We are driving from Paris with kids, most days minimum of 3 hours of driving. Hoping to set up mobile internet account in Paris that can be used in vehicle to keep them happy in back seat (one is a teen). We'll be driving through France, Switzerland and through Italy. I would really appreciate advice on how to set this up. We have IPAD and IPOD.
Maja, Could you clarify whether your iPad is Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi+3G model? The only solution that I know of that might work is TEP Wireless, but I haven't checked on what the cost might be. I believe they'll deliver the device to the U.S. and you'll then have to return it when you get home. They don't offer service to Canada, so I've never tried it. Hopefully your kids will be more interested in the countries you'll be visiting, rather than browsing the internet. Three hour car trips would be a good time to brush up on the culture and language of the countries you're visiting (after all, you'll have a "captive audience"). Happy travels!
We are reconsidering the idea of mobile internet... I would much rather the time is spent enjoying the countryside and reading RS guidebooks for next destination eateries. Thanks for your help
Rick has some great audioguides - you can download the ones for the areas you will touring. You can also purchase & download his shows on those areas as well and play them in the car. There are a lot of offline resources available as well - maps, translators, etc. Google is your friend.
Our grandkids have a portable DVD player in the backseat, and it keeps'em completely quiet. And it's small and cheap. Mobile internets devices in Europe are best when used only on WiFi. Mobile nets are just too expensive to use for kids.
Maja, Rick also has LOTS of short videos available in the iTunes store. If you download versions specific to each of the places you'll be visiting it will not only provide the kids with some entertainment during the trip, but also get them up to speed on the next place they'll be visiting. Each of the videos is fairly short (~5 minutes), so the "attention span" shouldn't be an issue. Cheers!
Those are great ideas. Better options than twitter and youtube. I appreciate that - thanks I won't consider the mobile internet option any further.
OK - I'll admit it - I am a tech junkie! I will have a netbook, Kindle Fire & smart phone! I have ordered the TEPS wifi for my upcoming trip. They currently have a 15% discount available so it will cost me about $145 for 30 days which includes 3GB of data for the 30 day period. I figure with this, wifi at my hotels and wifi in cafes & such I should be OK! The same amount of data if I purchased it from Verizon would be 6 times as much!