The INSIDER Summary:
- Airbnb is not the only option. Here are 38 websites that can help you find some under-the-radar vacation spots.
- Gogobot is great for "word-of-mouth" recomendations.
- Yapta will give you instant updates when airline and hotel discounts occur.
In the old days, vacation planning was practically a workout. To land a good deal, you had to keep your eyes peeled for newspaper ads and hit up every travel agency in town. And, once you found the right destination, formulating a decent itinerary meant poring over guidebooks and making notes of what you saw on travel shows. Now, thanks to a myriad of booking sites and travel blogs, we can manage every aspect of our vacation without even getting out of bed. But while there may be less legwork involved, the Internet has created a new problem: With countless sites and online services out there, it's hard to know which ones are actually worth your time — which may explain why the average traveler visits a whopping 38 websites before actually booking a trip.
To help you cut through the noise, we've identified some under-the-radar travel sites you probably haven't heard of, but which will make the process a whole lot easier. Be prepared to bookmark them all.
Roam Travel Company
If you're looking to indulge in a bit of boutique travel, look no further than Roam Travel Company. The websites boasts that they are experienced in planning “discreet” travel (read: travel for celebrities.) Not for small-time spenders, they'll take care of all the nitty-gritty, like itineraries, transportation, and flights — even a chartered helicopter.
Overnight
The amount of planning that travel requires can be overwhelming. Part of the allure of last-minute travel plans is that you're basically making it impossible to fret too long about the details. But finding accommodations on short notice can be just as intimidating. Enter Overnight. Much like Airbnb, the app provides home stays with locals, but you can only book rooms on the day of — no advance planning allowed! Unlike Airbnb, the application sells itself on efficient delivery: hosts are required to respond within 10 minutes when you request a room.
TrustedHousesitters
If you've got a pet, planning a trip means making arrangements for your destination and your home base. It's not only added work, but an added cost as well. Not anymore, thanks to TrustedHousesitters, a global community of free pet and housesitters. Yup, you read that right: free.
How is that possible? Pay just a monthly subscription fee (starting at $9.92/month) to access its global database of pet lovers. Registered sitters stay at your house at no cost, in exchange for accommodations. All sitters are rated and reviewed, so you can make an informed decision about who will be caring for Fido or Fluffy. Looking for a budget getaway or staycation and don't mind a temporary, four-legged roommate? Consider becoming a sitter yourself.
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