Cultivate Traveling Recommends
The Best Travel Companies: Everything You Need to Make Your Journey Smooth and Perfect
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Everybody loves to travel. Who wouldn’t want to explore new places, immerse themselves in different cultures, and create memories that would last a lifetime? But let’s face it: traveling can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you’re new to it. There’s a lot to consider, from booking flights and accommodations to finding the best deals and figuring out what to pack. Fortunately, many travel resources are available to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. In this article, we’ve rounded up the best travel resources for a perfect trip.
Looking for our favorite travel products? They are all listed here by activity!
Our Most Recommended Companies
Find the perfect rental car for your trip.
DiscoverCars.com is a leader in online car rental bookings. We compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose the best one for your trip.
Many other websites hide fees and extra costs from you. DiscoverCars.com includes all mandatory fees, taxes, and extras in the quoted price, so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises when you arrive at the rental desk.
As the leading marketplace for travel experiences, we believe making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences at your disposal—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche stuff in between)—making memories that last a lifetime has never been easier.
The best hotels, flights, car rentals & accommodations
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store, solving the pain of high roaming bills by giving travelers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards). More than one million people are already using Airalo's eSIMs.
With eSIMs from Airalo, travelers can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries and regions and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as they land.
Benefits for customers
- With Airalo's eSIMs, travelers can access the Internet from virtually any country on the planet and avoid excessive roaming charges.
- Travelers don’t need to waste their time looking for a local plastic SIM card. The eSIM can be activated either immediately after installation or upon arrival at the traveler’s destination.
Best Accommodations
The Paradisus Melia is a sustainable luxury resort in Mexico and the Dominican Republic that reinvents the all-inclusive concept to satisfy the growing number of tourists seeking more immersive and personalized experiences.
- Paradisus Los Cabos
- Paradisus Cancun
- Paradisus Playa del Carmen
- Paradisus La Perla
- Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort
Unique hotels in Spain and European cities.
Ocean by H10 hotels All-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean:
Mexico, Dominican Rep. and Jamaica.
The One by H10 Hotels Exclusive contemporary luxury hotels
in Barcelona and Lisbon.
Millennium Hotels Resorts is one of the most renowned and biggest hotel chains worldwide, with 101 properties scattered all over North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, China, and Taiwan.
The chain offers a portfolio of hotels under different concepts in front of the most beautiful beaches of Cancun, in addition to several urban hotels located in the city's main avenues.
This hotel chain offers a variety of properties: island resorts, hotels in urban heritage buildings, and boutique hotels.
Each hotel and resort is committed to holistic wellness and offers world-class cuisine.
Properties spread worldwide, from the metropolitan hotels in the heart of London to the Renaissance castle in Tuscany. Private islands in Maldives. Luxury hotels in Thailand and amazing villas in Bali.
From hotels in central locations perfect for business trips or little getaways to exceptionally high-demand tourist destinations in Europe and America, NH Hotel Group offers a portfolio of properties that adapt to a wide variety of customers through its six brands:
- NH Hotels: 3 and 4-Star Urban Hotels. They stand out for their quality/price and excellent location.
- NH Collection: Carefully selected design hotels located in the heart of the most charming cities in the world.
- Nhow Hotels: Iconic hotels that become cultural, social, and artistic landmarks inspired by the cities where they are located.
- Tivoli: Elegant hotels with privileged locations in Portuguese cities and ideal resorts in the Algarve for perfect holidays.
- Anantara: Authentic luxury hotels, resorts, and spas in Marbella (Spain) and Algarve (Portugal) are designed for unique experiences with unforgettable facilities.
- Avani: Avani Avenida Liberdade Hotel is located on the exclusive Avenida Liberdade in Lisbon, within easy reach of the best restaurants and exclusive shopping area.
Best Flight Sources
Booking flights can be tricky, and getting the best deals is essential. Many platforms can help you compare and book flights. Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Expedia are some of the best sites for affordable flight deals. Also, don’t forget to join airline reward programs, which can help you earn miles that you can use for future flights.
Now in its 94th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawaiʻi's most prominent and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers approximately 150 daily flights within the Hawaiian Islands, and nonstop flights between Hawaiʻi and 15 U.S. gateway cities – more than any other airline – as well as service connecting Honolulu and American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Tahiti.
