Book excerpt: Planning your next family vacation? Hit the road before you even leave the house with Travel Planning Online For Dummies, 2nd Edition, the fun and easy way to ensure a great trip and get the best prices. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, alone or with the family, this book explains in clear language how the Internet can be your virtual travel guide with information that enables you to... * Find online city guides and travel brochures * Buy plane tickets, book hotel rooms, and rent cars from your home computer * Use advanced search tools for effortless travel: check weather forecasts, find interactive maps, consult ATM locators, and research major attractions * Consult newsgroups, chat rooms, and mailing lists to find first-person reports of the places you plan to visit * Locate loads of predeparture advice and services on everything from passports and visas to travel advisories and health resources that can help guarantee a successful trip Included in the second edition of this popular book is a collection of great travel Web sites, reviewed and organized by topic. The bonus CD-ROM includes this directory in an interactive format as well as an evaluation version of Personal Passport and a trial version of Electronic Travel Desk, which help you find special vacation deals, book flights, and check schedules.