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Editor’s note: This is story is by guest blogger Rachel Turner on behalf of Sainsbury’s Bank.
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.
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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7 comments
Great article! I totally agree 🙂
The first time I left the U.S. to go anywhere, we stayed in the apartment of some people who were traveling for medical care.
We bought our own groceries, paid the maid(8 kwai per week about $1.20 usd), the water brought in. Walked, learned to catch a taxi. The only thing we couldn’t do on our own is order in a local restaurant.
Then…we went to all the tourist destinations.
Good advice.
Immersing yourself in the local culture is the best experience when you travel. You get to see and do what normal tourists normally don’t get to experience. Also trying their local brew and beer is just amazing brewer like me.
Some great advice, especially ditching the guidebook. There are those who can pick out the useful bits and pieces and ignore the rest, but most can’t and just become much too reliant on their guidebook for absolutely everything and end up missing most of what really makes a given place unique.
In order to enjoy everything at a new place and have the most out of it, one should exactly do as you have mentioned in your post. Staying like a local in that particular place could fetch us more knowledge about the place and we get to taste the real beauty.
Thanks for the Brighton tips! Will check out these places I have never even heard off
I wholeheartedly agree! Roaming around the side streets, ducking into a movie theater, or finding the local dive restaurant is by far the best way to travel.
I love your idea to search out clubs or organizations where you can take up your hobby with locals!
Conrad and I enjoy a house sitting lifestyle. To us this is immersion travel at its best because we linger in one area for a long time — and our lodging is free. We love it and try to get others excited as well because our lives have been changed.
Thanks for sharing your views.
~Josie
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