Tech Tips for Your Next Vacation

August is almost here, and if you haven’t done so already, you’re probably planning your summer vacation.

If you’ve ever actually planned a summer vacation, you know just how difficult that task can be. 

Booking flights, planning road trips and booking hotels can all be nightmarish experiences, but we’ve got some tech tips that will make the process of planning a vacation painless.

It’s going to be extremely hot in Galloway over the next week, and that makes it a great time to get away, but first you need to figure out where you’re getting away to.

If you just can’t decide where to go on your vacation, Travelmuse can help. They have a tool on their site that can help you to find the right vacation destination for you.

Just plug in the number of people going on the vacation, the budget per person, the things you’d like to do on your vacation, and the distance you’re willing to travel, and Travelmuse will make suggestions based on your criteria.

For example, if you’re willing to spend over $1,000 per person, interested in art and museums, and willing to spend more than nine hours on a plane, Travelmuse will recommend Paris, as well as several other French cities.

Once you know where you’re going, it’s time to book a flight, and a hotel. Both Priceline and Travelocity can help you get a great price on both airfare and a hotel. You’ll save money if you book both as a package, and you’ll save even more money if you book well in advance.

So the hotel and the flight are booked, and you’re packed and ready to go on your vacation. There’s one thing that could put a serious dent in your plans—missing your flight.

The INRIX traffic app will help you find the fastest route to the airport. By dodging traffic, you’ll make it to the airport with plenty of time left over to make your way through airport security.

Of course, making it to the airport on time won’t do you much good if your flight gets delayed. FlightAware Flight Tracker for the iPhone, and FlightTrack for Android phones will help you keep track of your flight without having to run back and forth between your gate and that big board full of flight information.

Both apps provide real-time information on flight delays so you can keep track of your flight. Hey, after the grueling ordeal the TSA just put you through, it’s nice to know how much time you can spend at the airport bar without missing your flight.

Once you’ve made it to your hotel, and you’ve settled in, you’re probably going to be ready for a meal. Yelp can help you find a place to eat that’s been well reviewed by other customers.

Just type in the city you’re in, and do a search for “restaurants”. You’ll be presented with a list of local restaurants, complete with reviews.

Yelp also offers a mobile app for both the iPhone and Android phones. With the Yelp app, you’ll be able to find a great place to have dinner even if you’ve already left the hotel.

By using these tech tips, you’ll be able to plan a great vacation without a lot of hassle. These tips will make every step of your vacation planning go as smoothly as possible.