Cape Town and New York City iPhone Travel Apps

The Word Travels monkeys have been hard at work and now we've got some exciting news:

We've just launched new iPhone travel apps with detailed interactive guides for two of our favourite cities: Cape Town and New York City!

The apps take all the best information from our travel guides and put it in a handy format so you can access it quickly and easily while you're on the go; including visa information, airport guides, attractions, excursions, restaurants and nightlife, and shopping and transportation info.

Interactive maps allow you to navigate the city easily, and pull up information on all the great things to see and do in Cape Town and New York.

The apps are available for download here.

Travel Movie: The Terminal

I've been writing a lot about airports lately, so much so that I'm dreaming about them. Is it possible to get jet lag or travel fatigue without going anywhere?

This is a movie I can definitely relate to. Most frequent travellers have had that nightmare hours-long layover, or found themselves stranded in an airport overnight due to bad weather or a missed connection. Can you imagine being stuck there for months on end though?

It happened to one Viktor Navorski, played with gusto by Tom Hanks in the 2004 movie The Terminal. Navorski's fictional home country of Krakozhia was embroiled in a civil war while he was in the air, and by the time he arrived in New York his visa and passport were useless. The film was loosely inspired by the experience of Mehran Karimi Nasser, who lived in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport from 1988 until 2006.

The airport depicted in the film sadly does not exist, but nonetheless it's fun to get a peek into the inner workings of these massive buildings. The film is full of just enough warm-fuzzies and gentle laughs to leave you with a benevolent attitude toward airport staff.

Verdict: Rent it

Top 5 Free Things to do in New York City

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US... and the world. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most expensive. A day spent visiting the Statue of Liberty, seeing a Broadway show, or admiring works at the Guggenheim will take a chunk out of any tourist's pocket.

Sure, there are always the sights to take pictures of, like Times Square, Wall Street, and Ground Zero, but there are fun things to do in New York City besides taking pictures. And they're free.

So here's our list of the top 5 free things to do in New York City:

Staten Island Ferry - The ferry goes from Battery Park to Staten Island and back, and is totally free. On the way you'll get fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline. It leaves every 30 minutes, so you can hop off and explore a bit of Staten Island before heading back.

Manhattan Adirondacks Tour - The North Woods of Central Park were designed to look like the stunning forests of the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York State. If you don't have the time to get out of the city, you can take a free one-hour tour of the North Woods from the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. The guides are knowledgeable and the crowds are few.

Bronx Zoo - Although the Central Park Zoo is more famous, you can escape 90% of the other tourists and save a bit of money by visiting the Bronx Zoo on Wednesdays when admission is free.

Shakespeare in the Park - New York City is known for its world-class theatre, and one of the most hotly-anticipated events on the calendar is the annual Shakespeare in the Park, another of the free things to do in Central Park. Celebrities like Robert de Niro, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway often star. Tickets are free, but highly sought-after, and distributed at the Park.

Big Apple Greeter - What better way to get an insider's view of New York City than to take a tour from a local? The Big Apple Greeters are volunteers who are passionate about their city, and give interesting and informative private tours of their neighbourhoods for up to six people at a time. Tours need to be booked 3-4 weeks in advance.

Image from here.

Does Your Hotel Have Bedbugs?

The last thing anyone wants is a great night's sleep in a beautiful hotel, only to wake up covered in itchy red blotches. Yuck! The recent bedbug crisis in New York City has many travellers worried that they'll be unknowingly sharing their pricey hotel room with unwanted bedmates.

So before you book a hotel in the US or Canada, check it against the

Bed Bug Registry, where previous guests can report incidents of bed bugs.

If you do end up with being bitten, the best thing you can do is apply an antiseptic cream. There are natural remedies for bedbug bites using herbs like lavender, mint, and black walnut; and applying ice can help to calm the itchiness.

Remember to wrap your luggage and clothing in plastic bags and leave them in the sun for a couple of days to prevent hitch hikers, as bed bugs can't endure extreme heat.

Image from here.

Top 5 Most Romantic Cities (that aren't Paris)

Paris, Paris, Paris... when romantic cities are the topic that's all you ever hear about! But there's more to romance than the Eiffel Tower.

