How to Know Where to Go
"Postcard Row" in Alamo Square, San Francisco -- a city that Tripbase.com correctly predicted would be one of my favorites.
Photo: San Francisco Convention & Visitors' Bureau
I don't believe in psychics. I never look at my horoscope. But I think Tripbase.com might be able to read my mind. I decided to check out this new "travel generator" after Willy Volk over at Gadling recommended it. I rated my travel preferences -- a little bit of nightlife, a fair amount of dining, a ton of nature and attractions, and no shopping interest whatsoever -- and it told me where I should go. And you know what? San Francisco, the VERY CITY that I just moved to, came in at number one. Okay, so maybe it's not perfect at picking a travel destination (though I could have prevented that confusion by inputting my point of departure), but it sure figured out my style. After San Fran came Sydney, Australia and Portland, Oregon, the other two places I considered moving to.
Perhaps the site's only major flaw is that its database includes just cities, so you'll be pointed to Cape Town but not Kruger National Park, Beijing but not Yunnan Province. Tripbase.com gives you the average flight cost and per diem for each destination, and direct links to flight, hotel, and car rental searches over at kayak.com. The destination information is pretty elementary, but includes links to more thorough recommendations from sites like Fodor's, Frommer's, and various newspaper articles.
I'd love for some of you to try it out and let me know -- did I just get lucky, or does this thing actually read minds???
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Wow, what fun. It told me to go to Chicago, which is a city that I like so much from very quick visits that I'm planning a road trip for a more extended visit this summer.
Next was Singapore and then Paris, both of which I also like very much.
Posted by: Seafarer | May 31, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Glad to know my findings weren't a fluke, Seafarer! But tell me, what exactly do you like about Singapore? I've only spent a day there, but I found the weather and the consumerism equally oppressive.
Posted by: BrookWilkinson | May 31, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Brooke,
Welcome to my favorite city by the Bay! We lived in "The City" before we moved to the Contra Costa burbs to raise our kids.
Tripbase pointed me to SF, London and Singapore. I haven't been to Singapore, but liked the first two recommendations.
Posted by: WhataTrip | June 02, 2007 at 06:39 PM
I laughed when I did this. Is this site psychic or something? My number one was London! Which is seriously my favorite big city to go to.
Posted by: tracker1312 | June 03, 2007 at 12:08 PM
OK, it's official: Tripbase.com is legit! Thanks to all of you for confirming my suspicions.
Posted by: BrookWilkinson | June 03, 2007 at 05:35 PM