Getting ready for a vacation always involves packing, which can also mean loading up your mobile device with apps to help make your trip go smoother and keep info at your fingertips. There are numerous mobile applications for travelers that you can purchase and also others that you can download without a charge for your iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and others. Here's a list of some apps that you should check out before heading off on your next adventure:

The first group involves flight arrangements:

1. FlightTrack — Get interactive maps that zoom and live departure information, check delays, cancellations and gate numbers with real time international coverage that allows you to track your flights worldwide. (iPhone, $4.99)

2. FlightAware — Track commercial and private planes by searching airline name and flight number, route or aircraft registration number. Also see the plane's speed, altitude and more. (iPhone, free)

3. GateGuru — Make your airport experience more bearable and satisfying before and after flights. Find where to eat, decide before you get a table, or plan what you want to do while in an airport with reviews from over 11,000 travelers. Learn about your pre- and post-security options and figure out how far you have to go with maps for 86 U.S. airports, 12 in Canada, plus London's Heathrow. (iPhone, free)

4. USA TODAY AutoPilot — Store all your trip information—flight, hotel, confirmation numbers or car reservations—and get updates on flight status and weather for your destination. AutoPilot is designed to sync up with the similar service, TripIt. (iPhone, free)

Then, there are apps for finding good places and things to eat:

1. Urbanspoon — Recommendations for adventurous eaters, or people who know what they want but don't know where to get it. Enter where you are and how much you want to spend, and then shake your phone for restaurant recommendations from Urbanspoon users. If you feel even more adventurous name your location and let Urbanspoon come up with suggestions. (iPhone, Android, free)

2. Zagat to Go — Purchase Zagat to Go and you'll get a year's free access to fresh restaurant ratings and reviews from over 45 trusted guides. Also access hotel, nightlife and golf course reviews. (iPhone, $19.99 for a 365 day subscription)

3. Yelp — Find reviews for everything from restaurants to beaches, museums to salons, and nightlife to auto shops. Locate dentists, pharmacies and doctors are also reviewed by local residents. (BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm Pre, mobile web browser, free)

...and getting around under your own steam:

1. Taxi Magic — Hail a taxi in approximately 25 major cities, track the arrival of the cab, charge the ride to your credit card and expense the trip with an e-receipt. (BlackBerry, iPhone, Android, Palm, free)

2. GasBuddy — Get directions for the nearest gas stations and their current prices in the U.S. and Canada. (Android, free)

3. Trails — Go off the grid with GPS for hiking and bike trails around the world. Track your trail while you're out in the wilderness, get altitude and distance information in real-time adjusted to where you are, and geo-tag your photos. (iPhone, $3.99)

4. Tourcaster — Find audio walking tours to see new destinations on foot, without having to carry a bulky tour book. This app covers countries across six continents and the Caribbean, and each tour comes bundled with a virtual map for a selected city featuring numbered stopping points included on the walk. Tours are also categorized by audio length and walking duration, so you can plan your trips and sightsee at your own pace. (iPhone, prices vary by location, several free)

Finally, share your trip with others with these apps:

1. Panorama — Use this app to automatically align, color-correct and "stitch" photos together into seamless wide-scale images. (iPhone, $9.99)

2. Postman — Quickly create professional virtual postcards from your photos, then share them with friends on Facebook, Twitter, email, Tumblr or the Web. Includes a faux stamp and postage-meter mark or retro "Wish You Were Here" logo for a postcard that's totally eco-friendly! (iPhone, $2.99)

There are definitely some useful apps available for most major mobile devices and operating systems with new ones being developed as you read this. Using these tools and resources can help you stay organized and in the know while on vacation, and I'd love to hear which are working for you. Which mobile apps have helped you travel smarter? Are there any apps that you wouldn't leave home without having at your fingertips?

~ Deborah, Guest Contributor