Travel Planning

*I received two complimentary Eyewitness Travel Guides from DK Travel for my review.

Early this year I posted my Fifty by Fifty plan.

As the year is quickly coming to a close,

I thought it was time to revisit
and to see how the plan is coming along. 

 I started the year at 23 countries and I'm now up to 33.  I hope to end the year at 34 after our trip to the Christmas Markets with the Gluwien Gang.   I'm thrilled with that!  

Only 16 more to go and only 3 years to do it.  I can't believe I might actually make my goal.  

This is also the time of year when Matthew and I sit down and make our tentative travel plans for the upcoming year.  We usually plan two big trips each year and then try to squeeze in several weekend trips throughout the year.  A new country is always fun, but it's certainly not the primary criteria.

In 2014, we plan to spend a long week exploring Scotland.  We will be joined by my Dad which I'm over the moon about!


Our other big trip will be a week or maybe two exploring Eastern Europe (Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro,  Macedonia and maybe a few more).

Our Extended Weekend Wish List still includes Italy (Venice) and Iceland has made it's way to the top of that list.  Other places on that list are Poland and Czech Republic.  We will continue to explore England whenever possible.  There might even be some opportunities to visit Southeast Asia.  Fingers crossed.

This year as we plan our travels, we will have a brand new amazing tool that we will be using for every trip.

 I'm sure you've all used the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides.

Dorling Kindersley have been publishing their award winning travel books for years.

They are beautiful and chock full of information, everything you need to plan your travels.

They are some of our favorites and we have several on our bookshelves. 

The exciting news is that DK Travel will soon be launching a brand new digital product

that puts all of that comprehensive content at your fingertips. 

When I received an email asking it I'd like to review this handy new travel product,

before it even launched I was jumping with joy. 

I can tell you that I absolutely love it!

There are two parts to the DK Trip Planner:

The first is the website.  This will be your first stop in planning your trip.  Here you will have access to all of DK's own trusted travel content.  You can either view pre-made itineraries or create your very own.  I'm most excited about the customization.  You can scroll through all of the attractions in a city and add them to your daily schedule.  It will tell you everything you need to know; description, opening hours, price.  You can look up dining options and add them to your day.  Every location is even mapped for you.  When you are done you have a customized and complete itinerary with all of the details included.  I was in travel planner heaven!

The second part is the App.  This accompanying free app allows you to purchase itineraries (for £1.99) and synch them to your mobile device for use offline while you're on the move.  What does this mean?  No more roaming charges or wi-fi drop out when using the app.  Included in the app is access to the offline maps with all of the itinerary points plotted out for you.

 "Essentially, DK Trip Planner will allow you to make your very own guidebook, that is completely personal to you and includes the info you want and need.  If you decide you want to go to the Louvre, DK Trip Planner will tell you, how to get there, how much it'll cost, when it's open, if there are any events on and what else is nearby that you might want to see, as well as if its disability friendly and loads of interesting information about it.  All at a much lower price than buying a physical guide."

I've been having a blast with my very own Beta version for the past week

and I can tell you that is exactly what it does.  I feel like an actual travel guide editor.

They will be launching very soon.  Visit DK Trip Planner and subscribe to their newsletter,

to be one of the first to hear about it.

I am so proud to be just a small part of it!

What do you think?  Will you be trying out this new App?

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  I received two complimentary Eyewitness Travel Guides from DK Travel for my review.
All opinions are 100% my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.