Last week, Creative Tourist launched its own iPhone app – you’ve got one week left to download the lovely little blighter for free – and this week we rate the top 10 travel apps ready for download now…

Fed up not knowing what’s on when you land in a new city? Stranded on holiday and looking for a decent cafe or bar? Or fancy taking a guided walk without the hassle of booking a tour guide? Well, lucky people, fret no more – try our top 10 travel apps guide instead.

1. AA Hotel Guide 2010 (free)

The AA has a whole suite of apps aimed at UK travellers and this free guide to hotels is one of the best with over 2,400 AA recommended hotels to suit every budget.

2. Tripit (free)

This handy planner takes all your travel plans and puts them in one place so you can easily refer to any bookings you’ve made, such as flights, taxis and hotels.  It’ll even remind you where you’re supposed to be!

3. Weather Pro (£2.39)

Us Brits are weather obsessed and this app from Europe’s weather specialists is widely regarded as the most accurate. Find out if you’ll need to back your bikini or your brolly.

4. Free Wi-Fi Finder (free)

Using your GPS function, this app will tell you where the nearest free Wi-Fi hotspot is, so you can get online while on the move.  There is also a version that will locate paid-for Wi-Fi.

5. Trainline.com (free)

A must if you’re travelling by train: you can view train times, download timetables, save journeys as favourites and check arrival times.

6. Live Traffic Info – Highways Agency (free)

There’s nothing like a traffic jam to spoil your travel plans, so keep an eye on how the roads in England are flowing with this little app.  It includes details of planned roadworks and any congestion or accidents (but note it doesn’t cover Scotland and Wales).

7. Skype (free)

Despite some griping from the Apple fan community about the lack of a video chat option, this remains one of the best apps for keeping in touch with your loved ones while you’re away – whether through instant messaging or free Skype to Skype calls.

8. OffMaps (£1.19)

A useful app for those looking to limit the cost of using their iPhone abroad. OffMaps allows you to access searchable maps that can then be used offline, in conjunction with GPS, so you can find your way around unfamiliar areas without worrying how much it’s costing.

9. Urbanspoon (free)

Urbanspoon will help you decide where to eat – just enter the area, the type of food you want and a price range, shake the phone and you’ll be presented with a suggestion. Don’t like what it’s come up with? Shake again for another suggestion. Sweet.

10. AroundMe (free)

AroundMe is a listing app that uses GPS to locate your position, then tells you what’s near.  So if you’re in an unfamiliar place and need to find a bank, petrol station, cinema, supermarket, hotel or restaurant, AroundMe can be very useful.

In Manchester?

You could do worse than download our own app, which provides up to the minute information about key exhibitions and cultural events happening around Manchester.  Think of it as a mobile cultural guide to the city which, on top of live events, includes practical information about museums and galleries, a range of walking tours, historical facts about Manchester and insider tips on the best cafes, bars and restaurants. It takes what we do best on this blog – exhibitions and events news, insider guides to the city – and delivers it to your phone. And best of all, it’s free for another week (it’ll be 79p from 5 November). Download it now – and let us know what you think.

The Creative Tourist iPhone app has been developed by OHdigital, and employs a combination of information sources, including Foursquare, listings from Go See This and Wikipedia. It has been supported by Modern History.