How to Get an Authentic Travel Experience

My husband Bill and I really enjoy traveling. However, one thing we don't always enjoy is the lure of the tourist trap. If you've ever been anywhere, you probably already know what a tourist trap is. It's a place that caters to tourists by being very accessible. Some tourist traps really are worth seeing, but they're usually very crowded and expensive and oftentimes, the time you spend visiting them might be better spent somewhere else.

When Bill and I go on trips, we try hard to avoid most of the tourist traps. Our main goal when we travel is to get an authentic taste of the local culture and hang around the people who live there. Sure, it's great to see a major attraction like the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, or Big Ben and, of course, there are some so-called tourist traps that deserve at least one visit in a person's lifetime. But when Bill and I go somewhere new, we try to balance the lure of tourist traps with the lure of local gems and we work hard to find them. So far, this philosophy has paid off by allowing us some unique experiences with locals in a number of European countries. In a couple of weeks, we'll try it in the Caribbean, as well.

Tip 1- Research...

A lot of people invest in guide books or read articles on the Internet for tips on things to see when they travel. That's a good plan! You should learn a little bit about wherever you're going for a lot of reasons. You may only have a short time for your vacation and doing a little research beforehand gives you the opportunity to decide what you really want to see. A little research can also help you avoid places you don't want to see as well as unsafe areas.

Tip 2- But don't research too much!

A little research is a good thing. It helps you get a lay of the land, so to speak. But if you research too much, you might find yourself over planning your time a la Clark Griswold of the National Lampoon's Vacation movies. If you want to avoid tourist traps, you have to be ready for a couple of surprises and willing to venture off the beaten track a bit. So don't overdo the research. Get a basic idea of what's in the area you want to visit and places you should avoid. Then let your sense of adventure take over!

Tip 3- Get off of Main Street

Every town has a main drag. Tourist traps, by design, tend to be located on or near that main drag. That's where all the touristy restaurants, internationally run stores, and tacky souvenir shops are most likely to be. Sure, you'll want to take a walk down the main drag so you can see what's there, but be sure to take some time to explore the side streets, too. Some of the most memorable and quirky attractions, bars, restaurants, and shops Bill and I have found during our travels have been on quiet streets away from the action.

Tip 4- Don't ignore alcoves and alleys

Whenever I'm walking through a city, particularly one in Europe, I have a hard time resisting alcoves, shortcuts, and alleys. I love to walk into little nooks and crannies in a city, because often that's where I find some of its most unique sights.

Last year in Oslo, Norway, we ventured just beyond the touristy Akers Brygge area and, in an alcove tucked out of sight, found an Irish pub that was very popular with the locals. We sat down for a couple of rounds of beer and ended up meeting a couple of very friendly Norwegians who were happy to talk politics with us and tell us about their city. The bartender remarked that he didn't often get a lot of tourists in his bar. Another patron, who happened to be a first officer employed by the cruise ship we were going to board the next day, told us that we'd definitely found a gem. I believed him when the night was over.

In Brussels, Belgium, walking into an alley led us to a very cool restaurant that was also a working marionette theater. We could have easily missed this place, since there were so many other places to go that were on the main drag. But because we walked into an alley and looked carefully, we found ourselves in a unique place surrounded by Belgians.

Tip 5- Wander

Unless we have someplace we really want to see, Bill and I like to wander when we travel. We walk around with no specific itinerary and just go wherever the spirit moves us. Wandering also gives us the chance to talk with each other as we take in the sights and sounds of a new city. Don't be afraid to get just a little lost.

You should exercise caution when you wander, though. Be sure to pay attention to landmarks so you'll have less chance of getting completely lost and disoriented. When Bill and I wandered through Paris, France, we located a large black skyscraper that was near our hotel in the Montparnasse section of the city. It made finding our hotel a snap, no matter where we were in Paris.

Also, even if you're wandering, you should try to look as if you're going somewhere. Watch where you're going. If you appear to be too casual or confused, you might attract people who mean to do you harm.

Tip 6- Don't walk with blinders on

Have you ever seen a horse hitched to a buggy? Oftentimes, they wear blinders on their eyes to prevent them from using their peripheral vision. Blinders supposedly keep horses looking straight ahead so they won't be spooked by something coming up behind them. While blinders might work well for carthorses, they're not so good for a tourist who wants to get an authentic taste of a city. You should definitely look ahead so you'll see where you're going, but don't forget to cast your eyes left and right, too. That's how you'll find some really sweet spots in the city.

For example, when Bill and I visited Linz, Austria on a day trip, we were walking along a very well traveled street that was populated with a mall, government buildings, and lots of restaurants. I just happened to cast my eyes to the right at just the right time and spotted some trees. I stopped for a second to get a closer look at the trees and we suddenly found ourselves in an awesome biergarten. There were dozens of tables in this beautiful leafy, woodsy area that seemed far removed from the city of Linz, yet actually wasn't. It was a great place to enjoy authentic Austrian cuisine and beer and we seemed to be the only Americans in the place!

