Must-have travel apps for your next vacation

You may want to think twice about disconnecting from your smartphone on your next adventure.

Travel technologist and CEO of Rezgo – Stephen Joyce – says there are a few travel apps that can actually improve your vacation experience.

“Stick with the big brands and the brands you know and trust in the travel space,” Joyce says.

Here are the top recommendations he gave to Global BC’s Consumer Matters:

1. TripIt – a travel organizing app which transforms all your flights, hotel, and other activities and converts information into a master itinerary.
2. XE Currency – converts live currency and foreign exchange on the go.
3. Google Maps –a web mapping application.
4. Duolingo – free language learning app.
5. BringFido  – will help you select everything from a pet friendly hotel to finding the perfect park so your pooch can run free.
6. PackPoint – packs your suitcase taking into account length of travel, weather and planned activities for business or pleasure.

Joyce recommends to stay away from apps that depend heavily on advertisement.

“If you load the app and it’s ad driven and there are a lot of ads, go with something else,” he says.

Joyce also recommends reading reviews before you a select an app.