Quirky Corners Worth a Peek on the Web

Slick corporate sites that trumpet Internet-only air fares and cut-rate hotel rooms may generate more buzz in a post-9/11 landscape, but the Web is still laced with reminders that one person’s obsession can translate to travel information that can be useful, inspiring or amusing--or all three. A sampling:

* Aimed at nostalgia buffs who like their lodgings “clean, quirky and cheap,” a site called Motel Americana (www.motelamericana.com) celebrates what creators Andy and Jenny Wood describe as a “special and poignant part of Americana--one which is slipping into obscurity.” A visitor will find photos of neon signs, vintage postcards, “stories from the road” submitted by readers, and commentary that’s as offbeat as the postwar, pre-interstate places the Woods commemorate. There’s even a section devoted to the history of Holiday Inn, an idea, the site says, that sprang from “a road trip gone bad” and that morphed into “the Wal-Mart of the hospitality world.”

* You would expect a site called “Bob’s Internet Travel Tips” (www.InternetTravelTips.com) to be glitz-free, and Bob--a.k.a. Robert Cowen--delivers a conversational compendium of advice based on his experiences as a Detroit-based business traveler. While some of his tips are aimed at those who fly so often that they “see airport codes in license plates” (a quip from the humor section), much of his information is useful for leisure travelers as well. One current example: “Telephone reservation service for most airlines is abysmal. Staff cutbacks have caused long waits. You will find much shorter waiting time for new reservations than customer service. Remember that all agents can process almost any request or transaction.”

* You don’t have to look far for proof that Robert Niles’ Theme Park Insider (www.themepark insider.com) lives up to its home page claim of being “a truly independent source of coverage, opinion and information about theme parks, from the people who work at and attend them.” Niles, a senior producer for Latimes.com and former trainer at Walt Disney World, combines traditional consumer fare--bargain roundups, hotel ratings, readers’ ratings of best and worst attractions--with insightful, pull-no-punches news and commentary. The site’s award-winning “Accident Watch,” created in response to a dearth of state and federal standards, encourages users to file their own accident reports.

* Launched in 1998 as the online extension of a homespun quarterly newsletter for women travelers, Journeywoman (www.journeywoman.com) is a perfect example of building a community in cyberspace. Creator Evelyn Hannon, a Toronto-based entrepreneur who started traveling solo after a divorce nearly 20 years ago, solicits--and receives in abundance--savvy tips on everything from thwarting overly amorous locals to “creative shopping” suggestions in Sydney, Australia. A useful classified section helps chart trips, but the site offers as much humor as information. Hannon’s fantasy take on an airline run for and by women: Passengers “would automatically receive a complimentary packet containing essentials to keep their body healthy and well groomed en route--lip balm, a small bottle of moisturizer, a bottle of purified water, a travel toothbrush combined with mini toothpaste and a pair of disposable tweezers. (Ask any beauty maven. She’ll tell you that the light in airline washrooms is ideal for plucking your eyebrows).”

* Though she can take a stern approach to bargain hunters who don’t play by her rules, Sheryl Mexic’s BiddingForTravel (www.biddingfortravel.com) remains the premier resource for advice on how to play Priceline’s name-your-own-price game. The message board’s extensive FAQs (frequently asked questions) for air fares, hotel rooms and rental cars are invaluable for general strategies, and would-be bidders can get the skinny on others’ successes (and failures) by checking for regional examples.

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Electronic Explorer appears once a month. Laura Bly welcomes comments and questions: Her e-mail address is LSBly@aol.com.