4 apps to make adventure travel easier
2014-03-14
Adrenaline-inspired
voyagers who have a pension for adventure travel may not want to follow a set
path when they journey on their next grand spree, but there are ways to combine
spontaneity and smart travel by using cellphones to provide assistance during a
bind. Writing itineraries and following specific recommendations can make for a
tiresome - and sometimes stressful - vacation. But for those brave souls who
like jumping to a new location, the following mobile apps may help to make
their adventures more enjoyable:
1.
City Guides
Travelers who find themselves wandering around new cities without much
knowledge of the area would benefit from City Guides, an iPhone app that
provides offline maps for a number of locations. Because the app does not need
an Internet connection to work, travelers do not have to worry about racking up
a large cellphone bill by using its function, PC Mag explained. This permits
tourists the ability to quickly access local favorites, monuments and must-sees
of the area.
2.
Google Translate
Visiting a foreign country that doesn't speak your native tongue? CNN Travel
recommends Google Translate, which allows visitors to type in specific words or
phrases that need to be translated into another language. Some adventure
travelers may be hard-pressed to stop and ask for directions, but for those who
need assistance or are seeking a way to speak to locals, this app may prove
invaluable.
3.
Tripomatic
Just because some tourists don't want to plan out their entire trip beforehand
doesn't mean that they can't catalog a few places they want to visit. PC Mag
explained that Tripomatic allows users to research cities beforehand, then
store specific sites they wish to see. If you aren't quite sure which cities
you want to visit, the app can store numerous locations and their
attractions within. Unlike City Guides, however, this app cannot operate
offline, meaning that travelers must have access to Wi-Fi to check their saved
places.
4. City Maps 2Go
Similar to City Guides, City Maps 2Go offers maps of different locations around
the globe. However, this app takes it a step further by highlighting the best
spots, restaurants, ATMs and sleeping areas. Condé Nast Traveler explains that
it operates offline, though users must download the map for a specific city
prior to opening the app. This means that while the tourist is in the foreign
city, they do not need Wi-Fi to explore, but they must have acquired the map prior
to the trip.