Caribbean Info. - Linda's Top 10 Interactive Sites!
This week's article is a bit of a break from the norm; however, I think the following information will prove very useful to anyone planning a Caribbean vacation or simply investigating Caribbean life and culture.
I recently started investigating cruise lines and destinations for my upcoming vacation. I visited countless web sites, inquired with a myriad of travel agents, and spent hours perusing the Fodor's section of Barnes and Noble. In the process, I gained a wealth of knowledge concerning Caribbean history, climate, culture, hotels, transportation, etc. However, I was still unable to make a decision. Granted, I am a bit slow to decide, and I have been known to stare blankly at my closet for a good 5 minutes at a time, but I just couldn't decide where I wanted to go or which cruise line would best fit my needs. What I needed more than anything was a personal opinion from someone who had "been there and done that". I needed the opinion of a traveler who had no interest in my decision other than the satisfaction of sharing his or her opinion. That is, I needed a REAL traveler - not an agent or a country representative.
So after I dashed off my latest article, I once again sat down at my computer and set off on a virtual journey in search of a "real" person. What I found was a plethora of fabulous sites and interesting people who were more than willing to help. I found a myriad of sites where real opinions were the norm and where open, honest discussion abounded. "These are my people!" I raved. "I am home - welcome me!"
Finally, I had found people who could give me the "low-down" on the destinations, including the "must sees" and the "don't bothers". I found people who responded with enthusiasm and whose only goals were to share their experiences. Needless to say, I quickly made my decision, and through one person's suggestions, I saved $600 when I finally booked my cruise. Now it's not to say that my previously-gained knowledge wasn't important - it certainly played a significant role - but the personal responses are what eventually helped me to make my decision. In addition, these personal responses helped me to feel good about my decisions and to make a few new friends in the process.
Having made all of my travel plans, my next task was to pass my favorite "real people" sites along to you! Therefore, I give you my top 10 interactive sites and top 4 newsgroups for personal opinions and experiences. I've also thrown in two sites for hurricane information and currency conversion. It is my hope that you not only use the sites for your own travel information, but that you contribute your own opinions and ideas as well. For traveling, be it "real-time" or "virtual", is all about connecting yourself to other people, places, and cultures. I hope this information helps you to connect with others on a number of levels. Happy surfing!
Latest Articles