We know that even avid travelers don’t always use guidebooks, but firmly believe in the benefit of being prepared when you travel. As a free travel guide company, it’s obvious we love them—but we’ve never fully explained why. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the biggest benefits of traveling with a guidebook in hand, and how traveling prepared can help you make the most of your adventures around the world.
You’ll save tons of time on research and planning.
Even if you’re not a “planner,” you’re going to spend time researching a new location no matter what. You’ll look for a place to stay, hunt for restaurants while you’re there, and have to figure out the best ways to get around in a new city. With a travel guide, all of this information is at your fingertips. Whether you utilize it before you go, or while you’re there, you’ll spend less time hunting for information and more time having fun.
That said, we’re all about being open to new possibilities and staying in the moment. A guidebook is the perfect way to get a ton of comprehensive information upfront in your travel process, but we love a good adventure!
You’ll feel less overwhelmed by choices during your trip.
You’re in a new city—there’s a lot to see! How do you sift through all of the information on the internet and make choices on what to do, where to stay, where to go, and how to spend your time? Sometimes, internet searches give us so many options that it’s overwhelming. There is so much information available to us in the digital age that it’s not always a good thing, especially when pressed for time or when you need good quality information.
The best way to get it, of course, is in a guidebook. Unlike the reviews you’ll find on Yelp, Google, or other travel sites, a guidebook is typically extremely well-researched. The information has been thoroughly vetted before the book is published online or elsewhere. You can also feel confident that the information in the book was designed for travelers, who want safe and reliable choices when they’re in a new city… while still getting an incredible, authentic adventure. It’s like having expert advice from locals and a professional tour guide in your pocket.
You won’t have to rely on access to Wifi.
Adventurers, you know how it is. There are so many incredible places to explore, but access to Wifi or cell phone data is not always easy to get when you’re in a new or rural place. In these instances, it’s especially valuable to have access to reliable information. With a guidebook, there’s no need for internet or cell access. You can have physical copies with you at any time, or even save a guidebook as a PDF to your phone. Particularly for things like restaurants and transportation, this is essential to having a good experience. And it’s research that’s done for you.
Good guidebooks help keep you safe.
No matter who you are (professional ninjas included), it’s so important to have information that keeps you safe when you’re traveling. Good guidebooks include insider information that is not typically included in your run-of-the-mill travel blog. Safety tips in our guides include things like what parts of town to avoid and when, how to take smart precautions (customized to every location), and tons more safety tips you might not even think to ask about on your own.
For example, in our free guide to Barcelona, you’ll learn about some of the common scams people use on tourists, with tips on how to spot them and what to do if it happens to you. It also covers the ATM machine concerns, areas of caution, and scams run on tourist drivers. Armed with this important information, you’ll be far better prepared to enjoy your time in Barcelona without any issues.
Lastly… it’s more fun!
You worked hard for this vacay, shouldn’t you get the most out of it? We think so. It’s not all red tape and safety measures, our guidebooks are packed with tips on how to have fun. You never know what you’re missing until you get your hands on the right travel guide.
Have you used a guidebook yet? Share your experiences with us below, or connect on social by following Tripogogo on Instagram or Twitter.