The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and AAA says about 71 million people will be traveling over 50 miles that week. Make sure you’re prepared for anything that might happen on the road.
These are the banned Google Maps locations you can't see
Navigation apps are great, especially if you are getting back into traveling as restrictions ease. They not only guide you to your destination but can show you hot spots and points of interest along the way.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t drawbacks. These apps use your data and if you’re not careful, they can contribute to hitting your limit and also slow your phone down. Tap or click here to read about five types of apps that are guilty of this and how to stop them.
Google Maps can be a game of sorts if you know what to look for. The app has banned places you cannot see and it can be fun to find them and learn the history behind their concealment. We’ll get you started with some spots.
Montlucon prison, France
Active prisons are considered sensitive areas and thus can be censored on Google Maps. Here’s a location in central France that Reddit users identified as a prison.
Tap or click here to check out this pixelated blob.
Google Maps
Marcoule nuclear site, France
The Marcoule Nuclear Site in France is blurred out and you don’t need to be a nuclear scientist to figure out why the government made this so. The French seem to be serious about their privacy.
Tap or click here to see what’s blurred.
Google Maps
Ayioi Anargyroi military base, Greece
This map predicts when leaves will change color as fall arrives
Let’s be honest, it’s been a rough year. Not only have we been cooped up inside for much of it trying to do our best at social distancing but in many areas of the country, the summer heat has been excessive. Finally, things are starting to turn around, at least as far as the weather is concerned, as fall is almost here.
🏰 Vacation tip: A guy traveling in Italy used ChatGPT as his tour guide, but he got creative and prompted the bot to play a more engaging role. Instead of outputting boring, dry facts, at the Pantheon, ChatGPT told him, “When you enter, look up,” then added a little history. I had ChatGPT do a travel itinerary for me for when I visited Berlin, Vienna and Paris, and it was great. You might want to try that, too!
2-hour flight
Travel time from NYC to London by 2030. Research from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority says traveling at supersonic speeds is coming … fast. The expected time flying from London to Sydney? Just two hours. In no time at all, you could be joining an Australian game party in the LAN down under.
Binge Netflix without eating up all your data
It’s great to have Netflix on your smartphone, particularly when you’re traveling. But if you’re out and about, and not on Wi-Fi, streaming video like that really eats up your data.
Unless you download videos ahead of time, Netflix eats up 5 Mbps just to run. Tap or click here to learn what speed is necessary for other streaming services. That kind of requirement will consume your data fast — unless you have an Android.
American tourists are big targets abroad: You can thank Hollywood stereotypes that paint us all as wealthy. In some countries, you could be robbed, drugged or worse. If you’re traveling, keep your voice down (everyone knows an American accent), ditch USA-branded clothes and if something feels off, get outta there.
🚕 Say, “No way”: Waymo’s self-driving taxis might not be in your town yet, but if you’re traveling this summer, keep an eye out for them on the roads. They’re covered in sensors and hard to miss. PSA: They’re under federal investigation for causing more than 20 accidents. I wouldn’t get in one.
3 tips for getting cheap flights
Love traveling? Check out these tips to snag great deals on airfare!
Score an airline seat with the most legroom
Are you traveling soon? Listen now for an easy way to book the most comfortable seat on your plane.
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