HOW SCREEN TIME CAN IMPROVE YOUR HOLIDAY

Go paper-free

Rewind 15 years and your bag would have been filled with printed-out boarding passes, hotel confirmation, insurance documents and all the other paraphernalia for your trip. These days it is not only possible, but most convenient, to go paper-free on holiday, filing everything digitally on your smartphone. Just remember to bring a portable charger to avoid getting caught out

Build an interactive itinerary

Google Maps has a function that allows you to build a bespoke map for your entire holiday. While there should always be room for a bit of spontaneity on a trip, some comprehensive research before setting off will help you make the most of your travels, and leaving your GPS on will ensure you never get lost

Find interesting events

On the topic of spontaneity, if you are on a city break and lost for something to do in the evening, events apps

UK search interest in screen time such as Dice can be a useful resource for the best live music, comedy and theatre in your local area

Make last-minute bookings

While there is something romantic about roaming a town or city and stumbling across a restaurant that looks nice, or indeed driving along minor roads to find a nice-looking country pub, this strategy can backfire. Having a phone in your pocket allows you to pinpoint the best-reviewed options in the area

Overcome language barriers

There is nothing worse than getting into a taxi in an unfamiliar foreign country and reaching a conversational stalemate. Worse still is being unable to instruct them where to go. The solution comes in the form of ingenious language apps such as iTranslate and Google Translate, which translate what somebody is saying in real time