I’m all about making your travel experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. From the best booking platforms to essential travel gear and helpful travel tips, I’ve got everything you need to explore smarter.
After traveling to over 40 countries and living in 4, I’ve learned which tools actually make things easier on the road. These are my top travel resources: the websites and apps I always go back to when I’m planning a weekend away, booking longer trips, or figuring things out last-minute on solo trips or with my family.
Accommodation
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com for almost all my hotel bookings because the prices are clear, reviews are real and honest, and I’ve never even needed support from them, as the booking process just works. Sometimes I check the price directly on the website of the hotel, but these websites often don’t work or they don’t offer the payment option I need, so I usually end up using Booking.com
- Agoda – Ideal for hotels and other places to stay in Asia.
- Hotels.com – Sometimes Hotels.com has great deals, worth checking out!
- VRBO – This is ideal for longer stays, guesthouses or family trips when you need more than just a hotel room. Although booking.com also offers similar options, VRBO specializes in this type of accommodation.
Booking Flights & Transportation
- Trip.com: Many times, I switch back and forth between Skyscanner and Trip.com, looking for the best deal. Trip.com has great support, but sometimes it is a hit or miss with finding the best deals. Trip.com also works perfectly for booking trains in China and South Korea. I never use a different platform in Asia for train tickets.
- Skyscanner – When in doubt of getting the lowest price, Skyscanner scans most ticket sites so you can find the lowest prices. I almost always still end up booking with Trip.com.
- Expedia – Great for figuring out other transport options, such as buses or ferries.
Travel Insurance
- Car Rentals: Hit the road with ease by booking through Sunny Cars, offering great deals on rental cars worldwide.
- Travel Insurance: Protect your trip with SafetyWing, the trusted provider of travel insurance for digital nomads and adventurers.
- OOM Insurance: If you’re planning on moving to the Netherlands long-term, OOM insurance is the best way to get health care insurance, even when you’re not eligible yet for Dutch national health insurance. It’s also the best for Dutch people who are moving abroad in my experience.
Travel Gear & Essentials
- Photography Equipment: I use Sony and Tamron Lenses for my travel photography. Check out the full list of my camera equipment.
- Travel Bags & Accessories: Find practical and stylish travel bags that fit your needs at Wandrd, a brand that never lets me down.
- Noise-canceling Headphones: EarPods Max, simply the best, although a bit heavy.
Travel Safety
- Nord VPN: In my experience, the best VPN out there. (I’ve used ExpressVPN, Astral, and Private Internet Access (PIA))
- Especially in China, NordVPN works great. Tip: When buying an e-SIM from Airalo, a VPN is included, and all apps will work in China.
- NordPass: My one and only solution for saving (and creating unique) passwords!
- Travel Safety Tips: Learn how to stay safe on the go with our trusted safety recommendations and first-aid tips.
- Revolut: A digital bank with excellent currency exchange rates and international money transfers. I find it safer to pay with my phone than to carry cash around. However, having some cash is always smart.
Tours & Activities
- GetYourGuide – I like the smooth booking process of Get Your Guide. I’ve used it for several tours in South Korea and Taiwan. They offer some unique tours and authentic local experiences. Especially great for solo travelers to connect with other travelers or locals.
- Viator – Similar to Get Your Guide, but it’s worth checking both to get the best deal.
- Klook – Offers a variety of activities.
- Kurdistan Outdoor: The best local touring company operating in Iraqi Kurdistan, offering tours during the week and hikes every weekend.
Affiliate Disclosure
To keep Moving Jack moving (pun intended!), I partner with trusted travel brands, that I have used myself, and share their services with you through affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking through the links, I may earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything. Your support helps me create more great content, so thank you for using these links!
I hope these tools and tips make your travel planning a breeze. Safe travels! Any questions? Send me a message and I will respond within 24 hours!