AIRBNB Resources:

airbnb.com  - It has become a very popular resource for travelers.  We try to limit our lists to rentals in great locations, with good pricing, and great views when we find them.  We use AirBNB a lot. ALWAYS double-check reviews and avoid "new" listings most of the time.  Be sure to double check for air conditioning in the summer, and feel free to reach out to the owner for tips / questions!

VRBO Resources:

vrbo.com  - VRBO is another great one to use.  Sometimes you find rentals here you won't see on AirBNB - its always great to have more options, especially during peak seasons when rentals book up fast.  Always double-check reviews and avoid "new" listings when possible.  The VRBO system won't let us filter neighborhoods as well as some others, so always double check location after finding a good property.  

Bed and Breakfast Resources:

Booking.com - this is often our “go-to” for this category.  We find their customer reviews to be very reliable!  

bedandbreakfast.guide  (B&B Guide) - this one screens out the worst-reviewed places, so their lists are pretty reliable.

bnbfinder.com - this one is promising, but they don’t have near as many listings as the others here.   We hope they grow!

Boutique Hotels Resources:

BoutiqueHotel.me  -  this one is usually our favorite.  However, their list will only provide you with hotels who allow booking through booking.com - so some great hotels won’t be on their lists.

MrandMrsSmith.com - This is fantastic and inspirational resource for finding places to stay around the world.  Much of their focus is on premiere hotels (and not what we would call “budget” finds), but it can be a fantastic place to search.  It’s fun to just click on their “Inspiration” tab and find some new places around the world. 

TheHotelGuru.com - This site also links to booking.com, and can be a complimentary resource.

GreatSmallHotels.com - Another resource the books through booking.com, this one tends to go a little more upscale, especially in large European cities. 

Some More Interesting Lodging Guides:

gounusual.com - Great Resource for those trying to find unique places to stay:  Castles, igloos, boats, more! 

eruoglamping.com - Just what it sounds like - a resource of upscale camping places in Europe:

goglamping.net - GoGlamping / More upscale camping experiences - UK and Europe

NOTE:  No matter what form of lodging you book, we recommend you always confirm your booking one last time a week to 10 days ahead of your travel.

TripAdvisor Dining Lists:

TripAdvisor.com - We recommend using TripAdvisor’s dining directories whenever you find yourself needing good food in a place with which you’re unfamiliar.  They have a huge volume of reviews, great genre help, and mapping. 

Michelin Guide - Dining Lists:

Michelin Guide - For respected and relevant reviews of restaurants around the world, Michelin has been the Iconic dining guide since the 1800s.  If you find a 1 star near you, book it.  If you find a 2 star, you’re in for a treat.  If you find a 3 star - make a travel detour if you need to and get there!   

Wanderlog Dining Lists:

Wanderlog.com - Wanderlog is an interesting site - compiling lots of travel planning possibilities.  Their trip-planning features are worth checking out, but we’ve come to really like their restaurant lists. They’re just a little pickier than TripAdvisor, but not as exclusive as Michelin.  They’re worth checking out in most towns.

When trying to get a nicer restaurant into your travel plans, we recommend making reservations at least a couple of weeks ahead of time.  Some of the Michelin star restaurants might even require more advance (varies).

Things to See and Do Resources: 

These are some itineraries and itinerary resources from sources we trust.  Even if you don't find the exact itinerary you need, they will give you some great places to start.  Rank your priorities (and your travel friends' priorities),  see what works for your schedule, and plan an amazing travel adventure.   *Don't try to cram too much in - it's those "unplanned" moments that often product the best adventures.

FodorsTravel.com - In our experience, Fodor’s is the best overall place to start when planning a trip.  Once you search and find their guide to a city - they break the guide down into Sights, Nightlife, Shopping, Performing Arts, and Sports and Acitivities.  There’s not tons of inspiration here, but good, reliable information.  There are ads, but they do a good job of keeping the content credible.  They also have a great “Map View” feature for the different sections so you can always check to see what’s close.  Their Hotels and Restaurants guides are also pretty good.

RickSteves.com - Rick Steves has been an awesome resource for budget travelers for decades, and his content just keeps getting better.  His reviews are reliable, his itineraries are fantastic, and his reputation for credibility is great.  We check out his information on any destination we're thinking about visiting.  

AtlasObscura.com - This is our favorite guide source!  We don’t know how the team at Atlas Obscura finds so many cool, interesting, and odd things to see around the world - but they do it.  It’s easy to find those top few things to do in any location, but these guys go beyond - and get you some off-the-beaten path adventures.

