Here are some simple ways on how you can use tech to improve your next holiday and arrive home with wonderful memories.
If there is one thing lots of us dream of, it’s being sat by the beach with a cocktail in hand basking under the glorious sunshine. For those who are eager to get on a plane and jet off somewhere exotic, it’s time to get your planning head on.
Whether you’re going on a short weekend getaway or a lengthy family holiday, technology has come on leaps and bounds over the years, so why not use it to your advantage when booking and enjoying your holiday? Here are some simple ways on how you can use tech to improve your next holiday and arrive home with wonderful memories.
Book flights online
Gone are the days when you would have to visit a local travel agent to book your upcoming holiday. Thanks to tech, you can book your flights online instead. Whether you’ve got a bunch of connecting flights to sort, or only your departure and return ones, all you need is a reliable internet connection and device to do it all. Simply head to the website of your chosen airline, find your dates and flight times and away you go.
There are add-ons you can look into too, such as buying an in-flight meal in advance or pre-selecting that coveted window seat. What’s more, most airlines notify passengers via email or through an app once their flight is nearing. There’s even the option to check in online, saving you a lot of stress and hassle. And, you can arrive at the airport a little bit later! This means those going on an early morning flight can have more time for snoozing.
Book accommodation online
As well as flights, you can book your accommodation online. There’s no need to call up a hotel one by one to score the best deal. Instead, take full advantage of the internet. Grab your smartphone or laptop and start searching for the best hotel prices. You can use comparison websites like Trivago which compare a huge selection of hotels. Once you know your destination and dates you’re going, you can sift through dozens of results to help you get the cheapest price possible.
You can pay for your hotel bookings online too, and you may even get a voucher delivered to your email! If you have any special questions, simply send over an email to your chosen accommodation provider. There may be the option to reach them on social media too. While it will take a bit of time to look through hotels, you’ll be thankful you did it!
Manage your itinerary more effectively
It wasn’t too far in the past when travellers would have to print out itineraries, buy maps, and deal with tons of loose paper to keep things organised. Thankfully, things have significantly improved over the years! As long as you’ve got your smartphone to boot, you can use specialist apps to keep your itinerary all in one place. If you end up with a load of PDFS that you want sorted out, start by compressing your file.
You can download apps that will suggest all kinds of activities in the destination you’re heading to. You will get notified if there’s a picture-perfect spot nearby too. If you don’t fancy using your personal email for an itinerary app, simply set up a separate one for travel stuff only. Also, make sure to use Google maps to get around. It will be a lifesaver, we promise!
Break the language barrier
One of the greatest things about going abroad is being able to explore new cultures and take in new sights. However, if you’re off somewhere where they don’t speak English, you may have trouble getting about. The good news is tech is on your side in this instance in the form of your smartphone.
Simply load up your mobile device with a translator app. There are loads that spring to mind like TripLingo and iTranslate that do the job perfectly. You will have access to a bunch of common phrases, meaning you can join in conversations. What’s more, if you get lost and need directions, using a language app should help in conversing with the locals and finding out exactly where you need to go.
Figure out transportation
Even travellers with zero sense of direction can benefit from using GPS maps to find their way around. You won’t have to worry about getting lost any longer. Whether you’re driving, doing a walking holiday, or using public transport to get around, a GPS map on your smartphone will guide you.
Regarding transportation, there are specialist apps which can be a huge help. If you’re heading to a major city, you’re sure to find a subway and rail application to help you navigate from A to B. They will let you know which stops to get off at, as well as have a full list of train timetables. For those who want to grab a taxi, Uber will be your best friend. Uber operates in dozens upon dozens of countries. Rather than flagging down a cab and getting charged an extortionate fee, you’ll know exactly how much the trip costs before you climb into the passenger seat.
Track your luggage
The last thing anyone wants when on their holidays is to find their luggage goes missing. To ensure you’ll have peace of mind throughout your adventure, keeping a close eye on your luggage is a must. One way to do this is by fitting a Bluetooth tracker to your suitcase. Doing so will mean you can instantly find it as it comes out on the luggage carousel. Should you find it’s a no-show, you’ll be able to locate it within seconds and retrieve it.
If you’ve got the cash to splash, there are even suitcases that come with USB ports built-in. This means you charge your device as you stroll along!
Use social media to socialise
Travelling is a whole lot more satisfying if you met new friends along the way, especially the local residents. For those going on a solo adventure, it’s always nice to tag along with others to experience the sights and make memories. If you want this to happen, make sure to jump on social media before you get to the airport. There, you can join communities and speak with likeminded travel enthusiasts.
When conversing with other travellers, they can give expert tips and advice to ensure your holiday gets off to the best start possible. Social media is also a brilliant tool for sharing your time away and letting your loved ones know you are safe.
Invest in noise-cancelling headphones
The thought of being in a busy airport and bustling aircraft is too much to bear for some people. If you’re going on a long-haul flight, you’ll want the experience to be as stress-free as possible, which is where noise-cancelling headphones come into play.
You can invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that will drown out any sounds around you. This means you won’t have to worry about hearing toddler tantrums! What’s more, you can close your eyes and get a much-needed sleep while on board.
If you’re eager to get your suitcase packed and rush to the airport – we don’t blame you! Before you get in holiday mode and enjoy your adventure away, there are all different pieces of technology you can use and take advantage of which can make your next getaway far more enjoyable.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
