Usefulness of other Travel Forums

Jo,

Good question!

Yes, I do use other travel forums, some more than others. At the moment my time is somewhat limited by "work" so I only have time for this site and one other message board on a regular basis. My situation will be changing next Monday morning, so I'll likely be here more often!

Here are the sites I use most frequently:

RS HelpLine

Guide For Europe (often not as "busy" as the HelpLine but it's a nice, friendly smaller message board; it's usually a bit quiet in the winter and picks up again in the spring, which has been the case this year as well)

Lonely Planet Thorn Tree. (I used to be quite active there, and I'm going to try and check it more often; there used to be more "trolling" and "flaming" there, but not sure if this is still the case?)

Backpack Europe (hopefully I'll soon have time to visit there more often as well)

I've thought about joining Trip Advisor, Fodor's, FlyerTalk or others, but I just don't have the time right now. I'll look at the situation again later in the summer after I return from this year's European adventure.

I'm in the same category as Tim (ND) in that I'm somewhat "older", so in some cases the information from LP isn't quite as relevant for me. My travel style is not "luxury" but it's not "budget" either (although I don't mind staying in Hostels at times, and get along well with the younger crowd). My travels so far (and probably well into the future) are focused solely on Europe, so I have no interest in the other destinations covered there (although their Europe sections are good).

Interesting Thread....

Yes, I do use other forums---Tripadvisor and Fodors. Both are very helpful (as is this one) and they are very different.

The one feature that both have that I would like to see here is the "click on the name" feature. It enables one to more easily find one's own posts, if they drop off the front page. And it also enables one to look at other posts by a particular responder, and see if they are generally helpful and knowledgeable.

Jo,

Thanks for starting this thread!

I read and post on Lonely Planet's Thorntree and on the Fodor's board. Here are some observations.

I like the LP Thorntree because most of the posters, like me, are budget travelers. I also like the fact that many of the regular responders live in Europe so they can give a personal and "local" perspective. On a parallel note, I also like Lonely Planet guidebooks because they are more thorough than Rick's books and they include more ideas geared toward younger adults. Even though I'm an "old man," I'm happy to steer younger travelers to the LP site.

The people who ask questions on the Fodor's board often are more high-end travelers. While I can't help them in that area, I still can give them transportation advice--my hobby (obsession?). The majority of people living in Europe who respond to questions on the Fodor's board seem to be from the UK, particularly London.

Keep your posts coming, Jo! There is no substitute for information given by people who live in the area about which they are writing.

I really like to get information from tripadvisor on lodging and activities.

I read fodors regularly, but feel most of the contributors have a different travel style than I do. They seem to focus on four star dining and lodging which isn't me.

For cruises, I like cruisecritic a lot.

There are things I like about frommers but I don't check it out nearly as often as the others.

I use TripAdvisor even more than this site -- and do recommend it.

I have used Fodor's when I'm really digging through things and like their site as well.

I use tripadvisor a lot, I too really liked their activities and lodging
reviews. I have posted questions/reviews on tripadvisor, I think the answers are as good as this forum but I seem to be "addicted" to this one only! I have never heard of the LP forum but I will check it out!

I am a big fan of Trip Advisor. When seeking out accommodation either in Australia or overseas, this is the first internet resource I turn to.

Jo...great post...

I'm with Lola on this one...those of us that frequently use TripAdvisor broke the code a long time ago. It's fairly easy to identify the false entries. The Tripadvisor feature that shows how many ratings the poster has to their credit is a good guide to the reliability of the post...also, you get a chance to calibrate their "taste" in lodging or restaruants by reading some of their other reviews. We all pretty much agreed here on the RS site that Rick is not a "foodie"....that's not a criticism, just a good calibration of his restaurant recommendations. I agree that most American's rate European hotels by American standards...and so they are often disappointed...the only cure for that is to keep going back to Europe until you are more like a "native".

One final note, I have emailed a number of TripAdvisor contributors to get added information and all have been very helpful and responsive...(one great lady who provided added information on Santorini offered to put us up at her B&B when we visit New Zealand).

Tripadvisor is my primary travel site simply because I travel more in the US than I do abroad. I personally like the hotel reviews because I have found them to be pretty accurate. I also like voicing my opinion when I've had a great or not so great stay. Recent photos are very helpful.

The thing I really enjoy are the trip reports. On this site, we read and answer a lot of questions, but we never hear how the trips go. I would love to see how much people actually paid for the long stressed over plane tickets?, did they find that fantastic romantic restaurant were looking for? did the first timer have a great trip? did they listen and pack light? Not sure why trip reports have not caught on here. Maybe wer're all too exhausted afterwards to publish one! =)

Anyway, just my two cents. I love this site, but I also love the RS travel philosophy. Everyone should read Europe Through the Back Door.

Jo -

Another TripAdvisor fan - but like someone already said, really all of my travel plans up until now have been in the US and Canada.

