In the second part of our 12 websites of Christmas we are looking at travel inspiration sites.  I'm stepping past the blank sheet of paper stage and am assuming you have some idea of where you would like to go and what kind of thing you like doing.  (If you are genuinely at a loss and have no ideas for your next trip then try this excellent travel quiz from 101 holidays, or alternatively stop spending so much time working and start day-dreaming more.)

My first choice would have to be the faithful old Lonely Planet.  Yes it is an obvious choice, yes I have to admit impartiality as a part owner (like many in the UK, I am a long standing contributor to the BBC license fee!) but no matter how often I stray from the LP it always pulls me back in the end.  Rare amongst the printed guidebook world the LP has done a reasonable job of getting all that content online in a relatively usable format.  I love the latest redesign.  The drop-down maps in particular are a master-stroke (even if they are a little too 'landscape' for optimum usability) and the breadcrumb navigation is plush too.  Just select your destination and immediately you get a fairly authoritative run-down of the top picks for the country and a gorgeous full width map with loads of flagged content.  You just can't beat it as your first port of call when figuring out what to do where.  The Thorntree is a superb resource too.  Now if only they could get rid of all those blasted adverts.... (although hold-on a second there, if they did that the license fee would go up I suppose).

Second and third are two choices which I must admit are again slightly impartial (but honest choices nevertheless), 101 holidays and world reviewer.

If Lonely Planet is the go-to destination guide, then for me World Reviewer is the go-to activity guide. You name a travel activity from walking to rafting, and World Reviewer has written about pretty much everywhere that is good to do it!  The layout is clean and the navigation simple.  A lot of the content is written by 'experts' which usually means local adventure operators and the like.  But it is done in a fair manner and these guys and girls do tend to know what they are talking about probably more than any other.  My only criticism would be that there is a lot of linking within the text, which can make it hard to read at times.

Finally 101holidays.  An oddball choice, given it is a much smaller site - but it is the simplicity I like. The two travel journalists behind the scenes have a few airmiles between them and these holidays are their pick.  It is the simplicity that makes this site (and its sister site 101shortbreaks) work. Navigate by images, and read a short overview.  The key, of course, with any of these things is the quality of the selection and you can't fault 101holidays on this front with some solid favourites and inspired alternative ideas.  As I mentioned, they have a fairly nifty travel quiz to give you some ideas for your next break. A great feature is the travel writer recommendations.   So what? you might say, there is loads of that in the press.  Well generally the press only ever features new or slightly eccentric places to stay whilst these are some great tips from experienced travellers on their favourite places to stay regardless of how trendy or new it is.  Unfortunately, I can't heap all this praise without a little light criticism to balance it out - it would be nice to see longer write-ups or even first hand reviews of each of the holiday ideas featured.

Keep an eye out for part three which will feature our favourite three travel booking sites.