Originally Posted by Jane Carswell on Thu, Nov 24, 2011.

Do you have adventure travel on your bucket list but can’t fathom where to start the planning process?  There are literally hundreds of travel websites that provide information and opinions on where to go and what to do when you get there.

So, where’s a traveller to start?  Here are a few places to search online for travel, but don’t discount the value of a travel agent and the travel experiences of friends and family.  Word of mouth from a trusted friend or relative should always trump that of a stranger!

1. www.adventure.travel This website provides listings of all 700 travel providers that are members of the Adventure Travel Trade Association.  With a range of experiences from day hikes to river rafting to via ferrate and heli-skiing from almost every continent in the world, this is a great place to start your search.
2. www.adventurefinder.com  Part of the away.com and GORP travel networks, both trusted names that have been in the adventure travel business for years and years, this site lists some great travel specials and packages to to take your dreams to reality. The site offers a wide range of adventure travel experiences for families to solo travellers from multi-sport to photography trips.
3. www.adventurecollection.com  The Adventure Collection is a partnership of 10 premiere adventure travel providers offering trips around the globe.  Think CMH Summer Adventures for adventure travel experiences for families, Lindblad Expeditions for small-ship expedition cruising, Geographic Expeditions for culturally immersive and active vacations to off-the-beaten path places and much more.
4. www.virtuoso.com A collection of expert travel agents including a group that focus on active and specialy travel (VAST).  A great way to find an agent to assist you in sorting through adventure travel options and to design your vacation.
5. www.nationalgeographic.com  One of the most trusted resources in the world, National Geographic is a great place to start your travel search.  Learn about any corner of the world that catches your fancy and then check out the trips offered through National Geographic Expeditions and National Geographic Adventures or circle back to any of the other sites listed for other ways to get where you want to go.

What about you?  What are your go-to resources for travel planning?  Share them here in the comments.

Photo: Travel off the beaten path, by Topher Donahue.