When you're planning a trip, it's a good idea to get some background on the destination, the people and activities once you arrive.
A quick trip to the bookstore will yield a myriad of possibilities.
There are guidebooks and maps of every size and color. You may also find magazines on your destination, whether it's Europe, Hawaii or downtown Seattle.
If you want immediate gratification, though, go online and seek out a travel blog on your destination. Just like books and magazines, some are better than others. But it's worthwhile to poke around a little and find one that reads well and provides good, timely information.
For example, I'm headed to Manzanillo, Mexico. Just by googling "Manzanillo blog," I came up with a blog on travel in and around the Manzanillo area, www.manzanilloblog.com. This one gets into details, with restaurant reviews, where to go for the best-priced groceries, the best bakery in town and so forth. Since I've been there before, I can tell these folks have done their research. It's fun to scroll through the posts, and I've started making a list for some of the places I want to visit when I go.
If you're traveling to Hawaii, check out the Beat of Hawaii blog. In addition to island-by-island reports, these folks have their finger on the pulse of good deals, including air fare and hotel discounts, since fewer people are traveling to the Islands. For example, there's a post this morning about a $144 round-trip fare between L.A. and Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines. Check them out: www.beatofhawaii.com.
Since I travel to Seattle frequently, I've found several blogs which highlight music and entertainment, including Seattle Weekly, www.seattleweekly.com. But Seattle also is home to several travel bloggers who wander the world, then write about it, including:
• Beth Whitman's "Wanderlust and Lipstick" site, www.wanderlustandlipstick.com. Beth writes about women traveling the world. In fact, she also arranges trips and writes books about her favorite destinations, including India and Bhutan. Much of her advice is devoted to women traveling on their own.
• Pam Mandel writes "Nerd's Eye View," www.nerdseyeview.com, which features commentary about Seattle's fun destinations, including Alki Beach, the Seattle Art Museum and the Cascade Mountains.
• Michelle Duffy writes "Wander Mom," http://tr.im/1sxd, where she comments on travel gear, such as the kindle bookreader by Amazon.
I just discovered alltop.com, which compiles blogs in a particular category, such as travel. Some of the featured blogs cover consumer issues, such as Chris Elliott's, www.elliott.org. Another popular consumer site is Travel Rants, www.travel-rants.com. One of my favorites is Brett Snyder's "Cranky Flier," www.crankyflier.com.
Watch for more blogs to pop up as travelers seek out more information before they take off on their next vacation!
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant. Contact him via his travel blog, www.alaskatravelgram.com.
Scott's tips
• PERRIN POST: Wendy Perrin of Conde Naste Traveler shares "Secrets every smart traveler should know."
http://tr.im/1t0f
• INTELLIGENT TRAVEL: This is the National Geographic Magazine travel blog.
http://tr.im/1t0j
• SMARTER TRAVEL: Good resources for travelers.
SCOTT MCMURREN
TRAVEL