There are plenty of classic forums on the interwebs for those seeking travel savvy for their next trip (BootsnAll and Thorn Tree- I’m looking at you) but there are a few next-generation bulletin board sites that stand apart from the text-only herd for their breadth, bells and whistles, and overall user-friendliness. Today’s targets are (in my humble opinion) two of the best.

First up, IgoUgo, which recently made Forbes’ list of the best travel sites (for what that’s worth). Sort of like TripAdvisor, but for destinations, IgoUgo has thousands of reviews of what’s best to do in countless spots around the globe, written by people who’ve actually been there, done that, and posted their photos. Users can divide their advice into categories – activities, lodging, nightlife – or write longer, journal-style entries. There’s certainly plenty of information to get anyone started on trip planning, with member-based rankings to help sift through it. Editors also review and rank the content, though, and their ratings are what will make any posting the first or last thing listed in your search, so be warned, because their tastes tend to skew to whatever is the most enthusiastic, not necessarily the most critical or informative.

43 Places has a much simpler, more direct approach. An offshoot of 43 Things, which uses tag-based searches to connect members of its community to others who can help them accomplish 43 things they want to do or learn, 43 Places applies the same concept to travel, linking users with questions about a particular locale directly to those who live there, or have been there, and can give them answers. The site is free from banner ads and tie-ins with trip-planning sites, and has nice design features like the click-and-zoom world map on the opening page, and the linked photostreams from flickr throughout. All in all, it adds up to an appealingly idealistic package – think the friendster of the online travel world.