Travel Smart: 10 Must Have Travel Apps for Women

With the power of a smartphone in your hand you can make your next trip better, safer and more adventurous. 

Check out the 10 must have apps that every smart, savvy traveler should download:

1. HotelTonight - Basic to Luxe  accommodations. Hotel Tonight offers same day and last minute hotel bookings at reduced rates. Book a hand picked hotel room with just 3 taps and a swipe in 10 seconds.

2. HipMunk - Planning your next trip and on a budget? Hipmunk compiles the best flight and hotel deals on a single page for quick and easy comparison. Airbnb and Homeaway rentals are now included in their hotel search results.

3. Pocket Earth -  Never worry about getting lost as long as your device is charged and you have the Pocket Earth app. Offline maps and travel guides are accessible without a wifi connection. The perfect companion for your next international trip.

Source: PocketEarth.com

Travel Smart: Solo Travel Tips for Women

Travel is ingrained in my DNA. My mother was a woman who traveled across the world with ease. Whether she was exploring France on a European vacation, hanging with the locals in Guadalajara, Mexico, cruising through the Caribbean or sneaking off to Vegas. I still have the postcard she sent me from her Hawaiian vacation when I was a kid. Even as a divorced, single mother she still set aside time and money to prioritize travel.  Sometimes she had kids in tow or her girlfriends, but she was also not afraid to travel alone. My mothers ability to globetrott with confidence is one of the many reasons she was and will always be my shero.

Me and Mom - San Antonio, TX in the early 1980's

I believe every woman should experience taking a solo trip. You don’t necessarily need to embark upon an “Eat, Pray, Love” adventure or go “Wild” like Cheryl Strayed but taking the opportunity to explore and discover on your own is a brave and bold move that could lead to an empowering experience of a lifetime.

Traveling alone can be a scary thought for many, here are four travel tips that will ease any fears and help make your solo travel experience safe, enjoyable and fulfilling.

1.   Identify Your Ideal Destination

Decide if you want to lay around a beach, relax at a spa, shop all day, or tap into some history and culture.  If you’ve been stressed lately a relaxing beach vacation may be what you need to unwind.  Foreign destinations are always ideal if you are looking to explore history and discover a new culture. Don’t mull over the destination too long, just choose!