New travel websites are popping up on the web faster than travelers, travel writers or even travel junkies can keep up. So how is a non-travel obsessed web surfer supposed to dig through the thousands of sites out there and settle in? Well, with a little help.
 
Here are my picks for the top five travel sites on the web.
 
Best Travel Newsletter
 
Budget Travel
 

 
I’ve been a fan of both the magazine and website since … well, for as long as I can remember. I had to give up my mag ‘scipt when I moved to Italy (because my mom ran out of room to store them for me!) but at least I have my newsletter. Recent headlines include
 
Secret Hotels of France’s Loire Valley! Plus, the TSA wants your shoes, and a Caribbean cruise from $399
 
Packing: Cool new beach gear! Plus, cinematic NYC, and a Panama Canal cruise deal
 
and 5 smart strategies for tough times. Plus, bypassing customs, and a Tahiti resort deal
 
… proving there really is something for everyone in each edition. In fact, BT recently listed their picks for the Top 5 Travel Websites … and we have a couple of overlapping opinions there.
 
Sign up here to receive their newsletter.
 
 
Best Travel Deal Roundup
 
TravelZoo
 

 
I’ve courted TravelZoo for as long as I’ve been seeing BT, but I could never choose a favorite. They fulfill me different ways and I love them both.
 
But TravelZoo distributes a Top 20 Travel Specials newsletter that is specialized to each user’s zip code and delivers specials such as:
 
$49 — Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Beachfront Resort
 
and
 
$460 & up — Spain: Summer Fares on Sale (R/T), incl. Taxes
 
You just can’t beat ‘em for up-to-the-minute travel specials and great flight and package deals.
 
Sign up for their Travel Specials here.
 
 
Best Travel Inspiration Website
 
BootsnAll
 

 
Are ya itchin’ to see a fabulous new destination, but aren’t sure where you want to go? Then, get inspired at BootsnAll.
 
It is everything you could want in a travel network, with daily inspirational features such as Nine of the Most Scenic Drives in Europe, Six Iconic Mountains You Can Climb and Nine of the Weirdest World Heritage Sites. Ok, so I wrote that last one, but I’m not biased … BootsnAll rocks.
 
They also have experts that write helpful guides for major city and country destinations such as Italy, Amsterdam and France. But I’ll warn you, only visit if you have time to browse and a mind that’s open to dreamin’.
 
 
Best Site for Booking Flights
 
Kayak
 

 
With more personalized travel options than any other travel booking site, Kayak gets my vote for best of the web for flight booking. They access hundreds of airlines from over 400 sites and let the user manage how and when they view various flight criteria. You can read more about their unique facts and features here.
 
 
Best Site for Finding Hotels and B&Bs in Europe
 
Venere
 

 
I first heard of Venere when researching B&Bs for an Italian vacation a few years ago and I was hooked. They offer a wide selection of hotels, B&Bs and inns that aren’t often found on other mass accommodation search websites and in many cases offer immediate booking and confirmation.
 
What are some of your favorite travel websites?
 
While you are thinking about that, head over to Robin’s and see what she has going on for Travel Tip Tuesday.
 
Until next time … Buon Viaggio!