Apple Maps came out on the new iOS 6 system, but there are plenty of other travel apps that will make your trip easy and fun. While vacation is supposed to be a relaxing experience, traveling is often stressful and anxiety-producing. Since the traveling portion most often is how a vacation begins and ends, anything that can cut down on the negatives of travel time is much welcome. Thankfully, there's an app for that. Quite a few, in fact. Here are a few of the ones that might be most beneficial.
Skype
Since you can't always take everyone you love along with you on excursions, use the Skype app to stay in touch. Skype-to-Skype calls are free, and other calls are ridiculously cheap -- great for internatoinal travel. Since the calls are placed through the internet, you need to be connected to wifi for it to work, but that covers the majority of destinations.
TripIt
The Tripit website (www.tripit.com/press/about/) says that the goal of the app is to "simplify the Internet travel experience." They've done this by putting all of your trip details into one master online itinerary regardless of what site (or sites) you used. Maps, directions, and weather for the trip are included, and while activities like restaurant reservations and theater tickets are not automatic, you can book them through your itinerary and have them added in. Since it's online, you can share your plans to friends and family through e-mail or print a hard copy.
Urban Spoon
Looking for a place to eat can be dicey if you're not familiar with the area. With this mobile app, you can find local cuisine by neighborhood, ethnicity, or price. If you can't decide -- a pretty common dilemma for food lovers everywhere -- the app will choose for you when you press the "shake" button andf allow the category wheels to spin freely. It's a gamble, where you're sure to end up with deliciousness.
AutoPilot
This location-based app shows travelers activities and attractions in the area while providing contact details, maps, and driving directions. It's a way of giving visitors some real, "local" advice on what to see or do during their trip. Think of it as a personal consierge at your fingertips.
Babbleshot
If you're traveling somewhere that speaks a different language, this app is a must. Set the languages you need, take a screen shot of what you need translated, and let Babbleshot do the rest. Menus, directions, and posted signs will no longer be a struggle. Sure, it could get things wrong from time to time, but that's just an added bonus, as the errors tend to be hilarious. Parle vous "mobile app"?
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
