Fodorite018

Facebook has some great trip planning groups for specific countries, so have her check into that. You Tube does as well as. I am familiar with both of these myself, but have not used other social media so can't vouch for anything else.

lavandula

Where is the boyfriend stationed? I lived in Wiesbaden and know the area well, know the area around Rammstein slightly less. But it would be great to give her some Rhein-Main tips if that is relevant.

Lavandula

Seamus

Yes - the BF can get some assistance through MWR that would help plan their activities. GF would not have access to MWR facilities on post but advice/recommendations/referrals obtained by BF can help both of them.

zebec

Actually folks, Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree does exist nowadays, albeit in an abbreviated form over on Reddit. Thorn Tree members Giora (Japan) and LucaPal (Sicily) joined with Nutrax (Cali) and others a couple of years ago to resurrect the forum on their own terms. KT, your young friend would be welcome to post there and ask questions. Off the top of my head, the following former TTers are currently members there with new handles: BJD, Coalcliffe, DaveElliot, Kazinessex, Ccandelario, travelerzebec, Friendlycheck-ingirl, Mike 9, clementisfurcap and several more. That group alone would be a goldmine of input for a newbie traveler. There are many newer members as well.

I am done. the end

mlgb

If all of her future travels will be in Europe then Rick Steves is the obvious resource. I think it is oriented to the newbie as well as not dissing those who like to travel fast and see a lot in each visit. Fodor's is filled with older travelers and dominated by "you are going too fast, you shouldn't do that" types. I like it more for Trip Reports than anything else. Every now and then you run across someone who has a similar travel style and interests, which is where the Fodor's forums can be especially good.

When going to a new place, for research I like guide books, trip reports, blogs, packaged tour routes (they can help with routing and pacing), and even watching some PBS-type travel and nature shows. There are tons of them out there.

TripAdvisor forums can be handy for current information since FAQs are not updated anymore. I take consensus advice there with a boulder of salt since too many are dominated by cliques and regulars who are either involved in tourism or can't see beyond their confirmation bias. Every now and then there is an iconclast who speaks the truth.