AFAR Travel Guide

Here’s an app that offers up inspiring sights to add to your to-do list.

» What it does: It’s a mobile guide with more than 45,000 travel experiences in more than 7,000 cities and towns in 239 countries. Get curated guides for things to do crafted by experienced travelers, or customize your own guide to use on- or offline.

» Available for: iPhone and iPad

» Cost: Free

» What’s hot: It’s a good thing this resource is digital because all the information might not fit in a book. The photos are stunning, and the fact that you can use the app to find inspiration as an armchair traveler or to discover highlights at your current destination makes it twice as valuable. Some favorite Wanderlists I found were "10 Off the Grid Ski Spots," "The Best of Sweet Tooth Travel" and "Delights of Cajun Country." I also became quickly addicted to seeking topics such as how to find the songbirds of Hong Kong or a new restaurant in London called Shrimpy’s that I wanted to try.

» What’s not: The Android version is not as robust as the iOS version. The Guides and Highlights on the website are just as beautiful if you’d prefer to do your trip planning there. I also wanted more Guides in the Featured section (iOS app).

» Worth it? Absolutely. Make sure to consult the app before your trip. Curate your own guide and download it so that you can use it offline while you’re on the road.

Jen Leno, Los Angeles Times