Travel
How to Use -- Contents
Slightly Creaky does extensive research to find the links you would most likely need and provides them for you in an easy-to-find format. You can access the various categories from any of our web pages using the top or side menus. Each category has generalized headings, followed by more specific ones.
Categories
Updated July 9, 2008
To simplify your research, we have several categories. Please scroll down, use the index link, or use your browser's "find" or "search" feature to get the the area you are seeking.
- Travel Guides (Including border control info, visa requirements, scams,
currency conversion, and travel and
destination warnings and precautions.)
- Destination Guides (We can not link to every possible destination, so we list
sites that provide such information.)
- Cruise Guides (Cruise guidelines, destinations, and information)
- Guided Tours (We can not link every tour, especially as they change, so we list
general information and reviews.)
- Independent Travel (For those who wish to go off on their own.)
We recommend that you start with the The CIA World Factbook
a complete listing of every country in the world with detailed,
up-to-date information, maps, and situational guidelines.
For travel outside the United States, keep an eye on WaitTime, the US Government site "providing security checkpoint wait time information to assist travelers in planning for their next flight. The wait times are historical so please note actual wait time may vary depending on factors including weather delays which result in increased passenger levels."
a complete listing of every country in the world with detailed,
up-to-date information, maps, and situational guidelines.
For travel outside the United States, keep an eye on WaitTime, the US Government site "providing security checkpoint wait time information to assist travelers in planning for their next flight. The wait times are historical so please note actual wait time may vary depending on factors including weather delays which result in increased passenger levels."
Updates
We need your help
Although this list was complete on the date listed, many web sites change names or even close terminate their services. New ones start weekly. Should you discover a bad link or wish to suggest that we add one, please contact suggestions@slightlycreaky.com.
This listing is the result of more than 500 hours of research. It is the property of Slightly Creaky and may not be reproduced in any form. Every attempt has been made to provide an accurate description of each organization.
Caution - Proceed with care
We do not endorse any of the web sites listed on this page, nor will Slightly Creaky be responsible for the content of such pages or the actions taken by the people owning, managing, or posting on forums. Although we select carefully, web sites do change and we really can never be sure if the content is accurate or the people posting on other sites respectful or truthful.
Recommended Reading
Exchamge Rates
Summer is the traditional travel and vacation time for millions of people around the world. With the rapidly changing international economic conditions, you need to find out what your local currancy is worth in your destination locations before you go. For currency exchange rates and suggestions of where to ghet the most for your money, be sure to visit:
FXConverter - for 164 Currencies
and
How and Where to Exchange Currency
Travel Guides
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Use Link to go directly to the Web site. In cases where there are many activities in a category the link will take you to a supplemental Slightly Creaky page.
Travel Guides
| New Passport Initiative Announced To Better Secure America's Borders | " The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all U.S. citizens, Canadians, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and citizens of Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document to enter or re-enter the U.S. by January 1, 2008" |
| Passport Requirements for Cruise Ship Passengers and Other Travelers. | From CruiseMates. "Passports are now required for all people entering the United States by air. Entry by land or sea (on a cruise ship, for example) is still exempted from the passport requirement and you can still use a certified birth certificate as proof of citizenship. The cutoff date for this rule is Jan 1, 2009 at the latest, however passports may be required as soon as Summer (exact date to be determined) of 2008." |
| Visa Waiver Program | "International travelers, who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, seeking to travel to the United States without a visa, should review this important information on passport requirements for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). All VWP travelers, regardless of age or type of passport used, must present individual machine -readable passports. In addition, depending on when VWP travelers’ passports were issued, other passport requirements apply" |
