gtrekker

The BBC Profiles provide an economic, historical, and political overview, with a section on current leaders. The Profiles also list the media outlets, which include television and radio stations and the press.

National Geographic's People and Places feature provides a short overview of the destination and include a Features section with related articles, photos, and videos, depending on the destination.

Travel + Leisure Magazine's guide to the greatest hotels worldwide as selected by its team of reporters and editors.

Weatherbase provides historical weather information such as "average number of day above 90," "average number of days with thunderstorms," and other similar types of data.

Up-to-date information provided by the State Department on matters such as passport and visa requirements, safety and security, crime, health and medical issues, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. It also links to Travel Warnings for that country, if there is one.

From website: Tourism Australia is the Federal Government statutory authority responsible for international and domestic tourism marketing as well as the delivery of research and forecasts for the sector.

Tourism Australia was established on 1 July 2004, bringing together the collective skills and knowledge of four separate organisations: the Australian Tourist Commission; See Australia; the Bureau of Tourism Research and Tourism Forecasting Council.....click for website

Frommer's Forums are divided into countries, and all the messages relating to a country are presented in a list that makes it easy to browse through the topics.

Review site with hotel reviews and candid photos posted by users.

Virtual Tourist has user reviews on topics such as Hotels, Things To Do, Restaurants, Local Customs, Nightlife, Off the Beaten Path, Tourist Traps, Transportation, ... etc.

IGoUGo is a travel review site. The reviews are organized into "journals," which are a collection of reviews by an author about a trip, such as reviews on hotels, restaurants, nightlife, experiences, photos, ... etc.

Asiarooms.com Travel Guides provide information on topics such as Culture, Tourist Attractions, Festivals, Things to do, How to get in, and Where to Eat.

Concierge.com destinations guides include information on getting there, getting around, lodging, places to eat, see and do, ... etc. Although Concierge.com may not have as many hotel recommendations as some guide books, they provide hotel photos along with the recommendations. The destinations guides also have links to articles about the destination published by Concierge.com or Conde Nast Traveler.

Frommer's has put a substantial amount of content online, making Frommers.com a good resource for travel planning. The site is easy to navigate since all the destinations are organized by similar topics such as "Getting There," "Restaurants," and "Suggested Itineraries."

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published May 2006
This stylish aerie is not your grandfather's nature lodge. A studied composition in glass, timber, and steel that sits solo on a promontory on Tasmania's craggy east coast, the three-bedroom Avalon Coastal Retreat exploits its floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing the shifting colors of sky, sea, and shoreline to remain in full view. ... click for full article

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published December 2005
Sprawled across northwest Australia, the Kimberley is the Outback's outback. Tony Perrottet follows the songlines of Aboriginal history across one of the last great wildernesses and discovers giant crocodiles, caves full of rock art, and a camp so remote-and luxurious-that only a yacht or a private plane can get you there ... click for full article

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published July 2007
Islands and beaches. Both promise pleasure, escape, beauty. Combined, they create that most elusive destination-paradise. After twenty years of global reporting, we present the thirty best island beaches in the world today. Sheltered by reefs or pounded by surf, edged by lagoons or on the brink of the deep, they range from remote alabaster arcs to hip-and-handy sandbox playpens. And they deliver on every desire. Pick your paradise ... click for full article

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published May 2005
As brands from Down Under flood the world, Joseph Ward salutes some exceptional finds

In little more than a decade, Australian wine has taken off. The Aussies have defeated France, becoming the second-largest exporter to America, and are about to vanquish Italy for the number one slot. They started out as a supplier of low to moderately priced wines, but now Australia is up there with the big boys, competing with France, Italy, and California at the very highest price levels. To win this battle, it must make Americans want not the wines of Australia but more specifically the wines of Barossa, Yarra, Margaret River, and McLaren Vale. ... click for full article

Gayot's 72 Hour Vacations describe a 3 day itinerary with suggestions of where to eat, what to see, and where to stay.

National Geographic Traveler's 48 Hour Destinations Guides list Traveler Magazine's best picks of planning resources, such as blogs, podcasts, maps, newspapers, movies, and books.

