Tips & Deals for Travellers

The gadget

Tongue-tied travellers can get mobile access to essential phrases in 10 languages including Mandarin, German and Japanese, with Lonely Planet's new Audio Phrasebooks. Available from Apple itunes.com/appstore) for £5.99.

The tour

Explore the rich history of London's Royal Docks with a series of walking trails designed by the University of East London in conjunction with dockside communities. Maps and historical audio trail guides can be downloaded free from portsofcall.org.uk

The book

The Children's Guide to the Isle of Wight is a new pocket-sized book compiled by an editorial team aged six to 12. It covers the island's best beaches, ice creams, events and attractions. £5 from local tourist offices or at childrensguideiow.co.uk

The deal

Take a family holiday for £198,including seven nights at Camping I Pini, in Rome, in an air-conditioned mobile home (sleeps two adults, two children) plus Dover-Calais ferry crossings. Book by 31 July, for travel 3 September. Canvas Holidays (0870 192 1159).