26/01/2016
Best travel apps & websites of 2016
Technology has forever changed the way we interact with the world and this is also true for the way we travel it. If you're planning a vacation, you're going to use the internet, so why not use the very best websites and apps to make your trip a success.
Check out the best websites and apps for 2016!
1. Find a place to camp with HipCamp
HipCamp is the Airbnb of camping, but instead of renting someone's room or house, you're renting a place to pitch your tent. The site is a platform to connect campers with landowners. This isn't to say it is all primitive camping either, there's something for even the most demanding glamper. HipCamp lists over 2283 parks, 8789 campgrounds and 283,392 campsites in total, so you’ll never be short for somewhere to settle under canvas.
2. Go anywhere and keep travel accessible with Accommable
The mission of Accommable is "To enable anyone to go anywhere", this is something the founders Martyn and Srin take to heart. The pair met through a support group for children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – a disease that has them both wheelchair bound. In 2015, they launched Accomable: a website listing accessible holiday rentals around the world, with detailed access information on each property, the locality and nearby services – an invaluable source for anyone travelling with a disability.
3. Take better photos and edit photos with Snapseed
Smartphone photography has evolved with many phones featuring camera just as capable as your average DSLR. Snapseed (available for both iOS and Android) allows you to edit your photos with presets or tune options on your photo. You can enhance the saturation, brightness, contract and more.
Image © Lottie Gross
4. Check out Airbnb, go beyond the hotel
Airbnb has truly changed the way people travel and book a place to stay. Now the company is moving on to experiential travel, the concept connects travellers with locals who give valuable insight on the city, tours and experiences that an average tourist may not have access to.
5. Support new travel ideas with TravelStarter
Working off the business model for Kickstarter, this website is a global crowdfunding platform to start or support local tourism projects. It could be something in your own hometown or around the world. Travelstarter also offers rewards for your support.
6. Explore the world through they eyes of someone else
Periscope sells itself as the vicarious video experience. The app allows you to broadcast video, live, from anywhere in the world. You can also store your video for your followers to review later.
7. Get Advice from the Locals with Evaneos Travel
A platform that was new to the UK at the end of 2015, Evaneos Travel has emerged as a secure way for travellers to connect with local travel agents. This means you'll get the best local knowledge before you even step foot in your destination. Evaneos are planning to launch in the USA in 2016.
8. Easy exchange rate calculation with XE Currency Converter
One of the best currency converters available today, XE Currency Converter makes it incredibly easy to figure out the exchange rate with just a few taps of your fingers.
9. Find the Northern Lights with Aurora Alert
The Northen Lights are as famous as they are elusive. Aurora Alert is a handy app showing Kp readings in your current location, and offers notifications that’ll let you know when the weather is best for a dance in the sky.
10.OCD Travel Planning with Travellerspoint
It’s neither the most beautiful nor the most intuitive travel planner on the internet, but we love the concept of Travellerspoint. Pin all your stops on a map, choose how you’ll travel in between each place and add in dates – the ultimate tool for any fastidious traveller.
11. Meet fellow travellers with Adventurely
It’s currently only available in beta in New York City, but Adventurely could be rolling out more destinations soon. The app allows you to input your travel dates, choose the tourist attractions you want to visit and then it matches you with other travellers doing the same thing, so you can have someone to explore a new city with.
12. Freshen up with a "day hotel", 6Hourly helps you find them
You know the story, you have to check out of your hotel at 10:00 am but your flight doesn't leave till midnight. Sure, you can fit a day's worth of sightseeing into the rest o your trip but who wants to fly home without a shower? Fortunately, this is where 6Hourly comes in. The website and impending free Android and iOS app – only operational in India (though it’s an initiative we’d like to see rolled out in more destinations) – allows you to book a hotel room for as little as six hours, meaning you can grab a shower and take a nap to freshen up before your long flight.