TripAdvisor  - Trip Advisor is pretty commercial in nature, but they have really high traffic - so it's easy to see what's popular pretty much anywhere in the world.  That can be helpful for planning what to see, and sometimes what to avoid.  It's one of our go-to resources for seeing what might be in the town ahead on a road trip.

Wanderlog.com - Wanderlog is an interesting site - compiling lots of travel planning possibilities.  Their trip-planning features are worth checking out, and we really like their “THINGS TO DO” lists.  They’re pretty much ranked from most popular to least - so its a great place to figure out a priority list of things to see.

GetYourGuide.com - We really like this one!  Get your guide is becoming a great source for planning as well as inspiration for travel adventures.  Even if you aren’t looking for things to do on your trip, it’s a good place to get new trip ideas and browse exciting things to do.   They have some "decent" pricing on local activities - worth considering for booking.

Nomadicmatt.com - Matt travels as much as any blogger / content creator we follow.  He's a good writer, a good planner, and delivers entertaining content.   We certainly recommend you check out his travel guides.  If he's been somewhere, he shares great stuff!   

OTHERS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

The Crazy Tourist - This is a travel resource that covers destinations all over the world.  Just type the name of a country or city in their search section, and they have good

CultureTrip.com - This one is pretty commercial (lots of ads), but its also pretty reliable. They’ve been a travel industry leader for a long time, so there are enough reviews on things to know if you’re making good decisions.  We always check out the Culture Trip guide for any location we’re planning on visiting.   

If you're planning a trip to Chile, there's so much to see and do that it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To help you plan your itinerary, here's a comprehensive checklist of must-see destinations and off-the-beaten-path gems to explore.  Below our checklist, you'll find several sample itineraries we recommend.

DON’T MISS:

•  Explore the vibrant capital city of Santiago, with its historical landmarks, bustling markets, and delicious food scene.
•  Visit the stunning Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth, with its surreal landscapes, geysers, and hot springs.
•  Discover the natural wonders of Patagonia, including the Torres del Paine National Park, with its glaciers, mountains, and turquoise lakes.
•  Marvel at the majestic Andes Mountains, which run along the entire length of the country, and offer fantastic hiking and skiing opportunities.
•  Taste some of Chile's world-renowned wines, by taking a tour of the vineyards in the central valleys, such as the Casablanca, Colchagua, or Maipo valleys.
•  Immerse yourself in the indigenous culture of the Mapuche people, by visiting their communities in the south of the country, and learning about their traditions, crafts, and cuisine.
•  Admire the mysterious Moai statues on Easter Island, one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, and discover the fascinating history and mythology of the Rapa Nui civilization.
•  Relax on the beautiful beaches of the Valparaiso region, with their colorful towns, seafood restaurants, and surfing spots.

IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME:

•  Go skiing or snowboarding in the world-class resorts of Valle Nevado, Portillo, or Termas de Chillán.
•  Take a boat trip to the glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and witness the breathtaking calving of icebergs into the fjords.
•  Visit the historic port town of Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its colorful hillside houses, street art, and funiculars.
•  Walk the Camino de Santiago in Chile, a network of hiking trails that cross the country from north to south, and offer stunning views of the landscape and the wildlife.
•  Experience the adventure sports of the Lake District, such as kayaking, rafting, or fishing, in the crystal-clear lakes and rivers surrounded by forests and volcanoes.
•  Explore the mining heritage of the Atacama region, by visiting the abandoned towns and ghostly landscapes of the former saltpeter and copper mines.
•  Attend a music or cultural festival, such as the Viña del Mar International Song Festival, the Valdivia Film Festival, or the Fiestas Patrias, the national holiday in September.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

•  Visit the Lauca National Park, a remote and pristine area in the north of Chile, with high-altitude lakes, geysers, and wildlife such as vicuñas, flamingos, and condors.
•  Discover the stunning marble caves of Lake General Carrera, a natural wonder hidden in the southern Patagonian region, accessible by boat or kayak.
•  Trek the Dientes de Navarino trail, one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the world, located in the Navarino Island, near Tierra del Fuego.
•  Learn about the astronomy and stargazing traditions of the Atacama Desert, by taking a tour of the world's most advanced telescopes and observatories, such as ALMA or Paranal.
•  Meet the Huilliche communities of the Chiloé Archipelago, and learn about their unique folklore, mythology, and cuisine, such as the curanto or the chapalele.
•  Visit the Elqui Valley, a picturesque wine-growing region in the north of Chile, famous for its clear skies, spiritual energy, and UFO sightings.
•  Take a hot-air balloon ride over the Colchagua Valley, and admire the vineyards, mountains, and rivers from a bird's eye view

ITINERARIES FOR CHILE:

 *photos from pixabay.com, pexels.com, unsplash.com and Darrell Potts