Finding the perfect place to stay can make or break your trip. Whether you’re looking for budget hostels, luxury hotels, or unique vacation rentals, these top booking platforms offer the best options:

VRBO: Discover homes, cabins, and unique stays for your next adventure. Flexible booking options and trusted hosts make it easy to plan family getaways, road trips, or long-term stays.

Check VRBO rentals here →

Hostelworld: Find affordable hostels worldwide and connect with fellow travelers. From dorms to private rooms, it’s perfect for budget-conscious explorers and adventure seekers.

Check Hostelworld hostels here →

Booking.com: Explore hotels, apartments, and one-of-a-kind stays around the globe. Enjoy last-minute deals, flexible options, and accommodations for every type of trip.

Check Booking.com stays here →

Agoda: Access thousands of hotels and resorts worldwide with competitive rates and exclusive deals. Ideal for spontaneous trips, longer stays, and international adventures.

Check Agoda stays here →

Trivago: Compare thousands of hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals worldwide to find the best price. Perfect for travelers who want flexibility, transparency, and the ability to quickly spot deals across multiple booking sites.

Check Trivago stays here →

Trip.com: Book hotels, resorts, and other stays worldwide with competitive rates and flexible cancellation options. Ideal for travelers planning city trips, adventure getaways, or international vacations.

Check Trip.com stays here →

Exploring a new destination is more than just seeing the sights—it’s about experiencing the culture, food, and history firsthand. Whether you're looking for guided tours, food experiences, or self-guided adventures, these top platforms can help you find the perfect activity:

Viator: Book tours, activities, and experiences around the world. From city sightseeing to adventure excursions, Viator offers options for every traveler looking to make the most of their destination.

Check Viator experiences here →

GetYourGuide: Discover guided tours, attractions, and local adventures with ease. Perfect for travelers who want curated experiences and skip-the-line access at top destinations.

Check GetYourGuide experiences here →

TripAdvisor: Explore tours, activities, and experiences with trusted reviews from fellow travelers. Ideal for planning memorable adventures and unique local experiences worldwide.

Check TripAdvisor experiences here →

BookSurfCamps.com: Find and book surf camps worldwide, from beginner lessons to advanced coaching. Perfect for travelers seeking adventure, skill-building, and immersive beach experiences.

Check BookSurfCamps.com here →

G Adventures: Score last-minute deals on small-group tours and adventure trips. Perfect for spontaneous travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences and guided itineraries.

Check G Adventures tours here →

EatWith: Enjoy authentic culinary experiences hosted by locals. Ideal for travelers looking to taste regional dishes, join cooking classes, or dine in unique homes.

Check EatWith experiences here →

GuruWalk: Join free or paid guided walking tours in cities worldwide. Perfect for travelers who want local insights and flexible, interactive tours on a budget.

Check GuruWalk tours here →

WeGoTrip: Book curated city tours, activities, and experiences with local guides. Great for travelers seeking hassle-free, personalized adventures.

Check WeGoTrip experiences here →

Secret Food Tours: Discover hidden culinary gems and local food experiences. Perfect for travelers who want to explore cities through the lens of their food culture.

Check Secret Food Tours here →

Eating Europe: Explore European cities through guided food tours. Perfect for travelers who want to taste local cuisine, learn about culinary traditions, and experience authentic foodie adventures in each destination.

Check Eating Europe tours here →

Scoring the best flight deals can make a huge difference in your travel budget. Whether you're looking for mistake fares, cashback rewards, or AI-powered price predictions, these top flight booking services can help you save:

Expedia: Book flights worldwide and save. Perfect for travelers looking for competitive fares, package deals, and flexible booking options, with access to both domestic and international routes.

Check Expedia flights here →

Going: Score deeply discounted flights and mistake fares. Going sends alerts for mistake fares and flash sales, offers a premium membership for exclusive deals, and covers both international and domestic routes. Free and paid plans are available, with premium starting at $49/year.

Get cheap flight alerts from Going here →

Hopper: Find the best time to book flights, hotels, and rental cars. Hopper uses price prediction technology, a fare freeze option, and personalized alerts to help travelers save. It’s free to use, with small fees for certain features like fare freeze.

Check flight prices on Hopper here →

LATAM Airlines: Score deals on flights across South America and beyond. Perfect for travelers looking for international connections and seasonal promotions on LATAM’s network of destinations.

Check LATAM Airlines fares here →

Vueling: Save on flights across Europe with Vueling. Ideal for adventure travelers, city hoppers, and budget-conscious explorers seeking flexible fares and last-minute deals.

