

Eurail - Information on traveling by rail in Europe, including online sales of rail passes. Eurail does not offer tickets for one-time travel between two cities; Eurail Passes are for travelers who wish to travel for a number of days within a certain period.

Fuel Cost Calculator - When planning your vacation, use this site to calculate the estimated fuel cost of your automobile trip. (AAA; site includes advertisements)

MapQuest - Searchable maps and directions for the U.S. and Canada. Rand McNally, below, also offers maps & directions for the U.S. and Canada. (These sites include advertisements)

N.J. Transit - See N.J. Transit links, below.

New York City Transit - New York City Transit links, below.

Public Transportation in the U.S. - A comprehensive directory of public transit systems throughout the United States, including rail, bus, subway and light rail, with links to each transit system agency — useful information for local commuting, or when planning a vacation in another city. (American Public Transportation Association)

Rand McNally - Use this site to plan your travel route, find things to do and places to stay, print maps, get directions, and more. Covers the U.S. and Canada.

Roadside America - 'Your online guide to offbeat tourist attractions.' If a visit to the Toilet Seat Museum, the Goofy Golf course, the Criminals Hall of Fame Wax Museum, or the Ghost Parking Lot is your idea of fun, this is the website for you (site includes advertisements)! Road Trip USA helps you to '...experience part of America - the small towns, funky attractions, roadside curiosities, and more - that the interstates have left behind.' Includes podcasts (Avalon Travel Publishing; site includes advertisements).

Subway Maps : Urban Rail - Online subway maps and related info for cities in the U.S. and around the world (site includes advertisements). Amadeus Subway Maps also offers printable online subway maps. See also Hopstop Transit Maps.

Summer Road Travel - Online guide to preparing for your next driving vacation, with tips on the best travel gear to bring, how to prep your car for the ride & get the best gas mileage, plus advice on traveling safely with kids. (Consumer Reports)

Traffic & Road Closures - Click on any state where you expect to be driving and find out which roads are expected to be closed at what times. Also includes links to traffic reports and traffic advisories (Federal Highway Administration). See TrafficLand for live photo/video of traffic conditions in selected locations worldwide (site includes advertisements). See also 511 Travel Information, below.

Train Travel - Information about rail travel in the U.S., Canada, and Europe (The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor LLC.) Trains and Railroads, Train Travel Links, and Train Tour Operators offer links to rail companies around the world; arranged by popularity, but you can also view the lists alphabetically (Yahoo.com; site includes advertisements)

Barrier-Free Travel

Family Village Travel Links - Links to online resources and tour companies specializing in travel for people with disabilities. (2010, University of Wisconsin)

Have Disabilities, Will Travel - Articles and online resources for traveling with disabilities. By Candy Harrington, author of Barrier Free Travel and editor of Emerging Horizons magazine, 'travel information for wheelchair users and slow walkers.'

Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality - An assortment of resources and articles on travel for people with disabilities. Use the menu on the left to navigate the site. Includes links to access information for major airlines.

Travel with Service Animals - Brief advice on traveling specifically with a service animal, plus helpful advice on traveling with pets generally. (Merck & Co., Inc. pharmaceutical company)

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions - Information on security regulations which apply to traveling with medications and medical equipment (U.S. Transportation Security Administration).

Traveling with Disabilities - 'Preparing for your trip in advance will help to ensure that your travel is accessible, safe, and enjoyable. Each country has its own standards of accessibility for travelers with disabilities, and many countries do not require accommodations similar to what you might find in the United States.' This page provides guidance to help you review your needs and conduct necessary research before you travel. (2013, U.S. State Department).

New Jersey (and Nearby) Travel

Parks, Hostels, & Other Adventures

Backpacker's Ultimate Guide - If you're thinking of backpacking your way around the world, take a look at this website. Includes destinations guides, hostel reviews, user forum, and other useful info on backpacking in Europe, America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific. (Site includes advertisements)

Bike Access - On this site, bicyclists share their experiences traveling by or with a bicycle, offering advice and caveats on airports, airlines, trains, and buses worldwide, as well as on shipping or renting a bike (maintained by bicycling enthusiast George Farnsworth). See also Bicycling Life (by a group of bicycling enthusiasts).

Cruising Tips - Advice on how to book and board a cruise, with related links (American Society of Travel Agents). For advice on minimizing health risks while on a cruise, see Healthy Cruising (U.S. Centers for Disease Control). For the downside of cruises, see Cruise Junkie (by Ross Klein, a Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland).

Ecotourism - Information on visiting exotic, uncrowded destinations while helping to support the local economy. Includes Ecotourism FAQ, Ecotourism Explorer, Tips for Travelers, Travel Green Guide (free to download), and ecoDestinations. NOTE : Site may be slow to load and navigate (International Ecotourism Society). See also Ethical Traveler (Earth Island Institute), National Geographic's Sustainable Destinations, and Green Hotels.

