Discover the tech applications recommended by The New York Times to enhance your vacation with more convenience and less stress and fatigue.
Having a good grasp of these tech applications while traveling brings a lot of joy.

Vacation is a part of life, but it can quickly turn sour if the things you plan go out of control, especially when traveling to a new place.
At the airport, rummaging through your luggage to find your boarding pass can be frustrating. On the streets, getting lost due to spending too much time on your phone map is quite bothersome. Even before hitting the road, finding a good and affordable flight is not an easy task.
All these mentioned reasons can lead to stress and fatigue, certainly not ideal for a relaxing vacation.
The Wirecutter, a website belonging to The New York Times specializing in introducing practical products for life, provides several apps to enhance the convenience of your vacation.
No more concerns about e-tickets
If you find yourself rushing to the airport, worrying about your e-ticket only adds unnecessary time pressure. Once printed, e-tickets can easily get lost or, worse, drown in the overflowing inbox of your email.
The solution lies in TripIt – a free mobile app – or Google Trips.
Both these apps take over the task of finding your e-tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, etc., in your inbox, neatly organizing them. This makes it a breeze for you to locate your e-ticket for a swift airport check-in.
TripIt is straightforward and easy to read due to its simplicity, while Google Trips comes with various discounts and recommendations for activities you might want to pursue.
It's crucial to note that both applications perform a 'scan' of your mailbox to find emails related to travel. If you're concerned about privacy or information security, it's best to create a dedicated email for travel.

Bring your smartphone when traveling abroad
Many believe that traveling abroad is an effective way to take a break from technology. However, in reality, having a smartphone in hand is incredibly convenient for mapping and finding the places you want to visit.
Typically, the cheapest way to use your phone abroad is to unlock it and use the SIM card of the country you're visiting. The downside is that you have to buy multiple SIM cards if you travel to different countries.
For a simpler option, you can opt for the free International Roaming service, sign up for Google's ProjectFi with a fee of around 30 USD per month, and use it in over 135 countries.
Many mobile carriers also offer international services, but the costs are usually quite high.
For smartphones, the battery is crucial. In addition to a portable charger, it's advisable to carry a power bank to ensure your phone stays active throughout the day.

Listen to music to relax your mind
Your top priority when navigating the roads is safety, followed by finding the shortest route to your destination, and perhaps avoiding bursts of frustration. Listening to your favorite tunes is an effective way to keep your spirits high during long journeys.
Even if you're not riding in luxury cars, enjoying music on long trips is still achievable. It's essential to have a device that connects your phone to the car's audio system, or you can equip yourself with the Anker SoundSync Drive accessory priced at $20.
The TechMatte MagGrip device, valued at $11, is a necessary addition. You can place it behind the windshield to securely attach your phone to the car.
Lastly, don't forget to keep your phone charged. The Anker PowerDrive 2 charger is a popular choice recommended by many.

Optimizing Flight and Hotel Bookings
Your vacation can turn into a nightmare if you encounter terrible hotels and expensive flights. Finding reasonably priced flights and satisfactory hotels is not an easy task and requires a lot of experience.
Hopper is a useful app that helps travelers track flight prices. Simply input your travel date, destination, the number of layovers (multitrip), and the system will predict the lowest airfare and notify you of the optimal time to book.
Finding hotels is more complex as it involves subjective reviews from travelers. Before making a decision, you can use the TripAdvisor or Yelp app to check reviews from people who have experienced a particular hotel.

Ensure the Safety of Your Luggage
Perhaps everyone has heard regrettable stories about lost luggage at the airport. One day, you might find yourself in that unfortunate situation.
Luxurious GPS-equipped suitcases are a great option. But for a more budget-friendly solution, consider smart Bluetooth Trackers, like the Tile product priced at only $25.
Locating luggage on the conveyor belt can be challenging. This is where the Tile device placed in your luggage signals when it's near you.
If your luggage is lost, simply report it to the system. Any customer of the Tile app who comes near your luggage will be synchronized with the system, and you'll immediately know its location on the map.
By KEN K./Tuổi Trẻ
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourAugust 4, 2017