Today, just about everyone has a blog. A blog, for those of you who don't know, is a web-based log (sometimes called a weblog) where entries are made, like a journal, on a regular basis. To cut to the chase, a blog is an online, public diary. People create blogs to chronicle their life, relationships, adventures, work, etc. and, in most cases, allow readers to leave comments on their blog entries. Many top business professionals also keep blogs to communicate their research and stir debate on hot issues. For consumers, blogs are a good source for first-hand experiences and opinions, and can provide insight on various products and services that can't be found anywhere else. So in the end, blogs allow people to express their "un-sponsored" thoughts on anything they want to talk about, and web surfers to read first-hand experiences and personal opinions on products, services, and even travel destinations.

That's exactly why travel blogs are becoming very popular in the online travel sector. A travel blog can provide you with details and personal experiences and stories that your typical travel guide book just can't offer. And for avid travelers, a travel blog allows them to share their adventures with everyone on the World Wide Web. They use their blog as a soap box, proclaiming to the virtual world their likes and dislikes about foreign cities, countries, and towns. The information you find on someone's travel blog can often help you decide where to go, what sights to see, and what to expect when you arrive at your destination.

Travel Blog vs. Conventional Travel Guide

In many cases, a travel blog blows conventional travel guides out of the water. Even though printed travel guides are written by professional travel writers, a travel blog can often express more emotion and detail regarding a specific travel destination. Travel blogs can also be updated instantaneously, reflecting the latest news and events that might affect travelers interested in journeying to that destination. Conventional travel guides, however, can go years without being updated, making them less accurate than a travel blog. And since anyone can start their own online travel blog, there will always be new and insightful first-hand travel information, experiences, and advice available.

However, conventional travel guides do have an edge over travel blogs ? they're portable. All you need to do is slip your travel guide book in your suitcase or back pocket (some publishers actually have pocket-sized travel guides) and you have a reference for your travels every step of your journey. Since travel blogs are web-based, you'd need a laptop or some sort of portable device to reference a travel blog when you're in-country. Sure you can print out parts of a specific travel blog, but most of the time it's just easier to have an all-inclusive guide book handy when you travel.

So what's the solution? Use both! Search the web for as many destination-relevant travel blogs and purchase a travel guide book. Use both resources to learn about your travel destination and discover personal experiences other travelers have had when they visited the country/city.

Travel Blogs ? Use Them

Travel blogs have revolutionized the way we plan our vacations, business trips, honeymoons, etc. A travel blog can provide you with detailed travel stories, first-person experiences, and advice on what to do and what to avoid. If you're planning a trip and want to verify that your travel destination will provide you with the experiences you're hoping it will, search the web for travel blogs and get a second opinion.

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