Summer weather is upon us and soon thoughts will be turning to family vacations and romantic getaways. If you’ve got a mobile device, put it to good use! There are hundreds of apps available for download that will help you plan your vacation and enjoy the time spent in your city or country of destination. If you plan on traveling this summer, here are six apps that you simply must download to your mobile device before heading out on your vacation:
HotelTonight
Should you get stranded or find that the hotel has made a mistake with your reservations, this app could save you from searching high and low for a place to lay your head. The app is also perfect for those people who like to fly by the seat of their pants, booking getaways at the last moment. You should know that this app only works for same-day bookings; you cannot book rooms days in advance. Users of the app have reported saving a hundred dollars or more on a room by booking at the last-minute!
TripIT
Planning a vacation and making reservations often results in several email confirmations. Instead of printing out every confirmation you receive, send them all to the TripIT app. The app will organize all of your confirmation numbers and details into one itinerary. If you need access to any of your confirmation numbers, simply open the app and look up your information. It doesn’t get much easier than this!
exeter twitterati! by philcampbell, on Flickr”>
Mobile Banking
Almost every major financial institution has its own mobile application. Look for yours and download it to your smart phone or tablet. Having fast access to your bank account can come in handy while traveling. With your mobile app, you can pay bills, check your balances and even transfer funds from one account to another. If you run out of money, some apps even allow you to request money from family and friends. This way, you will always know if you have enough funds to continue to enjoy your trip or if you will need to come up with a way to quickly get more in your pocket.
Yelp
Most people have heard of the Yelp. The popular application is famous for its brutally honest restaurant reviews. What most people don’t know is that Yelp is useful for much more than finding a great place to eat. Yelp can help you find medical professionals, shops and activities in your destination. Once you download and start using the application, you’ll wonder why you didn’t have it before!
EESH by whatleydude, on Flickr”>
XE Currency
If you’re traveling out of the country, you absolutely must download this application. The app can convert any currency into any other currency quickly and accurately. Download the app a few weeks before your trip and keep an eye on it. The app is helpful for those deciding when to exchange their currency for the best deal. You don’t have to wait until you’ve hit the airport or landed in your destination to exchange your money. Keep an eye on conversion rates and head to your local bank when the rates are at their peak.
Google Translate
This is another great app for anyone traveling to a foreign country. The app lets you ask a question or make a statement and then translates it into the language of your choice. You can realistically carry on an entire conversation with this handy application!
With today’s technology there is an app for just about everything. Use this technology to help you to make your travel more enjoyable and to be able to make sure that you are not missing a thing. Make sure to download the apps that you are using well in advance of your trip so that you can become familiar with how they work.
Guest author Larry Wood is a traveling businessman and writes as a freelance blogger while traveling. He recently found a great resource for looking up Manchester hotels which he strongly recommends to anyone heading to Manchester.
