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Technology and Apps

South Korea travel guide app

With the app “Korea Travel Books,” created by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), travelers to South Korea can access the KTO’s most up-to-date travel guides as well as guides published by regional tourism organizations, along with maps and information on day tours, accommodations and transportation. The app also determines the user’s location and automatically displays guidebooks for the area, also offering real-time weather and currency-exchange information.

Free on iTunes and Android, the app requires a network connection for most functions. A data charge may apply.

Dublin Pass app

Visitors to Dublin, Ireland, can download the Dublin Pass app onto their iPhones or Androids for free and get the same benefits of the physical Dublin Pass card but on their phones. 

The Dublin Pass provides free or discounted as well as fast-track entry to attractions throughout the city along with access to a free, hop-on/hop-off bus tour. Passes are available in 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-day increments. A 1-day pass costs €52 (near $62) and a 5-day pass, €104. 

The app also contains sightseeing guides and maps and alerts users to limited-time offers.

Frankfurt Shop-Finder app

The app Frankfurt Shop-Finder, in English and German, guides shoppers to as many as 1,000 stores throughout the German city of Frankfurt am Main. Whether someone is looking for a name-brand shop or a certain type of store or eatery, the app’s “near me” function directs him to the closest location. The app can be downloaded for free at Google Play and Apple Store.

Update on laptops in carryons. North Korea travelban. Trip-cancellation/interruption claims caveat.

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 499th issue of your monthly foreign-travel magazine.

This is your magazine in that, if you are a subscriber, you can submit letters, articles and photographs to be printed here. Tell us about a really nice place to stay or an interesting day trip — or about something you feel should be avoided — or just express your feelings on a particular issue related to travel.

Plugging in overseas

Traveling with a hair dryer or curling iron? It may or may not require a converter to safely power up overseas. How about your cell phone and tablet? These have built-in voltage converters, so only an adapter is needed to plug into a foreign wall socket. 

Here is the skinny on powering up your devices in foreign lands.

Adapter or converter?

Most of the time, what you need for plugging in overseas is simply an adapter plug, not a converter. 

Free India SIM card

Visitors entering India with an e-Tourist visa (to apply, indiavisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html) are eligible for a free cell phone SIM card that also includes phone call credits and 50 megabytes of data for free. A user will be charged for any calls made or data used only after the credits run out. The card will give the visitor an Indian phone number during his visit, which will allow him to contact local and national services. 

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