Lots of families travel during the summer, and while there are always the hassles of dealing with airports, schedules, and making sure your home is safe while you’re away, luckily there are things available to help you manage your summer travels. Here are a couple of pieces of travel technology for families you may find useful this season.
TripIt App
We have found TripIt to be very helpful in organizing travel plans, both before and during your trip. You load any confirmation emails (hotel, car rental, flight, restaurant, etc.) into the app, and it creates a master itinerary that includes all of your bookings in one place. You can then view your itinerary any time from any device, even if you’re not online. You can then add or edit your plans, sync your itinerary with your calendar, and share with others. The app is free, but they also have a paid plan that lets you access more features, such as getting real-time flight alerts, searching for a different seat or alternate flights, and more. Check out more information here. We hope you find it as useful as we do.
Smart Home Security
Remember the old days when you had to rely on neighbors and friends to check on your house when you went out of town? Now there are smart alarm and surveillance packages that will keep your home safe and let you monitor what’s happening from afar. You can remotely control things like door locks, lawnmowers, lights, thermostats, vacuums, and even pet feeders, using your smartphone and an app. PC Magazine recently published an article that compares several smart home security plans and discusses the components, integration, and application of the systems, and displays reviews of each one, along with advice on doing it yourself or having a professional service handle it. Read the article here.
If you or someone you know is traveling to the Capital Region for business or pleasure this summer and needs child care, we’re here to help! Our hotel and event child care services provide parents with peace of mind so they can enjoy some childless activities knowing their kids are in good hands. Call (518) 348-0400 for more information.