Tag: technology

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Tip 50: Borrow travel books

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I admit I am mostly a consumer of digital content these days and mostly rely on podcasts and Google searches to learn about areas I am traveling to. Still there is a huge benefit to travel books and maps..I love maps! So while we have previously suggested ebooks and related apps, this tip is all about the good old fashion page turner.

Have you considered borrowing travel books rather than buying them? Honestly I hadn’t as I regularly buy the cheapest, newest used book I can find on Amazon, but recently my son wanted to spend a rainy afternoon wondering around the library…and I wasn’t about to discourage that. I was surprised at how many travel books, magazines and videos were available for loan at our local library. We’ll definitely be back soon!

Now off to study up for our upcoming Cuba trip!

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Tip 49: Check your gate & enroll in text updates

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Just because your boarding pass lists a gate number, it does not mean your plane is actually going to show up at that gate. 😉

Often changes happen that require the gates to shift. Our best advice is to check the gate on the monitors in the airport once you arrive and again after you pass through security.

It is also helpful to sign up for the text alerts. Of course each airline’s app can also provide such information and notifications.

As you can see there are plenty of helpful options to keep you informed and from having to sprint at the last minute to a new gate!

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Tip 47: Room key turns on electrify in many global hotels

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Many hotel rooms in Europe, Mexico and beyond require the room key to be placed into a receptacle to power the room on. This is brilliant for energy savings, but it takes some getting used to.

In Germany, I had to make two different trips to the desk to request a new key as I walked out without mine. Shame on me…but I often leave my TV on when I am leaving the room so that habit overrode the one to check for my key in my purse before I walked out. :/. Thankfully this receptacle is most always right by the front door so it should be a good reminder before you head out.

As a hint, if you need to use your key (maybe someone else in your room needs to go somewhere and needs a key later), often – but not always – you can also slide the envelope for your key in this slot as a placeholder.

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Tip 46: Don’t rely on airport or hotel USB ports

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Maybe it is just my luck, but the airport USBs never work. Even though they are now placed in very convenient spots around the seats at the gates, they are usually broken or don’t seem to be getting electricity. The best bet to avoid this problem in a hotel room, train station or airport is to carry the socket part so you can use good ole outlets rather than hoping you’ll find a working USB port.

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Tip 44: Hotel apps are becoming more useful

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Recently I had an overnight flight and arrived at the hotel many hours before the typical check-in time. I had assumed I would have to check my luggage with the hotel desk and walk around town sightseeing for a few hours before I would be able to access my room, however I had “checked in” to my hotel via the mobile app which I can only believe is what led to me being so lucky as to have priority to a ready room.

Just has checking in to planes as soon as possible allows you to pick good seats, it appears hotel app Check-in also has advantages. In addition, you can use these apps to order room service, request items you forgot, or ask for more towels, etc. We also enjoy having a “mobile key” where our phone serves as a replacement (or backup) to a physical key.

In essence, hotels are becoming more “digital” so you just may want to take advantage of that on your next stay!