Go Visit Chicago Let's Discover the Windy City
Disclaimer: Links on this page might be affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase and product or service through those links. Following list of products and services have been useful for my travel blogging. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about list of resources I use for my travel blog.
City Blogging
This section I have specially written for travel bloggers who can refer the list of products and services that I use for my GoVisitChicago.com blog. I promise to keep updating following list with the resources that I find and use for my travel blog going forward.
Hostgator – Blog Domain Registration
You can register your blog domain through Hostgator.com! There are many good domain registration services but it is easy to register domain through your hosting company that makes it life pretty simple! Not only that, Hostgator domain registration service offers very good price and overall quick response time.
Hostgator – Blog Hosting Packages
I have been using Hostgator.com hosting package for my blog. I am happy with their service as my blog is up and running 99.9% of the time. Also, technical support team is excellent. They help you troubleshoot any issue and get your blog up and running as soon as they can. Very prompt reply. I love the “Live Chat” support that helps me save my time.
WordPress
I am using wordpress to run my travel blog. It is free and easy to use. I am using several wordpress plugin to make my travel blog efficient.
AWeber Email Marketing
I connect with my readers through weekly email newsletter. I try to keep in touch with my subscribers by publishing new articles and deals alert in e-mail newsletter. Considering the ICAN law, I am using Aweber Email marketing service to connect with my readers through e-mail.
VBulletin Community Forum
My community forums are running on vBulletin software. It is excellent SEO friendly and easy to use. Best way to monitor and filter out SPAM posting to build legitimate travel community.
Travel Booking Companies
Expedia.com
Expedia is one of the biggest online booking engines. At Expedia.com you can find cheaper deals on vacation packages that includes Flight and hotel room. I use it often to book my trips.
Travelocity.com
Travelocity has been there for a long time, offering best deals on flights, hotels and cruises. I have booked my travel tickets often through Travelocity and I also got best deals on cruise vacation as well.
CheapCaribbean.com
CheapCaribbean is one of the best online booking sites for Caribbean travel. I have been using this site for my trips to Caribbean including Cancun and Jamaica.
Hotels.com
Hotels.com offers lowest price on hotel rooms throughout USA and Canada. I have had luck with Hotels.com whenever I purchased flights and hotel room separately for my travel.
Priceline.com
Priceline is an online travel auction website. I love this site for hotel room booking as you get a chance to bid for your hotel room. Overall, I like the concept of bidding but at the sametime uncertainty of the flight time discourages me. If you are bidding for flight on Priceline then you are not sure about the Flight times until you confirm the booking. It might require lot of adjustment in travel time. As a whole, I love Priceline for hotel room booking.
City Attraction Passes
Go City Cards
SmartDestination’s Go City attraction passes are great way to save money on admission to attractions. I have used Go City Cards several times to go and see things in available cities. Current attraction passes include: Go Boston Card, Go Chicago Card, Go Los Angeles Card, Go Miami Card, New York Explorer Pass, Go Oahu Card, Go Orlando Card, Go San Diego Card and Go San Francisco Card.
City Pass
City Pass is also another attraction pass that can save your money on admission to top attractions compared to individual purchase. I have not used CityPass but they are also good option to save money and time. Currently, CityPass is available for Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York City, Southern California, Toronto, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Seattle and San Francisco cities
Travel Gear
REI Backpacks
As we all know, REI backpacks are famous among backpackers. Overall, REI backpacks are made with high quality, long lasting durable material. Whenever I am on the road for a short road-trip, REI backpack is my favorite. I have been using the same bag since last few years without any damage.
Outdoor Products Mist Hydration Pack 70 oz
I love this little hydration pack for hiking in Denver, Colorado. It is very lightweight and easy to carry on shoulder. Comes with small storage for small accessories and snack bars as well as can hold up to 2 liter water in cyclone bladder.
Samsonite Spinner Luggage
Samsonite luggage bags have won over other brands. I love the smooth wheels and easy to pull handles design of Samsonite luggage bags. It reduces the stress and energy needed to pull even heavy luggage compared to any other brands.
Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera
I love my Nikon D3200 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens. I used to use Sony Cybershot 12MP camera, but recently I purchased Nikon D3200 digital SLR. I am very happy with my decision, as now I can capture good quality, high resolution pictures during my travels – zoom lens plays major role. Excellent crystal clear pictures ! Being a travel blogger I always needed a good camera to capture photographs, Nikon D3200 worked out very well for me.
Lowepro Flipside 200 Digital SLR Camera Carrying Backpack
Carrying a Digital SLR camera with additional lens kit may become inconvenient during your travel. But, Lowepro Flipside 200 Backpack comes handy. I love this lightweight backpack, specially designed for DSLR camera. Compartment design protects my camera during travel. This backpack comes with chain opening on the backside, that provides more security and peace of mind about your gadget. You can be worry free as no one can access your camera except you.
Apple iPad
Since I purchased iPad 2, I try not to carry my laptop during travel. This lightweight gadget is awesome. I can easily make some notes, make changes in blog posts and tweak my blog easily on the go. Usually, I keep taking notes for my blog during travel and this little iPad 2 tablet comes handy for me.
JBL Micro Wireless Ultra-Portable Speaker
JBL Micro wireless ultra-portable speaker comes with built in bass port and wireless bluetooth connectivity. I use this portable travel speaker with a clip to hang it to my backpack. It comes handy during my hiking trips or chill time on the beach, as I can easily play favorite music streamed over bluetooth from my cell phone. Sound quality is terrific compared to any other portable speakers.
Guide Books
Fodor’s Travel Guidebooks
There are many guidebooks available in the market, but personally Fodor’s guidebooks are my favorite. My trips are somewhat influenced by Fodor’s guidebooks. Overall, I love and purchase the kindle version of all books which I can read on my iPad using kindle app. No more worries to carry heavy books and space in carry on bag anymore.