In Prague, we ran into an Armenian art gallery owner because I happened to spot a sign written in Armenian on his window. I had lived in Armenia for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer, so I was definitely interested in stopping in to say hi. I got a chance to practice my very rusty Armenian skills and I found a beautiful painting, to boot! When the proprietor asked me how I knew he was Armenian, I mentioned the sign, which I happened to see because I was paying attention and looking left and right as we walked.

Tip 7- Consider visiting a less popular city or country

Some of my favorite travel memories come from experiences I've had in places that aren't what most people would call travel destinations. For instance, when my husband wanted to visit Turin, Italy, I searched for Turin on the Internet. But the place where we actually ended up staying was a good thirty miles from Turin, out in the Italian countryside. It was a bed and breakfast in a tiny little town that wasn't even necessarily on a map. There, we experienced a true taste of Italian living. We did visit Turin, but we also visited some other much smaller, but very charming cities in the process. Best of all, the people in the places we visited seemed genuinely happy to have us around.

We have also been known to take trips to less popular countries. Every country has something to offer and things to see. Less popular countries are usually less crowded and less expensive, plus the people who run hotels and restaurants may be more appreciative of your business. Last year, when we were preparing to move back to the United States from Germany, we had the opportunity to take one last trip. There were several cities I wanted to see before we left. I considered Amsterdam, Madrid, and Lisbon, but I ended up settling on Budapest, Hungary. Budapest is an amazing city, but it's not as easily accessible from the United States as a lot of other European cities are. We went to Budapest for Labor Day weekend and had an absolutely amazing time there. The weather was wonderful and the price was definitely right!

Tip 8- Consider staying near the border!

Okay, I know there are some tourist traps out there that are located near a border. South of the Border, situated just over the South Carolina state line, is one such place. But I still love to stay in towns that are near the border of other states or countries because they often give me more bang for my buck. If we're not planning to go to a specific city to see a specific thing, I often look for interesting towns near borders that offer good food, pretty scenery, and things to do. Then, if it's possible, I take trips over the border so I can take a day to explore the local culture in the next state or country.

Bill and I did this on a trip to Passau, Germany a couple of years ago. I knew about Passau because I had visited there in 1997. Passau is right on the border of Austria and the Czech Republic, so we took the opportunity to visit both countries during our trip. The following year, we went to Oberstaufen, Germany, which is very close to the borders of Austria and Switzerland. During that trip, we spent a day in Oberstaufen, then visited Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. On the way back to our home in Germany, we drove through France and had lunch in a quaint border town where very few Americans were to be found!

Tip 9- Visit during the low season

I know people tend to take their vacations at certain times of the year because of school or work commitments. However, if you are able visit a place during a low or shoulder season, you can save significant money, avoid crowds, and see a popular destination at an unusual time of year. Think about it.

Lots of people want to go to the Caribbean in the winter because it's cold, dark, and snowy at home and they need a break. But winter is when the rates in the Caribbean go up. Likewise, lots of people hit Europe in the summer because going to Europe usually calls for a longer vacation and people with kids usually have to worry about school schedules. But summer is Europe's high season and that's when you're likely to run into a lot of your fellow Americans. So, if you can manage it, consider taking that trip at a time of year when other people are going to be staying home. You might just come away with a better experience and a real taste of the place you're visiting.

And finally, Tip 10- Try to sleep and eat at locally owned establishments

I know sometimes big hotel chains offer deals that are hard to pass up, especially if you're a member of a loyalty program. I'm not saying you should never stay in a hotel that's part of a chain; sometimes you can get the best of all worlds by going that route. I just want you to consider staying in a smaller hotel or a bed and breakfast run by locals. Locally run hotels and bed and breakfasts can get you access to insider information about the place you're visiting. Proprietors who are eager to please may give you a tip on an excellent local restaurant or help you arrange a special excursion you might not have known about otherwise.

The same thing goes for restaurants. Consider skipping the TGIFridays and Hard Rock Cafes in favor of local businesses. You might find yourself making new friends there and trying local specialties that you'd never get at a chain restaurant. Of course, there are times when you might welcome a menu in English and familiar foods. But whenever possible, I recommend being brave and stepping outside your comfort zone. Even if you have a bad experience, it's something you can remember and talk about for the rest of your life. That's part of what makes traveling such a joy!

Overall

Some people travel just because they need a rest and want to get away from it all. But if you're going to visit another country, why not take the time to see what it has to offer? By all means, take in a couple of tourist traps if you have your heart set on it, but don't forget to take the time to meet a couple of people, eat some local food, and see some things that are out of the ordinary. If you don't do that, you might as well stay home!

Sources:

Personal experience