Frequently Used & Useful Links

Google Maps - Get driving directions, use interactive maps, and view travel routes in "Street View"

Google Flight - View graphical map-view of airfares to destinations around the world for your specified travel dates;  search for one-way, round-trip or multi-city airfare by destination and date, filtered by number of stops, price, airline and flight class

Kayak - Find, compare and book hotels, flights, cars and vacation packages

AirBnB - Rent unique places to stay from local hosts

Trip Advisor - Find and book user-rated destinations, flights, lodging, dining 

VBRO - Locate and book vacation rental homes around the world

AutoSlash - Car rental service that re-books automatically when prices drop

National Park Service - Find U.S. National Parks by name, location, activity and topic

U.S. Traveler Security Administration -  Guide for U.S. airport travelers

CDC - Health education, destination-specific health notices and vaccination recommendations for international travel

U.S. Department of State - Alphabetical list of travel warnings and alerts

Basic Tips

Create a generic Packing List Template in your cell phone "Notes" or in a document on your computer for easy trip-packing reference 

Store frequent traveler numbers and hotel reward account numbers and pins in your cell phone "Notes" or in a document on your computer

Take a photo of your passport(s) and health insurance cards with your phone and keep a back-up photo copy in your luggage in case of loss or theft while you're on vacation

Store family toiletry bags together at home, always stocked and easily accessible so you're always ready to go

Travel Gadgets and Tools