Incredible Destinations to Visit for Tech Enthusiasts
Nature and history have their charms, but there’s something special about industrial artifacts and cutting-edge technology that makes them more appealing to some of us. Want to plan your trip exclusively around immersing yourself in the latest and greatest manmade marvels? Then choose from one of these can’t-miss destinations.
Silicon Valley, California
The mecca of world-changing innovation and trailblazing tech, Silicon Valley is a destination you could explore for months and still not experience everything it has to offer. Even if you don’t have as long, everything from Google and Facebook’s campuses through Stanford University to the Intel and Computer History Museums is conveniently located within a 20-mile radius centered around Palo Alto and Mountain View.
If you’re there during January, you might as well hop on a short domestic flight to Las Vegas and experience the world’s biggest and most famous consumer tech event – CES.
Tokyo, Japan
Home to some of the most advanced technologies and wackiest trends, Tokyo is the ideal place to immerse yourself in when visiting Japan. Akihabara is the city’s well-known electronics shopping and anime center, but it’s far from the only point of interest for tech lovers. The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation explores emerging technologies, while a 30-minute drive to Saitama lets you experience Japan’s rich railway history in its famed Railway Museum.
Shenzhen, China
Shenzhen is Silicon Valley’s equivalent when it comes to hardware. Tinkers and innovators flock to Huaqiangbei, the world’s largest electronics market, to both pick up the newest gadgets and rapidly develop future ones. Robotics enthusiasts won’t want to miss paying a visit to the HQ of UBTECH Robotics, where they can experience live demos of some of the world’s most advanced automatons.
Singapore
No place on the planet embodies the concept of a smart city better than Singapore! Its adaptive traffic lights, cleaning robots, and budding autonomous shuttle system offer a glimpse into a tech future we can all look forward to. And that’s before visiting Science Centre Singapore or taking a guided tour of the Biopolis and Fusionopolis research complexes.
Seoul, Korea
Other than being the capital of South Korea, Seoul is also the world’s leading city when it comes to mobile infrastructure. It boasts full 5G coverage for your everyday needs, and you can pay for most things via smartphone, including tickets for one of the most technologically advanced subway systems. Don’t forget to visit the Samsung Innovation Museum to learn more about semiconductor and screen display evolution than you ever thought you could.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin sports the perfect blend of new and cutting-edge technology with a touch of deeply rooted culture. Scratch your industrial itch in the world-famous German Museum of Technology, get some work done in one of the city’s many coworking spaces, or even consider staying a while and becoming part of its vibrant startup scene.
Staying Safe on Your Travels
Tech-savvy travelers aren’t the only ones drawn to our top destinations. Cyber crooks are aware of their appeal and like nothing more than taking advantage of the unprepared.
Before departing, ensure all your accounts have strong and unique passwords, preferably through a password manager. They store credentials in an encrypted vault and have an autofill feature perfect for accessing accounts quickly without typing in anything. This will also prevent access to your accounts if someone steals your phone or laptop, since they’re protected by biometric authentication and the manager’s master password.
On arrival, you should never charge your phone or laptop via USB hubs available in public places like airports since these can download malware onto your device and wreak all kinds of havoc.
You’ll find no shortage of free public Wi-Fi either, which is both practical and problematic. It’s easy to fake a Wi-Fi hotspot, especially in crowded areas where tourists don’t pay attention. Connecting to such a network may expose everything you do, including any credentials or payment information you type in.
Set up a reliable VPN beforehand and always have it active when accessing the internet from an untrustworthy connection. The VPN will envelop it in an encrypted tunnel and prevent any attempts to monitor your activity or intercept the data you send and receive. Take some time to research and choose the best VPN that fits your specific needs, as not all services offer the same level of security and features.
Alternatively, you could take advantage of an eSIM. That way, you get cheap access to data plans accessible through local mobile coverage without worrying about hefty roaming fees or unsafe networks. It’s also convenient when traveling to multiple countries since you can just activate a new plan when you arrive without having to change numbers or fiddling with your physical SIM.
Conclusion
The destinations we recommend abound in opportunities to satisfy even the most demanding tech traveler’s insatiable curiosity. Pick your favorite, stay safe, and expand your horizons.
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