The days of lugging guides books around in your backpack are gone forever. With so much travel advice, forums and blogs now online, the virtual world of information is outstanding. It can also be overwhelming, so I find it helpful to know where to look, and I have a few favorite websites that I visit, in preparation for my travel adventures.

You could say I have a tick box for downloads to my iPhone.

• Update my music catalog
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• Download a selection of audiobooks for the long and boring plane, train and automobile trips. (I get motion sick so audio books are a blessing and a great time distraction)
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• Download travel guides for each destination They are free and a great reference containing detailed maps, list of events and sights to see. They downloaded as a pdf they can remain on my iPhone until I arrive at the destination and print them out at the local internet cafe.
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• Download a selection of audio tours. As an independent traveller I like to explore on my own. Audio tours are like having my own personal tour guide and many of them come with a map of the tour. They can be both entertaining and informative. Some are funny and others are just down right fascinating. Many audio tours guide you around the main attractions and others will take you to local treasures and down hidden streets. When I venture out with my audio tour, I am confident that I will be making the most of my sightseeing time, without having to join the crowds and be herded around, and I can usually get around 5 hours worth of touring for between $20 - $50.
  

My back pack now consists of a few clothes and the essentials, spare undies, chocolate, toothbrush my iPhone and my extra iPod with everything backed up on it. This way if I do loose my iPhone I won't be totally devastated.

I get my music downloads from itunes and a few other favorite online haunts. I won't list them as we all have our favorite music download sites.

For my audio books, destination travel guides and audio tours, I can find them all from one website. LoDingo.com They're travel catalog is huge and I appreciate the iPod downloading service that they provide.

I frequent a few travel communities. Trip Advisor has and extensive community of knowledge and Ubertramp is well organized and I found some of the best tips and articles written here.

Just a tip from a weathered traveller!