Kimberly Fisher's Blog, page 219

Travel Guest Post: Check Out the Home of Picasso with a Trip to Malaga

Malaga is a holiday destination that offers something for every interest. From spending time relaxing in the Mediterranean sun – the Spanish destination is a particular beach holiday hotspot – to seeing historic sites and sampling fine cuisine, you will have a truly wonderful break here. What may really catch your interest though, particularly if you're into art and culture, is the fact the city is the home of the legendary painter Pablo Picasso.

Picasso was widely regarded as one of the leading figures in 20th century art and a pioneer in the development of the Cubist movement, so a trip to Malaga enables you to gain an insight into his life and work, both in the pieces he made and the sites that inspired him.

There are plenty of attractions and things to do related to Picasso here, so seek out car hire in Malaga and you can travel from destination to destination at a pace that suits you, without having to wait around for trains or attempt to translate public transport timetables that are in Spanish. So, once you've got your hire vehicle sorted where should you go? Here's a guide to some of the places you definitely ought to visit.

Museo Picasso Malaga

Given its name, it should be no surprise the Museo Picasso Malaga is a must-see attraction for Picasso fans. Situated in the Palacio de Buenavista – itself a stunning example of 16th-century Andalusian architecture – here you'll find paintings, sculptures and drawings covering the artist's entire career.

Among the pieces on display are 1919 painting Fruit Bowl, Portrait of a Bearded Man and Woman Standing Outside a Cafe, the latter of which was drawn in Barcelona in 1899. In addition to Picasso's many works, the museum showcases collections of other artists – including Richard Turner – allowing you to see the influence the Spanish painter continues to have on art to this day.

Find out more about Picasso's work by going on one of the free weekly guided tours, before heading to the library.

Casa Natal de Picasso

Just a short distance from the museum you will find the casa natal (that's birthplace to you and me) of Picasso. This is where the iconic artist was born and since the 1980s has become an official heritage site dedicated to its former resident.

Step inside the building and you'll come across a range of his works – as well as paintings by his father Jose Ruiz Blasco – and personal mementos. A temporary exhibition hall on the ground floor ensures there will always be something new for you to see, while an extensive library and research centre is situated at the top of the building.

Spend some time exploring the area surrounding Casa Natal de Picasso and you can gain a glimpse into Picasso's early inspiration. Located in Plaza de la Merced, the building is surrounded by a range of historic attractions, including the Alcazaba Arabian fort and Gibralfaro Castle, all of which are sure to have influenced the painter as he was growing up.

Santiago Church

This stunning medieval structure in Calle Granada has the distinction of being Malaga's oldest church. Park your hire car nearby and not only will you be at the location where Picasso was christened in 1881, but also the place where his parents were married.

Are you a fan of Picasso and have visited Malaga to learn more about the painter? If so, why not leave a comment about the sights you saw?

Author:

 

Filed under: art, beach, beauty, guest post, holiday, spain Tagged: art, malaga, picasso, spain

Travel Guest Post: 3 Reasons to Visit the Grand Canyon

With the summer months approaching, it is at this time of year that thoughts turn towards where to go on your vacation. A popular destination with tourists is the United States (both with Americans and the rest of the world) due to its varying landscapes and diverse cultural heritage. As home to some of the world's most famous and iconic landmarks, it should come as no surprise that these places are the destinations that prove to be the most popular with holiday makers.

America is home to many famous landmarks, but none of them are more beautiful (or bigger!) than the Grand Canyon. At 277 miles long, 1 mile deep, and in places 18 miles across, the Grand Canyon can be found in Arizona. This incredible chasm has been carved out of the rock by the Colorado River over millions of years. Considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon receives on average around 5 million visitors each year.

3 Reasons To Visit The Grand Canyon

1) The Scenery

This is the number one reason that so many people flock here each year. There is nothing that can prepare you for actually being at the Grand Canyon first hand.  As well as the changing colors and contours of the canyon rocks themselves, it is also home to over 600 types of wildflower and over 300 species of animal. A unique way of experiencing this scenery is from the air on one of the many helicopter tours that are available. These tours enable you to get an experience like no other, as there really is no better way of taking in the sheer size of the Grand Canyon than from the air.

2) The History

The Grand Canyon is steeped in history. The Canyon itself is believed to be somewhere in the region of 10 million years old, however rocks have been discovered within it that date 2 billion years old! There is also evidence that people has inhabited the Canyon for over 4.000 years. At this point around 5,000 ancient Native American have been discovered in and around the Grand Canyon. To this day the Grand Canyon is home to the Hualapai Tribal Nation, and the Havasupai Tribe.

