Apps to Download for Iphone that won't use data

There are a variety of off-line map appscheck to see which best meets your needs; they don't substitute for a city map, but I found them helpful with fine detail of a neighborhood. With the off-line translation apps, I feel no need to carry a phrase book for simple things like decoding menus, signs, etc. And there are a huge number of audio tours which can be quite good (in addition to the RS audio tours; and some museums have good info you can downloadcheck their websites). I also find GoodReader to be so helpful: Things I used to bring in paper copy (eg, background info on sites I'll be visiting; duplicate copies of tickets and reservation confirmations), I now PDF and import into GoodReader; it reduces weight of and clutter in my luggage.
And finally I download a number of books and some TV shows/movies/travel shows to watch on the plane; it's nice not to be at the mercy of airline choices for entertainment. I've found that guidebooks are not very user-friendly in electronic format (eg, the index in the iTunes RS Italy guide doesn't work, so you have to use "search" to find anything). However, I normally don't travel with the RS guide, I just use it for planning and logistics, preferring the Blue Guide for touring; so I find the e-book version to be a reasonable substitution for my usual approach, which is tearing out a few pages with logistics info that I need.

MapswithMe allows you to download offline maps, which is very helpful.

Be advised that GoodReader isn't a free app; it costs five bucks. To view PDF files you don't need a separate app, simply move PDFs into the "Ibooks" section of Itunes, and you can view them for free.

I used XE currency converter as well as Jibbigo Language program (Spanish), but they have other languages. I think it was about $5 per language, but it was really helpful and eliminates the need for carrying a pocket translator.

I recommend: - some offline translator (very useful), there are many good ones below $ 10 - offline maps for places you are visiting. There are tons of them (just check "offline map" + name of city). If you are willing to fork $ 50, I'd buy the TomTom+Places app, which is huge (almost 2GB) but has a complete map base of Western Europe. It will double as a GPS unit if you need to drive. - transit maps for bigger cities where you are expecting to use tons of subway/trams.

I have user "Best Travel Offline Maps" (so have some others in this forum) in the past and it works great. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/best-travel-offline-maps/id501782148?mt=8 The developer is very responsive if you need maps that are not already present (check out the reviews).

Isn't there an app that allows you to send messages (similar to text messages) to international numbers through wifi without using data?

Great question Kellie. I was thinking about the same thing,but thankfully I saw your post. Now have my answer.

Viber allows you to send text and calls, but those you are contacting also need to be signed up with their service.