Travelling with the help of Information Technologies (IT)

1. Travelling with
Information Technology

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Introduction
Where to go ?
Transportation
Accommodations
Resorts
Wireless Apps
City & Restaurants Guides
Stay Connected
GPS
Other Travel Applications
Logistic
Sharing your memories
Conclusion

3. 
Travelling is much easier thanks to modern I.T.
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Internet
Wi-Fi
Mobile Phone
Mobile Applications
But it requires preparations
And always have a back-up

4. 
Check Tours organisers:
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http://www.exotiktours.com/en/
http://www.seniortours.ca/destinations.php
http://www.wheretraveler.com/travel-ideas
http://www.trafalgar.com/can
http://www.collettevacations.ca/
http://www.gadventures.com/
http://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tour_group/privateandindep
endent
Check Travel reports:
◦ http://www.mytripjournal.com/
◦ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/3391028/The-worlds-besttravel-blogs.html
◦ http://www.viator.com/
◦ http://travel.ca.msn.com/
◦ http://www.cntraveler.com/
◦ http://www.stay.com/
◦ http://www.gogobot.com/
◦ http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page

5. 
Air
◦ Google Flights: https://www.google.ca/flights/
◦ Kayak: http://www.kayak.com/flights
 http://www.kayak.com/explore/
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Hipmunk: http://www.hipmunk.com/
http://www.cheapflights.ca/
http://www.orbitz.com
http://flights.traveleurope.com/
http://www.travelalerts.ca/ottawa/
Low cost Europe http://www.europebyair.com/
You can show your finding to your travel agent
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Trains
Europe: http://www.raileurope.com/en/index.html
Germany: http://www.bahn.com/i/view/index.shtml
France: http://www.sncf.com/en/passengers
Spain: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/
Italy: http://www.trenitalia.com/

6. 
Rental Cars
◦ First check:
 http://www.kayak.com/cars
 http://www.rentalcars.com/
◦ Then check the corporate site: Hertz, Dollars…
◦ Compare price, cancellations and insurances (CDW)
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Collision Damage Waiver
◦ http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/carrental_cdw
.htm
◦ http://www.insurance4carhire.com

7. 
Hotels Reviews
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Reservations
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Other accomodations:
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◦ Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotels
◦ Monarc: http://www.monarc.ca
◦ Trivago: http://www.trivago.ca/
◦ Booking: http://www.booking.com/
◦ Expedia: http://www.expedia.ca/
◦ http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/
◦ http://www.tripadvisor.ca/VacationRentals-g29220-ReviewsMaui_Hawaii-Vacation_Rentals.html
◦ https://www.airbnb.ca/
◦ https://www.couchsurfing.org/
◦ http://www.homestay.com/
Compare with Hotel web site
Compare prices and cancellation policy
Very cheap price may equal worst hotel room

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To check all-inclusive at :
http://www.tripcentral.ca/
Make reservation at :
◦ http://www.redtag.ca/
◦ http://www.itravel2000.com/
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Last minutes:
◦ http://www.selloffvacations.com/
◦ http://www.travellastminute.ca/
Try different departure cities:
Ottawa, Montréal, Toronto, USA
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9. 
IP Phone Calls
Skypes: http://www.skype.com/en/
Fongo: http://www.fongo.com/
Viber: Viber: http://www.viber.com/
Magic Jack:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co
m.magicjack
◦ WeChat: http://www.wechat.com/en/
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Wi-Fi Finder (Off Line!)
◦ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co
m.jiwire.android.finder&hl=fr

10. 
City Guides
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http://www.triposo.com/
http://www.ulmon.com/
http://www.mtrip.com/
http://www.stay.com/
http://www.virtualtourist.com/
Restaurants
◦ http://www.foodspotting.com
◦ http://www.urbanspoon.com
◦ http://www.zagat.com/

11. 
Buy an unlocked phone
 http://www.amazon.ca
 http://www.factorydirect.ca
 http://www.tigerdirect.ca
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Unlock existing phones ($20)
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http://www.cellunlocker.net/
http://www.gsmliberty.net/shop/
http://mobile-phone-unlock.com/
http://unlock.canadagsm.ca/
http://ottawapc.ca/

12. 
AVOID ROAMING CHARGES or TURN OFF YOUR PHONE!
Use WiFi and IP Phone instead of Cell Phone
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USA
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World
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◦ Roam: http://www.roammobility.com
◦ T-Mobile: http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/pay-by-the-daycell-phone-plans
◦ http://cell-phone-providers-review.toptenreviews.com/prepaidcell-phones/
◦ http://www.cellguru.net/prepaid_compare.htm
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https://www.g3wireless.com/
http://www.brightroam.com/
http://www.prepaidsimcard.org/
http://www.simcardspain.es

13. 
Stand-Alone (Garmin, Magellan , TomTom…)
◦ Find the maps you need
◦ Update and test them before you travel
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Cell Phone GPS
◦ Google Maps:http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/
◦ Maps2Go: https://itunes.apple.com/app/city-maps2go/id327783342
◦ MapswithMe: http://mapswith.me/en/home
◦ Sygic:http://www.sygic.com/en
◦ Waze: https://www.waze.com
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Use a good cup mount for car safety
But ALWAYS have a back up: Paper Maps

14. 
To gather in one place all your reservations
◦ http://travel.tripcase.com/
◦ https://www.tripit.com/
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Keep confirmations on line and a scan of passports
or send yourself an email with those documents:
Google Docs, DropBox…:
Translation: Google Translate (Off-Line available)
Gas Price: http://gasbuddy.com/
Flight Tracker:http://flightaware.com/mobile/
Exchange Rates: http://www.xe.com/
Weather: http://www.accuweather.com/
Use only https secure web address when checking
accounts in public place.

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Radio: http://tunein.com/
News: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/mobilesite/index.html
http://www.cbc.ca/mobile/services/
Medical:
◦ http://www.webmd.com/
◦ http://www.iamat.org/ (Become a member of
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE TO TRAVELLERS)
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Password Keepass: http://keepass.info/
Your Bank mobile apps

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Bring a multi-plug Extension cord
Need AC Plug adapters ?
Check AC voltage requirements: Need
Transformers (220 to 120 V) ?
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm
Bring AC chargers (USB hub)
Bring a 12 volt charger (USB or dedicated) for
the car
12 volts to 120 volts inverter for the car
Bring a back up Internet device: small laptop
Bring spare batteries or a USB Battery pack

17. 
Sharing your pictures:
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http://picasa.google.com/intl/en/
http://www.flickr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
http://instagram.com/
Sharing your itinerary:
◦ https://www.tripit.com/
◦ http://travel.tripcase.com/
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Printing your pictures:
◦ http://www.photobookcanada.com/
◦ http://costco.pnimedia.com/album/photobook_sel
ection_main.aspx

18. 
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Information Technologies is useful to travel
the world
…but requires preparations
Do not depend on IT…keep some back up
Use your IT at home before you travel
Have a nice trip…
Or try virtual travel
◦ http://www.google.com/earth/
◦ http://www.italyguides.it/us/venice_italy/interactiv
e_map_of_venice/map_of_venice.php

19. Questions:
Bernard.Caron@Gmail.com
Presentation available at:
http://fr.slideshare.net/Yingbernard
/dont-leave-home-without-it