Site: Thorntree
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required to search and read entries, but you do need to register to post. All you need is a e-mail address, user name and password. You can give more details if you wish.
If you are traveling to a place for the first time, or if you are budget traveler, Lonely Planet’s Thorntree may be helpful for you. Lonely Planet publishes a line of travel guide books, but they also have a very informative website. The Thorntree is the site’s forum. It has sections for each continent and even some by topic. Regular posters are well versed travelers from all around the world. However, they sometimes to be cranky and jaded, so you need to follow a few rules of thumb. These rules also apply to ANY travel forum (Trip Advisor et al), not just Thorntree. First, use the search function to see if some one has already asked your question. If you do not you run the risk of a regular poster getting short with you. There are only so many times you want to answer where can I get a good deal on hotel in Vegas and what are tips for staying in San Francisco. Also, each section should have a stick post labeled FAQ. Check there next. If your question is not listed, then post away. When you write your post, be as specific as possible. Merely asking for fun things to do in San Francisco, let them know your age, gender, if you are traveling alone, ages of the people you are traveling with. Also be specific in what things you are looking for, are you looking for high end fashion or goth shopping? Are you looking for art or parks? Let posters know EXCATLY what you are looking for. Otherwise, you may get bad advice or encounter some not so nice feedback from the regular posters.
