Make sure to put aside some time to conquer the process of registering. Be ready to answer questions, check numerous boxes regarding your travel preferences, and rate your travel habits. Also be ready to be sent back after hitting submit to make corrections for checking too many boxes in one category or not enough in another. And, even if you’re extremely careful about opting out of any newsletters, don’t be surprised if they show up in your inbox anyway.

After registering, if you still have time, there is plenty of content to browse through. IgoUgo is best known for its travel journals. Written by members (the site has over 100,000), the journals cover destinations on all seven continents. Journals are rated by members as well as the IgoUgo staff. Choose those tagged with “Editor’s Pick” and you’ll most likely find helpful, well-written content discussing accommodations, attractions, restaurants and more associated with that particular destination. Don’t waste your time with the blog-like entries that are given only one or two stars – that’s where you’ll find entries like the one that describes a natural bridge in Alaska as “slicker than snot.”

The Photo section is another big draw on the site. It also covers spots on all seven continents. Although many photos are those of typical tourist attractions, the section is worth checking out for unique photos of remote places and the people that live there -- the section contains pictures that you won’t find in any travel guide or on any postcard.

The site gets interactive with its Community section. Once enrolled as a member, you can send private emails to other members (you can find members with matching interests thanks to the endless questions asked during registration) as well as post public messages on the message boards. The staff at IgoUgo gets involved here not just to monitor but to offer suggestions and answers to posted questions.