Swiss International Airlines is Switzerland's national air carrier. It is part of the Lufthansa group, one of the largest airline groups in Europe. Swiss International Airlines operates flights to over 100 destinations and 50 countries worldwide.
Aviasales is a trusted service for buying cheap flight tickets. No extra fees or markups!
Orbitz is an online travel booking platform that offers a comprehensive range of travel products and services, including flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages, and activities. It offers loyalty rewards, customer support, and a mobile app for enhanced accessibility and convenience.
Expedia allows customers to search and book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages. Customers can also access travel-related services, such as travel insurance, airport transfers, and activities. The Company has become one of the world's largest travel companies, operating in over 60 countries.
WayAway is an innovative flight aggregator that features
the WayAway Plus membership plan for cashback on travel deals
WayAway is a flight aggregator that provides travelers with the best rates on airline tickets. Users can also purchase the WayAway Plus membership plan, which offers cash back on flights, accommodations, car rentals, tours, and more.
Travelup offers the best deals on flights, featuring a large inventory of the world’s top airlines, including Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Emirates, Etihad, and many more.
Airline Lounge Pass
Priority Pass is a global network of airport lounges and travel experiences that offers members access to over 1300 lounges in more than 600 cities worldwide. With a Priority Pass membership, travelers can enjoy various benefits, including comfortable lounge seating, food and drink, Wi-Fi access, and more.
Plaza Premium Group is the pioneer and industry leader in providing Premium Airport Services.
If your users want a great holiday, why don't you offer them this extra to make their travel exceptional?
When booking in Plaza Premium Lounge, your users will benefit from Airport Lounge, Airport Transit Hotel, Airport Meet & Greet Service, and Airport Dining in 35 different airports worldwide.
Best Airline Deals
Compensation Help for Delayed Flights
Did you know you can be reimbursed for delayed or canceled flights in certain countries? AirHelp will help you receive compensation with legal knowledge in 70 different countries.
Compensair is a UK-based online service that helps air travelers receive up to €600 compensation from airlines in case of a flight delay, cancellation, or denied boarding. Compensair takes care of all the paperwork, negotiations with the airlines, and legal proceedings. The brand works with all major airlines and operates on a “no win, no fee” basis.
AirHelp is the right product for you! Since 2013, AirHelp has helped more than 10 million passengers understand their rights and receive compensation for delayed or canceled flights.
Best Internet Abroad
These days, accessing the internet is a must for most travelers, whether for staying connected with family and friends, navigating the city, or sharing your adventures on social media. Several solutions can help you stay connected while abroad. One option is to use an international data plan through your mobile provider. Alternatively, you can rent portable Wi-Fi, buy local SIM cards, or connect to accessible public Wi-Fi networks. My personal preference is to buy a local eSIM.
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store, solving the pain of high roaming bills by giving travelers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards). More than one million people are already using Airalo's eSIMs.
With eSIMs from Airalo, travelers can download and install a digital data pack for over 200 countries and regions and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as they land.
Benefits for customers
- With Airalo's eSIMs, travelers can access the Internet from virtually any country on the planet and avoid excessive roaming charges.
- Travelers don’t need to waste their time looking for a local plastic SIM card. The eSIM can be activated either immediately after installation or upon arrival at the traveler’s destination.
Best Tours while traveling
As the leading marketplace for travel experiences, we believe making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences at your disposal—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche stuff in between)—making memories that last a lifetime has never been easier.
GTG is a world-renowned online platform that connects travelers with local guides and experiences in over 170 countries.
Travelers worldwide use the Tripadvisor site to discover where to stay, what to do, and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than one billion reviews and opinions of nearly eight million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants, and discover great places nearby.
Tiqets's instant and intuitive mobile booking technology has brought millions of people to museums and attractions around the world. Tiqets works with thousands of renowned museums, thrilling attractions, and hidden gems daily to offer unforgettable travel experiences.
Hop on, hop off—open double-decker bus tours with live commentary from experienced guides in all major cities worldwide.
City Pass allows travelers to save money and skip long ticket lines at top attractions in popular tourist attractions in select cities across North America.
With Go City passes, travelers can visit bucket-list attractions, enjoy top tours, and discover plenty of hidden gems — all handpicked by local experts. Go City allows travelers to avoid multiple entry fees and paper tickets. With Go City, it's one price, one pass, and everything travelers need on their phones.