3) The Activities

There is more to do at the Grand Canyon than just soak up the atmosphere. There are many walking routes throughout the Canyon which can range from rugged walk to challenging hike, if you really want to get up close and personal with the Canyon. Located at Grand Canyon West Rim you can find the Skywalk, which is a marvel of modern engineering, enabling visitors to walk out 70 feet from the edge on a glass walk way and look down 4,000 feet to the Canyons floor. Other activities which can be found include boat rides and rafting on the Colorado River, helicopter tours, and traditional Native American crafts.

There are many other reasons that the Grand Canyon is an amazing destination to visit, but there will never be enough room to list them all. It truly is a place like no other which you need to go and experience for yourself.

Author: Sarah Bourne works for an online Las Vegas tour company who specialize in Grand Canyon helicopter tours.

 

Filed under: adventure, arizona, guest post Tagged: grand canyon

Travel Guest Post: Living Large in Tokyo

Tokyo is no stranger to expensive things. In fact Japan's capital is often rated as one of the world's most expensive cities to live in. When it comes to travel, while it is possible to see the city on a budget, it never hurts to have some cash to splash around with. So what if money was no issue? Once you have secured your flights to Tokyo, here are four ways to live large in Tokyo.

Stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo

Towering above Shinjuku is the Park Hyatt Tokyo, a five-star hotel where comfort and service spare no cost. Standard rooms at the hotel begin at $562 per night, but if money is no issue the 'price on demand' Presidential Suite is the ultimate in Tokyo luxury. Within the 290 square meter suite is a 50 inch plasma screen, marble bath, sauna, spa, library, grand piano and a private butler.  In addition to plush accommodation, the Park Hyatt's facilities go above and beyond your average hotel. Amongst its highlights are the high-rise swimming pool, four on site restaurants, private library and fully equipped health and fitness centre.

Eat at Aragawa

If you don't mind paying the price for the perfect piece of steak then you're going to love Aragawa. It is here, in the most expensive restaurant in the world that you can expect to cough up a cool $400 for a piece of steak. Granted these fillets are Wagyu beef, coming from pampered Kobe cows that are fed sake and massaged regularly. The restaurant's specialty is the steak with pepper and mustard. Simple, but sometimes the finer things in life are.

Shop at Ginza

As the world's most expensive shopping strip, Ginza is where the city's rich and well-off travellers flock to do their shopping. Along the clean and spacious street you will find an impressive range of large boutiques, from designer fashion like Prada and Giorgio Armani to electronics such as Apple and Bic Camera. But it's not all Gucci and gadgets, Ginza also has a number of department stores and specialty stores such as the Ginza Hakuhinkan Toy Park, a family favourite.

Drink at the Ritz-Carlton

After a day of spending up big, toast to your own decadence with a 'Diamonds are Forever' martini at the Riz-Cartlon Tokyo.  Consisting of Grey Goose Vodka, fresh lime juice and a flawless one-carat diamond, the subtle yet sparkling cocktail will set you back about $20,712, making it the world's most expensive cocktail. Cheers!

 

Filed under: adventure, guest post, japan Tagged: japan, luxury, park hyatt tokyo

Travel Guest Post: Exploring Singapore

Singapore is a vivacious country with confluence of culture, art, architecture and history. Called as the "The Little Red Dot" having 710 square kilometers of land, Singapore is located in Southeast Asia. As the smallest country of the world, Singapore is not limited in its sphere. In fact it is counted as a bustling metropolitan with credits of being the "most livable cities in the world", the "best place to do business" and worlds "most promising economies".

So if you're planning a vacation how about getting your travelers Singapore Visa ready and hitting for an amazing country. For starters here are: 10 Things You Must Do In Singapore

1. Singapore Botanic Gardens

Opening Time – 5 A.M to Midnight

You could have a refreshing time early morning and rejuvenate your body among the beauty of colored orchid garden with as many as 1,000 orchid species and 2,000 hybrids.

2. Mount Faber

Singapore is famous for its panoramic view and Mount Faber gives you the opportunity to enjoy the very same. The additional you would get at Mount Faber include wine and dine, and opportunity to stay at the most exotic location.

3. Artwork at the Ritz-Carlton

It's a hotel where contemporary art is at it galore. Free for public viewing and availability of iPod-guided tour, won't make you feel anyway uncanny to visit hotel just for a peep. You would rather be amazed with the rare collection here which includes Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Rainer Gross's geometric compositions, Henry Moore's monochromatic and botanicals of Robert Zakanitch. It's a rare experience, so don't miss the fun.

