Sometimes, all you need to finalize that payment for your trip, is some questions answered. Sometimes, you hesitate to ask questions before, during, or after you travel, from fear of seeming ignorant or merely sounding silly. Sometimes, not asking these questions is what makes us not do something we otherwise would have done; if only we had asked!

Whether you want to know if you need a malaria shot before you go to Gambia, or whether you should bother to get travel insurance, or whether they speak Pakistani in India, or whether you should follow a guidebook or not — no question is a stupid question.

Do try and be a bit aware though; with a plethora of information from experts now available at our fingertips, you really have no excuse.

On that note, here are some recent articles I found that answer standard questions, are a good read, and worth bookmarking for when you are planning a trip.

A great interview with Arthur Frommer was recently published on the NYTimes Freakonomics blog. He talks about travel trends, common travel mistakes, and benefits of traveling.

The Telegraph also recently published a rather technical yet informative piece where they grouped classic travel questions that cover everything from how to get the best deals last minute to gap year advice, onto one page.

And for those travelers who have children, here are a few questions answered for you on traveling with your child at Travel & Leisure.