Elderhostel and Exploritas are now Road Scholar, below.

Global Volunteers - For those interested in 'Volunteer Vacations,' this site offers opportunities to work on 'human and economic development projects worldwide; assisting people of diverse cultures and promoting cross-cultural understanding.' Globe Aware is another group offering volunteer vacation opportunities. One option in the U.S. is Passport in Time, a volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program of the USDA Forest Service.

Green Maps Online - Locally-created maps that chart the natural and cultural environment; website is now accessible via smart-phones. Some printed green maps and an iPhone app are also available for sale. (Nonprofit organization)

Hostels - Use this site to search for inexpensive lodging in hostels worldwide. There is also a sister site, HostelWorld.com. (Travel booking agents; these sites include advertisements)

iExplore - Adventure travel site from National Geographic. (Site includes advertisements)

Intervac Home Exchange - You can get free accommodation anywhere in the world by exchanging your home for one in a different part of the U.S. or in another country. See also Slow Travel, below.

Leave No Trace - Advice for outdoor enthusiasts on how to reduce their impact on the environment when they hike, camp, picnic, snowshoe, run, bike, hunt, paddle, ride horses, fish, ski or climb. (Nonprofit organization)

Local Hikes - Information on places to hike near many large and small U.S. cities. Find a trail by selecting your metro area or using the search feature (distances may be inaccurate). Hike information is contributed by volunteers from around the country, so the list of hikes is extensive, but not complete (site includes advertisements). For links to local parks in Central Jersey, see South Plainfield Environmental Commission and related links, above. For links to N.J. state parks & forests, see New Jersey State Parks & Forests. See also Appalachian Mountain Club Trip Planner.

National Park Service - Gives a brief overview of each U.S. National Park, with links to more detailed descriptions. Also provides travel directions, plus information on fees, permits, accessibility, lodging and other facilities, related history resources and more. The 'Discover Our Shared Heritage' Travel Itinerary Series makes it easy to explore extraordinary sites on the National Register of Historic Places. See also Find a National Park (National Parks Conservation Association), Nature Find : Find Parks, Trails, and Other Nature Sites [NOTE : Site may be slow to load and navigate] (National Wildlife Federation), and National Parks of Canada.

National Trust for Historic Preservation - Information on National Trust historic sites in the U.S. (site includes advertisements). See also National Park Service, above.

Outdoor Travel Adventures (GORP) - Guides to a variety of active outdoor vacation activities including camping, hiking, biking, fishing, riding, paddling, and many others. Free registration is required to read the guides. (Orbitz Travel / Outside Magazine; site includes advertisements)

Road Scholar - Adventures in lifelong learning through educational travel, for adults age 55 and over. Non-profit organization; there is a charge for travel programs.

Sacred Destinations - 'Travel guide to more than 1,500 sacred sites, holy places, pilgrimage destinations, historical sites, religious buildings and religious art around the world.' Searchable by keyword, browsable by country or category. (By 'a graduate student in religious history who loves to travel'; site includes advertisements)

Slow Travel - An independent online community where 'Slow Travelers' - those who stay in vacation rentals at villas, farms, cottages, apartments - can exchange information and reviews. (Site includes advertisements)

Vagabonding - 'Vagabonding is about taking time off from your normal life - from six weeks to four months to two years - to discover and experience the world on your own terms.' This blog on all aspects of independent travel by travel writer Rolf Potts includes reports on Potts's travels around the world, plus travel advice & links. Suggestions for an adventurous 'Staycation', too!

Wilderness Survival Guide - Everything you need to know about survival in the great outdoors, including how to make a fire, build a shelter, find food and water, navigate when you're lost, and do basic first aid. (Site includes advertisements)

Places

Travel Health & Safety

**Click here for Current Travel Security Info**

Alzheimer's : Travel Safety - If you plan to travel with an individual who has Alzheimer's disease, this page offers strategies that can help make your trip safer and less stressful. (Alzheimer's Association)

Bedbug Tips for Travelers - Brief tips on how to check your hotel room for signs of bedbug infestation, and how to prevent bedbugs from hitching a ride home in your luggage (Orkin LLC, a pest control company; site includes advertisements). For more in-depth information, see Bedbugs (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

Drug Arrests Abroad - Warning and advice from the State Department on the dangers of violating drug possession or trafficking laws while traveling abroad.