WeGoTrip is an online service for booking audio excursions and tours in 35+ countries in different languages (mostly English). Travelers can take audio excursions created by professional tour guides and local experts. WeGoTrip’s customers book excursions on the website and receive them instantly. Audio excursions are contactless, and clients can start using them right after the purchase.
Klook is a platform for booking hotels, cars, tours, activities, tickets to attractions, and shows at great prices. Thanks to the convenient app, travelers can access the most popular attractions and hidden gems at their fingertips.
Eatwith is the largest global community for authentic culinary experiences with passionate locals worldwide. We connect travelers and locals with hosts in over 130 countries, providing unique, intimate, and immersive experiences in private homes and exclusive venues.
Each of our hosts is hand-selected by our team and offers a vast diversity of culinary experiences - from a seat at a dinner party in an elegant Parisian home to enjoying an Italian feast with a Roman family, taking part in an authentic cooking class in Tokyo, or marveling at the Manhattan skyline over a rooftop brunch!
From home cooks and food lovers to MasterChefs and Michelin-starred chefs, our hosts share a special ingredient: a passion for bringing people together through food. Our guests leave the table having discovered new cultures, cuisines, and friends - it’s the original social network!
A free tour is a guided city tour with no fixed price set in advance. In other words, it’s a pay-what-you-want experience, where each traveler evaluates the tour and decides how much to contribute at the end. While this model might seem unusual at first, it is completely transparent, flexible, and legal.
Experiences
golfscape helps golfers book world-class experiences at top courses in 70+ destinations. The easy-to-use platform offers exclusive tee times from leading courses with verified reviews, making bookings simple and secure.
Destinations Covered:
- United States: Arizona, Nevada, South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, California, Oregon
- Mexico: Cabo, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta
- Dominican Republic: Punta Cana
- United Arab Emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi
- Caribbean: Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica
- United Kingdom: Scotland, England, Wales
- Spain: Mallorca, Marbella
- Portugal
- South Africa
- Vietnam
- … and more!
Best Transportation Resources
Renting a car can be an excellent option for exploring your destination independently. However, choosing a reliable rental car company is essential to avoid mishaps. Train travel is an invaluable mode of transportation that offers comfort and convenience and provides a sustainable option for commuters and travelers. Don’t forget to book in advance to ensure availability and secure the best deals.
Rental Cars
Find the perfect rental car for your trip.
DiscoverCars.com is a leader in online car rental bookings. We compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose the best one for your trip.
Many other websites hide fees and extra costs from you. DiscoverCars.com includes all mandatory fees, taxes, and extras in the quoted price, so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises when you arrive at the rental desk.
Rentalcars.com is part of Bookings Holding and the world’s largest online car rental service. It makes eight million bookings a year (and counting) in over 60,000 locations across 160 countries. Rentalcars.com offers 24/7 customer service, and its website is available in 43 languages.
Trains
Trainline — get the best available prices, times, and train/bus tickets for your journey.
Trainline is Europe’s leading train and coach app. It works with over 210 rail and coach companies to help its customers travel to thousands of destinations across 45 countries. Trainline aims to bring together all rail, coach, and other travel services into one simple experience so customers can get the best prices and smart, real-time travel information on the go.
Omio brings together more than 1,000 transportation providers offering tickets for trains, buses, flights, ferries, car rentals, and airport transfers. Travelers worldwide can easily explore Europe, the United States, and Canada while comparing transportation options and finding the right price for their budget.
Rail Europe is the leading distributor of European rail products. The company provides access to an extensive array of rail products from over 50 European train companies. Rail Europe helps travelers find their path by guiding them and offering them tools and inspiration for traveling by train in Europe.
Transfers
HolidayTaxis offers airport transfers in over 21,000 resorts in cities throughout 150 countries. The service provides highly reliable vehicles at a great value, with vehicle types to suit every budget and party size, from shuttles to private taxis to large coaches.
Kiwitaxi is an online booking platform for individual transfer services and private car tours
Benefits for customers
- Easy and convenient booking: Customers can book an individual transfer through Kiwitaxi with just a few clicks.
- Fixed prices & no hidden fees: Kiwitaxi offers fixed prices for all its services, so customers don't have to worry about unexpected charges.
- Professional drivers: Kiwitaxi drivers are experienced, professional, and licensed, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey.
- 24/7 customer support: Kiwitaxi offers round-the-clock customer support to assist customers with queries or issues.