| Entering the United States from Overseas | "For many U.S. vacationers, a cruise provides the first opportunity to visit other countries and to be faced with such terms as "proof of citizenship", "duty-free" and "agricultural inspection" when returning to the United States. The increased security at U.S. ports of entry is important to us all, but passing through the numerous checkpoints can be confusing and intimidating to someone who has traveled outside the U.S. for the first time. There are four separate inspections that all travelers must go through when entering the United States." |
| Traveltruth Responds to Your Travel Questions | "Each year, our award-winning travel specialists answer thousands of travel-related questions from travel consumers. " |
| Travel Safe | How to apply for a passport, travel warnings and alerts, visa information. |
| World Travel Watch | "Since 1985, World Travel Watch has appeared in some of the best newspapers in the U.S. and abroad. " |
| Project Visa | "Welcome to ProjectVisa.com Where we aim to keep you up to date with visa and embassy information for all countries. Visa and embassy Information." |
| Visa & Passport Information | From Delta Airlines. "Visa rules can be pretty tricky. What's more, they can change. Use this tool to find out which travel documents you'll need to enter the countries you're visiting, or to get back into the country where you started." |
| The Dos and Don’ts of Travel Safety | "Thousands of Americans travel outside the U.S. on vacation or business each year and a small percentage of those people are robbed, scammed or otherwise alleviated of their cash, valuables or essential documentation. By being prepared and using good judgment, you can avoid any potential danger associated with travel to foreign countries." |
| What is an International Driving Permit? | "An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a multiple-language document that verifies that you have a valid driver’s license. While many countries may not officially recognize your driver’s license, they will accept your valid U.S., Canadian or British license if you also carry an IDP. Some countries, such as Italy, require you to carry an official translation of your license if you plan to rent a car unless you hold a license from a European Union member nation. An IDP fulfills this requirement." |
| One Month Before You Go Check List | "You've taken care of reservations, transportation, airline tickets and now you can start thinking of your luggage, camera, money, electrical adapters and travel insurance." |
| Tips For Packing | "Planning a vacation? These handy hints can help make packing a wrinkle-free breeze." |
| Vacation Travel Insurance Tips | "Travel insurance is an important but often overlooked part of your vacation. Whether you are traveling to a foreign country or to the next state you should consider travel insurance." Many more travel article links at the bottom of the page. |
| Travel Insurance FAQs | "There are a lot of misconceptions related to travel insurance, and understandably most people aren't as well versed in the fine details of this type of cover as I am - I can't say that I blame them! However, many misconceptions put people at risk of spending unnecessary amounts of money on areas that could and should be covered by their policy." |
| Travel Accident Insurance | "Whether it is a business trip, for pleasure or a student break, you should never travel abroad without comprehensive travel accident insurance." More travel article links at the bottom of the page. |
| Consumer Ratings Cruise Lines, Airlines,and Tour Operators | "Our Travel Truth ratings are based on our own independent inspections, reports from the thousands of members of The Royal Cruising Society, and the best quality evaluations from both the consumer and industry trade press." |
| Scams: Winning Notification! | "Being one of the lucky winners of the Microsoft® Bonanza, you are therefore a recipient of the Platinum Vacation Trip Card which affords you the opportunity to tour round five major cities in Europe, America and Asia as a special vacation plan, arranged by ..." |
| Scams: Telemarketing Travel Fraud | "Have you ever been tempted to sign up to win a "free" trip at a fair, trade show or restaurant? If so, you may get a phone call, letter, unsolicited fax, email or postcard telling you that you've won a vacation. Be careful. It may be a "trip trap."" |
| Scams: 10 Vacation Rental Scams to Avoid | "Many people search for vacation rentals online. This can be a great way to find the perfect rental home for your vacation. Unfortunately, scam artists have found ways to use this technology to get your money." |
| Scams: Vacation Scams - How to Spot Them | "One of the biggest and longest running scams to date is the Vacation Fraud, where you or a loved one is told that they have won a free vacation package or a glamorous cruise getaway. If not totally "free", these "agents" say that they can get you that dream tour for a rock-bottom price." |
