The best travel apps

The best travel apps

Don't miss the chance to download some of the best and most innovative travel apps which allow you to save money, time and effort while you're travelling. Your phone can be a source of revolutionary information, so you can see global time zones at the click of a button, watch night sky constellations come to life in front of your eyes and help you navigate the city like a local as soon as you arrive. A little effort in planning which apps will accompany you on your trip will mean you're sure to have a holiday to remember.

Night Sky (image)

For budding astronomers, Night Sky is a beautiful app that's ideal to use while visiting dark sky destinations. Download the app to your phone or tablet, and the next time you're staring up at the stars you can use it to identify the expanse above you. It provides an added dimension to your stargazing with a visual representation of the constellations on your phone screen, which change as its held up to different sections of the sky. Interact with the map it provides to learn about the constellations, from Ursa Major to Cassiopeia. It's a personal planetarium which adds fun and education to your picturesque view.

Citymapper

It's often stressful to navigate a new city, but Citymapper, a transport and travel app which works in nearly 40 different cities worldwide, will put you at ease. From Stockholm to Sydney, select your start and end positions, and wait for the app to provide you with a myriad of real time transport information. You can discover the quickest route to your destination, a completely dry route if it's raining, as well as up-to-date travel information about buses and trains. If you prefer to travel on foot or by two wheels, the app also shows you potential cycle and walking routes. Citymapper also expertly calculates accurate estimated arrival times using current traffic data and gives you information about delays.

UVLens

It's important to take care of your health while travelling, and UVLens is an app that can manage your suncream routine while you're away. The app calculates the UV index as you travel from place to place using innovative technology, and provides you with live reports that prompt you to load up on SPF or stay indoors, all so you can protect your skin from sun damage while visiting sunnier climes. It also cleverly provides you with a personalised UV protection guide tailored to your skin type. Keep updated each day of your holiday and use the app to stay healthy.

Duolingo

The language app to replace all others, Duolingo works best when you download it in the run up to your trip, so you can master the grammar and vocabulary basics prior to arriving. From French to Vietnamese and Swedish to Swahili, the app uses science-based gamification technology to make learning languages fun and help cement the new words you learn in no time. You'll have picked up a basic level of language use by the time you arrive, allowing you to greet locals and order food at restaurants with ease as soon as you touch down.

Circa

If you've ever struggled to organize chats or meetings with friends and colleagues in different time zones, Circa is the app for you. The clear interface works on both Apple iPhones, tablets and watches, and provides a visual representation of the current time in different parts of the world. From New York to Shanghai, you can keep track of changing time zones with zero effort. Organize virtual work meetings through the app, keep track of sleep patterns or arrange when to video call a friend or loved one at a time when you're both awake.

Wildlife holidays for families

Wildlife holidays for families

A summer holiday with your family can be more than just a getaway - pick the right tour and you'll have an educational experience that stays in the minds of your children for life. If you're after an trip your whole family will never forget, choose a wildlife-spotting holiday and enjoy visiting some of the world's most biodiverse areas. From the remote and rugged isles of the Galapagos, to the scenic cloud forests of Costa Rica, take your family on a trip of a lifetime with one of these truly memorable wildlife experiences.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

After a day wandering around the historic city of Quito, Ecuador, fly to the remote airport on Isla San Cristobal, located three hours away in the vast Pacific Ocean. From day one, you'll be able to see some of the world's most spectacular and unique wildlife up close. The islands' isolation has resulted in wildlife that are evolutionarily unique, and it was the experience of this which famously inspired Darwin's theory of evolution after a trip here in 1835. A boat trip to Isla Lobos means you can see the world's second largest sea lion colony, and during the boat ride here you can spot stunning birdlife like frigate birds and blue footed boobies. A visit to the remote Charles Darwin Research Centre means you can get up close to giant tortoises, part of the centre's breeding program, and snorkeling around pretty beach La Loberia will reveal a hidden world of sea lions and turtles.