Check Vueling fares here →

Malaysia Airlines: Save on flights across Asia and beyond. Ideal for travelers seeking comfort, reliability, and seasonal promotions on international routes throughout Malaysia and connecting destinations.

Check Malaysia Airlines fares here →

Bookaway: Compare and book buses, shuttles, and private transfers worldwide. Perfect for travelers looking for convenient and reliable ground transportation between cities and airports.

Check Bookaway routes here →

12Go: Book trains, buses, ferries, and flights across Asia and beyond. Ideal for travelers seeking flexible connections and multi-mode transport for longer journeys.

Check 12Go tickets here →

FlixBus: Travel affordably between cities across Europe and the U.S. With extensive routes and modern buses, it’s perfect for budget-conscious travelers and spontaneous road trips.

Check FlixBus routes here →

BusBud: Compare and book bus and coach tickets across cities worldwide. Perfect for travelers seeking affordable, convenient, and reliable ground transportation for short trips or cross-country adventures.

Check BusBud routes here →

Rail Europe: Book train tickets and rail passes across Europe’s extensive network. Ideal for travelers seeking scenic routes, flexible schedules, and convenient connections between cities and countries.

Check Rail Europe routes here →

Direct Ferries: Compare and book ferry routes around the world. Great for travelers exploring coastal destinations, islands, and maritime adventures.

Check Direct Ferries routes here →

inDrive: Get rides directly from drivers with customizable fares and transparent pricing. Ideal for travelers who want flexible, on-demand transportation in cities worldwide.

Check inDrive here →

GetTransfer.com: Arrange private transfers in hundreds of cities worldwide. Perfect for travelers seeking comfort, reliability, and stress-free airport or city-to-city transportation.

Check GetTransfer.com here →

Welcome Pickups: Enjoy personalized airport transfers with local drivers who offer guidance and tips. Ideal for travelers who want a smooth, friendly, and reliable start to their trips.

Check Welcome Pickups here →

Bookaway: Compare and book buses, shuttles, and private transfers around the world. Perfect for travelers seeking reliable, convenient transport between airports, cities, and tourist destinations.

Check Bookaway routes here →

12Go: Book trains, buses, ferries, and private transfers across Asia and beyond. Great for travelers who want multi-mode, flexible transportation for international or regional trips.

Check 12Go tickets here →

DiscoverCars: Compare and book rental cars worldwide with transparent pricing and flexible options. Ideal for travelers who want freedom on the road and the best rates for city drives, road trips, or cross-country adventures.

Check DiscoverCars rentals here →

BikesBooking.com: Rent bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters worldwide for city exploration or adventure rides. Perfect for travelers who want flexible, eco-friendly transportation and a unique way to experience destinations.

Check BikesBooking.com rentals here →

Roadsurfer: Rent campervans and RVs for road trips and outdoor escapes in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Use code NOMAPSAMBER to get 22% off your booking, valid through January 6, 2026—perfect for travelers seeking flexibility, comfort, and the ultimate van-life experience.

Check Roadsurfer rentals here →

Amazon: There’s usually a flood of packages from Amazon arriving before each and every one of my trips. Amazon is an affordable way to stock up on all sorts of travel gear, including what I consider to be my travel quintessentials.

Check Amazon travel gear here →

REI: Find outdoor and travel gear for hiking, camping, and adventure trips. Ideal for travelers seeking high-quality equipment, durable clothing, and expert-reviewed products. Check out the REI Outlet for even deeper discounts on name-brand gear.

Check REI travel gear here →

Osprey: Explore versatile backpacks and travel packs built for comfort and durability. I love my Farpoint travel pack. It’s carry-on size and has a detachable day pack.

Check Osprey backpacks here →

Gregory: Discover ergonomic backpacks and adventure gear designed for long treks and outdoor travel. Gregory is who I purchased my trekking pack with. Their Amber 44 hiking pack has come with me on two Caminos, the Via Francigena, and a walk across Norway so far.

Check Gregory gear here →

Patagonia: Shop sustainable clothing and travel essentials built to last. Ideal for eco-conscious travelers who want functional gear for hiking, camping, and adventure travel.

Check Patagonia travel gear here →

Mountain Hardwear: Find high-performance outerwear, backpacks, and gear for extreme conditions. Perfect for adventurers tackling mountains, trails, and remote destinations.

Check Mountain Hardwear gear here →

KUHL: Explore durable and stylish travel clothing and outdoor apparel. Ideal for travelers who want versatile, comfortable gear for hiking, sightseeing, and everyday adventures.

Check KUHL travel apparel here →

Buff: Protect yourself from the sun, wind, and cold with multifunctional headwear. Perfect for hikers, cyclists, and travelers needing lightweight, versatile gear.

