WikiTravel: Don't Leave Home Without Checking It

The real strength of the wiki is that anyone can edit and update it with the latest information or breaking findings or their own personal experiences. It works for Wikipedia for the most part, but the idea of letting people who have experienced places and events write about them isn't limited to an encyclopedia. Wikitravel, one of PC Mag's Top 100 Undiscovered Websites, brings travelers' experiences to the curious, and vice versa.





It's not an accident that Wikitravel looks a lot like Wikipedia. The two sites are running the same wiki software and are configured similarly. You can create an account (completely free) and edit pages, or you can edit them anonymously. Seasoned wiki fans will find Wikitravel a breeze to read and edit. The service features some articles and topics on the front page, and if you're looking for something specific, you can always search for it. If you're just interested in taking a virtual trip around the globe, you can start on the front page, choose a continent, and start reading.



The amount of information on Wikitravel is staggering. There are entries for countries around the globe, from Chad to Quebec, Algeria to New Zealand, and all of the pages have in-depth and intricate information about the regions' politics, environment, culture, language, currency, and more. Everything that you'll want to know before boarding a flight for a foreign land can be found at Wikitravel.

Wikitravel boasts nearly 17,000 destination guides and articles, mostly authored by people who have seen the places with their own eyes or live there now. The articles are intricate, and contain information ranging from simple demographic and geographic data to how to get to the location and how to get around once you're there. Each Wikitravel page has information on the currency, nearby sights and points of interest, where to shop and what to eat, and some even have information on what you should know if you want to live or work in the area. I was particularly impressed with Wikitravel's article sections on how to stay safe in the area and how to cope if things get difficult.



I used to travel a ton when I was younger, and now that I'm older and still love to travel, I'm saddled with the responsibility of making sure I'll be prepared and safe wherever I go. With Wikitravel, I can browse information on destinations as near as New York City and as far away as Brussels and find out everything I need to know before booking my trip and packing my bags.