Each app was handpicked by experienced reviewers in cooperation with experts in each category and was chosen for its ability to make life easier or just more fun.

mTrip Travel Guides were selected for their ability to enhance the travelers experience through customized itineraries and offline, data free navigation.  Editor Holden Frith highlighted the fact that “Travel-guide apps need to strike a balance between overwhelming travelers with information and leaving them wanting more” and then going on to say that “mTrip manages this well”.

It’s the best time of year to visit

Sunshine in Dubai

Dubai enjoys sunshine year round making it a great destination to visit, however, temperatures in summer reach an unbearable average of 104F.  In winter temperatures drop to an average of approximately 70F; Perfect for taking a pleasant stroll along the beach or dining on the patio.

It’s different

Odds are you know several people going off to Mexico, Hawaii or Thailand to get away from the winter weather.  How many people do you know going to Dubai?  You can do nearly anything in Dubai: world-class skiing, swimming, shopping or simply soak in the city’s heritage.

Enjoy world-class swimming

"The Leap of Faith"

In winter the ocean remains crystal clear but becomes too cold for most of us to swim in.  Fortunately Dubai is home to some of the greatest water parks and pools in the world.

Aquaventure at the Atlantis the Palm resort features everything you would want at an aquatic park: river rides, a water playground, pools, eight waterslides and more.

One of the main highlights is the “Leap of Faith”.  Standing 90 feet tall and 200 feet long this waterslide starts o the top of the Ziggurat and immediately goes into a steep drop down the side of the Ziggurat, through the shark tank (in a clear tube) and out the bottom.

If you would like to see the sharks at a more leisurely pace the “Shark Attack” also goes through the shark lagoon in a clear tunnel.

Indoor Alps

Dubai may be a desert so it may sound a bit odd to say that it’s also a great place to hit the slopes.  Conveniently located in the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai is the world’s largest indoor ski facility.  Inside you will find a 200ft tall mountain that the size of three football fields, with five ski runs with different lengths and difficulty.

One of the five runs at Ski Dubai

There is also a 32, 000 square foot snow park with toboggan runs, icy body slide, climbing towers, a snow cavern and a snow ball shooting gallery.  When it comes time to take a break, there are also two cafés located within the facility.

Local Festivals

Global Village Festival

During winter, Dubai is host to many festivals. One of the largest festivals is the “Dubai Shopping Festival” (DSF).  Although it may sound strange, Dubai is best known for its gold, money and shopping, making it the perfect festival for the city.

From January 5^th to February 5^th 2012 over 6000 shops in 50 malls will participate in the festival providing discounts and tax free shopping.  There are also prize such as cars, cash, gold and various festivals and events such as Global Village.

Global Village is associated with the DSF but continues on after the DSF is over.  It is an outdoor cultural fair showcasing various cultures.  You can enjoy the authentic cuisine, shopping and performances.

Be sure to grab the mTrip Dubai Travel Guide for your trip to Dubai!

images by: edmundyeo, Kate Webster, LostBob, Ricky Brigante & Greg

One of the best places to celebrate the Lunar New Year is Hong Kong: the city where East meets West.  Hong Kong has many events for the holiday including a parade, fireworks, flower markets, horse racing, a lantern festival and more!  Furthermore, most tourist attractions in the city remain open during the celebrations aside from museums.  All museums are closed on Chinese New Year’s Day and possibly the following two days.

New Year Parade

On the first day of Chinese New Year, January 23, there is an elaborate parade featuring themed floats, performances and marching bands.  It also features Lion and Dragon Dancing.  Traditionally lions are the king of beasts in the region and therefore the Lion Dance is performed to ward off bad luck and disaster while bringing peace and prosperity.

Lion Dancing

The Dragon Dance also holds traditional meaning, as the Dragon is a symbol of peace and good luck.  Over the past millennia Dragon Dancers have developed over 100 different dances.

The parade begins at 8pm and runs for about 90 minutes.  There is no admission fee to stand along the parade route but if you would like to buy tickets to sit at a spectator stand Tickets are available through travel agencies and the Hong Kong Tourism Board and don’t cost too much but are very limited.  Be sure to show up early, there are road closures and very large crowds.

The route is similar each year starting at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and then traveling along Canton Road, Haiphong Road and Nathan Road finishing by the Sheraton Hotel.

New Year Fireworks

The fireworks are held on the second day of Chinese New Years (January 24). Thousands of fireworks are set up on barges in Victoria Harbour lighting up the night sky starting at about 8pm.  The fireworks last for about 25 minutes but expect a massive crowd; roughly half a million people show up to see the fireworks!

Fireworks over Victoria Harbour

There are several great vantage points that include the harbor side (both sides of the harbor), Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai, Central Piers, Causeway Bay and lastly Hung Hom Bypass, which is closed to traffic during the event.

