Tag Archives: vacation

Adventures of a 'Gypsea', Gap Year Ideas, Podcast, Travel Apps

New TravelGypSea podcast!

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Hey everyone,

Its been way too long since I have had the chance to sit down to write, so I’m going to try something very new… A podcast. I have never done them am excited for this idea, since Im going to get other travelers I know to help with the making of it. This will be a weekly thing, where I pull in old info from past blogs, new info that could potentially be a new blog, and things that I just saw floating around the internet.

This week is Episode 1- General travel, where Natalie and I will be talking about some ideas for an upcoming trip. She has never solo traveled before and wanted some info for how to get started.

Podcast: Travelgypsea › Embed Code — Podbean

travelgypsea.wordpress.com

https://izi.travel/en/app

http://www.myisic.com

https://www.gapyear.com

12 hour itineraries, Adventures of a 'Gypsea', Gap Year Ideas

12 hour Tokyo

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Tokyo, where the future comes from. If it is cartoonish or technological, obscure modern fashion or traditional culture, you can find it in Tokyo. But what if your time to explore Tokyo is limited? what can you see/do that will result in the full Tokyo experience?

1. Tokyo tower

The red Eiffel-tower-looking structure in the heart of the city is a must, day or night. During the daylight hours you can take an elevator to the primary viewing platform which can see out over all of Tokyo (and on a good day, see Mt. Fuji). for an extra 700 yen (adult price) you can go up to the highest viewing platform.

Im not sure if you can take the elevator down, (im sure you can if you have a disability,) but I decided to put my young legs to work. Did you know that there are 600 stairs to come down from the main viewing platform. You need to go through the two layers of the 3 story platform, which house cafes and souvenir shops, and down a zigzagging red tunnel of stairs.

In the daytime, the tower is noticed soaring 333 meters (1,092 ft) above the surrounding buildings, and when coming from the JR train station or Dimon subway station, it can be seen accenting an old temple and gate that welcome you to the tower park area.  At night, the tower is lit up like a constant firework, seen throughout most of the city.

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2. The Hie Shrine

This underrated shrine doesn’t make it to a lot of guide books, and even many of my Japanese teachers hadn’t heard of it. about a thirty minute walk from Tokyo tower, the Hie shrine sits atop a hill in the middle of the city. The main gate and temple, which are ornately decorated and worth a visit themselves, block from view a photographers dream. The shrine, which cosists of many consecutive shrines that turn a stairway into a tunnel, was surprisingly not crowded. It is hard to that that “perfect picture” though, as many people do stick their head in on the opposite side of the tunnel to get a photo themselves. communication here is pretty universal, with waving to the other person then stepping out of the line of sight, and taking turns.

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3. Tokyo Sky Tree

So you were impressed with Tokyo tower, but feel that you werent high enough? well then, there is the Tokyo Sky tree, which is 634 meters (2080 ft) tall and towers over even the tallest office buildings in Tokyo. To go to the viewing platform is 2,000 yen (~20 usd).

4 . Asakusa Temple/Senso-ji

Fairly close to the sky tree is the Asakusa temple, or Senso-ji, which is the temple for the Buddhist goddess of mercy.

5. Capsule Hotel

You’re in Tokyo for 12 hours. Maybe you are spending the night, maybe you want some place to crash between flights. Try out the futuristic Capsule hotels. Sorry ladies, there are very few that cater to women, since the idea started as a cheap accommodation for businessmen traveling into Tokyo. With it being the 21st centery and all, but the number that have sections for women are growing.

6. The owl restaurant

This I haven’t been to personally, but was made aware of by a friend who had traveled in to Tokyo for a weekend of fun and exploration. The owl restaurant requires that you sign up ahead of time for a one hour time ut where you get to hang out with an owl. It opens at 10 and spots fill up fast.

Travel Apps

Free Travel Apps pt 2: Travel Tools for your Tablet

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There are millions of apps that have been created to date. Of these, only a few I find truly useful when backpacking and want to utilize as much of travel organizing/planning and while-abroad assistance with as few apps as possible. I have tested a number of map and guide apps, as well as communication, organizing, literature, and lodging apps (which you will find in my previous post).

For a frame of reference, I have a Google Nexus 7 running off an Android operating system (4.2.2).

I created this list trying to find apps that did not require constant internet/3g, nor required being purchased or subscribed to. These are apps that should be able to be downloaded, and you’re good to go!

My top ten backpacking apps include:

1. TripIt Travel Organizer Free (TripIt, inc.)

Pros:

This app is the ‘super app’ for traveling. Even with the free version of the app, this had me thinking “wow, they made an app that can do that!?’ The app set up is simple; you register your email (the one in which you will be receiving booking confirmations) to their main site. Once you have confirmed your email, you can forward your booking confirmations to TripIts’ computer email, which will transcribe all of your confirmations into a beautifully organized list.  I did this with the airline ticket for my upcoming trip and TripIt organized all of my flight information (including the distance I will be flying) and who at the agency booked my ticket, and how to contact them. All of this from a .PDF attachment. This also works with information imbedded in the email.

