Travelling isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when
you’d wave goodbye to your family at the airport and not hear from them again
until you were back on home soil. And there is no longer any excuse to rock up to a hotel in the middle of the
night, hoping they have room for one more sorry traveller.
Perhaps most empowering about travel in 2015 is the fact
that we no longer have to rely on a travel agent to organise every second of
our trip. Thanks to technology, we can now plan our own adventure with the
scores of helpful websites and apps that are available for the well-informed
traveller. Here are some of the best:
A gift from the organisation gods, TripIt is our pick of
travel websites. The website and app allow you to keep all your travel-related
information in one place. Email TripIt (or manually enter) all your trip
details, including flight information, accommodation, activities and tours, and
TripIt will organise it all into one nicely organised itinerary. Save or print,
and you’re ready to go!
When you’re organising a trip, there are often so many
places to stay that the choices can be overwhelming. How do you know if you’re
staying in a nice area? Or your hotel has a nice swimming pool? Trip Advisor
offers useful advice from seasoned travellers for hotels, restaurants and
activities in the area of your choice. The reviews aren’t always fair (you will
hear from a number of fussy tourists), but do your research and it will pay
off. You can also leave your own reviews, and gain “badges” for the number of
reviews you’ve posted.
As we discovered on our Europe adventure, quality WiFi is
not always available when you’re travelling. Avoid the stomach-turning roaming
fees and download apps that can be used offline. The Pocket Earth app allows
you to download detailed maps for use offline, so when you get lost in the
middle of nowhere, you have a chance of finding your way back. No more carrying
around an oversized travel map, or stressing about access to Google Maps.
Want to live like a local? Check out Airbnb’s website and
app for short to long-term rentals. You can choose to rent a single room in the
premises, or rent the entire place. Airbnb is an affordable option if you want
something more than just a tiny hotel room. You will often be offered insider
knowledge into the place you are staying by the owner, gaining a glimpse into some
of its best-kept secrets. There are thousands of listings all around the world
with reviews from people who’ve stayed there.
Happy travelling!
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