There’s An App For That: What to Download Before You Go

Travel planning can swing wildly between pure joy and pure chaos. Even the most seasoned travelers sometimes find themselves drowning in tabs, screenshots, and endless lists. But what if your smartphone could take some of the stress off your plate?

AFAR editors created an excellent collection of must-have travel apps that streamline every phase of your journey—from creating packing lists and securing accommodations to calculating exchange rates and breaking through language barriers. At Bixby Tales, we've personally road-tested most (if not all) of these digital companions, and they've consistently proven their worth.

But wait—there's more! We've recently discovered additional gems that deserve a spot on your home screen before your next adventure. Let these digital travel buddies transform your experience from overwhelming to extraordinary.

World of Mouth (WoM)

Picture having a secret society of culinary insiders—like chef Ana Roš and food enthusiast Phil Rosenthal—whispering restaurant recommendations directly into your ear. That's essentially what WoM delivers! This platform features meticulously crafted WoM Guides to the world's most fascinating food destinations, alongside more casual but equally valuable MyGuides created by community members and editorial experts. The library function lets you organize your own discoveries, which you can either keep to yourself or share with fellow food adventurers.

Locavore

Farm-to-table enthusiasts, rejoice! This free app is practically your personal seasonal food guru. Locavore taps into your phone's GPS to identify which fruits and vegetables are currently in season wherever your wanderlust takes you. Even better, it maps nearby farmers' markets, public-access farms, and community-supported agriculture venues. Your taste buds (and the planet) will thank you.

Wanderlog

If apps were superheroes, Wanderlog would be the caped crusader of travel planning. This is an all-in-one travel planning powerhouse. Its clean, intuitive interface lets you craft detailed itineraries, pin interesting locations to maps, and organize every aspect of your trip—all in one place. Say goodbye to your chaotic collection of travel notes!

TripLingo

Want to avoid those cringe-worthy tourist moments? TripLingo transforms you from obvious visitor to savvy traveler in over 100 countries. Simply select your destination, download the relevant language pack, and gain access to an instant voice translator (supporting 42 languages), a robust 10,000-word offline dictionary, and invaluable "culture crash courses." These include safety guidelines, gratuity calculators, and local slang that will help you navigate new cultures with confidence.

Waygo

Asia-bound English speakers, this one's your new best friend. Waygo works like magic, instantly translating Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, Kanji, and Korean text when you hover your camera over menus or signs. Beyond written translations, it also provides voice guidance for proper pronunciation. The best part? It works completely offline—just imagine all the authentic dishes you'll confidently order without playing menu roulette!

Let Us Handle the Heavy Lifting

Found these digital tools helpful? Fantastic! But if you'd rather skip the DIY approach and focus solely on enjoying your vacation, we've got you covered. As Fora Certified travel advisors, Bixby Tales specializes in taking travel planning off your plate. Whether you need a straightforward hotel booking or a meticulously customized adventure crafted to your preferences, we adjust our services to match exactly what you're seeking.

Ready to start planning? We'd love to hear from you and transform your travel dreams into reality. Let's Chat!