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Earlier this year we wrote about our favourite travel apps for the iPhone and now we thought it was time to do the same for Android devices.
From camera optimisation to travel organisers, these apps will ensure your holiday runs smoothly from start to finish.
Wikitude is the ultimate augmented reality Android app
1. Wikitude – Free
Without doubt Wikitude is the best augmented reality app available on Android devices.
If you’ve never used an augmented reality app before, the basic idea is that you can point your phone at something of interest and find out more about it. For instance, you could point your phone at a hotel and get TripAdvisor reviews, point it at local monument or place of interest and find out more about the area.
It’s a useful everyday app but really shines when you are in a foreign country!
2. Trip Journal – £2.99
Trip Journal is the perfect way to record where you’ve been and what you’ve seen. The app uses your GPS system to create a map recording where you’ve been, it allows you to store all your holiday pictures in a stylish album and lets you record your thoughts in a stylish journal.
Best of all, once you’ve created your journal you can share it on Facebook with all your friends.
3. Hipmunk – Free
Hipmunk is the ultimate travel companion. The app allows you to search and book hotels and flights whilst combining user reviews and price comparisons.
With Hipmunk you can also visualise where you will be staying using the built in maps functionality. You simply turn on heatmaps that show you the best areas to stay based on unique interests such as food, landmarks, nightlife and more.
Instagram is a real favourite of Leger Holidays
4. Instagram – Free
Instagram is a real favourite at Leger Holidays. Not only does it make our rubbish snaps look professional, but the app makes it easy to share our adventures with friends and families.
All you have to do is take a quick picture and apply a filter to transform everyday moments into works of art you’ll want to share with everyone you know. It’s like having Photoshop in your pocket.
5. Currency Converter – Free
There’s nothing better than haggling with local market traders and coming back from your holiday with some absolute bargains. But when you don’t know the currency it can be difficult to know if you’re getting a good deal or not.
That’s where this handy map comes in. Currency Converter quickly and easily converts different currencies so you can see exactly how much you’re spending. It’s a bargain hunter’s best friend.
Do you have an Android phone? Have we missed any great apps? Let us know in the comments below.
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Moroccan culture can be an exciting experience. Wander the labyrinth of small streets and alleyways, filled with stalls selling everything imaginable, and an aroma of saffron and orange blossom among sacks of almonds piled high as mountains.
The Hassan Il Mosque
COLOURFUL CULTURE
The almost medieval-like hustle and bustle of Morocco is, for most travellers a world away from their own cities and towns. The people are friendly and the place is pulsing with energy. Hospitality is really a part of their culture so you can strike up friendships virtually anywhere if you have the right attitude. Usually this results in further association with these dynamic and interesting people and a real taste of Moroccan life.
MANY TALENTS
There are so many different ways that the people express themselves – in carpets, clothing, jewellery, ceramics, sculpture, painting, carving and calligraphy. If you ever have the opportunity to visit this country, you should consider buying some of the local artwork. Not only will it provide you with a little memento of your trip, but it will help out the local people who are usually quite poor. Don’t forget to get your leather goods from the tanners in Fez.
FLAVOURS AND SPICES
Spices hold pride of place in any Moroccan kitchen and are used skillfully to create a variety of distinctive flavours to tempt any palate. Common spices include cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, paprika, aniseed, pepper, coriander, sesame seeds, saffron and mint. Couscous also plays an important role in Moroccan cuisine and is gaining popularity worldwide.
The Outdoor Market in Djemaa El-Fna square
Probably the most famous market in Marrakesh is the Djemaa El-Fna. It really comes alive in the evening. You can easily spend an entire night here wandering from stall to stall. Don’t eat a whole dinner, just have little tastes: there are grilled meats, steamed snails, lovely desserts… Let’s just say you won’t go hungry.
PEACE AND TRANQUILITY
Away from the hussle and bustle you will find peace and tranquility at The Menara, surrounded by magnificent gardens, tranquil waters and snow-capped mountains in the background. Fascinating and full of history, the culture of Morocco is also home to incredible architectural wonders.
If you would like to head off on your own Moroccan adventure, you can find out more here.
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Susie’s Amazing Grand Explorer Adventure
Sue Clark one of our customers has not long returned from her holiday with Leger Holidays. Read on to see what she thought of her trip with us on our Arctic Circle and the Land of the Midnight Sun Tour.
Which tour did you go on?
I went on the Arctic Circle and the Land of the Midnight Sun 16-day Grand Explorer trip departing June 29th 2013
How did you get there and how long did it take?
Initially by feeder coach in Lincoln, which also was our tour coach, and I undertook the whole tour by coach. During the adventure I also travelled on 10 ferries, which included an overnight one from Stockholm, Sweden to Turku in Finland
As mentioned previously, it was for 16 days, but as someone who travels as she lives, preferring the journey to the destination-it was paced just right.
Where did you stay?
Too numerous to mention and in a variety of accommodation, including a ski chalet.