Flower Markets

Locals at a flower market

Locals use flowers to decorate their homes during Chinese New Year and there are over a dozen open-air flower markets held around the city.  They pop up about six days before Chinese New Year but the best time to visit these markets is between 6pm and 9pm on Chinese New Year’s Eve.  It will be bustling with locals that just finished their New Year’s Eve dinner.

A couple of the most popular flower markets are located at Victoria Park and Fa Hui Park.  Remember to bargain prices!

Horse Racing

Horses at a race

The traditional Chinese New Year race takes place at Shatin Racecourse on Jan 25, 2012 (the third day of Lunar New Year).  There are about 85, 000 spectators making it the most visited race on the calendar.  It is an all day event that begins at approximately 11am.

Hong Kong is an unforgettable place to visit during Chinese New Year.  There are many more events aside from what we have listed during Chinese New Years such as the Lantern Festival and most other attractions are open giving you an opportunity to explore the city and experience the celebrations like a local!

Be sure to download the mTrip Hong Kong Travel Guide App to help you get around the city!

images by: EmmaJG, Maureen Didde, ncburton, Jason Chan & Thompson Chan

Basing their judgment on three criteria, ergonomics, richness and utility they looked at the application for both for the iPhone and for Android and gave the app a final rating of 9.5/10.

What drew the attention and appreciation of author Eric Tenin was the ability of the app to function 100% offline.  Furthermore he highlighted the ability to create easy to use and personalized itineraries, as well as the latest feature of the app: the ability to share a trip journal and photos online.

In conclusion he stated, “Ernest Hemingway or Pierre Loti would surely love this app”.

Geo Magazine - December 2011

mTrip tested in GEO Magazine

Here, we have rounded up some of the must visit Christmas Markets if your in Germany (Berlin) for the Holidays.

Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market

A booth at the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market

The Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market is one of the newest Christmas Markets only dating back to 2007.  The Palace is lit up with special romantic lighting and features 150 vendors that come from across Germany and from abroad to sell food, drinks and arts and crafts such as miniature Weihnachtspyramiden (Christmas Pyramids) from the Ore Mountains.  There are also rides and other entertainment for kids.  If you are looking to also visit the exhibits at the castle they are still open during the market.

Dates and opening hours of the market are:

Nov. 21, 2011 – December 26, 2011 (Closed Christmas Eve and Holidays)
Mon – Thurs: 2pm to 10pm
Fri – Sun: 12pm to 8pm

More info about Charlottenburg Palace

Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market

The Gendarmenmarkt is a square in Berlin best known for its three Cathedrals: Konzerthas, French and German Cathedrals.  At Christmas time the square plays host to a unique Christmas market with a stage with performances from jugglers, fire artists, musicians and dancers.  The market is also well known for its traditional hand crafted goods such as flax embroidery and other goods made by wood carvers, stonemasons and gold smiths.

Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market

Unlike most Christmas Markets the Gendarmenmarket Chrstimas Market charges a small 1 Euro Admission fee (kids under 12 are free).  This keeps the market open on Christmas Eve and also allows the market to continue until New Years Eve when a special event is held.

Dates and opening hours of the market are:

Nov. 21, 2011 – December 31, 2011 (Open New Years Eve)
Sun– Thurs: 11am to 10pm
Fri – Sat: 11am to 6pm
Christmas Eve: 11am – 1am

More info about Gendarmenmarkt

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Christmas Market

Gingerbread cookies at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Christmas Market

With over 2 Million visitors a year the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Christmas Market is one of the most popular Christmas markets.   With an annual 20 meter tall Christmas tree and many of the booths made out of wood and lit up with Christmas lights the market has a true holiday atmosphere.  It features 170 booths with everything from food and drinks to decorations and toys. You will find nearly anything you are looking for while being absorbed in its unique atmosphere.

Dates and opening hours of the market are:

Nov. 21, 2011 – January 1, 2011
Sun – Thurs: 11am to 9pm
Fri – Sat: 11am to 10pm

More info about the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Potsdamer Platz Christmas Market

Tobogganing at Potsdamer Platz

The Christmas market at Potsdamer Platz  combines with what is called “Winter World” is a celebration of wintery things.  There are the standard food an beverages but it also features a 500 square meter skating rink, Europe’s largest mobile toboggan run, which measures a generous 12m (~40 feet) as well as other rides and activities.

Dates and opening hours are:

Nov. 5, 2011 – January 1,2011
Sun – Fri: 10am to 10pm
Fri – Sat: 10am to 12pm

More info about Potsdamer Platz

There are dozens of other Christmas Markets in Berlin and hundreds across Germany but here are a few others to consider:  Alexanderplatz Christmas Market, Rotes Rathaus Christmas Market and the Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei.

