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Lonely Planet
October 2, 1999
Susan Shepley
Are you planning your next vacation? Or are you just an armchair traveller interested in learning more about the world? Either way, the Lonely Planet web site (http://www.lonelyplanet.com) is the perfect place for you to start your search.
Lonely Planet Online is a huge resource and cannot possibly be fully explored in one visit. The web site is well designed and easy to navigate and as a companion to the Lonely Planet series of travel books and the Lonely Planet television series, you can expect frank, humourous and savvy travel information.
The main page has a travel magazine format that features articles on foreign destinations and wisdom from experienced travelers. This portion of the web site is updated weekly and all of the articles are archived.
Choosing the destinations button on the main page allows you to view a large map of the world on which you can search for your destination, or narrow your search by continent.
You are then provided a mini travel book with general facts and figures about the area history, culture, environment, money and costs, as well as information about popular attractions. There is also a section entitled "Off the Beaten Path" for the traveler who wants to see the "real" life in the area.
One of the best features on Lonely Planet Online is that it is very interactive and relies on reader input. Large sections of the site feature traveler's tips and message boards where readers can communicate with one another.
Here, read suggestions for travelling in a number of different locations and traveler's hints for everything from finding a temporary job in Timbuktu to getting the best bus pass available in Britain. This information is not verified by Lonely Planet, so you are warned to take it all with a grain of salt.
Lonely Planet Online offers smart and honest travel information. There are no glossy pictures of resorts or major cruise lines, only writing and pictures that show the joys and madness that go along with a journey.
Susan's Internet Tip: When searching for travel information on the Internet make sure it is from a reliable source and that you are getting the most recent facts and figures.
Always back up what you find on a web site with a telephone call to the hotel, site, or company you will be dealing with, or contact the Canadian Embassy in that country. By planning your vacation carefully you will avoid a lot of hassle and potential problems.
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