So, you have a great Facebook account, or Twitter profile. You swear by the power of social media. How about putting it to good use to plan a great holiday? Here’s what you can do:

• Feed your traveller’s instincts. Check out the much-trusted travel advisory sites such as Lonely Planet, National Geographic, and so on. Sign up for their free newsletters, follow them on Twitter, or read their blogs. All these inputs will push your way travel ideas and destinations that are interesting, off-beat, and of course, worth your while.

• Get information. If you are looking to a visit a less-popular destination, post a status update asking for information about the place. One of your friends may have visited the place and can tell you all about it. Or a friend’s friends may have gone there, so connect up with him for more information.

• Ask for contacts. If you’ve decided where to go and have booked your tickets, ask your pals if they know of anyone living there. Someone may have an aunt near your holiday home. Or a distant cousin may be working in the city. Get their contact details to use in case of an emergency.

• Look up old friends. If you’ve heard of an old friend who moved to Thailand, and are visiting the place, now is the time to revive the memories. Search for your friend and start the communication. If all goes well, you’ll have a familiar face to greet in a new place, adding more warmth and laughter to your holiday.

• Make the experience ‘social’. Put up pics of where you are, update your status to say what you are doing, and get your friends to follow your travel posts, even while you are on the move. Make your trip a fun, ‘social’ experience even for all those back home.