4. Jurong Bird Park

A simple visual delight that awaits you at Jurong Bird Park, with more than 600 species of birds of varied color and hues gather here every year. If you are lucky and season favors, you could have a real one-to-one connection with nature.

5. The Amazing Singapore Flyer

Iconic for Singapore this 165-meter-high Flyer can be an interesting ride for you. You can enjoy this ride more if you take in the evening. That would mean enjoying the city dipped in evening sanguine color slowly drifting into the glitter of night.

6. Thian Hock Keng Temple

One of the oldest temples in Singapore, the 1842 architectures influences it and is also referred as the temple of heavenly bliss.

7. Time for some gadget shopping

Wide ranges of electronics are offered in Singapore. Clustered together to form multistory emporia Funan Digitalife Mall and Sim Lim Square are perfect place to buy best and cheap gadgets.

8. Chinatown Heritage Centre

A visit to Chinatown Heritage Centre will emanate a 19th century set-up. If you want to get an idea about the real roots of Singapore then roaming around this place is best. You could even shop for some antiques here.

9. Tanjong Beach, Sentosa

If you love water and the touch of soft sea breeze, Tanjong Beach, Sentosa could be the perfect spot to relax and bask in the sun.

10. Hort Park

Another rich place to see nature's diversity and amazing garden landscapes.

 

 

Filed under: adventure, guest post, singapore, travel, travel planning, travel tips Tagged: singapore, singapore visa

Travel Guest Post: Dinner, Drinks & Fire Dancing on Koh Tao, Thailand

 

Amongst the many popular and developed tourist destinations in Thailand, there is still much to be found for those seeking less crowded, quieter, off the beaten track locations. Now, Koh Tao isn't a hidden secret, it is still firmly on the tourist trail, however it has yet to invest in levels of development that holiday makers to more popular Thai islands such as Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Phuket are used to. Originally gaining fame as the second most popular place to learn to scuba dive in the world, (Cairns Australia is first) you now get a handful of divers and holiday makers enjoying this picturesque, laid back and tiny island.

The Island

The main road in Koh Tao is pretty rugged as well as disorderly, with transport around the island covered mainly by open back trucks and the two-wheeled variety including scooters and dirt bikes. Access to the island is purely by ferry, with the jetty at Mae Haad bay, which along with the nearby Sairee Village is the main area of development on the island. If you don't want to hire your own scooter or bike, the best alternative is the many water taxis that float moored along the beaches. Thanks to the tourists who come here for the diving, there is a smattering of well served accommodation that offers luxury air con rooms and huts, decent restaurants, pools and in many cases an attached diving school.

It may be thanks to this diving scene, its small as an island, or its location slightly out-of-the-way of other areas in Thailand, but the tacky party scene and low quality development that blights certain other places in Thailand hasn't spread here. This all means that, when it comes to your evening's entertainment, you're spoilt for choice with plenty of tasteful restaurants and bars lined along the main beach, offering the perfect opportunity to pick your venue as you stroll along the water's edge.

Dinner

Sairee beach is the biggest and being next to Mae Head bay offers the largest range of amenities for your evening. A night out is best started early, as you will find plenty of opportunity to float between venues. Coming down here before sunset will afford you the opportunity to watch the water taxis return to their shore moorings and some pretty amazing sun sets, so fans of cocktails or pre dinner drinks take note.  A lot of bars have an elevated decking set on the beach's edge and these spots are great to order your food from. Being an island the menus feature an impressive sea food range, and the rice and noodle dishes that Thailand is famous for are particularly tasty in this region.  Sitting on the sun warmed decks on cushions around low levelled tables is hard to beat anywhere in the world!

Drinks

Following dinner, moving from the deck down onto the restaurant's beach area is the easiest transition from restaurant to bar you'll ever make. Here, the common set up is cushions which rise at the back to make them easy to lounge in, and you get a tiny table to perch your drinks on top of. The waiters serve the tables and offer menus with a great range of cocktails, Thai beer including Chang Lager, and the typical non-alcoholic options like coconut milk shakes. The main thoroughfare along the restaurant bar scene is the beach, which makes it perfect for bar hopping and the fact there's no bouncers or dress code improves this no end.

