Navigating the intricacies of unfamiliar cities can be a real challenge. Fortunately, in this digitalized world, various mobile applications have proved to be indispensable allies for every urban traveller. They enable optimal planning, offer personalised suggestions and even provide instant translations to overcome the language barrier. Exploring these digital tools helps not only to maximise the travel experience but also to discover the authentic heart of the metropolises you visit.
Google Maps
Google Maps is an indispensable tool for urban travellers, providing invaluable assistance in discovering cities. Armed with an interactive digital map that is constantly updated, the application lets you view the urban landscape from your smartphone with unrivalled precision.
Thanks to its GPS function, Google Maps provides users with an exact location in real time. This facility is undeniably practical when you're in a foreign or unfamiliar city. Travellers can orientate their route without fear of getting lost.
The app also offers customised itineraries according to the preferences of each user: on foot, by bike or by car. This makes discovering a new city smoother and more enjoyable.
What's more, Google Maps provides an overview of road traffic, enabling travellers to avoid traffic jams and other inconveniences associated with urban travel.
But that's not all. The satellite view integrated into the application gives a global overview of the area being explored, and can even help to pinpoint certain monuments or specific points of interest before the traveller even sets foot on the spot.
So, with its wide range of functions combining precise navigation and ease of use, Google Maps has established itself as an essential mobile application for urban travel.
Airbnb
Where better to stay than with local people?
When it comes to travelling and discovering cities, the choice of accommodation is crucial. That's where Airbnb comes in. This mobile application has revolutionised accommodation booking by putting travellers in direct contact with hosts who rent out their accommodation or a guest room. The variety of offers on Airbnb is staggering: from cosy urban studios to Balinese villas overlooking rice paddies, there's a roof over every traveller's head.
Airbnb's strength lies in its simplicity: once you've downloaded the app and created an account, all you have to do is choose your destination and dates to see a list of available accommodation. Prices are clearly indicated and previous reviews give you a good idea of what to expect.
Live like a local thanks to Airbnb
As well as booking accommodation, Airbnb also offers an "experiences" function. It's not just about visiting a town, but living like a local for the duration of your stay. The experience can be as varied as taking a traditional cooking class in the Tuscan countryside or taking part in a guided night-time tour of Berlin's finest graffiti.
Thanks to the experiences offered by the locals themselves (the hosts), each traveller can find something to suit his or her personal interests, while benefiting from the locals' unique perspective on their city. It's an authentic and rewarding way to discover a place, far removed from the traditional tourist circuits.
GetYourGuide
Find the right activity with GetYourGuide
Life as a traveller involves a constant flurry of activities. This is where the GetYourGuide mobile application really comes into its own, acting as a veritable guide for adventurous souls in search of new discoveries. This platform allows you to book online a multitude of attractions, tours and excursions in each city you visit. Tickets can be accessed directly from your smartphone, eliminating any logistical hassle.
As you browse through the offers available on the app, you'll be amazed at the sheer diversity of what's on offer, from a guided tour of the Vatican Museums in Rome to a photo safari in the heart of the Serengeti in Tanzania. Each experience is unique and designed to enrich the curious traveller.
Immerse yourself in the local culture through culinary experiences
Beyond the traditional tourist sites, GetYourGuide also offers an immersive immersion in local culture through its cookery courses. These hands-on workshops are an opportunity to learn how to concoct exquisite local dishes under the watchful eye of expert chefs.
Booking is quick and easy via the app: select the venue, check availability and book your place! Whether you want to perfect your culinary technique or simply discover new authentic flavours, these workshops are a great way to fully integrate the local rhythm into your travels.
So with GetYourGuide, every city becomes an open book of activities and experiences.
TripAdvisor
Accommodation with TripAdvisor
A keen traveller, the author has discovered that TripAdvisor is an indispensable mobile application for finding the best accommodation. A faithful companion to backpackers, this platform offers a wide range of hotels and other types of accommodation to suit all budgets and preferences. The app collects thousands of authentic reviews left by previous travellers, playing a key role in choosing the best hotel for each stay. It also makes it easy to compare prices between different types of accommodation to make the wisest choice.
Recommended restaurants on TripAdvisor
In addition to accommodation, TripAdvisor is a real goldmine for discovering local restaurants, bars and cafés. Using an analytical approach based on the ratings awarded by its worldwide community, it encourages culinary discovery by highlighting the best addresses according to various criteria: quality of cuisine, service or even the atmosphere of the place. If you consider a warm welcome in a local bar or gastronomic excellence in a top-of-the-range restaurant to be an integral part of the perfect city trip, then this application is undoubtedly a must-have for any globetrotter.
Deepl
Deepl is one of those mobile applications that are proving indispensable for travellers. It's not just a translation tool, but a true multilingual travel companion. With Deepl, the language barrier becomes almost non-existent. The application offers real-time translation in over twenty languages, making it easy to communicate with locals and interpret information signs.
It's on the smartphone that this application really comes into its own. In just a few seconds, you can have an accurate, clear translation of a text or even an entire conversation. The powerful linguistic engine used by Deepl offers exceptional translation quality.
With Deepl at your fingertips, travelling through different cities around the world becomes a smooth and rewarding experience. From menus in restaurants to driving directions, this application allows travellers who specialise in discovering cities to fully enjoy their journeys without being held back by language incomprehension.
In short, thanks to its remarkable performance in terms of accuracy and its ease of use on a smartphone, Deepl is an indispensable ally for any globetrotter wishing to explore the world without language constraints.
