Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Quick on the Uptake



There's a new search engine in town, but it isn't just any search engine...it is specificially a TRAVEL search engine. It's called Uptake, and it pulls reviews from other travel sites and ranks the results, so that you have even more info at your fingertips than before. I'm super impressed by it (and no, not getting paid one bit for this post! darnit).

Ok, so, say you want to go to California (like I do). I'd go to http://www.uptake.com/ and choose hotels in, say, Monterey. I can have them listed by best family hotels or pet friendly hotels or romantic getaways...whatever floats your boat. Then Uptake lists and ranks the hotels with user reviews from other sites, such as Trip Advisor, CitySearch or Orbitz to name a few. Then you make your choice based on what other travels have said about those hotels. I don't know about you, but I like to hear from real people who've actually been there, and you can find that out through Uptake!




You can also use Uptake to search for things to do while there. Family friendly outings, pet friendly outings, good places to eat, unique restaurants, you name it!

I love to plan trips. I don't get to travel much, but planning is a lot of fun. And, now I have a new favorite website to do this, because it has so much info in one place. Summer is just weeks away and I'm taking my boys to California, and I plan on using Uptake to help me get there!!



So, please go check out this new travel search engine!! Please!! And, ok, while I'm not getting paid for this post...my little sister, The Bug, might work there...

18 comments:

Alison B. Osborne said...

Thanks, Rhea! We at UpTake are trying to make travel planning fun and comprehensive while respecting that you have a busy schedule and limited time.

I hope you make it to beautiful California very soon!

Valarie Lea said...

Hmm I will have to check this out. I am always looking for hotels since we travel to softball tournaments out of town.

The CDM said...

I clicked on the link and it preloaded with Monterey as my destination...you shamelessly shillin' the Bay area?

Kathryn and Ari said...

Thanks for the tip! I'm a travel junkie, both literally and in cyberspace. I usually use TripAdvisor, but this one sounds really good, too.

PS- I followed your signature back over to your blog, which sent me to your profile first. I'm happy to meet another George Winston/Portishead fan. hooray!

Rhea said...

Thanks, Alison, for stopping by! It's nice to see Uptake take a personal interest in someone who blogs about them!

Valarie - Your daughter is the one who plays softball, right?

Complaint Department Manager - I am just dying to go to the Bay area. I've never been. They might be based there though...I'm not 100% sure.

Kathryn - Uptake uses Trip Advisor and other trip sites and combines their reviews altogether, so it's a nice resource! Very cool you love George Winston and Portishead also!! I'm a big fan of both. And a big a fan of dogs, like Ari. :o)

david mcmahon said...

Looks idyllic.

Indy said...

I will definitely use this site for our upcoming Myrtle Beach trip. My husband and I were just talking about an attraction that we needed to research and I found it on your site. Thanks!

KG said...

That's a great tip! And I have to pop over to Indy now to tell her that Myrtle Beach sucks an EGG!

Irene said...

Where are you going in California? Monterey? Somewhere else? Disneyland :) ?

OHmommy said...

Dude.. thanks. You know I love to travel!!!!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

When are you all going to California? I'll be checking out uptake...you are needing a kickback! (Wonder if Bath and Body Works and Crocs will send any my way :-)

Catherine said...

I'll go ang glance overthere Rhea. That way, I'll prepare an imaginary travel, with dream hotels, and expected visits of wonderful landscapes. Do they offer dicounts for those who come from extremely far? : )

Rhea said...

David - The pictures look idealic or the new travel search engine?

Indy - Myrtle Beach, huh? Let me know how it goes!

Law Student Hot Mama - Uh, oh, better warn Indy. I've never been there so I'm afraid I don't have an opinion on that...

Irene - I want to go to Monterey, Big Sur and San Francisco!

OhMommy - Hope you plan another fun trip soon, although I know you just returned from New York not long ago. Loved hearing that trip!

Kat - I agree, we need kickbacks! I'd be a blogging fool for my favorite companies if things worked that way. lol I don't know when we're going to California...but hopefully as soon as school lets out. I'm still planning the trip...

Catherine - I love planning imaginery travel too. You never know when you might be able to make it a reality, you know?!

Thanks for stopping by!

Anonymous said...

Pretty neat. I wonder if it lists campgrounds. I'll have to check!

Irene said...

Rhea, excellent choices to visit though Monterey has become quite built up. They have a really great aquarium there. Big Sur is spectacular and San Francisco is, well ... San Francisco :) We live in the LA basin and enjoy heading North.

Rhea said...

Kim - I have no idea about camp grounds. Good question!

Irene - I love the Monterey Bay Aquarium! It's worth a day or two visit. Then I'd just use it has a home base to drive to Big Sur and Point Lobos State Preserve. I've never been to San Francisco, and I feel like it's one of those places I ought to see. :o)

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

Wow, what a great place!

Utter Basketcase said...

oooooo Very Clever!!xx