Fire Dancing

As the night kicks in, so do the fire dancers. Any trip to Thailand is incomplete without seeing how talented the locals are at this, and it takes bar entertainment to another level. The main variations are either using a burning stick or burning blocks at the end of metal chains. The variety of moves is astounding as is the lack of mistakes. If you want to avoid getting too close, then don't sit in the beach area as the dancers move amongst the crowd and even swirl the flaming objects around your head! This is all coordinated to lively music, so it's little surprise that as the fire dancers finally fade away, anyone with any energy left can hit the sandy dance floors as several beach side bars carry the tunes into the night.

Author Bio: Matt has travelled much of South East Asia, with Thailand being a distinct favourite. His next planned adventures will be down under, and he has already booked his Flights to Australia.

Filed under: travel Tagged: Asia, thailand

Travel Guest Post: Top 5 Sabbatical Destinations

If you work for a company that allows sabbaticals, it's well worth taking advantage of this perk to expand your horizons and simply take a break from the daily grind for a while.

Many people use sabbaticals to sightsee, but there's also the attractive opportunity to give something back to society by joining a volunteer project. Whatever kind of adventure you hope to have, there are several destinations you should consider – here's our pick of five of the best.

Australia

Research suggests Australia is the most popular destination for those taking a break from work. Given its reputation as a mecca for students on a gap year, it might surprise you to learn that it's also a big draw for over-50s looking to escape the UK for a few months. So it's perhaps safe to say that the destination really is for all ages!

The sheer size of the country means you'll have a different experience wherever you go on your sabbatical, from the cosmopolitan vibe of cities like Sydney and Melbourne to the impressive Great Barrier Reef, the remote outback and the heady tropical rainforests. Specific activities you can enjoy in Australia include working on a ranch and learning the finer points of wine tasting.

Thailand

Thailand's breathtaking coastline and islands, exotic culture, low living costs and fantastic food make it a hit among Brits looking to really get away from it all on their sabbatical.

You can wander through the streets of cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai to immerse yourself in local history, relax on golden beaches, check out iconic sights like the bridge over the River Kwai or help out on volunteering schemes that assist local children in learning new skills. Thailand really does have something for everyone!

India

Another relatively cheap sabbatical destination, vibrant India has plenty to offer the work-weary traveller. You can choose from a host of experiences here, from relaxing on the golden beaches of Goa to exploring the Rajasthan desert and helping teach children high up in the Himalayas.

Despite being a technologically advanced country, India is home to many poor communities in desperate need of help – in terms of both money and human labour. So, if you want to do your bit as you travel through the nation, it's well worth signing up to a volunteer project that lets you do just that.

South Africa

As the land of safaris, wine, spectacular scenery and a diverse culture, South Africa ticks all the boxes for a perfect sabbatical if you want to simply relax and enjoy yourself.

In terms of volunteering, you can spend time in small communities helping children learn to read, assist in the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned monkeys or take care of disadvantaged children in the more rural parts of the country.

Everywhere

Okay, so this might be cheating, but if you can't decide where to go on your sabbatical, you could consider a round the world trip – especially if you have a few months off work. Think about the countries and activities that interest you and go from there, taking into account your budget and the time of year you wish to travel.

Just imagine flying to the USA and spending a few days there before travelling on to the likes of Costa Rica, Africa, China, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand. Of course, this is just one potential itinerary; there are countless combinations to choose from for a sabbatical that is tailor-made for you!

What do you think? Are there any other destinations you think are ideal for a sabbatical, based either on experience or your own wish list? Let us know in the comments!

Filed under: travel Tagged: australia, india, South Africa, thailand, volunteer-abroad

Travel Guest Post: Private Jet Travel to the PGA Master's & The Kentucky Derby

Spring has arrived and with it comes two of the most highly anticipated sporting events – the PGA Master's Tournament and the Kentucky Derby. For sports enthusiasts looking to experience either first-hand, while enjoying the convenience of flying privately, New York-based jet charter firm PlaneClear offers a wide array of options.

While PlaneClear's been busy coordinating such travel, it's not too late to get into the action. Below is sample pricing for round-trip private jet travel and admission to both events (cost varies depending on length of stay, aircraft selected, etc.; additional cost estimates from alternate departing cities are available upon request).

