Now, there’s no law that says travelling has to be about uncovering the culture of a destination. You can do whatever you want; if that’s just exploring the museums with your partner, then go for it. However, for many people, travelling is akin to an anthropological exercise: it’s a way to uncover the differences – and similarities – between cultures that makes life on earth so interesting. How do you experience a new place, one that you’re visiting for the first time, like a local? Well take a look below. We’ve come up with 5 ways to experience a destination like a local.
5 Ways to Experience a Destination Like a Local
Do Your Research
You’re unlikely to be able just to turn up and have an intuitive feel for the local culture and customs. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to! Before your trip, read up on your chosen destination, and get a feel for what life is like there. It won’t be any substitute for the real thing, and will only really be a starting point, but it’ll at least give you an idea of what you should be looking for when you’re travelling. The internet, books, podcasts, and all the other information sources are awash with information. Use them!
Consider Travelling With a Group
Unless you’re travelling to a destination where friends and family live, you’re going to find it difficult to uncover all the places and experiences that make a destination unique. This information takes years to acquire, and you can’t be expected to know it all just by reading a few blog posts! You do have another option, however, and that is: travel with a group. If you book a journey with a company like https://www.gadventures.com, you’ll be able to discover all the hidden gems you may otherwise have missed. You’ll be able to experience a place like a local and won’t have to spend hours and hours conducting your research – or worrying whether you’re really getting things right.
Learn the Language
OK, when we say ‘learn the language,’ we don’t mean that you need to become fluent. But really, making an effort to know a few key phrases can make all the difference; it’ll allow you to stray away from the tourist zones (that cater for English-speakers), and into the areas where the locals live. The food in these places is nearly always cheaper, better, and is accompanied by a cracking local atmosphere that cannot be replicated.
Get Talking
If your language skills are such that you can hold a conversation with a local, then get talking! There’s no better way to get to know a place than by speaking with those that live there. They’ll give you advice, provide an insight into local life, and more than, you’ll be making the kind of connections that makes travel so exciting.
Get into the Rhythm
Finally, remember to take a look at how the locals spend their day. Are they night people? Do they take siestas in the afternoon? Get into the rhythm of local life, and you’ll be living as you belong there!