What was the weather like? Did it affect your visit?
This tour was not about the weather but the experience, but the added bonus was that for the majority of the time it was glorious weather. I witnessed the Midnight Sun in Rovaniemi in full sunshine. The visit to North Cape was cloudy and windy, but very atmospheric. It rained in Tromso but that only added to the beauty of the countryside. Without the rain I would not have experienced the wonderful waterfalls and lush scenery we travelled through.
Which optional excursions did you do?
I booked the guided sightseeing evening tour in Oslo, and what an enlightening tour this was! I was completely unprepared for the visit to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, and as a sculpture spotter I was in raptures. For me, this optional excursion was worth every pound I spent on it!
Conclusion
In the words of one of our drivers, this was an adventure rather than a holiday, and it was an adventure I would not have missed! Throughout the adventure I grew in cultural, spiritual and geographical experience. It was also a very positive experience because I travelled with a lovely group of people and also a couple of great drivers.
This experience has convinced me not only to undertake more Leger Grand Explorer tours, but also to visit Scandinavia, particularly all the capital cities, for longer as I was only able to have ‘tasters’ on this occasion.
Thank you Leger, without whom I would not have been able to have such an amazing Grand Explorer adventure
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To celebrate our new booking system, allowing you to now book your fly and tour holidays online, we’ve pulled together some of our top tips to get your next air holiday off to a flying start.
It’s the quickest way to get to your destination and the views from thousands of feet up aren’t too bad either.
Every three seconds, an aeroplane somewhere in the world is taking off and, it’s safe to say, we’ve come a long way since the Wright Brothers first took flight.
Roll your clothes when packing
Cramming all of your clothes into a suitcase is one of the biggest headaches when getting ready to head off on holiday.
At some point, we will have all come across that time when sitting on top of your suitcase has been the best solution to getting it to close.
A great tip is to roll your clothes, rather than fold them, to save room. Rolling compresses your clothes allowing you to find a lot more space to tuck your items into. You’ll also avoid the majority of crease marks you get from folding.
Arrive in Plenty of Time
It definitely pays to be prepared. Before you journey, check the traffic reports and make sure you have plenty of time to get to the airport.
Arriving early definitely has its benefits. If your seats aren’t pre-booked, you’re more likely to sit together. If upgrades are on offer, the early bird really does catch the worm. And to top it off, you can spend more time making the most of the duty free.
A great tip is to check in online. When given the option, always take it. It saves you time, and with some airlines, money.
Speed up your Security Check
The ever complicated security systems at airports can be one of the most frustrating experiences of your journey.
Be prepared, pack all non-essential liquids in your hold luggage, try and keep your pockets empty and avoid wearing a belt. Keeping electricals at the top of your bag will make it far easier to get them onto the tray ready to be scanned, too.
A good tip is to follow the business flyers. It may be a longer line, but avoiding queues with larger parties and children could save you a lot of time, frequent flyers will more than likely be prepared to pass through as quickly as possible.
Dress smartly…
And not in the way you’d think. The best way to fly is by wearing comfortable layers. From hoodies to scarves, these casual numbers offer a lot more than you may think.
Whilst you’re benefiting from the comfort of casual clothes there’s even more benefits to enjoy by leaving the shirts or dresses at home.
Pull up your hood to block out the cabin noise whilst sleeping, roll up your scarf to use as a pillow and by layering up you’re more than prepared for the changing temperatures from your home to your destination.
Stay Hydrated
Dry mouth, rough skin and your lips feeling a bit tight, the recycled air flowing around the cabin has a lot to answer for.
Fear not, these can all be eradicated by just keeping hydrated. It’s recommended that you drink around 0.2 litres of water every hour or two whilst you’re in the air.
Keep this in mind and don’t forget to drink a little more if you’re going to have a coffee or alcohol and you’re well on your way to a more comfortable flight.
Earplugs and Eye Masks
Simple, yet effective. If you’re looking to sleep through your journey, these little objects will work a treat, by regulating your circadian rhythms.
Your circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioural changes that are responsive to light and dark, block it out and your body will be tricked into thinking it’s time to go to sleep.
With sunlight bouncing off the clouds below and the cabin noise around you, these simple accessories will be worth their weight in gold.
Bring your own entertainment
Watch the time fly (excuse the pun), when you’re enjoying yourself.
You can bring that book that you’re really enjoying or stock up on magazines. Or, of course, you could just bring your tablet or smart phone on board with you.
You can load these up with TV programmes, films and music that will play even whilst using the aeroplane safe mode and you have a great variety of content that will keep you entertained until you land.
Keep Moving
It may sounds like the simplest of advice, but to move about whilst on an aeroplane can also be the best advice.
From stretching to taking regular walks about the plane, these simple activities will keep your blood flowing, prevent stiffness and reduce the risk of travel related conditions leaving you a very happy traveller when disembarking your plane.
With a great selection of escorted tours by air now available to book online, do you have any of your own flying tips to share?
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