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!
 
 

photo credit: euthman

 
With the Italian-frenzy that is bouncing throughout the Internet these days, missing a blog post here or a news item there wouldn’t be hard to do.
 
So, to help you out, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite posts from the week and included them here for your leisurely weekend reading pleasure.
 
Enjoy! (you can thank me later)
 
1. Head to Joe’s and weigh in on whether the New York Knicks are stereotyping young, Italian athlete Danilo Gallinari or whether they are just showing him the love.
 
2. Read up on World Nutella Day and see how you can get involved.
 
3. So, who do you think drinks for wine – Americans or Italians? Get the read deal at Bleeding Espresso.
 

photo credit: daBinsi

 
4. See what Babyroma’s been eating as her mom, Kataroma deciphers the differences between Australia and Italy.
 
5. Get an insider’s view on her favorite fountain in Rome at NYC/Caribbean Ragazza’s blog.
 
6. Curb that sweet tooth with Frutto della  Passione’s chocolate pasta. Best of two worlds, I’ll say!
 

photo credit: André-Pierre

 
7. Visit Italophile.com and get the scoop on the latest social networking sites – created just for us Italophiles!
 
8. Candied carrots – who knew? Visit Alex’s Blog from Italy and get the dish on this and other Italian candied specialties.
 
9. Think you know Italian food? Visit Italian American Girl who is Saying NO to Bogus Italian Food.
 
and finally …
 
10. Check out the hottest Italian soccer players at Why Go Italy, Part I *and* Part II. Grazie mille, Jessica!
 

 
Buon Weekend!
 

photo credit: KnOizKi

 
Mamma Mia is opening today in Italy and I am hoping to head over and get my fill of Mediterranean scenery and beautiful people. I know, I know… I can look out my back door for that. 
 
In the meantime, here are a few fun Friday links to get you through the weekend.
 
>> Check out Six of the World’s Wackiest Festivals, written by yours truly and published at BootsnAll.
 
>> Judith of Think of It! published the latest La Buona Cucina Americana recipe.
 
>> The O Foods for Ovarian Cancer Awareness recipe roundup is going on this weekend at Bleeding Espresso and Ms. Adventures in Italy.
 
>> Read more about Calabria on the Italyville blog.
 
>> Check out my favorite Italian fruit at Rubber Slippers in Italy.
 
>> Discover your travel personality with this fun quiz at Best Trip Choices.
 
Buon Weekend a tutti!