- Wide range of vehicles: Kiwitaxi offers a range of vehicles to suit different needs, including sedans, luxury cars, minivans, and buses.
12Go has already helped more than 3,500,000 travelers worldwide get from point A to point B trouble-free and with a high-quality service guarantee. Over the years, the service has received more than 166,000 customer reviews.
Benefits for customers
- Over 8,300 operators
- More than 6,750 destinations
Welcome Pickups offers seamless airport transfers in over 100 countries and 350 destinations worldwide, as well as personalized sightseeing rides, ensuring a smooth and memorable travel experience. With professional drivers, reliable service, and local expertise, we prioritize comfort, safety, and convenience from arrival to departure.
- Local expertise: Our drivers are local experts who provide insightful tips and recommendations.
- Reliability and comfort: Modern vehicles that meet the highest standards.
- Personalized experience: Tailored services that accommodate various preferences.
- 24/7 Support: A Dedicated support team is available around the clock!
- Free waiting time: Up to 1 hour of free waiting time at the airport.
- Live Flight Tracking: Your driver is always informed of any delays or early arrivals.
- Flexible Cancellation Policy: Cancel or modify your booking up to 24 hours before your scheduled pick-up, with no hidden fees!
International Drivers Permit
Boating
SEARADAR is a professional concierge service specializing in sailing yacht rentals worldwide. On SEARADAR's website, anyone can rent a yacht just like they book a hotel or airplane ticket. The brand also provides a concierge team ready to support you should you have any questions.
Sailing is one of the greatest ways to explore our planet, and despite common beliefs, it can be even more affordable than regular travel. SEARADAR offers a dedicated concierge team to help you arrange your dream trip. Free of charge, they will assist you with yacht selection, destination choice, route planning, finding a professional crew, and paperwork. The brand stays in touch with clients throughout their whole trip.
Benefits for customers
- Thousands of yachts worldwide
- Free concierge service
- Support with all additional services (crew arrangements, transfers, insurance, food provision on a yacht)
Travel Hacking
The Hilton Honors program partners with Points to sell Honors points to its members, whether they need more to book a hotel room or are stocking up for future trips. Frequent bonus/discount offers add incentive to buy points.
A daily newsletter that will give you updates on earning rewards and tips on travel hacking.
Best Event Sales
Ticketmaster is the official ticket marketplace for thousands of the world's biggest events, performers, teams, and sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and NHL. Along with its partners, Ticketmaster is committed to being the safest, most reliable ticketing marketplace in the world. That means fans can count on Ticketmaster to provide them with 100% real tickets, reliable refunds, and fan support.
Best Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for protecting yourself against unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage. It provides peace of mind, ensuring you’re financially covered in case plans go awry, letting you focus on enjoying your trip.
We recommend using TravelEx Insurance or AXA Partners for travel insurance.
Comprehensive Coverage for a Worry-Free Trip!
Reviewing key coverage areas is essential when selecting an international travel insurance policy for your vacation to ensure a worry-free trip.
Look for policies that provide comprehensive protection for trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays, missed connections, lost or delayed baggage, medical emergencies, and medical evacuation or repatriation.
A well-chosen policy offers peace of mind, allowing you to focus on enjoying your journey without unexpected financial burdens or disruptions.
Travel insurance can also safeguard against unforeseen circumstances, such as weather-related delays, airline strikes, or illness or injury while abroad.
Having the right coverage ensures you’re prepared for the unexpected, whether a last-minute cancellation, an extended hospital stay, or replacing essential items after baggage mishaps.
Best Storage for Luggage
Luggage Hero is a network of short-term luggage storage options in shops, cafes, hotels, and more. We lighten your load in all ways. You no longer have to drag your luggage all over a city or hunt for the elusive storage locker, where you need exact change in the right currency. LuggageHero comes to your rescue with our growing network of +1000 luggage storage sites all around the world.
In April 2023, LuggageHero is present in 210 cities spread across 53 countries!
Radical Storage provides travelers with luggage storage solutions to help them enjoy their holiday to the fullest, allowing them to eliminate problems with early arrivals or late departures from the home/hotel. The service operates in over 70 countries and 500 cities, and it has over 5000 storage points.
Best Luggage
Travelpro specializes in durable luggage for professional and leisure travelers. We offer a wide variety of styles, including garment bags, suitcases, executive briefcases, duffel bags, totes, and backpacks. We are the choice of more than 90 airlines and frequent travelers worldwide.