We put together a list of the top 5 most romantic cities in the world, but it could easily have been 10, or even 20. The truth is, there's romance everywhere! Here are a few of our favourites, and if we missed any, be sure to let us know in the comments.

Buenos Aires

The fiery excitement of the tango is enough to awaken anyone's passion, whether formally on the grand stage of the Teatro Colon or spontaneously on the streets of the Plaza Dorrego. The nightlife in Buenos Aires sizzles with live music and dancing, and makes a perfect romantic getaway for couples looking to spark the romance in their relationship.

Cape Town

South Africa's most chic city brings European-style elegance to the wilds of Africa. Whether your taking a sunset cruise from the V&A Waterfront, having dinner on top of Table Mountain, sharing a picnic on the beach, or sampling local vintages in the Cape winelands, Cape Town offers no end of romantic activities for couples.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh blends the old and the new, with sleek and modern restaurants next to quaint pubs, and fashionable shopping areas in the shadow of ancient castles. A simple stroll down the scenic Royal Mile can be a romantic way to spend an hour, and any man working up the courage to pop the question can take strength in the excellent whisky!

New York City

While it may seem a bit cliche, New York City offers everything you need for a romantic holiday. Do the classics like a carriage ride in Central Park, ice skating at Rockefellar Center, and playing games on the midway at the Coney Island Amusement Park. Watch the sun set from the top of the Empire State Building, and take in a Broadway show before dinner at some of the world's top restaurants.

Santorini

Santorini is one of the most beautiful islands in the world, with mountaintop cities overlooking sparkling the sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. Sample wines at the local vineyards, lounge on the picturesque beaches, or stroll through the towns and have a candlelit dinner in a tiny family restaurant. Whatever you do, it's easy to forget the rest of the world exists.

(Pssst! For the low-down on Paris, check this post!)

Win a Trip to New York Fashion Week!

Are you planning for Valentine's Day yet? Why not spoil her (or yourself!) with a free trip to New York Fashion Week? Fashion blog Fashiolista is giving away a trip for two!

Enter here before January 28th.

Top 5 Christmas Markets

It's the holiday season, and we've taken a look at the best Christmas markets from around the world! Here are our favourites:

USA: Bryant Park Holiday Market (New York City)

This pretty park in New York City is bound to put you in the holiday mood. Situated around a large ice skating rink, there are lots of activities for kids including magicians, carriage rides, a reading area and carousel. A 50-foot Christmas tree lit by 30,000 lights adds to the holiday spirit. The market is open 11am-8pm Monday to Friday, 10am-9pm Saturday, and 10am-6pm Sunday through January 2nd.

Germany: Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Though Germany is famous for its abundance of Christmas markets, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt has accumulated over 400 years of experience and now draws visitors from all over the globe. The Old Town is saturated in Christmas spirit with lights and decorations, and the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread fills the air. The children’s area even features a steam-powered merry-go-round! The market runs 9:30am-8pm Monday to Thursday, 9:30am-10pm Friday and Saturday, and 10:30am-8pm Sunday through December 24th.

Czech Republic: Prague Christmas Markets

It’s hard to choose just one Christmas market in Prague, as the city boasts four festive areas within walking distance of each other! The markets at Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Havelske Trziste and Namesti Republiky offer life-sized nativities, carol singing, children’s entertainment and hot food and drinks to warm you as you browse the stalls! The markets run daily throughout December.

South Africa: Adderley Street Night Market (Cape Town)

Cape Town’s famous flower market in the heart of the downtown area blooms with holiday cheer with the addition of hundreds of stalls filled with gifts and goodies of all kinds. The Adderley Street Night Market has entertainment for the whole family including magicians, face painters, trapeze artists and live music. The market is open from 6:30-11:30pm December 17th through 30th.

France: Noel a Lille

One of France’s most popular holiday markets, the Noel a Lille draws nearly a million people every year due to Lille's location on the Eurostar rail line. Along with the sumptuous decorations (including an 18 metre Christmas tree) and the sound of Christmas carols, the market boasts a 50 metre ferris wheel where you can get the best views of the city. The market is open 11am-8pm Sunday to Thursday, and 11am-9pm Friday and Saturday through December 30th.