Maximera din reseupplevelse: Digitala resurser, virtuella äventyr och underhållning på resan

Today we present a guest article

Will physical travel shops soon be a thing of the past? Perhaps we shouldn't speculate, but as our world becomes increasingly digitised, it has become so much easier to find and book travel, accommodation and more. There are now countless websites, apps and other online resources that can help you both before and during your trip. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your trip.

Table of contents

Travel booking with online resources

Journey

Travelling often starts with looking online for the cheapest flights and affordable accommodation. For the journey itself - charter or airline seat - Momondo and Skyscanner are good places to start. These sites compare flights and help you find the most affordable options. To find more climate-smart choices, you can use Ecosia Travel.

Accommodation

Accommodation is also an important issue, not only in terms of price. It should also be in an area that suits you and close to the activities you are looking for. At TripAdvisor you'll find thousands of tips on all things travel-related, and there are plenty of sites offering guides to accommodation - like this guide to accommodation in Bangkok.

Booking accommodation can also be done in many places, such as Trivago, Agora and Booking.com. For charter holidays, just go to tour operators such as Apollo, Ving, Tui, Club Med - to take a few examples.

Get more out of your stay

There are apps for most things. When travelling in a foreign country, you can download an app that translates between your language and the country's language - you speak in Swedish and the other person understands what you say. Another app that can help is a currency converter - otherwise it can be difficult to know what that restaurant actually costs to eat at.

Maybe you're in a place you've never been. Here, Google Maps is your mate, helping you navigate to your desired destination.

Pleasure and entertainment

Travelling is often associated with shorter or longer waiting times. To pass the time, there are plenty of things you can do.

Prepare by downloading e-books or audiobooks - both Audible and Kindle offer an endless number of books to choose from.
Play games on your mobile phone. There are mobile games galore to download and for those who want the chance to win some cash, visit an online casino where a world of casino games awaits you - Play on bandits, roulette poker or the cheapest form of casino games, online bingo while you wait.
Download films and series from PrimeVideo, Netflix etc. and time will fly.
If you just want help to relax or meditate, there are apps to download, such as Serenity, Headspace and Sera.

Virtual travel

Before and during your trip, you can discover the world without leaving the beach. Go on a virtual tour! With Google Arts & Culture, for example, you can visit historical sites all over the world - many of which have interactive 3D tours.

Want to check out the surroundings where you are? Then check out Google Earth which lets you fly around the world. Take a guided tour, explore buildings and places in 3D or get on Street View and walk around the area where you are.

Visiting a destination via digital channels is a great way to check what your intended destination looks like in real life, that the beach is actually that amazing and that there isn't a gigantic industrial complex right behind the hotel you intend to book.

Stay connected

Combine business with pleasure! If you want, you can continue working while travelling. Nowadays, there are plenty of free public networks you can connect to and keep working on important tasks. Many hotels have special spaces for those who want to work for a while, but networks can also be found in cafés and coworking spaces.

Just think about security when you work on public Wi-Fi. The "man in the middle", i.e. hackers, can see what you are doing as these networks are often unencrypted. Some tips here:

Use a VPN.
Make sure that all websites you visit are encrypted. You can tell by the https in the address bar.
Disable file sharing.
Activate the firewall in your computer.
Use apps that alert you to suspicious activity.

Smart gadgets on the move

We live in an age where technology can be our best friend. Here are some tips on smart gadgets to take with you when travelling.

Power adapter: Power sockets look different in different countries. An adapter ensures that you can actually plug in your computer and charge your phone at your destination.
Power banks: Carry a couple of fully charged powerbanks to make sure your mobile doesn't run out of charge.
Bookings: With one, you can create your own Wi-Fi zone.
RFID-protected wallet: A wallet or card case to protect you from skimming.

Summary

Technology is at your disposal - with these resources and tools you will be better prepared for your trip and they can help you improve your experience and make life easier while travelling. So pack your bag and enjoy your trip!