Three Free Must-Have Apps

Here are three apps you will want to download before the trip, and all three are free!

World Explorer by AudioGuidia. Free! Using your current location, the app gives you fun facts, historical data, and geographical information about the area, including photos and maps. You'll be surprised at how much there is to learn! It's very addictive—great to use even at home! There's also a search option that lets you look up any location in the world and explore in advance or find points of interest ahead of time. You can add a voice audio guide for free. If you want to upgrade, there's also World Explorer 360 at a cost of $3.99.

XE Currency. Free! This is a currency exchange calculator—a must for anyone planning to spend euros or Swiss francs.

iTranslate. Free! This app enables on-the-spot translate. Need to ask for directions? Type in the question in English, and get the question translated into the language you need. There's even an audio feature that let's you hear how the question would be spoken in the target language so you can repeat it or just let the audience hear the question translated. If you want to upgrade to voice recognition, there's a 3-month subscription for $1.99 (doesn't automatically renew).

If you have an app to share with the rest of the group, post a comment here!

Read Up Before You Go

Here is the link to a website where you can read about the history of Dachau, the concentration camp that we will visit during our travels around Germany. I always recommend reading before you travel. The background will make the experience of seeing more meaningful!

http://www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de/index-e.html

Stuffing Your Suitcase—Not!

The definition of packing is filling a suitcase. But remember that you want to travel light and leave room for things you'll carry home to give away or to sit on a shelf and collect dust! 

Here’s a trick for those who worry about wrinkled clothes but don’t want to carry an iron or steamer. Layer your clothing with dry cleaning bags, making sure part of the back is inside every fold. When you fold over the bag, you create air pockets that prevent creases in the clothing (at least that's my theory about why it works). I’ve used this method when I needed to pack suits and dresses, and it does work!

Check this website for excellent tips on how to pack light!

Downy wrinkle releaser spray also works pretty well, and you can usually find a small bottle where travel-sized products are sold.