If travel is about discovery, curiosity, and serendipity, how does your smartphone lead to a fulfilling vacation? It doesn't. But your smartphone can be a useful tool to make the most of your time off.

Like many of you, the team at Compass & Key has struggled to find a balance between traveling in the moment and using travel-related apps on our smartphone. We've caught ourselves staring at our screens when we should be enjoying the new sights, sounds and smells around us.

As savvy travelers, we're confident you're already familiar with pre-trip planning apps, like those for finding flights and hotels. Instead, we're focusing our list of 10 Essential Travel Apps on those that are most helpful DURING your vacation. 

Ultimately, your number one resource is the people around you. Most of us love to talk about what makes our hometown so special. Look for a friendly face to point you in the right direction, share their favorite local bistro, or recommend an authentic souvenir. Besides, connecting with locals enriches your travel experience.

Click below to see the full list of Essential Travel Apps from Compass & Key. And remember, our motto of 'Travel by Wandering' still applies.