There are two kinds of people in the world - those who are eager to travel and those whose eagerness extends all the way to the planning stage (a third kind would rather stay at home, but that's their problem).

Of those travellers in the second category - the planners and plotters - few will not have used the Internet as a source of ideas and information, and many will have the phone bills to prove it.

But there's only so much fun to be had from defining and redefining your search on the net.

For those willing to accept a helping hand, this handy directory is the answer to their prayers.

The publishers have picked 2,200 of the most useful websites, divided them by subject and written a short review of each.

Subjects cover everything, from accommodation to the local weather, and each section is organised geographically. Couldn't be simpler.

Wondering where to go? Sites listed under "Destinations" include "Greetings from Hvar" (a section that provides information on an island off the Adriatic coast of Croatia) and "Escape to Puerto Rico" (this site even includes restaurant menus).

Any number of specialist packages, from Turkish wine tours to Arizona gold prospecting holidays, can be found under the section on "Travel operators", while there are separate chapters on maps, transport, food, money, insurance, health and where to hire specialist equipment.

There's even a list of entertaining travelogues, so you can find out what Greg got up to in Mongolia and how Lynn and Steve made out on their trip to Switzerland.

And if you really are determined to plan your entire holiday on your computer, just send off the form at the back of the book to receive the text on a free CD-Rom.