Madagascar

Giant island Madagascar, located off the coast of Africa, is home to some of the most unique wildlife on the planet - over 90% of the biodiversity here isn't found anywhere else on the planet. Wander under towering baobab trees, spot curious ring-tailed lemurs and glide past waiting crocodiles on inland rivers. A visit to stunning Andasibe National Park is a must, and gives you a chance to see over 13 different lemur species, from the largest - the Indri with its distinctive call - to the tiny red mouse lemur. It's also extremely worthwhile to take a boat tour along the quiet Tsiribihina river to see beautiful birdlife like herons, ibis and egrets, before stopping to camp with a spectacular view of the stars.

Borneo

Take to the humid rainforests of Borneo, an island spanning both Indonesia and Malaysia, to experience some of the most stunning wildlife on Earth. A trip to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in Sabah will allow you to get up close to beautiful orangutans, our close cousins, and witness their feeding time. The sanctuary is also home to the rare Malaysian Sun Bear, which are in danger of becoming extinct. Close to here is the Kinabatangan River, which you can travel down to spot monkeys playing on the banks, crocodiles submerged below the rusty water, and if you're lucky, wild elephants drinking. Crossing over to Indonesian Sarawak, take part in a frog tour at Kubah National Park - a visit to the frog pond here will reveal some of the 60 species that live in the park, and you'll be treated to the harmonious music of their calls.

Antarctica

The southernmost continent of Antarctica is one of the world's last frontiers, and tagging along on an expedition here is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Stop off at remote South Georgia, to wander among a colony of over 500,000 king penguins, watch whales swim slowly from the deck of the boat and see strange, beautifully shaped icebergs float by. Don't miss a chance to take part on a kayak tour, which will allow you to glide past seals and below flying albatross. Book a cabin on the ship with a floor-to-ceiling window so you can watch the stunning wildlife from the comfort of your room as day turns into night.

Luxury safari holidays for couples

Luxury safari holidays for couples

For a truly romantic getaway, get close to nature with your significant other at a spectacular safari experience. Across the stunning African subcontinent, from Namibia to South Africa, there are plenty of five-star safari lodges and experiences to choose from. Fulfil your dream of spotting the big five or sleep in a luxurious campsite looking up at the stars.

Helicopter safari, Namibia

There's no better way to see the vast plains of Namibia than from the bird's eye view of a helicopter. Enjoy a helicopter safari tour over the stunning Epupa Falls and above gigantic baobab trees, then stop off to see wildlife up close. A boat ride will glide you past crocodiles and animals grazing on the river banks, and a trip in a four by four will reveal colourful birdlife which live close to the water. The heli-safari then travels over the remote Marienfluss Valley, where you can see herds of springbok and oryx antelopes in full glory.

Royal Malewane, South Africa

For a truly VIP experience, stay at the Royal Malewane luxury resort in Greater Kruger National Park. This five-star hotel brings you up close to the big five, but with fine facilities that will make you feel at home. Guests are encouraged to enjoy safaris at their own pace, and outings on Land Rovers or open top Land Cruisers usually take place at sunrise or sunset. You can expect to see spectacular wildlife like leopards, lions, elephants and black rhinos up close. To unwind after your day, book a treatment at the onsite spa and dine at the resort's restaurant, which stocks an extensive collection of South African wines.

Serengeti mobile safari, Tanzania

A unique way of seeing Tanzania's incredible wildlife is through a mobile safari. Travel across the Serengeti on Abercrombie & Kent's nomadic tour, which allows you to travel at your leisure across the dusty plains, spotting endangered black rhino and vast herds of wildebeest, and stopping each night to camp in style. Their glamorous tents provide en suite bathrooms and hot showers. You'll be greeted each morning with a refreshing cup of tea and in the evenings you can enjoy superb camp cuisine in front of a roaring fire.

Masai Mara, Kenya

If your priority on safari is seeing big cats, the Masai Mara national reserve in Kenya should be your destination of choice. Base yourself at Cottars camp, a safari camp that's been in operation since 1919, and has retained classic 1920s style - you can sleep in cream canvas tents adorned with vintage touches like Persian rugs and zebra skins. Family tents even have living rooms with fireplaces to help you stay cosy during the evenings. During the day, drive through the vast surrounding plains, spotting cheetahs and lions waiting for masses of migrating wildebeest, and leopards sleeping in shady trees. After a day of wildlife spotting, cool off in the onsite 25 metre swimming pool or indulge in a treatment in the camp's spa.

