The Best Travel Blogs and Websites 2018

We are proud to debut the Fathom Travel Awards, a year-long celebration of our favorite places, people, and products in the world.  

We kick off with the Best Travel Blogs and Websites 2018. Fathom's editors have combed the world and the World Wide Web in search of remarkable travelers and the sites they keep. We have an affinity for the DIYers and for those with passionate viewpoints that are authentic, original, and thrilling to follow. These are the sites we happily return to and recommend again and again.

If you're new to us, Fathom is a website and boutique travel agency that inspires your love of travel, whether you're on the road or staying home. We narrow down the endless options to those that are special. And we get you into the world by making travel as easy as possible. Sign up for our newsletter to explore the world with us.  

Stay tuned! We'll be rolling out new awards throughout the year — the romantic hotels, the restaurants worth the detour, the essential apps, and more.

Scandinavia Standard

What we love: The whole region is trending hard for American travelers. This site covers cool culture, events, and design in Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Finland, and Norway. There are posts on the best local designers, stores, restaurants, and hangouts mainly in major cities, and also articles on quirky local customs. It's the ultimate resource for all things Scandi. The calendar section is particularly helpful for spontaneous travelers.

Read Fathom's guides to Copenhagen and Stockholm, and see our favorite itineraries for Finland and Norway. See why the Faroe Islands of Denmark are one of our Top Ten Destinations for 2018.

Jungles in Paris

What we love: This boutique travel journal, run by brothers Oliver and Darrell Hartman, uses beautiful photography and short film to tell inspiring stories of craftsmanship, tradition, and extreme natural environments.

See short films by Jungles in Paris on Fathom — a quick video study on Cartagena, a beautiful tour of coffeehouses in Vienna — and read about their behind-the-scenes adventures in British Columbia.

Petite Passport

What we love: Founder Pauline Egge has impeccable taste and always keeps her eye on the details, posting little looks at the best moments in design and culture around the world.

Read more on Fathom about Pauline's good taste in Barcelona design and local happenings in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 

Melting Butter

What we love: Jenny Nguyen-Barron and her team build itineraries with art galleries, plant boutiques, jazz bars, and new restaurants recommended by curators with excellent points of view.

JO&SO

What we love: Resourceful Portuguese sisters Joanna and Sofia curate a collection of cool, under-the-radar places to stay in Portugal. Think of the site as a list of recommendations you'd pass along to a friend.

Read Fathom's guides to Lisbon and Portugal. And see why The Azores is one of our Top Ten Destinations for 2018.

Classe Touriste

What we love: Photographer David De Vleeschauwer and travel writer Debbie Pappyn seek out hard-to-reach places like Antarctica and North Korea. The intel they pass on is invaluable, and the images they produce are truly out of this world.

Peruse some of Classe Touriste's incredible images and stories on Fathom, like this North Korea travel debrief, and a visual diary of dog sledding in Swedish Lapland.

The Voyageur

What we love: The site's fresh, minimalist design is the perfect canvas for Pauline Chardin's large-format photos of olive groves in Apulia, jungles in Sri Lanka, and lime juice in Egypt.

On Fathom, get inspired by The Voyageur's visual accounts of off-season Palermo, Sicily and special finds all over the islands of Japan.

Culinary Backstreets

What we love: These guys know the best street foods around the world and the heart and history behind each bite. Short, focused articles give terrific background on the culture and people of a country. On a recent trip to Portugal, their recommendations lead directly to a great ginjinha bar and Goan restaurant, among other local spots.

Read more on Fathom about CB's Little Black Book of real-deal meals in Istanbul. 

We Heart

What we love: Editor-in-chief James Davidson finds interesting happenings around the globe — from hotel openings in London to hip-hop inspired interiors in Melbourne — and displays them in a tidy, fun web format.

And North

What we love: New York State trail recommendations, artisan profiles, Airbnb home histories, and intimate looks at lesser-known eateries help us rediscover our own backyard of Greater New York (and beyond).

Read more on Fathom about Greater New York. 

A Hotel Life

What we love: Founder and editor-in-chief Ben Pundole is an industry insider (Schrager Hotels, Groucho Club) who debriefs travel junkies (designers, jetsetters) on the coolest hotels around the world.

On the Grid

What we love: Their no-fuss neighborhood guides are curated by native creatives and offer super accessible, design-centric, personal insights on local food, shopping, and culture. Consider this both a starting point and back-pocket resource for planning your next trip.

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About Fathom

We are obsessed with finding and sharing the best and most special travel stories, travel products, and travel resources. If you know where you're going, our Destinations section will help you plan your trips with itineraries, recommendations, and curated guides. If you're looking for unique and incredible vacation ideas, our Inspiration section divides travel according to passion points (food, romance, adventure, romance, kids). If you want to be a better traveler and global citizen, you'll find travel tips and hacks in our Intel section. And when you're ready to travel, call our travel advisors at the Fathom Travel DeskFathom Travel Desk so we can book your trip for you.