| Scams: Fraudulent / Deceptive Vacation Packages | "Be aware that when you place your business card or name into a drawing for a free vacation, you may be added to a telemarketing call list. Telemarketers know that wishful thinkers are susceptible to their offers," |
| Scams: Reporter Resources: Travel Fraud | "Since 1997, the FTC has led the national response against travel-related fraud." |
| Scams: Travel Fraud: Go to Paradise, Not to the Cleaners! | "Are you looking for a bargain to finance your dream vacation? It’s fine to look for travel bargains. But don’t let your dream turn into a travel nightmare by accepting all offers at face value. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. You need to look closely at all offers and read the fine print." |
| Scams: Free Vacation? Free and Discount Travel Fraud | "You receive a phone call, a message, or an email announcing that "you or somebody you know" entered you in a contest, and that you have won a free cruise or vacation package. Or your are offered a cheap travel deal - a price too good to refuse. What could possibly go wrong if you accept such a vacation package?" |
| Planning Your Trip | 7 Pages: "Whether you’ve traveled around the world or are venturing away from home for the first time, planning your trip will help ensure that your vacation is a success. Begin by deciding what kind of trip you’d like to take. Then, choose your mode of transportation and decide what type of accommodations suits your travel style. Finally, apply for passports, visas and driving permits." |
| What The Travel Ads Won't Tell You | "Join the award-winning travel consultant and journalist for an insider's view of the ever-changing travel landscape." |
| Currency Rates | "Quotes delayed at least 60 minutes. In the Compare to box, select the currency that you want all other currencies compared to. In the table below, the second column shows the value of one unit of each currency, as expressed in the Compare to currency. The third column shows the value of one unit of the Compare to currency, as expressed in each of the listed currencies." |
| Universal Currency Converter | "his is the XE.com Universal Currency Converter ®, the world's most popular currency tool. You can perform interactive foreign exchange (FX, or forex) rate calculations, using live, up-to-the-minute currency rates. To make on-line foreign exchange transactions with guaranteed best rates, use XEtrade, our discount on-line foreign exchange system." |
| How and Where to Exchange Currency | "Since currency exchange rates vary from place to place and day to day, where and how you exchange currency can make a difference in your wallet." |
Destination Guides
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Destination Guides
Recommendation: when selecting a potential destination, check in several guides
as none are complete and some have favorites.
| Country Specific Information | From the US Department of State. Includes destination warning, visa requirements, descriptions about the country, crime, medical facilities, unusual potential dangers, and much more. The first place to visit when selecting where to go. |
| World Overview | The "Lonely Planet" country-by-country destination guide. Select the continent, then the country or a popular designation in the region. Includes maps. |
| The CIA World Factbook | Detailed information on every country in the work from the CIA. Use the pull down menu at the top of the page. provides maps, history, and just about every item of information you would need to know about a country. Maintained frequently so this is possible the best, up-to-date information on countries available. |
| Find-A-Guide | "AOL Travel is your one-stop full service travel resource. You'll find deals on airfares, hotels, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages, and last-minute weekend getaways to your top domestic and international destinations. Research your vacation using destination guides, articles, user reviews and other great trip-planning tools." |
| World66 | Although far from covering every destination... "World66 offers travel information on over 20,000 destinations. Almost 80,000 articles written and updated by travelers like you!" |
| What to know before you leave | From TripSpot. A good starting place (after the CIA Factbook) as it provides links to many other travel guides as well as general destination and travel information. |
| TouristClick | Some good information, but some pages are empty and others sparse. Use this as a secondary check on your destination. |
| NY Times Travel | The New York Times Travel section reviews common and unique destinations around the world. The place you are considering may not be here, but somewhere close should be. Some of their destinations are expensive, others are reasonably priced. |
| Yahoo Travel Guide | A search engine approach to travel, but with many pre-selected pages.
