5 Ways To Plan Your Trips Better With Google
Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it the perfect time to explore new cities and uncover hidden gems. While the idea of going on a trip always sounds exciting, the planning process can often become a headache, particularly when relying on third-party sources for itineraries, which may be outdated. However, there’s one source that remains consistently updated: Google. Here are five ways you can leverage Google’s services to plan the perfect trips.
1. AI insights
As with any service, Google is integrating AI in Maps as well. This new feature provides users with insights about specific places or restaurants. For instance, if you search for “Boo’s Burgers” on Maps and find a particular burger appetizing in the photos, you can simply click on the photo and scroll down to see all the information regarding that dish, including the price, ingredients, and reviews.
2. Get recommendations for places
Compiling a list of places to visit can be challenging, especially considering that many lists found on the internet are not regularly updated. However, to streamline this process, Google has recently introduced a new lists feature in Google Maps. Now, when you search for a major city in the US (with more countries to follow soon), you’ll be presented with three options:
- Trending List: This includes all the latest hotspots that have gained popularity through social media or other channels.
- Top List: This comprises essential and highly visited attractions in the city, such as the Statue of Liberty in New York.
- Gem List: Here, you’ll find a collection of underrated, hidden gems that are worth exploring and offer unique experiences.
Furthermore, you can also save your preferred places and create a personalized list.
3. Live View
Have you ever explored a new European city with lots of turns and narrow streets only to find them confusing to navigate, even with maps? Well, you are not alone. To combat this issue, Google recently introduced a new Live View feature on Google Maps, which uses your phone’s camera to overlay real-life arrows onto the street, facilitating navigation at important turns. To activate Live View:
- Open Google Maps and enter your destination.
- Click on the walking directions and select the Live View option at the bottom.
- Grant camera permissions and point your camera towards the street.
4. Immersive View on Google Maps
Google Maps has seen significant improvements in recent years, with the company making substantial investments to enhance the user experience. As part of these efforts, Google introduced a new Immersive View feature, allowing users to plan their trip’s route using a 3D map and discover nearby points of interest. To access Immersive View:
- Open Google Maps.
- Enter your destination.
- Click on the Immersive button on the left.
- Explore the route.
5. Google Translate
It’s no secret that traveling to a different country can be a daunting task, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the native language. While many companies have attempted to bridge this gap, Google Translate remains the most comprehensive solution, supporting over 130 languages. Simply use your phone to record the other person saying a sentence in their language and translate it.