If you have a printed confirmation and have all of your information, but no way to email it, not to worry, you can manually enter all of your information if you wish, and it will still give you the maps.

In addition, you can add land based transportation, activities and notes to trip itineraries.

It is a great free app.

            Cons:

To check flight statuses, and to get rid of the small bar add on the bottom, you need to “upgrade” the app. For basic organizing however, I don’t see a need.  You do need to sign up for a Tripit account (Free).

2. myBuddy TravelPlanner (Wouter Goossens)

            Pros:

This is a very basic itinerary planner. If you want a simple list of what you have booked/ arranged, and don’t mind putting in the information manually, then this is a good app for you. It would suit backpackers that have their train tickets and hostels booked and printed, but just need to reference the information such as flight number or check-in times.  The app has different lists for your flights, hotel, train, car rental, cruise, and bus. As I said, very basic app, but it is easy to navigate and good for keeping track of basic information. Since we are in the digital age, having basic e-ticket codes and confirmation numbers can get you the rest of the information.

Cons:

            Unable to separate the portions of trip, everything melds together.

3. CouchSurfing (CouchSurfing, inc.)

            Pros:

With the growing number of college students deciding to travel during breaks and gap years, this new form of lodging has a grown in popularity worldwide.  This app is for the lodging known as ‘couch surfing’, staying on peoples couches in exchange for small household chores or courtesies.  One of my current employers told me of a girl that stayed with her who cooked for her in exchange for the lodging.

This app connects you to the ‘database’ of couch surfing, where you can develop a profile and either search for a couch nearby, or offer yours to another ‘surfer’.

It has its own internal mail service for contacting other members, and uses a system of ‘friends’ and ‘references’ for contacts. (A person who houses you could reference that you were a nice guest, and you could reference them as nice hosts.)

You are not limited to surfers and hosts either, as you can join saying you cannot offer a couch, but can ‘hang out’ should you want to meet people passing through your area.

Cons:

Only a few glitches in the app. (it has my last log-in in 1969.) You need to sign up for a profile on their site (Free).

4.  Tripwolf (tripwolf)

            Pros:

Good city guides that can be used offline, that can be downloaded with the internet and used while out romping around. The free version of this app makes up for not having maps offline by allowing you to get the information of what’s around, and basic address/contact information of destinations. If you sign up for a Tripwolf account (free), you can rate places, and create your own to do/to go list. You can see recommended sights, restaurants, and local activities. This is a good app if you are backpacking around the South Pacific, touring Europe, or voyaging through the Caribbean.

Cons:

Remember to plan ahead for this one. If you are in the middle of the city with no free wifi or 3G coverage, and you didn’t download the guide before you left your hotel/hostel, then you simply wont be able to access the guide. It may not be the BEST app, but it has earned a spot on this list.

5. MapsWithMe lite, Offline Maps (MapsWithMe)

            Pros:

This app allows you to download maps to use offline. Download a map by country and use offline to zoom in on everything from pharmacies to bus stops. The app uses GPS to show your location on the map too. It reminds me of Google maps, but I have yet to see how it does when faced with another countries wireless systems.

Note: I will be testing the map apps again when I am abroad to see how they stand up to using GPS.

Cons:

Each country/region has to be downloaded separately. (Which can be a pro, in-that it requires less memory this way.) Bookmarking landmarks on the map can only be done in the ‘full version’ which needs to be bought.

6.  Find my car (eLibera)

            Pros:

This app can be used to mark the GPS position of your car when your at the carpark, and then when you need to find it, the app has a few options to navigate you back to your car (including showing it on Google maps, and using GPS to show you your location in relation to it.)  Other uses would be to mark your lodging before going out into the city and fearing the dreadful ‘wrong turn’. This app is equipped with two, very easy buttons; ‘Park – store position’, and ‘Find – display position’. Multiple locations can be stored.

Its simple, and easy to figure out. Now if only I could find my keys…

Cons:

Honestly, this app was unique in its content, so I have nothing to compare it against. However, it deserves a spot in my recommendations.

7. Skype (Skype)

            Pros:

This is one of the most popular video chatting apps out there. While it does charge for calling telephones, contacting another Skype user is free. I use this app a LOT. This is one of my communication tools to contact people back home to let them know I am still alive. You can voice call multiple people, video call, and private message using this app.

Cons:

Requires wifi/3G.

8. Heywire (MediaFriends, inc.)

            Pros:

Another communication tool, this is a texting app that assigns you a number and allows you to text anyone in the states from it. You can also tweet on your twitter, and Facebook chat via the app.

Cons:

Requires wifi/3G.

9. Overdrive Media Console (Overdrive, inc.)

            Pros:

This app accesses your library online, where you can checkout e-books, audio books, and media for your enjoyment. When you have an internet connection, you can use your library card to access the online resources, and check out a good book for the train ride, or an audio book for the long drive. Travel guides are also frequently available, depending on what your library offers. (Contact your local library for more information on if they participate). Once your library books ‘expire’, you cannot access the book anymore and can delete the title. This means no overdue library books or fines!

Cons:

Need internet to download the books initially, but once they are on your tablet/smartphone they can be accessed anywhere.

