Travel Hacks 2018
Friday, February 23, 2018
Here are some of our favourite travel apps, accessories and... powered skateboards?
VOLTA Charger
One cable that powers most of your devices
If you’re all about travelling light, then the VOLTA Charger, a singular fast charging magnetic cable could be exactly what you’re looking for.
This isn’t just another charging cable. Yes, it’s got some erroneous gimmicks - like it’s ability to pick up a brick without snapping - but the clever part is when you realise that the wire is designed to be completely separate to the tip, or charging port.
So you can leave the tip constantly nestled to your smartphone or tablet charging port. Simply dangle the magnetic cable anywhere near it, and hey presto - it will snap into place and start fast charging.
Perfect for those couples who share their hearts, but not their love for the same device manufacturer.
Cost: $42 // https://voltacharger.com
BorderWait
Predict your wait time at U.S. airports borders
If you learn one thing about travelling to the United States, is that going through border security, even if you’re a resident, can take time. A very long time.
Now there is a website that can accurately predict how long you should expect to wait before getting through to baggage claim.
Using open data from the CBP website (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) you can now perfectly time your Uber pickup or avoid busier arrival times - but then again, there’s always flight delays.
Cost: Free // https://borderwait.net
Hoodmaps
Avoid the suits and normies
Tourist maps will tell you where to get the bus, or how to easily find local landmarks, but not where to find a textured flat-white, made by a heavily bearded hipster barista.
As the saying goes, there’s a website for everything!
Hoodmaps is a free directory of crowdsourced neighbourhoods of the world’s most popular cities. See where the suits go to work or where the rich reside, hipsters and uni students like to hang out or where the tourists often flock to.
Do you have soya?
Cost: Free // https://hoodmaps.com
GetPassbook.com
All-in-one mobile passbook
Not all apps are created equal. None’s more the case than with dedicated airline apps, which often fail to do the simplest things easily - like generate a mobile boarding card.
GetPassbook.com is an online tool that allows you to take any airline boarding pass (either PDF or image) and turn it into native iOS Wallet Pass Books, making boarding process at the airport much simpler.
So if you rather let your printer continue to gather dust, then this helpful free website might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Cost: Free // https://ahoy.io/getpassbook
Blink
Like Tinder but for places
If you’re accustomed to the fickleness of online dating, then this thumb swiping pocket city guide is a travelling singleton’s dream.
No, it won’t tell you where the closest ‘Single Night’ is tonight, but it will tell you the best burger joints in town and how to get there.
Unlike TripAdvisor or Yelp, it will also help you curate a digital itinerary based on your selected curated suggestions, helping you easily navigate from Point A to B in a new city.
It also lets you live chat with local residents, so maybe there could be a date on the cards after all...
Cost: Free // https://www.blinktravel.guide
Boosted Boards
Travel in the fast lane
When planning a short weekend city break, you’ve got to be ruthless with your itinerary. But if you’ve got the guts and the ability, then the Boosted Board could open up new horizons.
With a top speed of 22 mph, this battery-powered bamboo skateboard with up to 12-mile range could allow you to whizz around any European city with relative ease.
Not pro-skater Tony Hawk? No problem. It’s got a beginner mode that claims to help those with no riding experience at all get-up and rolling in no time.
Cost: From $1,366.80 // https://boostedboards.com
SkyGuru
Pocket personal pilot
If you have a fear of flying or just facinated with all things aviation, then the SkyGuru app is the closest you’ll get to having the pilot in your pocket during a flight.
Designed by licensed commercial pilots, SkyGuru provides a real-time explanation of what exactly is happening during your flight, and why.
Not only will it tell you when to expect turbulence using live weather information, it will also use your devices built-in microphone to identify any unfamiliar cabin noises too.
At the very least, it will help you decide during your in-flight meal if it’s a good idea to go for the soup or salad.
Cost: Free // http://myskyguru.com
Bloc Gatwick
They say it's better to travel than to arrive. We think both are important. With BLOC you won't have far to travel at all. We're waiting to welcome you just steps from Gatwick South Terminal Departures. Any closer and we'd be on the runway!
Our 245 room hotel offers 'Sleep Haven Zones', family rooms, a business floor and Presidential Suite. Park at the terminal through one of our exclusive deals; check your bags with your airline and take your overnight bag to the room; send an email with free WiFi; relax on your sumptuous king-sized bed, watching one of our HD LED TVs; freshen up in a monsoon-drench shower wet room and seamlessly check out to arrive at your gate in a great mood to enjoy your holiday or business trip. So much more for less.
Bloc Magazine
Welcome to the 20th issue of Bloc magazine, with a host of intriguing features to get you through the dark winter months.
We are really excited to have acquired another new site, in the heart of Glasgow. We look forward to delivering Bloc to this extremely vibrant part of the city, directly opposite the recently redeveloped Queen Street Station.
The winter issue of our magazine visits Cape Town - dubbed The Mother City, or the Mother of South Africa. It has incredible food and wine offerings as well as mountains and beaches all within easy reach.
We also explore a destination much further afield, with the Von Braun space station and hotel moving closer to reality.
There are the usual features; Meeting the Bloc team, our favourite shows to stream and the pick of Bloc's social media.
Don't forget to sign up to Bloc's VIP Guest List, which makes you eligible for free room upgrades, free coffee and be the first to hear about our blockbuster VIP competitions.
We hope that this magazine provides you with some insight and entertainment on your journey.