Wikilove

Wikitravel.org, part of the Wikipedia family, has been a huge asset in planning my travels abroad. Although not as detailed as a guide book, Wikitravel offers a relevant and thorough overview of your destination. The "wiki" sites use the simple philosophy of letting everyday internet users, like you and I, create and edit the information on their site.

I highlighted a few interesting points from Wikitravel for my first destination this summer: Madrid, Spain.

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• "Get Around"- features information on airlines, metro, buses, renting cars, and taxis.

• "10 things to do before you leave"- suggests activities that should not be missed.

• "Eat"- goes into comprehensive detail about local cuisines and recommends what to order.

• "Get out"- lists some convenient day trips located near Madrid.
  

As I mentioned before, Wikitravel does not offer the same level of detail that a guidebook does; however, it is one of the best (free) online resources I have discovered. I recommend Wikitravel for any upcoming vacations or trips you have planned. What you find may surprise you!

Okay, I really need to pack up now.