Top 5 Things to Do Online Before Your Trip

I consider the net a great source of travel-related information. It has helped me a lot in my travels. When preparing for a trip, these are the top 5 things I do online.
Research. Read up on your destination. Most countries or cities have their own websites which provide information regarding accomodation, city sights, etc. Alternatively, you can check out Frommers, Fodors or Lonely Planet.
Figure out how to get there. Booking online has never been easier. And if you're lucky and early, you may chance upon a good deal. For the environmental conscious traveler, options other than flying and how to offset carbon emissions are available on the net.
Find out where you should stay. Check out hotel websites as they offer internet only rates. Also, location is an important consideration. It might actually be more expensive to book a cheap hotel that's outside the city center than a central hotel with attractions within walking distance.
Book Tours. This can save you a lot of time. For best results and prices, book directly with the tour provider. If this is not possible, book through a reliable one like Viator. Before booking, check out promotions which offer discounts. Take out travel insurance too.
Brush up on your photography skills. Your photos provide the best proof that you've been there and done that. Check out Kodak for the top ten tips on how to take great pictures.

Remember to check the source of information and make sure it's a secure site before you book.

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This is my first attempt to participate in the Group Writing Project of Problogger. Learned about it while reading Toni's blog.

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