Road trips are about to get a lot more foolproof—and enjoyable—and I’m proud to say that Frommer’s will be at the forefront of this exciting new development.
We are partnering with an innovative new company called Road.Travel that creates truly interactive mobile guides for road trips.
What makes Road.Travel special? Not only does its new virtual guidance system track the route with you as you drive, going step by step, but you'll also see beautiful photographs of the places you might go. In addition, Road.Travel displays a constantly evolving map of upcoming suggested stops. The technology is set to expand vastly this year with voice guidance and in-car navigation in the works.
Use the Frommer's road trip guides and you'll get recommended places to stay (along with the ability to easily book them), restaurant suggestions, and, of course, the top attractions in each area.
Once you purchase one of Road.Travel's itineraries using your smartphone or laptop, you can use the preferred navigation apps that you have on your device to keep tabs of where you are along the route, supplying maps, info, photos, and recommendations based on your specific location. (Alternatively, you can always read the itinerary in advance.)
The technology is, in a word, a marvel.
Frommer's driving adventures for Road.Travel are powered by our world-famous travel knowledge and advice. Our local experts have crafted itineraries designed to show road trippers sides of California they’ve never experienced before.
We hit the historic and natural highlights of the state, from the giant redwoods to the places where gold panners struck it rich. But we also take you to spots you might never have known about otherwise, including comforting and creative culinary offerings, pristine beaches, oyster farms, boutique spas, cult-favorite wineries, desert landscapes, wonderfully weird roadhouses, and a lot more.
Here's a sampling of the California wonders you'll find in our first collection of Road.Travel drives:
The Redwood Empire: a round-trip from San Francisco to the Avenue of the Giants and Redwood National and State Parks, among other astonishing sights
Joshua Tree and Palm Springs: a round-trip from Los Angeles that encompasses the beloved Joshua Tree National Park, mid-century style in Palm Springs, and Mad Max–esque art enclaves around the remote Salton Sea
Wine Country: a round-trip from Napa that hits the region's storied wineries, museums, historical sights, and to-die-for restaurants
Gold Country: a round-trip from Sacramento that visits fascinating sites associated with the legendary California Gold Rush, plus noteworthy nature attractions and restaurants
The Majestic Side of the Sierra Nevada: a trip from South Lake Tahoe to Los Angeles, with stops along the way at Mammoth Lakes, the eerie ghost town of Bodie, the ancient volcanic craters of June Lake, and much more.
Right now, the platform is accessible via the web, but optimized for a mobile experience. In short, everything needed for a self-guided trip is at Road.Travel. The technology allows travellers to get inspired before going on the journey by exploring the travel guides, with their maps and detailed recommendations. Then, they can follow the route on a road trip easily using the Drive Mode with convenient, familiar navigation apps.
To see more, or to purchase one of these terrific virtual travel companions, go to Frommers.Road.Travel.
