"Look Ma, I did something useful on the web today"

Did you know that you can plan just about any kind of trip that you can think of, right on the Internet? I have actually booked airline, hotel and rental car reservations for a trip to London. In addition, I was able to get maps, find the best restaurants and pubs near my hotel and, I printed out a Calendar of Events for the dates of my travel.

Most of you already have travel agents so you're thinking, "Why should I go on-line when I can just pick up the phone?" The availability of travel information on the Internet allows you to explore your options. Now, you can quickly obtain a list of hostels, museums and sights of interest in just about any location, worldwide. You can get immediate travel information any time, day or night, without waiting for brochures through "snail mail" or return calls from a travel agent or other service providers.

The availability of on-line travel resources is good news for both travelers and travel agents. Travel agents now have the option to offer services and information via the Internet and curious travel shoppers can use their keyboards to browse for information and inexpensive fares, instead of being on hold for long periods of time.

As expected, there are sites for backpacking, snorkeling, disease control, hostels, currency conversion, camping, car rental and a host of other travel options. I have listed below some select travel resources that may pique your interest. And do remember, people are always the best resource so be sure to join chat rooms, listservs and Usenet newsgroups for even more resources!

Travelocity
This award-winning site is great for planning the entire trip! It includes a database where you can search for activities, destinations and any other topic, "from ants to zebras." It also includes a "Places to go" category (with links to info on every continent), a currency converter and an incredible list of "Things to do." You can plan business trips, buy tickets for spectator sports, get practical travel info, book tours and find children's activities. This site is definitely a must-see, whether you're planning or just browsing for fun!

Hotels & Travels on the Net
Another award-winning site, Hotels & Travel on the Net boasts links to more than 100,000 hotels and lodgings worldwide. Site visitors can get information on flights and airports, obtain local guides, street maps, currency exchange rates and obtain travel publications. You can also buy luggage, rent a car or reserve a tour package. Need to brush up on your French or Japanese? Click on the Foreign Language for Travelers link in the Reference Section. You'll also find a link to the Internet Guide to Hosteling, international travel resources (provided by the U.S. Department of State) as well as links to country, city and regional home pages.

Other travel resources:
Amtrak
The Cruise Web
Notable B&B Directories
Safe Return(health tips for travelers)
Campground Directory

Bernadette Williams is the owner of On Track Information. Her company's services include on-line marketing, web site consulting and public records research. She is also a teacher, writer and public speaker on Internet-and on-line related topics. You can reach her by e-mail at OnTrackDet@aol.com.