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published July 2007
Islands and beaches. Both promise pleasure, escape, beauty. Combined, they create that most elusive destination-paradise. After twenty years of global reporting, we present the thirty best island beaches in the world today. Sheltered by reefs or pounded by surf, edged by lagoons or on the brink of the deep, they range from remote alabaster arcs to hip-and-handy sandbox playpens. And they deliver on every desire. Pick your paradise ... click for full article

In addition to standard listings on attractions, restaurants, and lodging, Fodors.com has a section called "Features" that are specific to the destination. For example, the Features section for Paris has articles titled "Cheese Primer," "Bistro to Brasserie," "Pampering Spas," . . . etc.

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published October 2003
Adam Sachs's 46-city world tour (see Incredible Journey, Conde Nast Traveler, October 2003) is a cornucopia of travel intelligence. Below are the nuts and bolts for every bit of advice he doles out.
All room rates quoted are for the current month.

ANGUILLA
Temenos (264-222-9000; temenosvillas.com; villas, $20,000-$50,000 per week).

AUSTRALIA
Federation Square, Melbourne (61-3-9655-1900; federationsquare.com.au).

Icebergs, Sydney (61-2-9365-9000; idrb.com; entrees, $19-$35).
... click for full article

From Lonely Planet
At 3.20pm, on the first Tuesday in November, Melbourne is silent; there's not a car on the road and the streets are deserted....click for full article

Perth Beaches
Listen in as Fleur Bainger kicks up some sand in the town they call 'Dallas without the glitz'.

Gay and Lesbian Sydney
If glitter and Kylie remixes don't do it for you, Patrick Abboud discovers another side of Sydney's gay scene that just might.

Published July/August 2004
Early morning sunlight illuminates the Sydney Harbour Bridge and opera house....click to view photos

Podcasts of Traveler Magazine's selection of the world's greatest walking tours. The podcasts last about 20-30 minutes.

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published October 2003
Adam Sachs's 46-city world tour (see Incredible Journey, Conde Nast Traveler, October 2003) is a cornucopia of travel intelligence. Below are the nuts and bolts for every bit of advice he doles out.
All room rates quoted are for the current month.

ANGUILLA
Temenos (264-222-9000; temenosvillas.com; villas, $20,000-$50,000 per week).

AUSTRALIA
Federation Square, Melbourne (61-3-9655-1900; federationsquare.com.au).

Icebergs, Sydney (61-2-9365-9000; idrb.com; entrees, $19-$35).
... click for full article

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published December 2005
A mystery to many but a friend to all, the hotel concierge is a traveler's most overlooked ally. Christian L. Wright reports on these ultimate insiders and how to put them to work for you

The haze has lifted to reveal a sparkling Saturday morning in Los Angeles, where concierge James Little presides over the lobby of the Peninsula Beverly Hills from behind a spindly-legged antique desk. So focused is he on the needs of longtime guest Mr. J that he doesn't even notice Paris Hilton tottering by in a short yellow frock, trailed by a young Latino toting her Tod's handbag. Mr. J has come in from Texas, and he's in the mood to tool around town on the custom-detailed Indian motorcycle that he keeps in the hotel's garage. Little runs the bike's engine every week, but today it won't start, so he's on the phone with a mechanic he knows who specializes in such things. Between discussing batteries and trip switches, he tucks the receiver under his chin to bid a "Morning, Mr. Carville" to the squinty bald politico passing by his desk. ... click for full article

From Conde Nast Traveler
Published October 2003
There's more to a travel bargain than price. In the case of city hotels, the best are a balance of style, value, and location. In 15 cities across the world, our editors prove the point with stellar finds. At a time when the buck is on a roller-coaster, these are very sure bets...

Sydney-siders don't live in the business district, and why should you when the city is surrounded by beautiful harbor suburbs? Certainly the big hotels have all staked their turf in the city, but in truth, you'll find more fun and more interesting accommodations ten minutes down the road. Potts Point claims the highest population density in Australia, yet it is a charming and lively place to stay. Leafy streets, smart restaurants, and casual cafes make this suburb an ideal destination, and yet it is only a 15-minute walk from the heart of Sydney. Best of all, you can stroll along the harbor foreshore of Woolloomooloo, through the wonderful Botanical Gardens, and find yourself staring up at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House at Circular Quay. ... click for full article