Researching travel websites is a great way for travel nurses to plan for an assignment or vacation.
As you roam about the country as a travel nurse, you may wish to do a little vacationing—or at the very least exploring—on your off time. Here are 10 great travel websites for travel nurses looking to plan a weekend getaway or simply prepare for your next travel nursing assignment.
1. Frommers.com – You may have heard of Frommer’s if you’ve ever skimmed the travel section of your favorite bookstore. Even though the books are more comprehensive than the website, the site has the advantage of offering the most up-to-date travel information. Frommers.com is also very interactive, inviting viewers to post photos of their various travel destinations and to discuss travel topics in forums. There’s even a blog maintained here by Arthur Frommer himself where he comments almost daily on the worldwide travel scene.
2. Fodors.com – If you’ve seen Frommer’s travel advice books, then you’ve most likely paged through Fodor’s travel advice books as well. Fodor’s goes online with a comprehensive website that points out top destinations in the U.S. and abroad. If you’re a travel nurse researching within the U.S., the site lets you search state by state for the best sightseeing, entertainment, dining and daytrip options. Fodor’s is unique in that it breaks down smaller, more off-the-map cities and points out little-known gems.
3. LonelyPlanet.com – This site is similar to Frommer’s in that it has a community of viewers that have lively discussions on travel in forums. You can use the site to search for specific destination cities or regions and find out what sights to see, where you can go for entertainment, where to shop and what restaurants are recommended. What sets this site apart are the thorough overviews of the cities that give travel nurses an idea of what kind of vibe to expect there.
4. TheBackpacker.net – Even though this site is tailored for backpackers, it is still useful for conventional travelers, especially the young and adventurous. Some of its excellent features include a great overview of local nightlife with reviews of bars and clubs wherever you happen to be, which may be helpful when moving to a new city as a travel nurse.
5. TripAdviser.com – This site is generally used to find cheap flight and hotel deals, but another useful feature is their restaurant section that lists the best dining options for travelers. The ratings are based on positive reviews by visitors to the site, and you can pick from varying price ranges and types of food.
6. Concierge.com – This site is not necessarily for the budget conscious nurse traveler, but is a great resource to find the best places to stay, dine, and visit in both the U.S. and abroad. The only disadvantage to those who wish to travel within the United States is that not every state is represented. However, the states that are included on the travel destination map will present to you some of the most posh and unique destination options available in that state.
7. WAYN.com – This is a popular social networking site directed at travelers, and is a great resource for connecting with like-minded people who can share their travel experiences with you. The acronym stands for Where Are You Now, named for its feature that allows you to see where fellow travelers are at any time. You do have to register to be a part of this online community, although registration is free.
8. Away.com – This site is unique because of the travel guides it provides. For instance, if you’re a travel nurse looking for possible destinations in the U.S., there is an active guide, a beach guide, a family guide, a LGBT guide, a parks guide and even a romance guide! The site will show you travel destinations based on what region of the U.S. you are in.
9. BedandBreakfast.com – This site is great for travel nurses looking for a weekend retreat in a city nearby. It’s also great if you’re not exactly keen on hotels and like the idea of staying in a place with a little more character. From country manors to modern, architecturally-cool spots in the big city with Wi-Fi, this site has it all.
10. PerceptiveTravel.com – This is actually an online magazine written by award-winning travel writers. One of the most useful features on this site is the Perceptive Travel Blog. For travel within the U.S., you can simply skim the blog categories for “US Travel” and take a peek at what’s written within.
This guest post is contributed by Jennifer Johnson, who writes on the topics of Nurse Practitioner School. She welcomes your comments to her email: j.johnson19june@gmail.com.
