I have been saying for a while now that technology and communication have fused into one discipline. I don’t think you can communicate effectively in our culture without using digital media. I was reminded of that Saturday night during my late dinner in a tiny Armenian restaurant in Madrid.

Restaurant Vartan has been in business for over 33 years. It does not have a website and it is tucked away in a side street away from the city crowded streets. If you do not look for it diligently, you’ll miss it altogether. The fact that I have never been to Madrid and that there are over 3,000 sit-down restaurants in the city to choose from, and that I found my way into Vartan was a feat against all odds.

While the establishment does not have a web presence, I found great reviews on the Trip Advisor app on my iPhone. From there it mapped a route from my hotel straight to the restaurant’s doors. After my arrival its owner and operator, the same man who started the place over three decades ago, was very helpful guiding me through the menu. But what I didn’t expect was for him to pull out his smart phone and flip through pictures of all his best dishes.

The food was terrific and the overall experience quite pleasant. While some might argue that technology had nothing to do with the quality of food or the friendliness of the staff, I will argue that it had everything to do with a successful outing.

How have you used technology in your travels?