Berlin, August 26, 2020 – The corona pandemic has changed the way we travel significantly. Where it was once self-evident that a vacation would take you somewhere exotic, most often on a long-haul plane, this year many (European) people are more likely to travel within their own country or inside of Europe. They prefer to stay in a holiday home or a camper van than in hotels. In line with these new travel needs, the postcard app, MyPostcard, presents ten apps for traveling in the age of Corona that should be installed on every smartphone.
Corona-Warn-App from the Robert Koch-Institute
The Corona-Warn-App is an absolute must. With it, travelers can find out whether they have had contact with infected people – even if it was only a brief encounter in the subway. Only people who are aware of how high their own risk of infection is can make a responsible decision as to whether they should travel. The use of the app is voluntary, but the German government is encouraging its use, in order to quickly break the chain of infection. Because, as the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has explained in a video address, “the more people who participate, the greater the benefit,”.
The Corona-Warn-App is available on iOS and Android and is free to use.
Sicher-Reisen-App by the German Federal Foreign Office
(Available in German only.) In these uncertain times, it’s particularly important for travelers to feel safe and, above all, well-informed. So if you are thinking about which travel destination is the right one for you during Corona, you can keep yourself up to date on the security situation and the various conditions of entry with the Sicher-Reisen-App (Safe Travel App) by the German Federal Foreign Office – directly from one of the most authoritative sources. You’ll find a checklist in the app of travel preparations, along with the addresses of German representatives in common tourist destinations. There are also numerous tips for potential emergencies while you’re on vacation and even the option to send a sign of life to those at home using the “I’m OK” button if, for example, the security situation in your travel destination suddenly changes.
The Sicher-Reisen-App is available free on iOS and Android.
park4night
This year, a particularly large number of people are opting to go on vacation with a motorhome or camper van. That’s because this way, social distancing is easy – there are no shared rooms and there’s no unavoidable contact with other people – unlike in a hotel. The park4night app is essentially a community of “vanlife” fans who recommend the most beautiful official and unofficial campsites to one another. Users can also provide updates on places that have already been registered by other members. With over two million downloads, you have a good chance of finding a nice, perhaps less crowded parking space by using park4night – no matter where you are.
park4night is available free on iOS, Android and in the Windows Store.
Outdooractive: Walks & Biking
Many people are deciding against a “real” vacation this year and plan to travel within their own country, for example by going hiking. The Outdooractive app is the perfect companion for hiking, cycling, mountaineering and other outdoor activities and includes tours worldwide. The app offers modern vector maps, elevation profiles, photos and directions for all routes. It can be used for more than just the planning stage though; it also shows, for example, interesting destinations, such as lakes or refreshment stops, that are nearby.
Outdooractive: Walks & Biking is available free on iOS and Android. There is a Pro version and users can buy individual tours starting at EUR €0.99.
GetYourGuide
The GetYourGuide app is an enrichment for a normal trip as well as a vacation during Corona times. Users simply enter their destination and the app finds the best tours, tickets for museums and the like, as well as top attractions in your area. If you book tickets for an exhibition via the app, you can even skip the queue, thereby saving yourself time and energy. With over 31,000 activities, there really is something for everyone. All activities can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours before they begin. By booking in advance, users can also ensure that they can actually take part in the event, should there be a corona-related limited entry system.
GetYourGuide is available free on iOS and Android.
Views on Top
If you are not just interested in beautiful views from the tops of mountains, you can use the Views on Top app to discover the most beautiful places with the best views worldwide. These could be rooftop bars on a high-rise, or a viewing platform, cathedrals, or a bridge, or, or, or… Users of this app will find the perfect views in over 85 countries – and of course also the perfect photo spots. Users can even create bucket lists with places they still want to visit or mark where they have already been. Views on Top also offers information on opening times and connects travelers with GetYourGuide if a ticket has to be booked for a particular sight.
Views on Top is available free for iOS and Android.
MyPostcard
Of course, travelers also want to send their loved ones vacation greetings from their Corona travels. Those who vacation in secluded spots especially this year, in order to avoid the overcrowded tourist hotspots, may not find a postcard on site. Either way, they may prefer to send their own photo of the camper van or the view from their holiday home towards the sea. With the MyPostcard app, users can quickly transform their own smartphone photos into personalized, “real” printed postcards. MyPostcard takes care of printing and shipping worldwide.
MyPostcard is available free for iOS and Android. Postcards start at €2.19 euros including postage and are available in four different currencies.
PackPoint
Perhaps the most uncomfortable thing about traveling is the packing – for a lot of holidaymakers at least. If you always worry about what to take with you and find yourself panickedly asking just how many pairs of jeans you really need – only to forget the genuinely important things – you should download the PackPoint app. Users simply enter their destination and travel date and receive the perfect packing list, tailored to the current weather, the duration of the trip and all the activities they are planning on site. The list can of course be adapted and supplemented and can also be shared with travel companions by email.
Packpoint is available free for iOS and Android.
HomeToGo
In the year of Corona, or “2020”, many vacationers would rather not stay in a hotel, where they come into contact with many strangers every day. As a result, vacation rentals are booming this year, because many travelers feel just as safe as they do at home, since they are staying with only family or friends in their own vacation home. HomeToGo searches all common platforms for vacation rentals, including Airbnb, FeWo-direkt and Booking.com, and therefore offers the world’s largest selection. HomeToGo users can use various search filters and also create watch lists.
HomeToGo is available free on iOS and Android.
HolidayCheck
Anyone deciding to stay at a hotel can use the HolidayCheck app to check out the Corona requirements on site. Many holidaymakers wonder how well the safety regulations are implemented in the hotel, whether staff comply with the mask requirement or how breakfast works without a buffet. Since the start of June, the booking and review portal, HolidayCheck, has already registered over 6,000 reviews relating to the Corona situation, which are specially marked in the app. Travelers can get an idea of the hotel of their choice before booking therefore and decide where or if they want to book.
HolidayCheck is available free on iOS and Android.
About MyPostcard
The postcard of tomorrow: MyPostcard is Germany’s most successful postcard app, letting customers send their own photos as real printed postcards. The app is currently available in ten languages and is home to the world’s largest collection of postcards for sale with more than 50,000 designs available. With the help of an international network of printing houses, MyPostcard takes care of printing and delivering the personalized postcards. Founder and CEO is Oliver Kray, a designer and serial entrepreneur. The company is headquartered in Berlin with an additional office in New York and currently employs 30 staff. It is ranked among the top 1000 fastest growing companies in Europe according to the Financial Times, even achieving place 19 in the ecommerce sector.
For further information and inquiries:
Maria Gomelskaia
MyPostcard.com GmbH
Hohenzollerndamm 3
10717 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0)30 – 403 64 54 25
maria@mypostcard.com
www.mypostcard.com
Sarah Mikoleizik
Wilde & Partner
Franziskanerstraße 14
81669 München
Tel. +49 (0)89 -17 91 90 -50
Fax: +49 (0)89 -17 91 90 – 99
sarah.mikoleizik@wilde.de
www.wilde.de
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