Planning your ideal vacation just got easier.
By Kat Barclay
Whatever it is, there’s probably an app for it. These days, just about anything can be done on your phone, including all you may need to plan your next trip, from booking flights and lodging to reserving a table at that fancy restaurant you’ve been dying to try. Who needs a travel agent when you have technology? With summer on its way (June 21 marks the first day of summer.) and vacation time at the front of everyone’s minds, we’ve put together a list of five of our favorite travel apps to help you plan your next trip in a breeze.
Flyover Country
Do you want to know exactly what you’re looking down at as you stare out your plane window? Flyover Country is an offline mobile app that uses maps and data from various geological and paleontological databases to identify landscapes. The app uses GPS tracking to determine your flight’s speed, altitude and direction as well. Other features include a ground mode for road trips and hikes, as well as access to expert-written field-trip guides.
Resy
Calling all foodies! Resy is a must-download app. The app allows users to search from a list of restaurants and then easily book a reservation. Remove the hassle of calling ahead or putting your name on a waiting list once you arrive. Resy partners with a handful of local restaurants in most cities throughout the U.S., including Austin.
Hipcamp
Hipcamp is a comprehensive camping guide for adventure seekers. Easily find and book camping sites near you, or anywhere in the U.S., through the Hipcamp app. Forget outdated reservation websites; spots to pitch a tent tend to stray off the beaten path when you use Hipcamp, from a host’s private property or remote ranchland to vineyards with vistas or nearby national parks. You can also pay it forward by setting up your own land as a hosting site.
Zeel
Zeel offers on-demand massages wherever you are staying. Book on the app and a licensed massage therapist will come straight to your hotel or Airbnb in less than a hour. Zeel offers services in more than 85 cities throughout the country, and services can be scheduled in advance or even on short notice. It’s the perfect fit for those looking to add a little bit of spontaneous relaxation to their getaway.
Prête
Everyone needs a great hair day every once in a while, and a vacation is the perfect excuse for some pampering. A membership-based app, Prête allows users the freedom to book a hair blowout with some of the best salons in the area, whether it’s at home in Austin or in one of the other nine cities in which Prête partners are located. The app also allows users to schedule blowout-party services in all 50 states—perfect for your next girls’ weekend getaway.