Best Travel Clothing Companies
Best Travel Shoes
Best Sunglasses
Vacation Photography Session
Some trips deserve more than selfies! Occasions like honeymoons, anniversaries, family holidays, solo adventures, and even surprise proposals are perfect moments to capture with a Flytographer shoot—or simply because you believe that memories are the best souvenirs.
Best Travel Gifts and Accessories
Best Travel Apps
Finally, many travel apps help you plan your trip efficiently.
For travel directions, use Google Maps to pin locations that you want to visit. City Mapper is great for determining which mode of transportation is the fastest.
Transportation – Use Uber, FreeNow, and Lyft. Omio, Trainline, Lner, Tfl Go for London transportation. Rome to Rio is a helpful app for connecting different Cities and Countries.
Flights – the airline that you are booked with. Get your digital boarding pass and add it to your Apple Wallet. Skyscanner and Loungebuddy are other useful apps.
Hotels – frequently used hotels to get reward points. Booking.com
Language – Google Translate
Exchange rate – Xe to get the most current exchange rate. ALWAYS pay in the country’s currency to get the best rate.
Tours: Viator, Get Your Guide, Trip Advisor, Visit a City. Rick Steves has some awesome FREE walking tours. I highly recommend starting out on one of these if it is available in the city you are traveling to.
Dining – Open Table and Resy for reservations. Yelp for restaurant reviews.
Organization – Trip It, Stylebook, and Packr
Parking – SpotHero
Hiking – All trails
Splitwise is great for splitting expenses.
Best Travel Essentials
Traveling can be a fantastic experience, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Thankfully, plenty of travel resources are available to help you navigate the journey smoothly and efficiently. From tours and flights to accommodations, travel insurance, and essential items, this guide has everything you need to plan your trip like a pro. Happy travels!
Ultimate Travel Essentials: Curated Favorites for Every Journey
Discover our handpicked selection of favorite travel products designed to enhance your adventures. From beauty must-haves and cutting-edge electronics to essential travel gear, stylish luggage, and comfortable clothing, this page features everything you need for a seamless travel experience. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first getaway, these essentials will elevate your journey!
Join us on our journey and explore the world!
Traveling is one of the best ways to challenge yourself, gain new perspectives, and make memories that will last a lifetime. While traveling has many amazing benefits, starting out can be overwhelming.
That’s why we created Cultivate Traveling – our mission is to make travel more accessible to everyone by providing helpful tips, resources, and inspiring stories from travels around the globe.
Whether you’re an experienced traveler or taking your first steps into unknown terrain—we’ve got you covered! Learn how Cultivate Traveling can help tailor-make your next adventure and start making those lifelong memories today.
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Tips for Surviving a Long-Haul Flight
My tips and tricks for surviving your next long-haul flight. Nothing is worse than losing days to your trip because you suffer from jet lag. As a frequent flyer on long-haul flights, I have learned many tricks over the past few decades.
Basic Travel Safety Tips and Tricks
There are so many things to consider when planning a trip. Every step is important, from choosing the perfect destination to packing all your essentials, if you want a safe and enjoyable trip.
Carry-on vs. Check-in Luggage
Are you dreading schlepping your luggage to the airport before your next vacation? Regarding packing for a trip, there’s always a decision: should I bring a check-in bag or stick with a carry-on? You could devote hours researching the pros and cons of both options — or you can keep reading this blog post!
Travel Essentials
As a passionate traveler, packing for trips can be exciting and overwhelming. Whether embarking on a week-long retreat or jetting off to a glamourous destination, one of the first steps to ensure your journey is organized is here. It’s time to gather all your travel essentials!
37 Surprisingly Common Travel Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
Discover how to sidestep common travel pitfalls and ensure a memorable journey with our expert tips. Your dream trip is within reach!
Cultivate Traveling Answers your Questions
Travel can be daunting, and it’s normal to have questions. Some of the most frequently asked questions about travel are answered here!
Cultivate Traveling’s Friday Favorites
Cultivate Traveling’s Friday Favorites is a treasure trove of travel essentials that transform any trip into a seamless adventure. We’ve got you covered, from the latest gadgets that keep you connected and entertained to the most durable luggage and stylish bags that make packing a breeze.
This is not a sponsored post. These are the websites and companies I use and recommend for my travels. This post may contain affiliate links that won’t change your price but will share some commission. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.