International Travel : Tips for Staying Healthy - Advice for protecting your health while traveling abroad. (American Academy of Family Physicians; site includes advertisements)

Merck Manual on Travel & Health - In-depth information on preparing for a trip, how to deal with health problems and hazards while traveling, and advice on travel with specific medical conditions. (Merck & Co., Inc. pharmaceutical company)

Privacy-Smart Travel - Tips to help you avoid fraud and identity theft when you go on vacation. See also Summer Vacation - A Privacy and Identity Theft Primer. (2009 - 2010, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse)

Safe Trip Abroad - Tips on traveling safely outside the U.S., with advice on what to do if you encounter crime, violence, or other unexpected difficulties. Includes links to information on specific destinations. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency. See also Drug Arrests Abroad, above. See additional travel resources from the U.S. State Department, above. (U.S. State Department)

Summer Safety Tips - Tips on water & boating safety, camping & hiking safety, and sun safety. (American Red Cross). See also AAP Summer Safety Tips & AAP Summer Safety Tips : Sun and Water Safety Tips (American Academy of Pediatrics), Extreme Heat Tips (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Pool & Spa Safety (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission), and Sunscreens, Tanning Products, and Sun Safety (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

Travel Clinic Directory - Directory of health care professionals with an expertise in travel medicine; includes over 500 travel medicine clinics representing more than 40 countries (International Society of Travel Medicine).

Travel Security - Outlines security procedures for air travel, passenger rail travel, cruises, highway travel, and mass transit. (U.S. Transportation Security Administration)

Travelers' Health - Information on health for travelers, including diseases; vaccinations; safe food and water, as well as health information on specific destinations, directory of travel clinics, and what to know before you go; with tips for special needs travelers, and traveling with children. (National Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions - Information on security regulations which apply to traveling with medications and medical equipment (U.S. Transportation Security Administration). See related links in the Barrier-Free Travel section.

Travel With Kids

Air Travel with Children - Explains security procedures for people traveling by air with children (U.S. Transportation Security Administration). See also When Kids Fly Alone [Link opens a PDF] (U.S. Department of Transportation) and Child Safety in the Air (Airsafe.com, by Todd Curtis, author of Understanding Aviation Safety Data; site includes advertisements).

Family Travel Forum - Practical advice on traveling with children, from travel industry professionals, travel writers, and travelers. (Site includes advertisements)

Mom's Minivan - Over 101 ideas for fun things for kids to do in the car, kids' travel games, printable car games and activities, and road-trip tips, organized by age group. (By Laurel Smith; site includes advertisements)

Parent and Child Health : Travel with Children - Basic practical advice on how to make traveling more enjoyable for you and your children, whether by car, bus, train, or air (Women's and Children's Health Network, South Australia). NOTE : Info on car safety restraints is specific to Australia. For U.S. information, see our Child Safety Seat links.

Theme Parks (About.com) - Comprehensive directory of theme parks, water parks, and roller coasters in the U.S., Canada, and abroad, with related information (About.com, a part of The New York Times Company; site includes advertisements). See also Theme Park City (by 'a loose coalition of graduate students at the University of Florida'; site includes advertisements) and Theme Park Insider (by Robert Niles, 'a former attractions host at Walt Disney World'; site includes advertisements).

Tiny Travelers - Tips on traveling with babies and children up to 5 years old; includes both expert and family-written stories. (Family Travel Forum; site includes advertisements)

Travel Channel's Family Vacations - Ideas and resources for all kinds of family travel. (Site includes advertisements) [NOTE : Site may be slow to load and navigate.]

Travel With Pets

Canine Travel Tips - Suggestions for traveling with your dog by air, auto, rail, bus, or boat, with a short list of related books and links. (American Kennel Club)

Flying with Pets FAQ - Explains both practical and legal aspects of air travel with a pet. (Nolo Press)

Merck Manual for Pet Health : Travel with Pets - Advice on traveling with your cat or dog, both within the United States and internationally. Includes information on travel with service animals, planning your trip, vaccinations & regulations, alternatives to travel with pets, and more. (Merck & Co., Inc. pharmaceutical company)

Pet Care Travel Tips - Includes tips to ensure a safe and comfortable trip for your pet by plane or by car.(ASPCA). See also Safe Road Tripping with Pets (2012, Consumer Reports).

Taking a Pet Overseas - Brief info on traveling with a pet overseas (U.S. State Department). See also Travelling in Europe : Pets (European Union).

Top 10 Tips for Hotel Stays with Pets - Advice to help you find the best lodging for you and your pet. (2011, Fodors; site includes advertisements)

Travelling : Should Your Pet Stay or Go? - Advice on how to decide whether to take your pet with you when you travel, with related content linked in the right-hand menu column. An article on Pets and Severe Winter Weather includes links to websites listing Pet-Friendly Hotels [scroll down the page for the links] (Humane Society of the U.S.). See also Directories of Pet-Friendly Hotels and Motels (New Jersey Office of Emergency Management).

Traveling Solo

Single Travel : Tips for Going Solo - Advice on the pleasures and pitfalls of traveling alone, with links to related resources. (The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor LLC; site includes advertisements)

Solo Traveler : Tales and Tips - Basic advice on traveling alone. See also Tips for Successful Solo Travel. (Fodor's; site includes advertisements)

Successful Solo Lodging - Advice for the solo traveler on choosing and booking accomodations. (Fodor's; site includes advertisements)