The Kentucky Derby

·         From Chicago Area: $6,500
·         From Dallas Area: $13,500
·         From Los Angeles Area: $36,000
·         From New York Area: $11,000

The Masters Tournament

·         From Chicago Area: $10,450
·         From Dallas Area: $13,750
·         From Los Angeles Area: $36,250
·         From New York Area: $10,250

 

PlaneClear was founded in 2008 to make every aspect of the charter booking process 'plain clear.' With no loyalties to operators, PlaneClear boasts a customer-centric experience and provides the most cost-effective each and every time. The company's private aviation specialists are equipped to personally tailor every trip based on the unique needs of each client – whether it's a 120-foot-plus jet or a boat side seaplane.

To book, contact PlaneClear at flyplaneclear.com or call 1.877.FLY.1101.

Filed under: elite, events, guest post, lifestyle, luxury Tagged: kentucky derby, luxury,

Travel Guest Post: Best Places to Golf in the World

Move over, baseball, because golfing might be America's new favorite pastime. There is something soothing about strolling along the rolling green fairways as you courteously, albeit aggressively, compete with your closest pals. But admit it; you can only drive so many golf balls down the same course before you start to want a change of pace. So why not plan your next getaway around your love for the sport by visiting some of the world's best golfing destinations? Pack up your golf bags and preppiest polos, ladies and gentlemen — you'll need to look good playing on these courses!

The Royal Melbourne Golf Club

If your idea of a relaxing vacation is taking in the beauty that nature has freely provided, consider a week down under at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Both the East and West Courses at the club are world-renowned, and the club itself is steeped in rich history that is more than 100 years old. And because the club is located just outside of Melbourne, you'll have plenty to do when you aren't on the courses, such as hiking in the Dandenong Ranges or taking in the stunning architecture at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Noordwijkse Golf Club

Looking for a European seaside holiday that will accommodate your need to navigate the links? Zip off to the Netherlands to check out the Noordwijkse Golf Club. Established in 1915, the greens at Noordwijkse Golf Club have been played by some of the most prestigious names in golf and have also hosted the Dutch Open on multiple occasions. Furthermore, in addition to begin known for excellent golf, Noordwijkse itself is a popular tourist destination in its own right. If you go, be sure to visit the European Space Research and Technology Centre, as well as the Museum of Oud Noordwijkse.

Cabo del Sol

Perhaps you are looking for a sunnier locale with a resort atmosphere. In that case, jet set to Cabo del Sol in Los Cabos, Mexico. Just an hour south of California, Cabo del Sol features an ocean side course and a desert course – each of which are forgiving enough to make beginners comfortable, but difficult enough to challenge even the most experienced players. And there's no better way to unwind after a day on the links than lounging beachside with a frozen margarita. When you aren't practicing your game, Los Cabos is the perfect place to pick up new hobbies, like snorkeling or deep-sea fishing.

Pebble Beach

If you prefer to stay stateside or simply haven't updated your passport in the past decade, hop on a plane to Pebble Beach. Hot off of playing host to the U.S. Open Championship Tournament in 2010, the Pebble Beach Golf Links offer an unforgettable experience that is completely open to the public. Pebble Beach has been ranked the number one course in America by Golf Digest, and its on-site resorts are as luxurious as the fairways themselves. Off the course, you can relax with a massage in the spa, feast on Hawaiian fusion cuisine at Roy's or browse the quaint storefronts at the nearby Shops at Pebble Beach.

Pack your gear and head to these golfing hotspots. Be sure to schedule in time to relax, visit the spa and check out the local eateries. Hello, vacation.

Author: Megan Brown /megan@slingshotseo.com

 

Filed under: adventure, california, fitness, holiday, outdoors, travel, travel planning Tagged: golf, Mexico, pebble beach

Travel: Must Have Travel Items

 

Looking for a way to keep that island glow with you all year long? Try Infinity Sun's  state-of-the-art proprietary Skincare systems.  The all-natural, anti-aging sunless tanning products give you a glow on the go, leaving you radiant and healthy with a natural looking tan. www.InfinitySun.com.

Travel in style with the most fashionable reusable travel bags from Showoffs. Choose sassy prints from the Beverly Hills start-up. Each single order comes with one quart-size bag, one-gallon size bag, three refillable bottles and bonus bags for just $14.99. www.Showoffstravelbags.com.

If you are jaunting across the globe or not, check out "The Jetsetter" collection from Effie's Paper. Each design is unique and was inspired by worldwide travels by owner Kalyn Johnson Chandler to places like Paris, Honolulu and Buenos Aires. www.EffiesPaper.com.

Don't like those icky hotel sheets?  Bring along Yala Designs DreamSack. The 100% silk DreamSack acts as a sleeping bag liner or as an extra layer of sheeting in a bed. Folds up into a small bag for easy travel and available in 12 different colors. The ultimate luxury travel gear can be found at www.YalaDesigns.com.

