In this day and age it is almost impossible to go anywhere without seeing someone using some sort of mobile device. Whether you’re team Android, iPhone, or still refuse to give up your old reliable Nokia, the fact is that current technology makes it much easier on travelers to find whatever it is they need, and to share it all in real time.

So, what is the easiest way to make the most of your travels while keeping a handle on your chosen device? It takes only one step:

Put it away.

Whether it’s putting it in your bag, your pocket, or leaving it secured in a hostel locker, the best thing you can do while traveling is to open your eyes to the experiences waiting for you wherever you are. It might sound trite, but it is not any less true.

Certainly apps like TripAdvisor are extremely useful when it comes to finding things to do, places to eat at or stay the night, and it is always comforting to be able to pull up a current map or look up the best driving directions with something like Waze if you find yourself lost in an unfamiliar place.

Social applications like Foursquare or even Snapchat challenge us to see as many places as possible and keep up with friends’ whereabouts, but our obsession with constantly updating statuses and ‘checking in’ can severely take away from the new environments we find ourselves in.

This is not to say you should not whip out your device when a great photo opportunity arises, or to translate something you do not understand (particularly when searching for a toilet). It is smart to look up transportation services ahead of your travels to see if the city offers an application for local bus or train information — cities like Gothenburg, London, San Francisco and New York offer high-rated apps helping travelers and commuters get around.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to share your experiences with friends and family back home, but instead of being so bent on sharing the perfect pizza picture in Rome, consider instead snapping the picture and sharing it later, opting instead to spend your time chatting with the people around you. Ultimately you will have both a better trip, and the opportunity to have better stores to tell once you return home.

Or, at least, return home to your hostel that night to retrieve your mobile from its locker.