General Resources

First-Time Travelers

Your First Trip to Europe: Article by Kathy Wood

Europe for the First Time: New York Times story

Tips for the First Time World Traveler: From Monica Pileggi’s travel website

European Travel websites

Slow Travel: www.slowtrav.com This website focuses on traveling more slowly in Europe, with an emphasis on using vacation rentals. Content, reviews and photos provided by travelers. Very active message board with helpful regulars. Especially strong for Italy and France.

Go Europe: www.goeurope.about.com James Martin is the “guide” for this website filled with extensive and frequently updated information about European travel and destinations. You can sign up for a regular newsletter.

Europe E Travel: www.europeetravel.com General European travel information with lots of maps and specific country detail.

European Travel Commission: www.visiteurope.com. Lots of detailed information about European travel.

Europe for Visitors: www.europeforvisitors. This website also has lots of travel resources, with a focus on Paris, Venice, Switzerland, Germany and cruises.

Rick Steves – Europe Through the Back Door: www.ricksteves.com. Extensive website from the famous guidebook writer and travel show host. If you live near Edmonds, Washington, Rick’s company offers free travel classes.

Reid’s Guides: www.reidsguides.com This extensive website developed by a travel writer has an emphasis on money saving tips and alternatives to traditional European travel.

Frommers: www.frommers.com Extensive website offered by a trusted company primarily known for guidebooks. Most of their guidebook content is actually available on their website. (See “Destinations”) Frommers also has the website Budget Travel with more emphasis on economical travel deals and approaches.

Fodors: www.fodors.com This is another well-known guidebook publisher. They also have an extensive travel website and a very active message board (”Talk”).

National Geographic Traveler: www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler This is the best travel magazine available, especially the photography. Their coverage of Europe is very good, and it’s not aimed at the “luxury” traveler like most other travel magazines. You do need to buy their hard-copy magazine to get all the content.

European Geography

Travelers IQ Challenge (Europe): An addictive game that tests your knowledge of European geography. You may learn something too!

Virtual Pilot: Lufthansa to Europe destination game. Another fun quiz that tests your knowledge of the location of European cities.

Your Travel Style or Personality

What’s Your Travel Style: A discussion of six different styles of traveling.

Travel Personality Quiz: A fifteen-question quiz that classifies you into one of six “travel personality” types. The website then suggests destinations that match your type.

Your Travel Personality and Avoiding Conflicts: Interesting article about the potential for conflict while traveling with another person. The discussion is targeted toward couples but is applicable to any travel companion.

Travel Personality Quiz: A fast five-question quiz to help identify your travel personality.

What’s Your Family’s Travel Style? This 10-question quiz will help you determine the right kind of trip for your entire family.