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| Wiki Travel | "A project to create a free, complete, up-to-date, and reliable worldwide travel guide. So far we have 18,390 destination guides and other articles written and edited by Wikitravellers from around the globe. " |
| Frommer's Destination Guide | No all countries included. |
| National Geographic US & Canada Destinations | "Each of our guides has in-depth information, city and park highlights, driving tours, bird-watching tips, Web links, photos, and much more. Bookmark this page and check back often for more destinations!" |
Cruise Guides
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Cruise Guides
| Cruise Ship List | The cruise industry is changing constantly. This is a summary of which companies are operating which ships at the moment. For every Operator are indicated: Cruise company, name of each ship and number of passengers. |
| Frequently Asked Questions About Cruises | From Expedia. A "must read" guide for those who have never been on a cruise before or if it's been a while since you took one. The rules have changed. |
| First Time Cruisers Information | "Some Important Things You Should Know About Making Cruise Reservations" |
| Passport Requirements for Cruise Ship Passengers and Other Travelers. | From CruiseMates. "Passports are now required for all people entering the United States by air. Entry by land or sea (on a cruise ship, for example) is still exempted from the passport requirement and you can still use a certified birth certificate as proof of citizenship. The cutoff date for this rule is Jan 1, 2009 at the latest, however passports may be required as soon as Summer (exact date to be determined) of 2008." |
| Cruise Ship Safety | "Whether it's hair-braiders in Jamaica or gypsies in Barcelona, your first line of defense is preparedness. Knowing what to expect and how to deal with it, not to mention using common sense, should save you a lot of grief." |
| No passport, no travel | "Chaos at U.S. passport offices has left thousands of travelers stuck at home, many of them holding useless airline and cruise tickets." |
| Cruise Ship Travel Tips | "With the growing popularity of cruise vacations, more Canadians want to ensure a problem-free voyage. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada recommends that you take certain precautions to ensure your well-being during a cruise:" |
| Applying for Cruise Ship Jobs
|
"It is wise, when considering employment with a cruise line to consider not only what the cruise line or ship can offer you, but what you can offer the varying cruise lines and ships so that you find the best match between you as prospective employee and the cruise line as an employer. This is how you are most likely to succeed in gaining employment with a cruise line." |
| Cruise Planning 101 | "Missing the boat. It’s the cruise traveler’s worst nightmare, and it happens more often than you might think. There are several culprits. Sometimes, it’s a poorly planned connection to the port city. Sometimes it’s a failure to carry the necessary documents. Whatever the reason, it scuttles your cruise — and leaves you crying on the dock." |
| Luxury Cruises, Small Ship Cruises, River Cruises Luxury Cruise Guide |
"Adrift upon the big blue sea...welcoming waters and far off lands tantalize your soul. luxury cruises beckons those wishing to be pampered while traveling. Explore Asia and the South Pacific's remote shores or cruise luxuriously through the Mediterranean Sea. Join an expedition of naturalists on a journey to Antarctica or up the Nile or Amazon Rivers. ..." |
| Cruise Travel Insurance - A Need To Cover Your Vacation | "When you are in the midst of planning your cruise travel vacation, the last thing on your mind is thinking about the possibility that you might have to cancel your plans." Be sure to read other insurance articles listed on the same page. |
Guided Tours
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Guided Tours
| Practical Traveler: How To Choose An Escorted Tour | From the New York Times. "To many travelers, the ultimate tour of Europe - or any other part of the world, for that matter - is one on which you don't have to worry about anything." Read both pages. |
| How to Book an Escorted Senior Tour | "Senior citizens today are healthy and vibrant, and looking for ways to spend their children's inheritance. Booking yourself on an escorted tour for seniors is a great way to travel. You will be in the company of others who may move at the same pace and share similar interests." |
| The pros and cons of traveling with a guided tour | "Let's face it: the real problem with joining a guided tour is that you suddenly feel like a tourist. For those of us who like to think of ourselves as travelers that's a real come-down in the world. Suddenly we're no longer exploring the great unknown of the planet, just trotting along the well-worn sheep trail. It goes against our free-spirited souls, doesn't it?" |
| Elderhostel | "Discover more than 8,000 learning adventures in all 50 states and more than 90 countries abroad. Elderhostel offers in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning experiences for almost every interest and ability. History, culture, nature, music, outdoor activities such as walking and biking, individual skills, crafts, study cruises: Enjoy these and many more with the not-for-profit leader in educational travel." |
| ELDERTREKS | To present a non-biased view, we feel we must provide both a link to ELDERTREKS as well as a link to Complaints about Eldertreks |
| Grand Circle Travel | To present a non-biased view, we feel we must provide both a link to Grand Circle Travel as well as a link to Complains About Grand Circle Travel |
| Escorted Tour Price Comparisons - What is the true cost? | Comments from a travel company message board. |
| Which is a good escorted tour for senior citizens? | Comments from a travel company message board. |
