does it count as research?
I'm doing a research degree, so does 'researching' Europe on the net count as research?
Didn't think so...
Regardless, I have done a lot of Europe research. I read a lot and I print out things to read on the train home. Eventually I'm going to have to make my own little booklet with everything I want to remember in it. There is so much :-) and its just as well I'm doing a tour and don't have to worry about research accomodation and transport as well.
I wrote a previous blog about the travellogues and books I've been reading, I haven't got a hold of any more books but I have been reading any travellogue I find as I'm trying to find more from winter. Eventually, I'll attempt to put together a list with my own review :-)
This post is about the resources I've been using in my quest.
First of all, GoogleEarth gives a great overview of a city and includes Wikipedia and Panoramio so you can find out about places and see pictures people have taken.
The second resource, which I couldn't live without, is Wikitravel. Just like Wikipedia (public contribution) but locations. Some locations have better detail then others but there is so much information there, you don't need to buy a LonelyPlanet.
So I guess the third resource should be Lonely Planet guides. I have one myself, but they aren't as up-to-date as Wikitravel is usually kept, and they include a lot of information about transport and accomodation that you don't need when on a tour. In addition, they are expensive :-). Basic guides are available online at Lonely Planet, and they have a really good forum. I haven't had to post anything on the forum, the answers I'm looking for are generally already there.
Speaking of forums, I guess it goes without saying that the contiki community is great, but its often more full of future contiki-ites then past ones. Good for posting questions and meeting people though. The regulars of the unofficial contiki message board are more likely to have been on a tour, the disadvantage of this board is it doesn't get too many users so posts aren't as frequent.
Next resource on the list is Word Travels. This site contains similar info to Wikitravel, but also includes recent traveller reviews. What I love about this site are the 'printable guides' - in the left column of the page there is the option to print, saves putting it into a word document (and having to muck around with formatting).
The next resource I used more for packing then travel info, Rick Steve is apparently famous in the US and has a TV show, he's also the author of a lot of books on Europe. I haven't yet bought any of his books, but I'm possibly looking into one on artwork in Europe, I've heard its a good guide...
Finally, the first resource I used was Go Europe, part of the about.com websites. This is a great resource for everything you might want to know about travelling to Europe. From packing to travel books to photography to things to see, this site has it all. The only downside to it, is that its easy to get lost and there's no comprehensive list of atractions etc. so I'd still recommend wikitravel for that.
Guess that's it for me today :-) It had been a while so i thought I should post. I'm flying to Canberra (from Brisbane) tomorrow for a few days for a forum so I knew if I didn't post now I wouldn't get around to it. I still haven't uploaded any test photos from my new camera, but I will when I get back - with a 2x2GB memory cards I don't need to upload often :-P
Didn't think so...
Regardless, I have done a lot of Europe research. I read a lot and I print out things to read on the train home. Eventually I'm going to have to make my own little booklet with everything I want to remember in it. There is so much :-) and its just as well I'm doing a tour and don't have to worry about research accomodation and transport as well.
I wrote a previous blog about the travellogues and books I've been reading, I haven't got a hold of any more books but I have been reading any travellogue I find as I'm trying to find more from winter. Eventually, I'll attempt to put together a list with my own review :-)
This post is about the resources I've been using in my quest.
First of all, GoogleEarth gives a great overview of a city and includes Wikipedia and Panoramio so you can find out about places and see pictures people have taken.
The second resource, which I couldn't live without, is Wikitravel. Just like Wikipedia (public contribution) but locations. Some locations have better detail then others but there is so much information there, you don't need to buy a LonelyPlanet.
So I guess the third resource should be Lonely Planet guides. I have one myself, but they aren't as up-to-date as Wikitravel is usually kept, and they include a lot of information about transport and accomodation that you don't need when on a tour. In addition, they are expensive :-). Basic guides are available online at Lonely Planet, and they have a really good forum. I haven't had to post anything on the forum, the answers I'm looking for are generally already there.
Speaking of forums, I guess it goes without saying that the contiki community is great, but its often more full of future contiki-ites then past ones. Good for posting questions and meeting people though. The regulars of the unofficial contiki message board are more likely to have been on a tour, the disadvantage of this board is it doesn't get too many users so posts aren't as frequent.
Next resource on the list is Word Travels. This site contains similar info to Wikitravel, but also includes recent traveller reviews. What I love about this site are the 'printable guides' - in the left column of the page there is the option to print, saves putting it into a word document (and having to muck around with formatting).
The next resource I used more for packing then travel info, Rick Steve is apparently famous in the US and has a TV show, he's also the author of a lot of books on Europe. I haven't yet bought any of his books, but I'm possibly looking into one on artwork in Europe, I've heard its a good guide...
Finally, the first resource I used was Go Europe, part of the about.com websites. This is a great resource for everything you might want to know about travelling to Europe. From packing to travel books to photography to things to see, this site has it all. The only downside to it, is that its easy to get lost and there's no comprehensive list of atractions etc. so I'd still recommend wikitravel for that.
Guess that's it for me today :-) It had been a while so i thought I should post. I'm flying to Canberra (from Brisbane) tomorrow for a few days for a forum so I knew if I didn't post now I wouldn't get around to it. I still haven't uploaded any test photos from my new camera, but I will when I get back - with a 2x2GB memory cards I don't need to upload often :-P
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