(7) awesome folk have had something to say...

  • Catherine Jones -

    September 28, 2012 at 8:15 am

    Great article! I totally agree 🙂

  • Maggie S. -

    September 28, 2012 at 8:21 am

    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.

  • Jennifer Santos -

    September 28, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    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.

  • Daniel McBane – Funny Travel Stories -

    September 30, 2012 at 9:06 am

    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.

  • Thomas -

    September 30, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    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.

  • creative nomad -

    October 2, 2012 at 6:39 am

    Thanks for the Brighton tips! Will check out these places I have never even heard off

  • Josie -

    October 2, 2012 at 10:06 am

    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