A vacation is supposed to be relaxing and fun, and there’s nothing less relaxing and fun than getting lost trying to find a must see site or popular location. You also don’t want to spend valuable time wondering if you’ve missed some important destination, especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime type of trip. You want to know that you’re seeing all the sights, eating at the best local restaurants, and relaxing in the most luxurious spots. You may be on a limited time frame, and in that case, you’ll want to be sure that you use your precious time as wisely as possible. Fortunately, you probably have the device best-suited to help you achieve vacation nirvana. Your smart phone can help you every step of the way, with the addition of one or more of these nifty apps designed to enhance your traveling experience.
- Trip Advisor. If you’ve ever done online research for a trip, you’re probably already familiar with the popular Trip Advisor website. It’s a cornucopia of information on where to go, what to eat, what to see, and where to stay. They now have a smartphone app, available on iPhone or Android, that will put that wealth of information literally at your fingertips. Even better, this app is free.
- OffMaps. Are you going to have data access during your trip? If not, download OffMaps before your trip. You can use the app to download maps to your iPhone ahead of time so you’ll have access to them when you don’t have data. This app costs $0.99 to download, and you can buy the maps in threes for $0.99. Alternatively, you can pay a flat $5.99 for unlimited maps. You’ll also get easy access to Wikipedia articles about landmark locations, as well as local restaurant recommendations.
- Help My Friend. Nobody wants to think about the possibility of an emergency, especially while on vacation, but the fact is, they do happen. Even something as relatively minor as a broken down car can throw a big wrench into your plans. Help My Friend can send friends or family a message that contains your exact location, so if you’re stranded, it will be easy to get someone there to help. It can also send a pre-recorded SOS message from you to your loved one to notify them of an emergency situation. And if it’s a major emergency, the app can contact police and fire service. This app is available on Android and iPhone, and costs $0.99 to download.
There is really no end to the number of useful apps out there. Standard apps like Google Maps and Navigator come highly recommended by travelers, as does Amazon’s Kindle app, to keep you busy on long trips. So the next time you’re packing for a trip, don’t forget to stock your smart phone with useful apps.
