Planning a trip can be fun and relaxing or frustrating and stressful. Narrowing down your choices can help ease this stress by considering basic concerns like what you and anyone else in the group enjoy doing, whether you want a cultural experience or a more active one, and how much time and money you have.
1. TripAdvisor
While TripAdvisor is not a booking website, it can be a great resource to find places to visit. Its spin button randomly selects a city, and the website provides details about popular attractions, activities, and food.
The site has also fought to protect reviewers from being hounded by litigious business owners, but this has become an increasingly complex issue. It’s best to clear your cache before using this site.
2. Google Flights
Google Flights is a powerful search tool that can be used to pick random travel destinations for trips. You can search with specific dates or keep it loose and flexible, entering a one week, two week or weekend trip window.
When you click “Explore Destinations,” Google will display a map with a list of cities to choose from. You can also enable the “track prices” option to track fares over time.
3. Skyscanner
Skyscanner is one of the best flight search engines out there, and they offer a few unique features to help you find a good deal. They take price trends seriously and provide a clear way to compare rates from various websites.
The site also offers hacker fares, which are cheaper fares that take advantage of a loophole in airline ticketing. They can save you a lot of money on your next trip!
4. Earth Roulette
This website is perfect for those who love to travel spontaneously or don’t like making decisions. Just press the button and a new city is randomly shown.
The site asks for your preferences regarding your perfect holiday, such as whether you’re looking for an adventure or a relaxing trip. It also displays different options based on your budget. You can even download the app for a more streamlined experience.
5. LuckyTrip
There are so many incredible places in the world, and it can be hard to narrow down your travel destination options. To help, there are several fun apps that can do the work for you.
For example, if you’re an adventurous type, Thrifty Traveller will choose flights, hotels, and one out-of-the-box activity. It’s basically like Tinder for travellers!
6. Pack Up + Go
Pack Up + Go is a travel agency that plans surprise trips for travelers. Clients fill out a questionnaire about their interests, timeline, and budget. The company then selects the destination and shares only a few details before the trip.
Use customer-generated content to build trust with potential clients and show off what your business can do. Then use email marketing to reach out to those who are interested in your product.
7. Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura is an online magazine and travel guide company that caters to travelers who seek out quirky, unique attractions. Its content reminds you just how weird, wonderful and diverse our planet really is.
It inspires wanderlust with stories about everything from a flaming gas crater to an enormous monkey spa. You can also sign up for a membership to receive updates and exclusive experiences.
8. Unique Trips
Unique Trips is an online travel site that offers offbeat and unique tours. They have both upcoming and past trips, so you can find the perfect one for your next adventure.
The Smoky Mountains are home to 30 salamander species, making them one of the coolest vacation spots in America. Or, head to Arizona and check out Biosphere 2, an environmental learning center that includes a mock ocean.
9. TripBlu
TripBlu allows you to pick your destination randomly or select specific filters. For example, if you want to visit a beach or theme park, navigate to the appropriate travel bubble. The site will then display a list of suggestions that match your selected preferences. TripBlu is available on the website or as an app.
Ready to plan your next trip? Try out one of these sites to get a fresh idea for your vacation.
10. Tripadvisor
TripAdvisor makes money through click-based advertising, subscriptions, commissions and listing fees. It is a prime example of a metasearch platform driven by network effects.
Its most notable feature is the millions of reviews by real travelers that are available in multiple languages. These reviews include photos from actual guests. Restaurant proprietors know that a cascade of bad reviews can decimate business.
