Print edition: 
Our walking tour of Quito's old city stalled when we found the guide book map lacking. A stop at the local visitor's center solved the problem with detailed maps and a lunch recommendation. We learned where to take the best photos of the daily changing of the guard ceremony and picked up information about several indigenous markets outside of town.
Whether you're traveling in Slovenia or along Interstate 10 in Louisiana, welcome centers and visitor bureaus can provide valuable travel information. Here are our favorite ways to take advantage of these globally available, complimentary resources.
Freebies: In addition to brochures about parks and historical sites, tourist bureaus routinely provide free maps with details that surpass those found in many guide books. Schedules of local events are also a great resource, letting you know about festivals and free admission days throughout the area.
Local knowledge: Bureau employees are local residents. Their inside knowledge has led to some of the best photo opportunities and restaurant referrals we've ever had. Staff members often plan conventions and meetings for large groups. Those daily tourism activities create encyclopedic knowledge about hotel promotions, amenities and seasonal perks. "We do the leg work for you," said one employee from a regional bureau. "You don't have to e-mail 20 or 30 hotels. We streamline the process," she said. And you don't have to pay additional fees or commissions for travel discounts.
Advance planning: Before you leave home take advantage of free online trip planning tools and kits offered by some visitor bureaus. For instance, the Orlando / Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.orlandoinfo.com) has an itinerary tool called "My Trip Planner," which allows you to search and store information about events, restaurants and attractions on your own password-protected section of the website. Or you can request a travel kit, which includes a vacation guide, hotel information, events calendar and a discount card worth up to $500 in savings.
Seasonal tips: The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.bostonusa.com) provides a seasonal guide to activities in the New England area. "Boston by the Season" has travel trips, a seasonal calendar, weather information and wardrobe suggestions. The "Spring into Boston " tab features tips about shops and cafes on Newbury Street and information about the Flower Show at Boston's Public Garden. Regional tips include information about colonial towns north of Boston, such as Salem and Ispwich.