| Poll: Pros/Cons of Escorted Tours | Comments from a travel company message board. |
| Private Guides.com | Commercial: "This site you are visiting right now is the main resource for your travel guide offering extensive information on numerous private tours, escorted sightseeing opportunities, guided walking city tours, excursions, guide services and much more to independent travelers. Travel guide will introduce you to the famous sites and attractions of the country you are interested in. But the most rewarding way to experience and learn all about the place is to go on a sightseeing tour on a bus or walking tour. You'll never miss any attractions with your personal private guide." |
| Senior Travel Tour Groups | "Senior travelers can choose from all types of tours. Whether you prefer guided, independent or special-interest tours, there's sure to be a package that's right for you." |
Independent Travel
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Independent Travel
| Travel & Leisure Magazine | Online version of magazine. Subscription available. |
| Conde Naste Traveler Magazine | Places, cruises, tips, and articles. |
| EuroCheapo | "Our editors show up unannounced at budget hotels all over Europe, check out the rooms, and get a feel for the place. If we like it, we write a review and pass on the info to you." |
| Yapta | "Get the best price before you buy. Tag flights from your favorite airline sites and Yapta will email you when prices drop. Get refunds & credits after you buy. When the price drops below what you paid, Yapta helps you get a voucher or refund from the airline!" |
| Seat Guru | "The ultimate source for airplane seating, in-flight amenities and airline information." |
| Turbulence Forecast | "48 hour forecast maps for all over the world. Offers maps and forecasts of air turbulence all over the world." |
| Vacation ideas | "VacationIdea.com is a travel content web site that reports on vacation ideas, including hotels, resorts, and a wide range of worldwide destinations categorized by travel themes such as golf, health spas, romantic getaways, cruises, honeymoon vacations and family travel." |
| InfoHub Specialty Travel Guide | "At InfoHub, we believe vacation travel should be much more than just flying you to a tropical beach. Since 1996, we at InfoHub have worked hard to bring you the largest specialty travel portal on the Internet. Today, you can find over 20,000 specialty trips on InfoHub.com, covering activities from Artist Workshops to Yoga Retreats. Whatever your special interest is, you will find it right here! Plus trips you never even knew existed! We continue to expand the exciting array of travel options available by adding hundreds of out-of-the-ordinary trips every week! Our goal is to make Infohub.com "The Ultimate Source of Inspiring Travel Ideas" for your next dream trip." |
| Caribbean Vacation Guide | General information. Also books trips. |
| From The Weather Channel. Destination guide and weather information combined | |
| 1010 Vacations | "1010 Vacations publishes an impressive collection of destination guides. Each with a money saving hotel and resort search feature that gives you the lowest rates available through negotiated rates, discounts and promotions - plus no extra fees or penalties." |
| African Vacation Guide | "Looking for a Africa vacation, tour or luxury safari of a lifetime? There are many great Africa vacations to choose from." |
| Should I Rent a Car Or Use Public Transportation? | "These days, you have more affordable transportation choices. The advent of Ryanair and Europe’s other budget airlines means that flying may be your best choice for long-distance travel. The Eurostar Chunnel train and hydrofoil ferries offer faster, although pricier, alternatives to slow, all-night ferry trips." |
| Finding Your Best Rental Car Deal | "Renting a car can be a truly frustrating experience. You have a choice of spending hours on the telephone, talking about rental car options with representatives of several different companies, or typing your travel dates into multiple rental car company websites. Either way, you’ll end up with a bewildering array of rates, options and questions." |
| On Vacation - Do You Need Rental Car Insurance? | "Start by contacting your insurance agent and see if your policy includes rental car insurance. Most auto insurance policies do including covering you in a rental car as well. Of course, verify this with your agent." |
| Do I need travel insurance? | "Travel insurance can protect you from substantial losses that result from a variety of situations, including canceled family vacations, lost baggage, medical emergencies, travel supplier defaults, as well as other unforeseen circumstances. This article is intended to help familiarize you with them, so you can make informed decision about which insurance product may be right for your family." |
| 7 tips for a smooth vacation abroad | "It takes a lot of work to prepare for a vacation abroad. There are so many little things to do: You need to stop the mail, cancel the paper and arrange for your bills to be paid. Here are some other things you should add to your pre-trip checklist:" |
| Active Vacations, Adventure Travel, Active Adventure Cruises Guide | "We offer all types of active vacations - biking vacations, hiking vacations, multisport vacations, kayak vacations, rafting vacations, horseback riding vacations, golfing vacations - all put together by the most experienced companies in active vacations." |
The obvious legal statement.
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While we do maintain editorial rights, things slip past, especially on the message boards. The submitted columns and news articles, as well as the postings on the message boards, belong to the contributor(s), not to the Slightly Creaky team. We are simply a vehicle bringing you information to the best of our ability.
Be sure to read our complete Legal Information and Policies