Here, step by step, is our methodology: how we research, source and check the information published in our guides. The goal: every important piece of data can be traced back to its source.
An English edition of a French site
Destination de Voyage is a French travel site. Its guides are adapted into English by the same editorial team, starting with Japan, Thailand and Portugal. The English guides use the same data and the same sources as the French ones (climate normals, official prices, opening hours, dates). Entry requirements are researched again for US and UK travellers, on travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State) and GOV.UK foreign travel advice (UK FCDO), with the date of the check. Measurements are given in both metric and US/imperial units (°C and °F, mm and inches, km and miles).
Step 1: identify travellers’ questions
For each destination, we list the questions travellers ask (best time to go, climate by region, budget, entry requirements, events), based on the most frequent searches and recurring questions.
Step 2: collect data from reference sources
| Type of information | Preferred sources |
|---|---|
| Climate (temperatures, rainfall) | 1991–2020 climate normals from national weather services (for example the Japan Meteorological Agency), via their official publications |
| Entry requirements, health, safety | U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) and UK FCDO (GOV.UK foreign travel advice), embassies and consulates |
| Events, festivals, tourist seasons | National tourist boards |
| Transport and indicative prices | Operators’ official websites, public fares observed at the time of writing |
Step 3: write to a common template
Each type of guide follows a fixed structure, so you always find information in the same place. For example, our “when to go” guides start with a direct answer, then present the climate month by month in a table, the differences between regions, the best period for your kind of trip and the events to know about.
Step 4: check before publication
- Figures (temperatures, rainfall, dates) are checked one by one against the cited source.
- Information likely to change (entry requirements, prices, event dates) is flagged as such, with a link to the official source.
- Advice and verdicts (“best time”, “avoid”) are justified by the data presented in the guide.
- The content is reviewed by the editorial team before it goes live.
Step 5: cite, date, update
Sources are listed at the bottom of each guide and the update date is shown at the top of the page. We revise guides regularly and whenever something important changes (entry requirements, safety, transport).
What we don’t do
- Invent experiences, testimonials or reviews
- Present stock photos as our own
- Change a recommendation because of a commercial partnership
Spotted an error or outdated information? Let us know: we will check it and correct the guide if necessary. See also our editorial policy.