SITE: TripBase
TYPE: Travel planning
REGISTER: optional/FREE
SITE DESIGN: Easy to read and use, familiar layout, not too wordy or cluttered. Loads quickly. EXCELLENT — 5 out of 5 points
INFORMATION: Comprehensive, up to date, kept fresh. VERY GOOD — 4.5 out of 5 points
EXTRAS: The sliding scale to set your travel budget is a good planning tool. The travel blog is being packed with useful tips. The new travel info-graphic gives an easy look at the state of global travel. The free travel widgets are helpful for bloggers. Activities section incomplete. GOOD –4 out of 5 points.
OVERALL: VERY GOOD — 4.5 points
A work in progress, but good work with a fresh approach. When this site fully matures, these guys will give the online travel establishment a serious run for its money. Definitely one to watch.
There are literally thousands of travel sites out there on the Web for you to choose from, but nearly all of them do pretty much the same thing. You tell them where you want to go and how long you want to stay, and they tell you how much it’ll cost.
TripBase is a little different. They tell you where to go.
But in a good way.
To begin, you don’t tell them where you want to go, only where you are, as well as your travel dates and number of travelers. Just to the right of that will be a list of activities — nightlife, dining, shopping, nature and attractions — each with its own sliding scale. Set each scale according to your level of interest. Then click on the big blue bar labeled “Find Matching Destination.”
TripBase then gives you a list of five, ten or 15 recommended destinations, according to the activities you set and the number of destinations you choose to see.
(NOTE: The cities shown on the list changes slightly, depending on whether you opt to see five, ten or 15 destinations.)
Once you’ve got that initial list, TripBase gives you more choices to make — activities, the climate you prefer, even your choice of continent. I’m not sure why they couldn’t have presented those options at the start, but that’s a minor quibble.
I really like this concept. You give them parameters, they give you the choices and you can take it from here.
One of their new info-graphics gives you a quick and easily digested overview of the world’s most popular travel destinations, as well as a quick overview of the state of the travel world. If you simply have no idea where to take a vacation, this might give you a few ideas.
If you’re like me, there are plenty of sites that you like well enough to bookmark, then forget that you bookmarked it. You might just like this one well enough to use, often.
POSTSCRIPT
TripBase recently debuted its travel horoscope. You push the button for your sign and it gives you your travel tendencies, based on the stars…or whatever. Naturally, this Libra had to give it a try:“Start seeking a relaxing destination where charm comes from the simple things, like brilliant sunsets or cobblestone streets.”
That sounds like me — and that sounds like Paris, which also sounds like me. Not bad!
If you know of a travel-site site you’d like to see reviewed, send me an email at greg@imblacknitravel.com. Your site just might be the next to appear in this space!