What do you google when researching a trip?

[eagerbeaver]

Hi All,

Just wondering what kind of things you put into Google when you are looking at a dive trip abroad...Specific or broad?

Thanks for any feedback.

Matt.

 

[Deefstes]

Despite always having been a huge Googleholic, I tend not to use Google much for this type of research anymore. Once I've found the charter with which I'll be diving (for which Scubaboard is far more useful than Google anyway), I spend more time on Wikipedia and VirtualTourist researching the destination.

 

[robint]

I tend to start my research here on SB or on another scuba related board, looking for names of resorts or locations based on Trip Reports. After that I might Google the actual location, resorts, or dive op names I find. I also look at information on Dive Travel Specialists websites like Caradonna.com or BayAdventures.com or Divetrip.com to see basic prices and info about services.
Big thing for me: Trip Reports by people who have been to a resort or location. I never ever ever book a trip unless I have read several reports.

 

[Damselfish]

I normally have fairly specific things or places in mind by the time I search for something. If you google on something too general you get too much crap and not necessarily better stuff near the top.

 

[JohnQPS122]

I like to use Tripadvisor.com to look at reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc. I take everything I read there with a grain of salt, and tend to ignore individual complaints if they are vastly outnumbered by good comments (or vice versa) or just out of line. But it has been helpful.

 

[Louie]

I go with the previous responders on using review sites (even though Google is important for general information). The paid ranking system makes it impossible to get balanced or accurate information.

When looking at trip or company reviews, just make sure you look for several reviews FROM DIFFERENT SITES. I do know that many diveshops and travel agents write glowing reviews of themselves (posing as Joe Bloggs) or get their friends to write the glowing reviews.

 

[diver 85]

1st of all, I type in the destination in the above search engine here----then----I type in the destination @ googles...