This page includes links to the best travel brands, products and services that I use when planning my own trips. Many of these companies I have used for many years. You can also find curated packing, travel accessories and gear lists in my shop.
TRAVEL RESOURCES
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FLIGHTS
SKYSCANNER
I use Skyscanner for the ability to compare flight times and connections as well as cost. If you have flexibility with your dates Skyscanner is invaluable as you can compare prices for different dates and routes.
CheapO Air
CheapOair is best for deals on first and business class travel.
SPECIAL STAYS
Booking.com
I book all of our hotels through booking.com.
I find the hotel selections excellent and free cancellation is available on most of their bookings.
They have over 1 million properties to choose from so you are sure to find the perfect accommodation for your needs.
Trip Advisor
Check out reviews of restaurants, hotels, and tours on Trip Advisor. Although I don’t find their website the easiest to use we do check out restaurants on Trip Advisor wherever we go!
TRAVEL GEAR
Anti-theft bags and backpacks
These are the essential items of travel kit that I always take with me.
I have a number of Travelon and Pacsafe bags and would NEVER travel without them.
After a trip to Paris when thieves attempted to steal from my backpack (unsuccessfully), the bags have paid for themselves.
You can find out my recommended bags in my guides – one for bags, purses and backpacks and one for mini bags.
For more travel essentials visit Tracy’s Travels Shop
Kindle
I love books but traveling with a bag full of books is not practical. I always take my Kindle when I travel.
The ability to be able to read in full sunlight is for me one of the best things about having a Kindle. That and the luggage space it saves!
For more travel essentials visit Tracy’s Travels Shop
TRAVEL MONEY
I have a Transferwise account and card which I use as well as my normal credit cards when I am traveling. The Transferwise card works like a debit card and can be loaded up with your home currency and converted into whichever currency you need when required.
It avoids the charges you would incur using credit cards or your normal bank debit card and is an excellent way to handle spending money when traveling.
The exchange rate is excellent and I recently held Australian $$’s, Hong Kong $$’s and UK ££’s on my card. At the end of my trip I was able to transfer any unused currency back into my bank account.
GUIDE BOOKS
There are many excellent brands of guide book on the market and everyone has their favourite! Whether you are a fan of Rick Steves for Europe, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides ot DK Eyewitness you will find them all on Amazon.
TICKETS & TOURS
Get Your Guide
For day trips and city guides I recommend Get Your Guide. They have more than 30,000 activities available in 7500 destinations so are sure to have something you will want to do.
Great prices and reliability make this the number one choice for me!
With Walks
Formally Walks of Italy this is the tour company for small group tours of European destinations including Italy, France, and the UK.
Specialising on unique experiences, special access, small groups and exceptional guides Take Walks offer online experiences as well as real life tours.
GROUP TOURS
INTREPID
Intrepid organise small group tours with a difference. They focus on responsible travel experiences and work with communities so that travellers can connect with local people.
If sustainability and responsible travel are high on your agenda then Intrepid is the company to choose.
TOURADAR
TourRadar is an online marketplace where you can compare and book multi-day tours from some of the best tour operators in the world.
TRAFALGAR
Trafalgar as a well respected and multi awarded travel brand focussing on group tours around the world.
TRANSPORT
Train Travel
We love traveling by train as you will have probably discovered on this website. We have lots of favourite journeys and have learnt tips along the way to make our journeys as comfortable as possible.
For UK train travel I recommend using the trainline.com
Great Rail Journeys
Man at seat 61
I know I am recommending another website but this is really the BEST site for planning your train travel anywhere in the world. This is the first place I turn when thinking about logistics when we travel by train.
Car hire
We do occasionally hire cars if we can’t depend on trains and/or other public transport. Sometimes a road trip is the only way to see some destinations. We recommend Discover Car Rental.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Can’t afford Travel Insurance? Don’t go on holiday. We never travel without insurance – it can be pricy as you get older but for us the peace of mind it gives us makes it worth every penny.