In my family, we always talk to our uncle Kevin to ask specifically what room to book, where to dine, what the amenities were like and how plush the bedding was when we're about to embark on a journey at a specific location. But not everyone has a Kevin in their life. And even if they do, it is an impossibility that he's been everywhere and noticed the most minute details of every journey (actually, in our case, there's a good chance he's been here and documented it in his travel journal).

So what's an adventurer to do when, say, heading to Portofino and looking for a room with the most spectacular view of the bay? Or wondering which top rated hotel is vastly overrated - and why? I've been using Extravigator for these answers, and I cannot say enough great things about the community.

Unlike sites like TripAdvisor, where anyone can join and contribute, Extravigator would like to keep the group small and intimate. If your idea of getting away for the weekend involves a stay at the Comfort Inn, I'll frankly tell you that this is not the site for you. But rather than being haughty and self possessed, the group of travelers who are members of the Extravigator community take world travel seriously. The group, as a whole, enjoys sharing the tiniest of details about a particular trip or location - all in the hopes that it enhances your own life experience.

I have had no shortage of fun participating in conversations as varied as where to dine on Sunday evening in Barcelona (your options are limited) to what hotel boasts the best toiletries (Bacara in Santa Barbara offers Fresh products... Singita Boulders Lodge in South Africa had toiletries from Dermalogica) or whether or not Glamping is an emerging trend I'm willing to try (not my cup of tea - unless necessary for the purposes of an African safari).

And rather than a laundry list of "drive by comments" where members offer vague feedback such as "great hotel!" - this group gets into the details. In fact, if someone does drop an unqualified complaint about a hotel or travel experience but offers no details to back it up, other members follow up by asking why. This group self regulates and asks that if you are going to share, you actually share. So while it may seem offputting that membership is free but limited, the result is a level of interaction and insider information I have yet to see duplicated on another site.

Since you all can't sit around and dish about your experiences in New York and New Delhi with my uncle Kevin, you really ought to explore Extravigator. This really is a group of experienced travelers who appreciate elegant travel, superb spa experiences and excellent cuisine - and aren't afraid to share it. Seriously, I can't say enough great things about my experience on the site. I look forward to seeing you online!