While not a travel forum persae - I also frequent the DISboards, I'm a frequent Disney visitor and find that site helpful as well.

I love reading trip reports, looking at trip scrapbooks and pictures. I would love to see this board with a photo forum, both for posting great shots and talking about how to get that once in a lifetime shot.

The reason there aren't more trip reports here is that there is no place for them. The Helpline really isn't the appropriate place, since it's supposed to be for questions. It might be nice to have a spot for them, but maybe they think it would get out of control because of the length of the posts.

I use Trip Advisor to look at hotel reviews and I read but don't post to the forums. I am going to NYC next month and I have learned a lot just from reading other peoples questions and answers. I should help others out who are visiting my area, but to be honest it is hard to find the time. I think it is great that Jo spends so much time helping people that are visiting Frankfurt. Hanging my head in shame - I will try to bet better about helping visitors coming here. I plan to check out some of the other sites mentioned. I will admit I am addicted to this site and definitely like the Rick Steves way of traveling!

Count me in the LP column. I love their books and have used them for years. The thorntree forum is invaluable for figuring out how to cross remote borders (e.g. Slovakia to Ukraine) and other transportation options. Also, it covers pretty much the whole world while this site is limited primarily to Europe and only the more popular tourist destinations in Europe at that.

For details about maximizing freq flyer or hotel points, flyertalk is the place.

Tripadvisor is another one I will occasionally look at but take most of the recommendation with a grain of salt.

I use the LP thorntree forum lots. I find the info on there more suited to me as I am a budget traveler. Plus I like that they have lots of locals on there and I can get more specific details about certain travel issues that I may have.

Slowtravel (Slowtalk for the forums) is great. The vacation rental reviews are priceless and if you need info about a somewhat obscure part of Europe, chances are someone has been there and will have good advice.

Trip Advisor and this one are the main two although not with the same user i.d. I check out flyertalk from time to time and once in a while Fodors. A couple of others that are non travel related. I used to spend most of my time on T/A but now most of it is here although it will even out when I begin serious planning for an upcoming trip.

It isn't really a travel forum, but I enjoy reading Anthony Bourdain's blog and the comments that follow. Some are completely syncophantic (much like those that follow every post on Blog Gone Europe), some are desperate pleas for a "No Reservations" episode in their home town, but there are also some lively conversations. Always an interesting read.

I use trip advisor and this one. I am looking forward to checking out some of them that were mentioned.

I use Tripadvisor. i like that I can check here for US info and that you can count on locals for international advise. Locals are really the people who can advise about road works in Edinburgh, or the closest hotel a hospital. I'm actually a destination expert on Tripadvisor for my home town. It's interesting because they clue you in when someone has posted. And you can participate in a forum for DE's. TA asked me if I would be interested in being a destination expert and I decided to do it. Since my destination in Madison, we don't get a lot of posts. I did get a really nice fleece jacket with the TA logo on it. ; ) Pam

Pam, shhh! Now everyone knows the truth about the Destination Experts.

I post on Trip Advisor obviously, Fodors occasionally, Lonely Planet sometimes, and Frommers never. They each do have their own flavor. The Fodor folk are more "upper class" travelers usually, asking about 4-5 star hotels, private drivers for multiple countries and stuff like that, but still an interesting forum that I read daily. Lonely Planet is often younger, with pretty acidic replies to anything they feel is "dumb" or out of line. They don't mince words over there. Frommers is just sort of dead, little activity and every time I look on there I wonder that they can keep the forums alive.

One thing that is very noticable to me is whether or not it is easy to submit changes to their website when info is presented incorrectly. So far, TA and Rick Steves are the only ones where you can update information. Have sent items to Fodors and to Lonely Planet and though they print what I have submitted, they don't change the original article. I don't understand that.

Another good site is "In Your Pocket", though not a forum, the information for each city is pretty up-to-date and very useful. They produce a new online edition every 2 months. For Eastern Europe, they would be an excellent source. Here is the Frankfurt example. :-))
http://www.inyourpocket.com/germany/frankfurt

I'll put in a plug for Brad's one bag, one world. It's a good site that I look at each day.

Jo~~thanks for the inyourpocket site...looks interesting!
This is a great topic for discussion, thanks!

I use RS and also Irelandyes, Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet, and Trip Advisor. Needless to say, my primary research is for Ireland, untill I get my fill of that country. (Been there twice, and need to go at least 3 more times!) If and when that happens, I will probably explore Italy. RS and Tripadvisor are my favorite general sights, and of course Irelandyes has the best info on Ireland. Dan

I also read the LP Thorntree and Flyertalk.

LP Thorntree is great, and the info is more interesting the tougher the region is to travel (for instance, China and the Philippines get more "real" non-googleable questions than Thailand or Germany get).

I also read flyertalk, for advice on airlines, airfare deals, etc.