Live like a local for a realistic travel experience.

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Editor’s note: This is story is by guest blogger Rachel Turner on behalf of Sainsbury’s Bank.

Eating tapas in a local hangout in Costa Brava, Spain is one of the perks to travelling like a local.

I live in Brighton, a city well known for its tourist attractions. But, being local, the Brighton attractions I’d take you to may not even feature in your guide book.

Forget the pier or the Pavilion. If I was showing you around town, we’d go up to the racecourse for the most spectacular views of the coast. We’d check out Brighton’s ancient history with a visit to the Neolithic settlement on Whitehawk Hill. Then we’d saunter back through Kemp Town with its independent boutiques and cafes, before going to Bill’s for (arguably) the best breakfast in town.

Locals get to see so many more hidden gems. And that’s the attitude I try to take with me when I’m on holiday, too. While I may take in a few tourist attractions, it’s fun to step off the tourist trail every once in a while, even if that’s only by grabbing a coffee and poring over the local paper to really get a feel for the place.

In fact, my most memorable holiday moments haven’t involved trudging around must-see museums or art galleries. Forget the Taj Mahal, my most vivid memory of India was watching a Bollywood film in a tiny cinema with some (extremely enthusiastic) film-loving locals.

You can learn a lot more about the real heart of a place by doing things the locals would. And avoiding the main tourist attractions can be a real money-saver too. Here are a few ideas to help you get a feel for the country you’re visiting.

Stay in the city centre

Forget the bland villa in the middle of nowhere. Staying somewhere central means you’ll be up people-watching over coffee and pastries before the hordes of tourists arrive, or partying until the small hours (if things really get going) knowing you’re just a short stroll home.

Staying in a houseboat in Amsterdam is one way to get in touch with city’s local side.

House swap

If there’s somewhere you really want to visit, investigate the possibility of a house swap. That way, you’ll live in real communities, get the chance to make friends with your neighbours and you’ll get to see how people really live.

Ditch the guidebooks

One of the things that makes tourists so annoying is that they’re always glued to their guidebooks or tour guides, led like sheep to the main attractions.

Don’t let that happen to you. Instead, make it your mission to get pally with locals and ask them about their favourite places. Not brave enough – or don’t speak the language? Then get some insider knowledge before you travel by asking questions on some online local forums.

Think of alternatives to the normal guided tour. Check out if there are any local history groups holding events, or join a hiking group for different views of the place you’re staying in.

Take your hobby with you

Practicing your hobby abroad is a great way to meet people and get a feel for the place you’re visiting. For example, if you love crafts and are visiting the States, many cities now have stitch lounges where you can rent sewing machines by the hour and swap tips and advice with like-minded local enthusiasts. Love cooking? Taking a class is a great way to familiarise yourself with local food.

Living like a local can give you both a more realistic tourist experience and, by ditching the pricey attractions for a day hanging out at the library, you may even save money. But while there are ways to get away for less if you do your research, one thing you shouldn’t economise on is travel insurance. Medical bills abroad can be expensive, especially if you fall ill somewhere like the USA. Having appropriate cover can help make sure you receive the treatment you need. If you’re a regular traveller, buying an annual policy could perhaps be a good idea too.

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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!