This past week I had the pleasure of attending the launch party for the newest travel app on the scene: Gypsy Circle. Founded by Andrew Butash-friend and fellow compatriot of mine from past days of assorted college shenanigans. Gypsy Circle is a nifty tool for all travelers looking to arrive at their destination connected.
Inspired by Andrew’s backpacking adventure throughout Europe in 2012, the app was founded on the idea that the best part of travel are the friends we make along the way. While wandering from Lisbon to Paris, Andrew thought up a mobile app that could tap into our existing social networks and see our friend’s upcoming travel plans to make meeting and connecting with people abroad that much more attainable. What started out as a simple idea eventually blossomed into a full scale company that has been written up in the Huffington Post and now celebrated in typical New York fashion at an open air hotel lounge by the Hudson River.
From left to right: Travel journalist Alexandra Petri, filmmaker and local comedian Jeff Cerulli, Nikki Vargas of The Pin the Map Project and award winning blogger, Katie Macleod-English of Stories My Suitcase Could Tell.
As a travel blogger and journalist, I am always on the look out for the latest travel apps to add to my growing collection. I’ve already found my preference in flight search apps (download Hopper if you haven’t already!), have my preferred hotel & hostel search apps and downloaded my go-to trip planning apps; but have yet to find anything similar to Gypsy Circle that connects me to people before my plane has touched the tarmac. Here’s why you need to download Gypsy Circle now!
What is Gypsy Circle?
Simply put, Gypsy Circle is a networking app that allows users to upload their upcoming travel itineraries and connect with travelers who may be headed to the same destination.
What Can I Expect from the App?
Some mobile apps prove cluttered but Gypsy Circle has a sleek interface with an easy-to-navigate lay out. The app is essentially organized by Profile, Travel, Chat & Friends—making it easy for you to update your itinerary, check out where people in your network are going and chat with them within the application. The app allows you to search for Facebook friends and contacts that are already on Gypsy Circle.
Why Should I Download it?
Gypsy Circle is great for travelers-particularly backpackers and solo travelers-who may be headed to a destination and are hoping to connect with people before they arrive. When I was solo traveling in Argentina last August, such an app would have come in handy as I arrived in Buenos Aires not knowing more than 1 or 2 people who I could call upon. Having Gypsy Circle would have given me a way to chat with people who have been to Buenos Aires, may have been going there soon or knew someone who lives there.
In my past travels, I’ve connected with people over the idea of such an app and its need in the travel space. To many, the go-to app has been Tinder, which while good at connecting people also has that underlying connotation of hooking up. Gypsy Circle connects people together based on their love of travel and upcoming itineraries; giving the travel world a way to connect without having to deal with swipes.
This post is not sponsored by Gypsy Circle. You can follow Gypsy Circle CEO and Founder, Andrew Butash, on his travels on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Make sure to connect with me on Gypsy Circle! The app is available for download now on iTunes (for free!) here.