Chinzombo, Zambia

Often voted Africa's best safari, Chinzombo is a luxury camp in Zambia offering a glamorous vantage point for the myriad of beautiful animals in the area, like zebra, kudu and impala. Choose from their series of six exclusive villas that have exceptional views across the plains, and enjoy dinner under the stars next to the warmth of a fire pit. Located in South Luangwa National Park, and close to the Luangwa River, you can expect to spot wildlife like elephants coming to drink here from the comfort of the resort, and during jeep outings you're likely to see animals totally unique to the area, like the Thornicroft's giraffe and Crawshay's zebra.

VIP honeymoon destinations around the world

VIP honeymoon destinations around the world

One of the most special holidays you'll ever have, your honeymoon should be the trip of a lifetime. Whether you'd rather have a romantic trip to a charming European city, to stretch out on a white-sanded beach with a cocktail in hand or to tour dramatic scenery and ancient ruins, your honeymoon is the ideal opportunity to indulge in luxurious travel.

Maldives

If your idea of a perfect holiday is to walk barefoot on white beaches, lie on hammocks under palm trees and have coconut scented massages in shady waterfront bungalows, the Maldives should be your honeymoon destination of choice. Stay at Cheval Blanc Randheli, a resort run by Louis Vuitton, for a paradisiacal island experience with luxurious facilities. This hotel is located on the Noonu atoll, a private island, and runs unforgettable experiences like moonlit diving, treasure hunts, beach barbeques and charming trips out to sea on dhonis, traditional wooden boats.

Bali

With unspoiled beaches, verdant rice paddies and overgrown ancient temples, Bali is a magical place. Towering over lush rainforest, Hanging Gardens Ubud is one of the most stunning hotels in the world. Its deep green glass-sided infinity pools hover at the edge of the property, and each suite has its own granite infinity pool for your private use. Enjoy a traditional Balinese massage while being bathed in the sounds of exotic birds and waterfalls, and feast on fresh Indonesian dishes over a candlelit dinner with a bottle of sparkling wine. In the day, explore cultural hub Ubud, with its myriad of yoga studios, organic restaurants and arts and crafts workshops. Photo from the The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Greece

The simple beauty of the Greek Islands, with their fresh seafood, white-washed villages and private bays fringed with pine trees, makes for an unforgettable honeymoon. Stay at Villa Irita on the remote and beautiful coast of Corfu, renovated from a crumbling ruin to a characterful self-catering cottage in 2012. Spend your days wandering around rugged terraces of olive trees which line a bay looking over the Ionian Sea, and swim at Agni beach, which is also home to a fine selection of tavernas serving traditional Greek dishes. The landscape around, beloved of writer Gerald Durrell, is also perfect for wildlife spotting, including lizards, owls and eagles.

Zanzibar

For a stunning Indian Ocean retreat, head to Zanzibar, one of the spice islands east of Africa. Stay at Mnemba Island Lodge for a luxurious experience - you'll be one of ten in their chic beachside huts with thatched porches, looking over impossibly white sands and crystal clear waters. The resort provides private butlers, so you can pick from their expert cocktail menu at the drop of a hat, or for activities enrol in their onsite diving school or stretch out in a private yoga lesson. Sights of spectacular Tanzanian wildlife are also within reach - spot dolphins, turtle hatchings and rare coconut crabs on tours organized by the hotel.

Scotland

There are few places more romantic than the Scottish countryside, with its wild moors of heather, dramatic peaks and deep lochs. If you prefer your honeymoon with a dose of the gothic, stay at Glengorm Castle on the Isle of Mull. Treat yourself to the Compass Room, a secluded chamber right at the top of the historic tower, which offers views in all four directions. In the daytime, wander around the 5,000 acre surrounding estate, where you can spot golden eagles, herds of Highland Cattle, Blackface sheep and majestic red deer. Enjoy supper and complimentary local whiskey in their atmospheric library, warmed by a open fire and stacked with hundreds of books.