Check Buff gear here →

Travel insurance is a must-have to protect yourself from unexpected trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and more. Whether you're a backpacker, digital nomad, or luxury traveler, these top-rated travel insurance providers offer coverage to fit your needs:

Squaremouth: Compare travel insurance plans from multiple providers to find the coverage that fits your trip. Ideal for travelers seeking flexibility, affordable rates, and reliable protection worldwide.

Check Squaremouth plans here →

WorldTrips: Get comprehensive travel insurance for trips of any length, covering medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and more. Perfect for travelers seeking reliable protection for both leisure and adventure journeys.

Check WorldTrips plans here →

World Nomads: Get travel insurance designed for adventure travelers and long-term trips. Perfect for backpackers, hikers, and explorers taking part in sports or off-the-beaten-path activities.

Check World Nomads plans here →

SafetyWing: Access global travel medical insurance built for digital nomads and remote workers. Ideal for long-term travelers seeking flexible, subscription-style coverage on the go.

Check SafetyWing plans here →

When traveling, protecting your online privacy and securing your data on public Wi-Fi is essential. A reliable VPN helps you browse safely, access region-locked content, and keep your personal information secure. Here are two top-rated VPN services I recommend:

Surfshark: Ideal for travelers who want unlimited device coverage and a lightweight, easy-to-use VPN. Perfect for securing public Wi-Fi, streaming content from abroad, and staying private on the road. Pricing starts at $15.45/month or $44.85/year
.

Check Surfshark VPN here →

NordVPN: Known for high-speed servers and advanced security features. Great for travelers who prioritize fast connections, strong encryption, and access to global content while exploring new destinations. Pricing starts at $12.99/month or $59.88/year
.

Check NordVPN here →

Staying connected while traveling is essential, and international roaming fees can add up quickly. With an eSIM or universal SIM, you can enjoy affordable mobile data worldwide without the hassle of switching physical SIM cards. Here’s what I use and recommend:

SIM Local is ideal for travelers who want a reliable, easy, and affordable eSIM solution—whether you’re heading on a short trip or traveling long-term. Their eSIMs offer fast activation, strong coverage, and competitive pricing across a wide range of destinations. You can choose from country-specific, regional, or global data plans, and everything is managed through a simple, user-friendly app. No physical SIM card needed, and you can be connected within minutes of landing.

Get your SIM Local eSIM here (+5% off through my link)

Drimsim is best for travelers who need data, calls, and texts in one SIM or who don’t have eSim capability on their phone
. Drimsim can mail you a physical SIM card that works in much the same way as an eSIM, connecting to local networks as you travel. Pricing is pay-as-you-go based on usage
.

Get Drimsim here

Learning a new language can enhance your travel experience, helping you connect with locals and navigate new destinations more easily. Whether you want to learn the basics for an upcoming trip or achieve fluency over time, these top language-learning programs have you covered:

Pimsleur: Learn languages through audio-based lessons designed for real-world conversation. Ideal for travelers who want to pick up practical skills for trips, road adventures, or long-term stays abroad.

Check Pimsleur here →

Rosetta Stone: Build language skills with immersive lessons that focus on pronunciation and comprehension. Perfect for travelers seeking a structured, long-term approach to learning before or during a trip.

Check Rosetta Stone here →

Babbel: Master essential vocabulary and grammar with bite-sized lessons you can take anywhere. Great for travelers who want quick, practical language skills for everyday travel situations.

Check Babbel here →

Radical Storage: Securely store your luggage at hundreds of locations worldwide. Perfect for travelers who want to explore cities hands-free, visit attractions before check-in, or enjoy a few hours sightseeing without carrying bags.

Check Radical Storage here →

Capital One Venture X: A premium travel credit card offering perks like Priority Pass lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credits, annual travel credits, and rewards points. Ideal for frequent travelers who want comfort, convenience, and extra value on every trip with an annual fee that pays for itself.

Learn more about Venture X here →

TrustedHousesitters: I joined this platform in early 2023 and have since pet sit all over Europe, Asia, and the U.S. It’s the greatest travel hack and a great tool for both budget-conscious travelers seeking a free place to stay and for pet owners in need of someone to watch their pet, plants, and house while they’re traveling. Both pet owners and sitters are fully background-checked and you can see reviews to get a sense of who you’re booking with and their previous experience.

Get 25% off Your Membership

AllTrails: Discover hiking, biking, and walking trails worldwide. Perfect for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking route details, reviews, and trail maps for adventures in cities, mountains, and remote destinations.

Check AllTrails here →