Rev up the search engine for these travel sites

The Internet has been a boon for travelers, allowing them to easily research, reserve and expedite arrangements to visit destinations around the world.

In addition, there's been an explosion of information available at the click of a mouse. Most publishers of travel magazines, newsletters and guide books now put extensive information online. A recent search revealed 198 specialized travel newsletters that can be accessed by paying subscribers. Thousands of travel organizations maintain Web sites and distribute regular e-mail updates. Major search engines and travel companies provide trip-related content and resources. Myriad Web-savvy travelers post their own blogs.

In addition to these resources, a host of excellent online-only e-zines and e-letters have sprung up to fan travel fantasies. Here's a short selection of sites of particular interest.

Joe Sent Me -- Prolific travel industry observer Joe Brancatelli has been assembling this robust resource for more than a decade. He's joined by an array of talented, professional travel columnists who offer their insights on business travel. In addition to "Steals and Deals," there are direct links to travel-related resources. Advertising-free, the site offers two levels of membership, with a basic annual plan costing $49 (www.joesentme.com).

Tripso -- Billing itself as the "last honest travel site," Tripso also features a regular stable of insightful travel columnists, as well as a daily roundup of breaking news, forums and polls. Tripso also offers free daily and weekend e-mail lists of travel stories gathered from other publications around the world (www.tripso.com).

Worldhum -- Started in 2001 as an alternative to the traditional travel press, World Hum focuses less on the destinations than the journeys. This free site is filled with articles from insightful writers who regard travel as a state of mind, a way to see the world when abroad, but also a way to see the world when at home (www.worldhum.com).

BootsnAll -- Started in 1999 by two Australians, this site calls itself the "Ultimate resource for the independent traveller," which in this case is defined as hikers, backpackers and assorted Bohemians. Organized around a "Code of Conduct" (No. 20: Bottom line: have fun, be open minded, and have a thirst for adventure with a willingness to share), it features articles by professional writers and amateurs and offers ongoing forums (www.bootsnall.com).

SmarterTravel -- This free consumer resource aims to help travelers save time and money. There are also staff-written destination features and capsule summaries of breaking travel news stories. It also distributes weekly e-letters to subscribers detailing last-minute Internet deals and travel promotions (www.smartertravel.com).

Live Life Travel -- is a free travel publication that tries to help "independent travelers discover their next adventure." It offers first-person accounts on destinations all over the world, as well as tips and reviews all designed to encourage readers to "just get out there and do it" (www.livelifetravel.com).

GoNomad -- This bills itself as a comprehensive resource center. It's designed to provide independent and alternative travelers with information and inspiration to plan their worldwide travels. It's also a gathering place for a community dedicated to sustainable and responsible tourism (www.gonomad.com).

Travelworld -- Published monthly by the North American Journalists Association and packed with information, stories, advice and photography, it claims to be the Web's best and most visited online travel e-zine, attracting over 75,000 visitors a month. Includes features on cruises, hotels, resorts, vacations, luxury destinations, trips, exotic tips, boating, pets, spas and skiing. (www.travel-worldmagazine.com)

Where2Go -- Published each weekday, this free e-letter is primarily an outlet for travel industry press materials. But there's also a daily feature on a great deal, tips and comments from other travelers or an article that, as the site's name implies, is about where to go next (www.wheretogo.com).

The Literary Traveler -- The online arm of a regular newsletter, this offers an impressive menu of thoughtfully written pieces about places associated with famous writers as well as advice for planning your own literary tour. A small subscription fee provides complete access, but there's also a healthy selection available free (www.literarytraveler.com).