When I stayed on the small island off Bali called Nusa Lembongen, I ran in the mornings before it got too hot, passing small villages along the way. Children waved and yelled, “Hello missus!” from their homes. A lean old man with bare feet and a big smile briefly ran alongside me. I got my exercise in, but more importantly, in just those few moments, I connected with the locals and saw how they lived. This was one of the most memorable experiences of my travels. And it was because I brought my running shoes.
Whether you’re visiting islands in Indonesia, wineries in Hungary or a busy European city, these tips will help you find your own off the beaten path experience:
- Talk to the locals. Find out their favorite restaurants, bars, hikes, etc. You’ll likely find places to go that aren’t mentioned in the guidebooks.
- Do something you would do if you lived there. Run, hike, cook, go to the market. Fresh food markets offer some of the best opportunities to learn about a regional culture. Engage the locals (vendors will typically engage you because they want you to buy) and try new foods. Not sure what to buy? Watch what some of the locals are buying and copy them!
- Search online forums instead of relying only on the guidebooks. A restaurant that was once a hidden gem might be flooded with tourists after a recommendation in a guidebook. I like to supplement these recommendations with tips from other travelers who are speaking to smaller audiences.
- Don’t use a travel agent. Although it’s a lot more work, it will be more rewarding if you plan your own trip. Travel agents or travel websites recommend places that are popular and keep people in their comfort zones, or they might send you only to businesses that pay a commission. If you do use a travel agent, at least play an active role in the planning and be clear that you want a less touristy experience. Try to use an agent based in the place you are visiting or one who partners with a local agency.
- Take trains, buses and other local transportation. This is what the people who live there do. I once met a woman on the train to Prague who engaged me in conversation and told me about her mom’s experience growing up in communist Czechoslovakia. After the train ride, she helped me find the right bus to my hotel and even escorted me there!
- Read stories/books written by travel writers. At a minimum, you’ll be entertained, but you’ll also find some unusual places to check out. Bill Bryson is one of my favorite travel authors. He’s self-deprecating, laugh-out-loud funny and human. You’ll hear about things going wrong, hotels that have cockroaches and people that are rude to him. But you’ll also hear about the little local café he stumbled upon where he had the best meal of his trip.
- Don’t stay in the center of town. This is where everyone else wants to stay! Not only will you pay more, but you’ll be surrounded by tourists. Stay in a real neighborhood and take public transportation to the center. You’ll see people leaving for work, kids coming home from school and old friends catching up at a café.
- Follow your interests. Take a cooking class or go for a bike ride. If you like art, visit a small neighborhood gallery or a street market that sells local arts and crafts, rather than a large museum.
- Go to restaurants that are filled with locals, not tourists. Do you ever scout out restaurants at home and end up choosing the Chinese restaurant that’s filled with Chinese people? Go where the locals go. They know the cuisine and will choose the restaurants that best execute it. You’ll have a more authentic experience and won’t feel like you’re eating at a restaurant at home. (Yelp has sites in 10 other countries)
- Don’t stay in a hotel. Stay at a family-owned B&B instead. Some of these are located in small towns or villages and often allow you to get to know the owners. It’s a more personal, culture-rich experience than staying at a hotel that caters to tourists. Or try something more adventurous: a homestay (look at SERVAS and CouchSurfing) or work on an organic farm in exchange for accommodation (WWOOF).
- Stay in one place for a while so you can take your time exploring. The more time you give yourself to explore one particular area, the more likely you are to discover something special. If you are too rushed, you’ll only be able to hit the highlights, and those are typically the more touristy spots. Give yourself time to talk to the locals and wander the streets.
- Travel alone. When you travel alone, you are more approachable to locals and other travelers. Find out where these travelers have been, places you shouldn’t miss and places to avoid. Chances are if you meet them along your path, they enjoy the same types of travel experiences you do.
- Become part of the community. Work or volunteer when you travel. You’ll forge friendships with people you wouldn’t normally encounter, learn about their culture and challenges, and raise awareness by spreading the word about their situation when you get home. Check out VolunTourism for opportunities.
