Travel Journals

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Travel journals were all the rage in the 19th century. A lot of it had to do with the limited nature of travel: most people couldn't afford to go far, and with transportation being limited, armchair travel was the next best thing. Travel journals found a huge market with people who wanted to travel but couldn't (kind of like the Discovery Channel, I guess!).

But travel journals have a place in the 21st century, too. You probably won't publish them (unless you do it in the form of a guide, a la Lonely Planet). But you may very well find them a treasured memory of your holiday in the future.

I'm not talking about scrapbooking here, or writing a novel. The best travel journals are small coil bound notebooks where you record highlights of your day, interesting thoughts and sights, and ideas as they occur to you. You can do it in bed before you pass out for the night, on a plane, on a boat, on a train... er, you get the idea.

If you're an artist, pepper your journal with illustrations in true 19th century fashion. If not, leave spaces to paste photographs later on. You never know: your travel journal might become your very own blog in the future!

Back in Black!

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We're back and ready to give you the best inside information here at Travel Source! That's right, after a brief hiatus, Travel Source is back by popular demand to cater to all your traveling needs.

So what does that mean, exactly? Well, a conversation with a friend has led me to think of a new traveling topic: solo travel. Has anyone out there ever taken a solo vacation? We're talking about solo travel as opposed to singles travel, which is a holiday undertaken with the specific purpose of finding a companion. Solo travelers travel alone because they like to, want the break, or enjoy the freedom. Sometimes they hook up with other people, sometimes they don't.

Solo traveling can be lonely, but it can also be very rewarding. Some of the benefits include:

• the ability to change your plans at a moment's notice
• not having to consider someone else in your plans
• peace, quiet, and tranquility
• greater freedom to meet new people
• the ability to enjoy different sights and experiences at your own pace and in your own way

In the end, it depends on what kind of person you are. Social butterflies might actually be more likely to take on solo traveling because they know they can always meet up with someone if they get lonely. Shy people might prefer a companion because they know it will be difficult for them to meet new people.

You can't really say "this type of person is a solo traveler and this one isn't." It's largely a matter of personal taste. If you've never tried a solo holiday before, why not take a short weekend trip and see how you like it?

Internet Travel: Making Technology work for YOU!

We all have different opinions about the internet and the advance of technology, and many of them conflict. On the one hand, almost all of us use the internet to make our lives easier (after all, you're reading a blog, aren't you??). On the other, many people feel that an increased focus on technology has made our lives more hectic, more dangerous, and less certain.

That's why you have to find the internet resources that work for you! Fortunately, internet travel is one of those resources. Sometimes it's really nice to be able to cut out the middleman -- not have to talk to travel agents, compare airline prices by phoning every airline, contact hotels and try to work reservations. Online travel agencies are, in fact, one of the best things the internet has to offer!

If you've never used one, you don't know what you're missing. You can research an entire holiday -- flights, hotels, and often attractions -- with the click of a mouse. Many travel agencies let you compare costs side by side. There are just a few things to be aware of:

-Location, location, location! For instance, if you look for a Las Vegas holiday, you'll pull up some amazing deals -- on hotels thirty miles from the Strip. Make sure you check out where you want to be: the cheapest deal isn't always the best.

-Flying from major airports is always cheaper. If you're looking for the best deal, you should probably book a vacation from the nearest major airport and arrange alternate transportation to get there (ground transport or local discount airlines are best). Make sure you leave plenty of time between arriving at the airport and departure: airlines aren't sympathetic if you miss their flight because of competitors' delays!

-Don't automatically assume the cheapest deal is the best. Sometimes, it's worth paying a bit more for higher quality.

Regardless, internet travel agencies are by far the greatest innovation for travelers since the airplane itself! Check them out -- Direct Line is a good place to start -- and plan your holiday today!