When you are on the go, grab Kiesque's Liquid palisade. A smart nail solution to get that perfect nail polished look, even when you can't brush like a master.  Like painter's tape for nails, you simply brush it on and peel it off for the perfect manicure. Purchase online at www.kiesque.com

If you are heading somewhere sunny and warm, make sure to pack Australian Gold's new Intensifier Oils with Colorboost Maximizer for the perfect golden glow and the SPF spray gel with instant bronzer. Made with carrot seed, banana extract and aloe helps condition skin while amplifying color.  www.LivetheGoldLife.com and AustralianGold.com

For the ultimate skin treat, pack Zelens hydrating facial cleanser inspired by traditional herbal medicine and skin cleansing rituals. Made with Camellia oil, Pearl extracts, aloe vera and Vitamin E, Zelen products are free of mineral oils and parabens. www.Zelens.com

Restore and rehydrate your face with Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist.  Feel refreshed while on the road while adding moisture, hydration and antioxidant protection. Safe for applying over makeup. Order at www.Jurlique.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed under: travel, Uncategorized

Travel Guest Post: Essential Apps for The Travel Junkie

Navigate the world with ease and enjoyment.

I remember when I went on a trip to Costa Rica 10-years ago much of my trip was anxiety-ridden. Why might you ask? Well because of the language barrier (I only spoke limited Spanish), and because I didn't have handy smart phone apps in hand to help me quickly find public transit schedules, find suitable restaurants, maps to my desired hotel, or tools to help me track my flight to see if it was on time (otherwise I wouldn't have spent 4-hours waiting for it in the San Jose airport before realizing it was delayed…yet again!)

No, before the invention of smart phone apps travel was often limited to chance—the restaurants you found by luck, or the phrases you misspoke in your printed dual language dictionary (boy, could that thing get you in some hot water). However, thanks to advances in technology, there are a plethora of handy iPhone, Android, and T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S applications to help you track flights, navigate foreign airports, find great places to eat, and maps to help you find the tourist spot or hotel you're looking for.

Here are, in my opinion, the essential apps for the travel junkie:

1. FlightTrack ($4.99 – for Android)

The Flight Track app gives you up-to-date, real-time flight statuses for a multitude of airline flights around the globe. Launch the app to track your flight thanks to this apps stunning, detailed, zoomable maps. Never be late or delayed at the airport again with Flight Track's real-time departure info, up-to-date delay information, and gate departures. Plus, chances are, no matter where you are traveling, this app will locate the info you need from full international coverage on flights worldwide.

2. SoSauce (Free – for iPhone when you sign up for a SoSauce.com membership)

The SoSauce travel app puts the saucy in world exploration. This often hilarious language app is rare compared to other translation apps because it has some fun with the common phrases we're used to learning when we travel. For instance, rather than simply asking where the bathroom is in English, the SoSauce app will infuse some humor by translating the question to: "I had a bad taco and I need a bathroom pronto!" SoSauce phrases are available in English, Mandarin, French, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian.

3. TripIt Travel Organizer (Free – for Android)

This app puts all your travel plans right at your fingertips for absolutely free! The TripIt Travel Organizer is a one-stop shop for planning your next work adventure. Simply forward your travel confirmation emails (regardless of if you booked online or through an agent) to plans@tripit.com and they will build a customized trip itinerary and deliver it your inbox automatically. Don't leave your travel plans up in the air, let this app do all the work for you and sit back and enjoy a well-planned vacation.

4. WiFiFinder ($0.99 – for Android)

Have you ever had to make an emergency phone call or send a quick email to check up on things at home while travelling abroad? Well, no more long distance roaming charges for you when you use the WiFiFinder app. You'll never have to be worried about being without a Wi-Fi internet connection on your travels with this app. The Wi-Fi scans your surroundings for free or paid public Wi-Fi hotspots online or offline—so you can send a quickie email to check on your cat or call your mom to say hi via Skype from anywhere in the world.

5. Talk To Me ($1.99 – for iPhone)

The Talk To Me app is a mobile text-to-speech translation application that speaks words in your desired language as you type them in your native tongue. Featuring 7 languages—including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese—you will never be lost for words or unable to communicate on your worldwide travels.

Author: Pearlie Davis is a staff writer for GoingCellular, a popular site that provides cell phone news commentary, and reviews.

Filed under: technology, travel, travel planning, travel tips