Here at Grazia we live by our phones; they are always in our hands. As we get ready for the summer holidays, we asked our digital editor, Cheska Stark, to recommend apps to make travelling easier.
Here are her eight answers:
1. Stow
The ultimate packing app. Stow makes planning for your next holiday super-easy, but allows you to create and customise your lists. Are you a regular traveller? You can save your own templates!
2. Uber
Basically, a taxi-finder app! How convenient? Recently launched in SA – Durban, Cape Town and Joburg to be specific – this app has already been downloaded onto every Grazia girl’s phone.
3. VSCO Grid
This photo app takes your pics to a whole new level with its awesome filters and super-easy editing. Of course, you can share the pics on any of your social media platforms, including Instagram. #bringontheholidayselfies
4. SneakyPix
Before you judge, you have to admit you are guilty of this, too: wanting to take a snap when technically you are not allowed to! SneakyPix makes it look as if someone is calling you, and as you “pick up” and start to talk, the app continually takes pics or videos. Gone are the days of weird texting angles or faking selfies.
5. MyEdit
MyEdit is South Africa’s hottest new app, and I am obsessed. MyEdit gives you access to thousands of stories from more than 40 of South Africa’s most popular magazines, newspapers, blogs and websites (including Grazia, of course!). As you travel, there’s no need to buy a whole lot of reading material. Just subscribe to your favourite magazines or topics on MyEdit. All you need is your phone or tablet.
6. Covet Fashion
Only a celebrity stylist could create an app as fashionable as this one, and you could only download it during the December holidays, because trust us, you will waste a lot of time playing on this one. This app lets you play paper dress-up with current-season items. You can also enter to win prizes, and Rachel Zoe is the judge. Now that’s major!
7. Trip It
For an organisational obsessive like me, this app is fantastic. Forward your itinerary to your account and see everything in one place – from flight details to hotel reservations, not to mention NB phone numbers and weather forecasts.
8. City Maps 2 Go
This is fantastic! Not all of us have millions to spend on roaming, so this app lets you download the maps you need on Wi-Fi and then use them when you have no data or Wi-Fi access. Even when not connected, the app will pinpoint your exact location. #nomoregettinglost