To help you navigate through Berlin and to make sure to try out the mTrip Berlin Travel Guide.  (Many of Berlin’s Christmas Market locations are already in the app)

Download the mTrip Berlin Travel Guide App

images by: d3us, dieter_titz, Jule_Berlin, Julizehn***, & harry_palmer

In Japan, Christmas is a commercial holiday revolving around romance, cakes and fried chicken.  Christmas trees are not all that common in one’s living room but expect to find department stores and malls to be decorated in extravagant lighting, ribbons and other stunning decorations.

Golden Christmas tree at Ginza Tanaka

In fact, last week Ginza Tanaka in Tokyo’s Ginza district unveiled an eight-foot tall Christmas Tree made out of 26 pounds of gold as well as other precious metals.  The tree was a joint project between the store and floral arrangement artist Shogo Kariyazaki.  The tree is estimated to be worth $2 million.  It is on display for the public, and would a great and certainly unique spot to stop by while in Tokyo over the holidays.

Clearly decorations are important part of the holidays but just as important are the Christmas cake and dinner.  Back in 1974 Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) began a marketing campaign with the simple phrase “Kentucky for Christmas”.   That one phrase has led to KFC becoming a Christmas Eve “tradition”.

Colonel Sanders dressed up as Santa in Japan

Today you can reserve your chicken up to a month in advance to avoid the long lines outside the stores where even back office staff come out to help serve the thousands of customers at every store.  During this period KFC’s sales are five to ten times higher than average.  If you are in Tokyo stop by KFC and take a photo with Santa Clause “Colonel Sanders”.

No Christmas dinner is complete without a dessert:  Strawberry Shortcake brought home by the father who was lucky enough to get the evening off work, or otherwise the mother.  Christmas is not a holiday in Japan so work, school and daily life does not stop. The cake can be bought at any cake shop, supermarket or even at one of Tokyo‘s thousands of convenience stores.  Employees at convenience stores often dress up in Santa outfits and stand outside selling cakes.  If you do not feel like Strawberry Shortcake on Christmas Eve, try some on December 25^th when their prices plummet as stores rush to get rid of the leftovers to open up space for New Year’s goods (one of Japan’s most important national holidays).

A couple enjoying the lights in Tokyo

Christmas is also the most romantic time of the year in Japan.  With all department stores decorated and lights lining the main streets girls dream of a date at a fancy restaurant on Christmas Eve. This is so important that not having a date is a nightmare for many young Japanese.

It is a stark contrast from what many people in the Americas and Europe see as Christmas; nonetheless it is a great one-time opportunity to experience something different.  So make sure to grab some KFC and Strawberry Shortcake and don’t forget your mTrip Tokyo App as to not miss out on any of Tokyo‘s glittering attractions.

Download the mTrip Tokyo Travel Guide App

images by: pictureTYO, steve_w, rumpleteaser & mrhayata

In partnership with the clever Travalo, we would like to offer you the chance to win a $400 voucher for your next flight! All you have to do is comment on this blog post or our Facebook wall with your details, including your name, email and dream destination for taking Travalo. You will then automatically be entered to win the $400 flight voucher!

Here is the list of free guides:

Take a cooking class

There’s so much incredible food to be had in Barcelona. From fresh seafood paella to traditional tapas dishes to rich desserts, and you don’t have to say goodbye to it once you leave the country’s borders. Take a cooking class at Cook and Taste and you can recreate the flavors of Spain at home. During half-day classes, students learn all about the cuisine of Spain while helping to prepare several traditional dishes like paella, crema Catalana, and gazpacho, all while sipping Spanish wines.

Join the locals for drinks

Skip sipping the overpriced sangria sold at tourist spots and instead join the crowds of locals, students and travelers pushing their way into Can Paixana, a tiny bar that serves glasses of cava (Spanish sparkling wine) for one Euro each. If you come before 5pm, you can score an entire bottle for 3 euros, so long as you “splurge” on a few cheap and tasty sandwiches to go with it.

Picnic in Parc Guell

Like Gaudi’s other Barcelona landmarks, Parc Guell is a whimsical work of Modernisme art and architecture. Unlike the other landmarks, you can visit it for free. The park is quite big, and though it’s a very popular place for tourists, there are lots of quiet spots where you can escape the crowds. So pack a lunch and spend an afternoon exploring, people-watching, and taking in beautiful views of Barcelona.

See the view from Montjuic

For another great view of the city, head to Montjuic. This large hill overlooking the city previously hosted the summer Olympics. Now visitors come to see the National Palace, several museums including the excellent Fundacio Joan Miro, the Olympic stadium, the Montjuïc Cemetery, botanic gardens, and more. Come early and expect to spend at least a few hours in this beautiful city-within-a-city.

By Katie Hammel of BootsnAll

Check out mTrip’s Barcelona Travel Guide

Images by: derekb, teachandlearn, tgrauros, chenines