There is a Travel App for That: Free Wi-Fi Finder

Free Wi-Fi Finder (download)

This app will help you find all types of free, as well as paid public if a need arises, Wi-Fi hotspots that are open to the general public, customers or guests. You are able to filter hot spot search results by free vs. paid, provider or location type. Also, you can filter locations by categories, such as cafes or libraries, and you can save your favorite spots for another time.
The app, additionally, provides offline database that covers over 100 countries and 110,000 free hot spots where you can access the Internet. This tool is great for planning ahead for vacations and business trips. Especially since you can get Wi-Fi hotspot details and call the location, get directions to it or add it to your favorites all from within the app.

Why good to have on a trip:
- Find a hotspot and get online quickly whenever and wherever
- Get Wi-Fi hotspot details and call the location, get directions to it or add it to your favorites
- Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch. Requires iPhone OS 3.2 or later.
- It's Free!

Wi-Fi Finder is available on iTunes and also on Android Market

Did You Know?
A few things to keep in mind about some Free Wi-Fi high speed internet access locations:
- It is an open unsecured connection. Use a VPN - virtual private network - for extra protection if you plan to transfer any sensitive information.
- The signal may not always be on or be strong.
- Some locations may require a purchase to get the login info required to connect.
- Some locations may have SafeSurf type software installed that will restrict access to some web sites.
- Don't expect to get much support help from the staff, they're waitresses or baristas, etc., not tech support people. Some may not even know it exists.
- Don't expect to find many plugs. Make sure your battery is charged or bring a spare.
- Some locations will not allow outgoing e-mail to be sent via their SMTP server. Use a web based e-mail account if you need to send e-mail while in this type of free location.
- At a lot of Hotzones or other similarly named types of access that cover an outdoors area (usually town, city or municipality sponnsored/provided), the signal may or may not carry to the inside of and be available in the businesses within the Hotzone.

What is your favorite go-to Wi-Fi spot? Leave a Comment

Halloween Travel & Gadgets

Sweet & Spooky Adventures:
http://family.go.com/travel/pkg-halloween-travel/
Ghost Towns & Tours
Haunted Houses
Sweetest Travel Spots
and More from family-friendly Halloween travel
by Disney Family

Halloween Destinations:
They're Creepy and They're Kooky from the travel channel

7 Thrilling Ghost Tours:
1. The Salem Night Tour: Salem, Massachusetts
2. Supernatural History Tour: Edinburgh, Scotland
3. Winchester Mystery House: San Jose, California
4. Jack the Ripper Tour: London, England
5. Hearse Ghost Tours: Savannah, Georgia
6. Dark Rome Crypts & Catacombs Tour: Rome, Italy
7. Ghosts of Gettysburg: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
More here

5 Haunted Hotels for Halloween 2011:
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/travel/5-haunted-hotels-halloween-2011
1. The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa – Eureka Springs, Ark. - 3rd most haunted building
2. Buxton Inn – Granville, Ohio - one of The 10 Most Haunted Hotels in America
3. The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa – Denver - Beatles stayed at the hotel during a tour stop in 1960
4. The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville, La.- one of the nation’s most haunted
5. Hotel del Coronado – San Diego - some of the long-term guests have never left

10 terrifying Halloween gadgets

Top 10 Scariest Gadgets from PCMag.com

What are you doing for Halloween? Leave a Comment

There is a Travel App for That: Travel Packing Aid

Saving Grace. Travel Packing Aid:

When we are packing for one of our trips, we usually put together a list of things to take along on paper since it is easier to update it and cross off items that have been packed. Well now there is an app for that:
- Saving Grace makes packing easier by showing you not only how many items you’ve already packed, but also how many are left to pack in each category.
Just tap an item to move it into your ‘packed’ list
- The app has pre-set lists for different trip types – winter, summer, activity holiday or a short break. Activities include specific lists for surfing, cycling, golf, diving, fishing, camping etc. We have found the lists quite extensive and detailed. Even my wife, an avid packer, was impressed with all the items listed on the lists.
- You can also personalize the lists by swiping in new items or categories or delete one or multiple things at once.
- The app also features a readymade list of important stuff to do before you travel - from travel insurance to currency to watering your plants and emptying your fridge.

Available for download on iTunes

Why good to have on a trip:
- a packing check list and reminder tool all in one. Designed to cut the stress of packing.
- It's simple, and more importantly, fast to use
- Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later
- Price: Free

How do you pack for travels? Leave a Comment

Travel Bottle Kit - TSA approved, ready to go

Travel Bottle Kit is a great travel gadget for packing and organizing and, most importantly these days, abiding by the TSA rules. (TSA regulations) It is also great for health and for the environment since these are made from food grade material and resuable again and again.
A kit consists of leak-proof and break-resistant travel bottles that can be filled with shampoo, lotion, body wash, vitamins, and other travel essentials. In the eBags 3-1-1 Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit, the bottles also have different color tops for easy identification and they come in different sizes as well, ranging from 2oz down to 0.5oz. These bottles easily fit into a 1-quart zip-top bag.
Travel kits help reduce the amount of space in your suitcase when packing up various personal and hygiene products Since you can take only so much with you on the trip, its a great idea to not drag a full size shampoo bottle or lotion with you. Most bottles can provide sufficient volume to hold enough shampoo/conditioner/shower gel for a week trip. This way can pack more of other essentials and pack less in your suitcases. Or, as we have done on our trip, not take suitcase along at all, by packing everything tightly in small containers and Space Bags. Save on airline fees and your health.

Why good to have on a trip:
- easy to pack and carry
- portable and convenient
- leak-proof and break-resistant
- get past security without a problem

What do you pack for air travel? Leave a Comment