Sherman's Travel

Though it may not seem (or feel like it from the weather), we’re already into a new quarter for 2013, which means it’s time to refresh our quarterly app guides! Last week, I started by updating our iPhone guide. Now, I’ll tackle the ever-growing Android platform. If you’re looking to use your phone as a crutch during your summer vacation planning, you’ll want to make sure the programs below are installed. Read more

Every time I set foot in an airport I’m overtaken by the urge to look like I know what I’m doing, which is quickly followed by a desire to actually know what I’m doing. And sometimes I fail on both counts. While I’ve learned much about travel the hard way, I do try to learn from my blunders. Here now, five common mistakes that are all too easy to make at the airport, and how to avoid them. Read more

Though it may not seem (or feel like it from the weather), we’re already into a new quarter for 2013, which means it’s time to refresh our quarterly app guides! I’m starting this series off with the iPhone, and if you haven’t viewed our prior suggestions, you can catch up here and here. If you’re looking to use your phone as a crutch during your summer vacation planning, you’ll want to make sure the programs below are installed. Read more

Martha Gellhorn, a war correspondent and Ernest Hemingway’s third wife, was also a travel writer who once noted that “my definition of what makes a journey wholly or partially horrible is boredom.”

Among the travelers who’d strongly agree with Gellhorn’s words are multitudes of children who grimly realize that their family vacations are riddled with “in-between moments.” Sitting in the backseat of a car during heavy beach traffic. Being dragged on what feel like pointless walks through a destination’s neighborhoods. Killing time in a hotel room before bed. Moments that won’t be remembered fondly, or at all, because they were boring. Transforming these potentially dull moments into fun ones is an ongoing challenge for family travelers. Here are a few ideas on how to stop vacation boredom before it starts. Read more

For those who frequently find themselves landing in foreign locales, you’ll probably understand just how tough it can be to stay in touch with loved ones back home. For one, there’s the time difference. But also, mobile providers simply don’t make it easy (nor affordable) to stay connected once you’re on international lands. Thankfully, the advent of the smartphone is making it a little easier to stay in touch regardless of where you are, but it’s not exactly cut and dry. To that end, I’ve collected a list of my three top tips for messaging apps that can save you a bundle on texting fees – both at home and abroad. Read more

In many ways, smartphones have created a work environment where employees have a tough time completely disconnecting. But in many other ways, these connected products have made our lives far easier, and far more organized. One of the longstanding dreads for those who routinely travel for business is the art of filing expenses. Thankfully, I’ve got a few recommended apps that can make the process far easier.

Concur: Many corporate entities rely on Concur Read more

Planning a trip can be daunting. In fact, many would-be travelers are so put off by the notion of actually planning a trip, that they simply never get around to doing it. Figuring out where to start is consistently an issue for those who haven’t dabbled in trip planning and logistics before, but the new realm of technology is making it a lot easier. Below, I’ll share with you three pieces of (free!) software that make planning a journey a cinch. Read more

For avid hikers or bicyclers, it may be tough to remember the routes you’ve conquered, which remain your wish list, and which were your favorites. For those who enjoy spending as much vacation time as possible in the great outdoors, you may be itching for ways to capture those special excursions in order to look back on what made certain trips so worthwhile. If you just so happen to be a smartphone owner, I’ve got a few apps that can be of assistance. Read more

As someone who learned to drive stick when I was 14, I’ve always maintained that it’s an essential life skill everyone should have. Knowing how to maneuver a manual transmission also has come in quite handy on my travels, especially in Europe, where stick-shift vehicles are the norm (and automatics are pricey to rent). Here are some other must-have skills for every traveler, whether you’re headed on three-week safari or for a long weekend full of sand and sun. Read more

When it comes to earbuds and traveling, a few things tend to always ring true. For one, using the earbuds provided (in economy class) by the airline is a huge no-no. Not only do these offer horrendous audio quality, but most actually hurt your ears if worn for any length of time. Secondly, earbuds need to be compact; carry-on restrictions are tough as it is, and you don’t need a monstrous set of headphones taking up valuable space. So, with that out of the way, allow me to offer up a handful of suggestions for those seeking a new way to enjoy movies and music on their upcoming trips. Read more