Guest post by Dakota Murphey
When it comes to planning your next trip or booking an amazing place to stay, mobile phones and devices have made it exceptionally easy to research somewhere before you finalise your plans. Other traveller tips, first-hand reviews, and honest ratings about an unfamiliar destination, an ideal holiday, or a bespoke tour can be incredibly helpful, especially if they answer certain queries you have.
Reading travellers’ tips, expert recommendations, and up-to-date reviews is more often than not reliable and trustworthy. Thanks to the digital age we live in, online travel pieces are there at the touch of a button. They provide invaluable advice for everything, from a perfect winter getaway, hotspots across Europe, or that perfect pool villa you’re after for next year’s family holiday.
In an instant, transparent reviews are more accessible than ever and come complete with realistic images, authentic explanations (good and bad!), and exact map coordinates. They also offer detailed information on everything from romantic restaurants in the heart of Rome to surviving a ski trip with little ones.
With such a wealth of information at your fingertips, traveller reviews are recognised as an invaluable resource that can help you maximise your days away. This is great news if you’re short on time, want an active trip abroad, or are desperate to capture the Northern Lights when you reach Lapland. Reviews can enhance travel planning whether you’re looking for a unique venue, timing your travels to see something special, or organising a group getaway.
Recognising a Real Review
If you want to read something you can rely on, the best place is a travel website where you can do your research. In the past, you might have read a travel piece that doesn’t read well, seems a bit over-the-top, or even a little too negative. You might have been reliably informed about something to do or see when you’re on a city break that, in hindsight, you wish you’d ignored.
It’s important to read between the lines and remember that not all reviews are fair, honest, and unbiased. You can check a profiler’s accuracy against what appears on a travel website to see if the destination descriptions from the profiler are genuine and realistic.
Looking for Trusted Brands and Content
If something sounds ‘too good to be true’, it probably is, and that old adage may apply to travel reviews. So, look for detailed, balanced reviews that provide specific information or novel quizzes that can help to personalise your travel itinerary. Rather than relying on vague praise or harsh complaints, look for trusted travel accounts and reviews with evergreen content that have been created by experienced travel writers. These will appear on sites and platforms that are presentable and professional.
However, whenever you’re reading a review, tip, or recommendation, do so with a discerning eye, especially if the price of a museum entry ticket seems expensive or if a certain hotel has more negative reviews than most. Having said that, the real value of reviews is that they usually provide an up-to-date, straightforward, and informative insight about a destination or venue that is written by travellers who have been there.
If a person has gone to the effort of reviewing a ski brand’s website with positive in-depth information about their chalets and menus, it’s probably because the skiers who return there, year after year, do so because the company is doing everything right. If multiple happy-customer reviews pile in, or you can tell that the reviewer is an avid skier, then it will be more helpful than if it was written by a non-skier. Similarly, a backpacker’s perspective on a luxury resort may differ significantly from that of a honeymooning couple.
Filtering Searches Effectively
With the vast amount of information available online, knowing how to filter and interpret reviews effectively is key to successful trip planning. Different review platforms have their strengths and weaknesses. Some may specialise in destination-specific guides, group tours or activities, and other experiences, recommended in a particular place you’re planning to visit. If you, for example, are planning a unique trip to Lapland for the festive period, you’ll want to learn more about travelling there and what other people did.
Meanwhile, others might have a broader focus. Understanding these nuances can help you choose the most relevant platform for your specific needs and interpret the reviews more accurately. Make use of the search and filter functions on review platforms to find information most relevant to your needs. If you’re specifically looking for family-friendly accommodations, filter for reviews mentioning “family” or “kids.” For specific experiences, search for keywords like “Northern Lights” or “dolphin watching” to find the most pertinent feedback.
Uncovering Authenticity and Hidden Gems
For many travellers, the primary reason for travelling to a specific country, city, or villa, is to see something special that has attracted them to that destination. Reviews from those who have already visited the area or stayed in an exclusive villa are incredibly valuable in ensuring you get exactly what you want from your dream trip.
One of the most exciting aspects of travel is uncovering destinations that are off the beaten path. While guidebooks and official tourism websites can provide a solid foundation for trip planning, they often focus on well-known attractions and popular spots. Reviews can guide you to the best locations and times of year for dolphin sightings, as well as recommend ethical tour operators who prioritise animals or offer insights into lesser-known spots that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Experienced travellers often share their discoveries of charming local cafes, secluded beaches, or breathtaking viewpoints that aren’t featured in mainstream guides. By reading reviews, you can gain access to insider knowledge and add unique experiences to your itinerary.
Discovering that Details Do Matter
Organising a trip for a larger group presents its own set of challenges. Whether you’re planning a family reunion, a friends’ getaway, or a destination wedding, reviews can be instrumental in finding unique villa holidays across Europe and beyond, plus activities, special needs, eco-friendly travel options, and anything else that cater to your personal needs and travel preferences.
The devil is in the detail, so for special occasions or destination weddings, enlightening reviews can be a lifeline for couples and wedding planners. Their firsthand accounts can provide insights into venues, what flowers were in season at that time, and the logistics if you want to invite a wedding party of varying sizes. For the most photogenic wedding abroad, they can also suggest picturesque locations for photos.
Similarly, for families travelling with children or elderly relatives, reviews are incredibly useful for finding the right places to stay, beaches, and places with plenty of entertainment for younger travellers can be paramount. Reviews from other parents can help you identify villas that cater for families, offering amenities like child-proofed interiors, play areas, or babysitting services. They might also provide information on the proximity and suitability of beaches for children, highlighting where you can find lifeguards, water parks, and playgrounds.
Traveller reviews have revolutionised the way we plan our trips, offering a wealth of information that goes beyond what traditional travel guides can provide. By tapping into the collective experiences and knowledge of like-minded travellers, you can uncover hidden gems, choose the right destination in a particular month of the year, and see everything you’ve dreamt of seeing once you’re in that country.
If you want to experience a place and have been inspired by traveller tips or a recent review, our concierge team is on hand to make any trip unfold the exact way you’d like it to. Discover a fabulous array of places to stay around the globe with Oliver’s Travels and make your next getaway one to remember.
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