10. Europe Travel Guide (Helioid)

            Pros:

I know, I know… this is a very specific region and has very specific uses and information. It does deserve an honorable mention though. This is just as knowledgeable as any guidebook (or Wikipedia page) and can be accessed offline. If you are planning to go to Europe, this is a GREAT app.

Cons:

Could use more pictures.

This concludes another round of narrowing down the apps. There will be another round when I am in Australia in August, and may be aimed more at free guide books and Australia specific apps.

If anyone has any requests of travel apps to put to the test, let me know!

My email is k.l.awooa@gmail.com

Dream big, travel far.

Kiki

Travel Apps

Free Travel Apps (because there IS an app for that)

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While packing up things around the apartment, I decided to procrastinate and get on my android tablet, and look up some apps for the upcoming trip to make it productive. Simple, right? Oh no, simply typing ‘travel’ in the app search brought a plethora of hotel/motel/hostel apps. Slightly overwhelmed by the enormity of the selection, I decided to help narrow it down to what I have found useful, user-friendly, and helpful in finding a good deal.

Here are a few things to think about when looking for your “perfect app”;

First, it really depends on how nice/rustic you are willing to travel.  If you like nights with no noise, and your own bathroom, you may want to find a motel/hotel or certain hostels*. If you can sleep anywhere, don’t mind sharing a room, and are looking for a more frugal option, you may be able to do a hostel.

Second, when searching for the app, you can narrow the list down by type of accommodation, region that you are traveling (ie. ‘Hotels in Italy’ and ‘Bali hotel super saver’), all the way to lifestyle preferences (ie. ‘Green Hotels – Hotel Search’).

Last, when looking for booking apps for hotels and hostels, try to find apps that encompass many different venues, limiting yourself to just one chain will significantly decrease your options when you are abroad, and it can get very pricey.

My top 3 Hostel/Hotel Apps for backpackers are

1. Best hotel & hostel finder (through PulpHotel.com)

                           Pros:

Living up to its name, I just discovered this app, and it is quickly becoming my new best friend. The app is arranged to also compare ratings, and has a detailed list of what each criteria of the rating is based off. This app compares prices from different booking sites, and many Hotels/Hostels, and will show you the best deals. The browsing function will allow you to compare based on locality, including distance to airports, places of interest or cities.

                           Cons:

Bookings are not done on the app, but instead it forwards you to the website to finish your booking.

My solution:

Use this app for comparisons, and try booking through the suggested sites or apps. The site I saw the most while checking out the app was for hostelbookers.com (their app is #3 on this list).

2. Hostel World (from HostelWorld.com)

                           Pros:

I have been using Hostel World for a while, and used it a lot on my last few big international trips. My view here may be tainted by my familiarity, but it has made my traveling very easy and stress free. The search menu is very basic, put in where you want to stay, select the date you want to arrive on the pop-up calendar, the next prompt will be the day you want to leave, and allons-y, your on your merry way. The search results can be filtered to price range, and includes campsites in certain areas (great for the outdoor enthusiast). It is a great app for finding somewhere fast.

Past bookings can be stored on an account for future reference (not required, though should you wish to create one, it is free,) and will show the dates and durations you stayed for. This helps me reconstruct timelines of what I was able to do in each place, and plan for the next time. After your stay, a follow up email is sent out asking you to rate your stay if you would like.

Bookings can be made directly through the app, and you can change dates, and cancel on the app as well. You can also save payment information through your account to book quickly and easily.

Cons:

Not as user friendly, or as snazzy, as their website. But it gets the job done. Not included on the Pulp Hotel app comparisons either, which means you are not sure if you are getting the best deal.

My Solution:

Manually compare this app to #1. There are certain deals that are only offered on here, (I discovered this when I went to Fiji,)  and is worth a look.

3. hostelbookers (from hostelbookers.com)

                           Pros:

This app offers a WIDE variety of accommodation. Their Facebook page boasts to offer “hostels and guesthouses to igloos and ex-prisons!” With no booking fees, (one of the only major booking sites left that don’t have them,) they also have a cheapest price guarantee. The hostel bookers site is used on the Pulp Hotel app, and from what I saw, really did have some of the best deals. No account required to book, and can be done through the app.

Cons:

The facility offering lists are not as detailed as on Hostel World’s app, though it is thorough. If you do have an account through the hostel bookers website, there is no way to sign on with the app.

My Solution:

If there is a specific facility that you need at a hostel, compare the prices between this and #2, and determine if the better deal is with the cheaper price, or which may offer free breakfast/internet as part of their deal.

My recommendation is to get all three, (after all, they are free apps,) and compare them to your personal preference.

Next time, I am going to go through all of the different apps, and come up with the 10 most user friendly and useful free travel apps for gap years, backpacking, and world travel.  The ‘tool’ apps if you will, that will organize and simplify your trip.

Travel on!

Kiki

*I would like to quickly debunk the myth that hosteling is always/only staying in multi-bed dorm rooms. Most hostels do offer private rooms, and most of the time will have a much better price for them than other hotels in the area.