Travel Resources
With over 60 years of travel experience, we understand the need for dependable resources when planning trips.
We’ve put together our top trusted travel tools and tips to help you plan your journeys.
This page is regularly updated to stay current. If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us.
Happy travels!
Some of the links on this page might earn us a small commission if you make a purchase – but don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything extra! Supporting us this way helps us continue sharing our best travel content and tips. See our full disclosures for details. Thanks a million, and happy travels!
Where Do You Want To Go?
Research Your Options
Choosing your travel destination is the obvious first step.
We enjoy the planning process just as much as the trip itself. We believe you will too.
Once you have chosen some destination options, search Google for travel blogs and articles to provide additional inspiration and confirmation.
Independent blogs offer useful information for planning. That’s why we created Global Grit and Glam after years of experience.
We hope we play a small part inspiring your next adventure.
Planning should be FUN!
Research Your Itinerary
Planning your itinerary can be enjoyable too.
Look for companies that offer group or private tours to your destination.
Check their itineraries to see where they go and stay, and use those as a guide for your trip. Examples of these companies include:
Research Your Destination
There are several resources we recommend you use to learn more about health and safety information, weather guidelines, and entry and exit requirements for your destination. See our international travel essential series of articles:
for a more extensive look into this very important topic.
Your Travel Booking Hub
Book your flights, accommodation, and tours all in one place.
You've chosen your destination. Congrats!
Now it's time to book your trip.
We highly recommend starting with one of the trusted online travel agencies (OTAs) like Trip.com, Booking.com, Expedia, or Tripadvisor for a one-stop shop experience.
Trip.com has many options for flights, hotels, and local activities, plus helpful support and discounts.
Booking.com is a platform that provides different places to stay and travel services for every budget. Easy searches and low prices help you find ideal stays, essential for memorable trips.
Expedia is great for bundling flights, hotels, and car rentals at lower prices. Their rewards program lets you earn points for future trips, and their app keeps your itinerary accessible.
Tripadvisor offers millions of reviews and tips to help you avoid tourist traps. Beck has been a reviewer on Tripadvisor for a long time and still shares feedback on the site.
Use these platforms for a hassle-free travel experience that suits your needs.
Tours and Experiences
Booking tours in advance has many benefits. It ensures access to popular attractions and better prices while reducing last-minute stress. A clear itinerary lets you focus on fun and making great memories together.
GetYourGuide is a booking site that connects you to amazing travel experiences wherever you go. You can get skip-the-line tickets for famous attractions, guided walking tours by local experts, food and drink tours, cooking and craft classes, unique activities, and more. They also offer GetYourGuide Originals, which are special tours for in-depth exploration.
Viator, part of Tripadvisor, is a major marketplace for experiences, connecting you to memorable tours and activities. With over 300,000 options in 200 countries, it offers wine tastings, walking tours, cooking classes, catamaran rides, sight tickets, and travel services like bus tours and day trips.
Tiqets enables millions to visit museums and attractions globally with easy mobile booking, offering unforgettable travel experiences through collaborations with renowned venues and hidden gems.
WeGoTrip is an online platform for booking audio tours in 35+ countries, primarily in English. Tours, created by professional guides and local experts, are available for immediate access after purchase and are contactless.
Flights
Air travel can be exciting but also intimidating, no matter your experience level. Here we share helpful resources beyond the typical online travel agencies (OTAs) mentioned earlier.
Skyscanner is a flight comparison tool that allows you to check available flight itineraries and costs for your destination. Try different dates to find the best deals. You can save your searches and set up notifications for price changes.
Hopper is similar to Skyscanner, simplifying flight searches. Enter your destination and travel dates to view various airlines and prices. Its flexibility allows date adjustments for better deals. You can save searches for easy access and set alerts for price changes, ensuring you catch great deals.
WayAway is a flight search tool that helps you find great prices on airline tickets. You can also get the WayAway Plus membership for cashback on flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, and more.
Aviasales is a reliable service for finding cheap flight tickets. It not only searches for the best options on your chosen dates but also suggests other times when prices might be lower.
Car & Bike Rentals
Choosing the right transportation enhances your travel. Rental cars offer flexibility to explore at your own pace and access hidden gems. Bike rentals provide a fun, eco-friendly way to see local sights, whether leisurely or adventurous. Both options enrich your trip and expand your possibilities.
Enterprise and National are our favorites because they offer many car options, good prices, excellent service, a great rewards program, locations in most major cities, and free cancellations.
Economy Bookings streamlines car rentals for road trips, city visits, and weekend getaways, allowing you to explore freely. They offer competitive prices and a straightforward booking process, comparing top rental companies for the best deal. Flexible pick-up and drop-off at airports and city centers ease public transport concerns.
Localrent.com connects you with trusted local car rental companies in less visited (but highly recommended!) destination cities. They choose the best options and regularly check the quality of the rental car companies, so you get excellent service at the best price for your rental needs.
BikesBooking.com rents motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bikes globally, comparing prices from 950 rental companies in 40+ countries. It offers 50,000 vehicles at 2,000+ locations, making it a top choice for two-wheeled transport rentals.
Trains, Buses, & Airport Services
Getting around smoothly is key to a stress-free trip. Whether you're hopping on a train, catching a bus, or navigating airport services, these handpicked resources go beyond the usual options to help you travel with ease and confidence.
Rome2Rio is a travel planning tool that helps you find the best ways to get from one place to another. It offers route options, travel times, and fare comparisons for planes, trains, buses, and more, making trip planning easy and convenient.
Rail Europe is a one-stop platform for booking train travel across Europe. It offers schedules, ticket options, and prices, making it easy to plan and book your train journeys throughout the continent.
FlixBus is a budget-friendly bus service offering routes across Europe and the U.S. With easy online booking, affordable fares, and a vast network, it’s a convenient option for long-distance travel.
Priority Pass provides access to airport lounges worldwide, offering a comfortable and relaxing experience while you wait for your flight. With a membership, you can enjoy amenities like Wi-Fi, food, and drinks in over 1,300 lounges worldwide.
Hotels and Accomodations
Finding the perfect place to stay can make or break your travel experience. Whether you're looking for luxury, budget-friendly, or something unique, here are curated resources beyond the typical online travel agencies (OTAs) mentioned earlier.
Vrbo makes finding ideal lodging easy with a wide range of options to fit any budget and style, from cozy cottages to luxurious apartments. With detailed listings and user reviews, you can enhance your travel experience with the perfect home away from home.
Hotels.com provides diverse options for every taste and budget. From boutique hotels to luxurious resorts or affordable stays, you can find the perfect place to relax after your adventures.
Trivago helps you find hotel deals worldwide, enhancing your travel experience. It offers various options for different budgets and styles, making it easy to choose the perfect accommodation.
Insurance
While it’s tempting to skip the extra cost, travel insurance should be considered for domestic travel, and it’s a must for international travel. A good policy will cover unexpected medical expenses, cancellations and even lost baggage. We highly recommend choosing a policy that includes emergency evacuation—just in case!
Travelinsurance.com is an excellent insurance comparison tool. We often end up choosing AXA or Allianz based on price and what's included.
EKTA provides three affordable travel insurance plans with different coverage levels. It's essential to research and compare them before selecting a plan.