Summer is here, so we present you how to give yourself a break from work with these great summer apps. Your iOS device is great for email, to-do lists, PDFs and all sorts of work-related stuff. But with the weather warming up, you deserve a break. Whether you’re a rugged outdoor type or more prone to indoor activities, your iPhone or iPad can be an indispensable tool for planning and enjoying a summer holiday.
For active outdoor types, there are GPS & mapping apps to help you plan an epic hike or bike ride. If your interests lie more in indoor activities, we’ve found the best guides to local pubs, art exhibits, and all sorts of festivals and events worldwide. And no matter where you go, you’ll need a place a stay, so we found ourfavoriteiPad app for finding, researching, and reserving hotels in every price- range, from penthouse luxury to more budget and family friendly options around the globe.
So pack your bags and grab the kids, because it’s going to be a great summer!
1.Bill Atkinson PhotoCard- Postcards
Send custom-designed photo postcards to friends back home .. Price – Free , Works with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
This is by far the best postcard app, and now it is FREE! With it, you can create dazzling custom-designed postcards showcasing your own photos or Bill Atkinson’s nature photos. You can send cards by email free of charge, or have us print and mail them for you for a small fee. Don’t pay more for small 6 x 4 inch cookie-cutter designs. PhotoCard’s large 8.25 x 5.5 inch cards use the highest quality color printing, are laminated for protection, and cost as little as $1.50 when mailed to the USA, or $2.25 when mailed to other countries.
This app is amazingly easy to use. Start by selecting one of Bill Atkinson’s exquisite nature photographs or one of your own personal photos. If you are running iOS 5, PhotoCard can even automatically enhance your photo. Flip the card over and type a personal message on the back. With iPhone 4S you can even dictate the written message. For a fun touch, jazz up your card with decorative stickers and stamps. Email cards can also include an audible greeting in a voice note. When you’ve finished your creation, send it off to any email or postal address in the world!
2. ViewRangers Outdoor GPS
All sorts of maps, in all sorts of places. Price – FreeWorks with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
ViewRanger is the award-winning outdoors GPS with downloadable global maps. Ideal for Walking, Mountain Biking, Cycling, Running, Geocaching, Canoeing and many other outdoor activities.
3. Hotels.com HD
Take the stress out of finding a place to stay. Price – Free . Works with iPad
Hotels.com app is optimized to provide you the best interactive hotel booking experience using all the great tablet features. Find and securely book your choice of more than 20.000 last minute deals from our selection of 140,000+ hotels in 200 countries Explore our interactive skyline with landmarks from around the world on the app homepage Easily flick through hotels, photos and reviews with one swipe. Make use of the powerful sort and filter tools Save and manage your favorite hotels with our new Shortlist feature Use your location to book last minute deals close to where you are.
4. Viddy
Shoot and share stylish videos with your iPhone or iPad.Price – FreeWorks with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
Viddy is a simple way for anyone to capture, beautify, and share videos with the world!”Turn everyday moments into perfect little movies with Viddy on iPhone. So next time you catch that pristine sunset over the Pacific, make it more than a memory. Then share it with your Viddy community and upload them to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.”
5. World Festival Guide
From food fests to electronic music extravaganzas..
Dance, travel, sing, race, dress-up, laugh, listen and learn in the world’s most “festive” app. Immerse yourself in the worlds most colorful and amazing festivals with the World Festival Guide for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. This interactive guide provides comprehensive and current information describing over 170 music, food, art, and film festivals, as well as world-class competitions, religious ceremonies, cultural events and wild parties. Discover year-round inspiring events that span the globe and learn about their history and cultural significance. Awaken your wanderlust with beautiful photos, key festival information, amazing videos, travel tips and fresh advice from festival veterans.
6. AA Pub Guide 2012 for iPad
Find just the right pub,whereveryou are with this exhaustive guide.
Searching for that perfect pint? The AA has over one hundred years of experience in seeking out, assessing and recommending the best places to eat and stay in the country. The 2012 AA Pub Guide app features over 2,000 pubs and hostelries, from cosy coach-house inns to smart gastro-pubs, all committed to providing warm and welcome hospitality, good food, and a range of refreshments from real ales to decent wines, served in relaxed and inviting surroundings.Pubs listed have been selected for good food, real ale, character and comfort. Entries may include a detailed description, price information, telephone numbers, website addresses and more.
7. Weather Underground
Use local, independent weather stations to get a better forecast.
“The bar, as far as weather related apps are concerned, has been raised.” TapCentral.com, December 2011The Internet’s first ever weather site, Weather Underground has built a reputation for providing the most reliable and in-depth weather data for locations across the world. With our unique network of 24,000+ neighborhood weather stations our app provides the most localized weather information available.
8. Art Guide
Stimulate your mind with amazing art this summer.
Passionate about art? This free app is the ultimate guide to seeing and experiencing art across the UK. The Art Guide brought to you by the Art Fund helps you discover world-class exhibitions, museums and stunning country homes near you.
9. National Trust
Find parks, gardens and historicbuildingsnearby.
Fancy a day out and wondering where to go? Want to visit glorious coastline, wander through wild countryside, relax in exquisite gardens or explore historic houses?Find a National Trust place near you, wherever you are in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland* with our handy app.Thanks to everyone who has sent us feedback on our app over the past year. We hope that you’ll see some of your suggestions in the latest version of our app. Please keep your innovative suggestions coming.