Five Ways to Travel Like a Local
If there’s one thing Bella Vita Travels advocates for, it’s the art of travelling authentically. Thanks to certain global developments, travel is now easier and more accessible than ever before. As a result of this, the tourism trade across the world is booming, and so too are tourist-centric destinations.
This has the potential to lead to an age of global travel experiences — ones that lack the ‘authenticity’ of local tradition we typically crave when we travel the world. There is, of course, nothing wrong with seeing the hotspots synonymous with the place you’re travelling to, but how much do you miss if that’s the only thing you’re seeing?
Why is travelling like a local important?
Well, first and foremost: It’s as important as you think it is. If taking the road less travelled isn’t really your scene, then it’s your vacation, so don’t waste time taking the trip you think you should travel — take the one you want to.
That being said, it is difficulty to experience the breadth and depth of a country without seeing it for how it truly is. The experience tourists gain insight to in their short stays abroad is often very different to the day-to-day lived experience of the people who reside there. By striving to always travel like you’re local to your destination, you gain an insight not afforded to the masses.
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”
If you’ll let it, travel offers you the chance to learn and grow, and the more you open yourself up to learning from different countries, cultures, and people, the more you learn, and the stronger your memories are.
“Authentic travel is the only way to travel. Curious and conscious travel is, without a doubt, the best way to get to know a culture and its people. By traveling, you realize that differences are positives and by experiencing fully another country’s way of living, you enrich yourself and become a more interesting and understanding person.” — Kate Little-Paradiso, Sales & Client Management
Convinced yet? Well, here’s five ways to do it:
One: Research local customs
This one’s from one of our resident travel experts, Christina.
“Do a little bit of research about local customs. For example, if you know that chicken alfredo is a dish that does not exist in Italy, or that mushrooms are not in season in the Riviera in the summer, you can make your decision singling out a good restaurant for dinner much easier.”
And she couldn’t be more right — the more time you invest into understanding your would-be vacation spot before you get there, the more likely you are to have a local understanding of the area. Arm yourself with all of the information you need, so you’re less likely to lose confidence abroad and rely on safe choices. Christina also advises:
“Also, don’t assume that things are the same everywhere — take a deep breath and remember that you are the guest in this country, and things are done differently.”
Breathing’s usually our number one piece of advice too.
Practically speaking, not only does research help you put yourself in authentic situations, but it helps you avoid any embarrassing ones. For example:
“Dress respectfully for where you are traveling. Europeans tend to dress more stylishly in the cities and save their beachwear for the seaside.“ — Kate
Just try not to mix those two up, okay?
Two: Learn the Language
Okay, fine, we know when we’re beginning to sound like a broken record, but that’s probably because this one’s important. And if something’s important, it’s worth saying a few times — likeBuongiorno, or Ευχαριστώ, or On n’apprend pas aux vieux singes à faire des grimaces.
Sure, the last one is less essential, but you get the gist.
Learning a new language comes with a multitude of benefits, both in the context of your trip and as an enrichment to your life. Learning a new language improves cognitive ability, equips you with new ways of navigating your world, provides you with access to so much that you would normally be blocked from, and most importantly — it gives the ability to travel confidently and with help wherever you go.
In For a Better Brain, Learn Another Language, Robin Lakoff notes:
“Speaking different languages means you get different frames, different metaphors, and also you’re learning the culture of the language so you get not only different words, but different types of words.”
Whether you just want to know a few choice phrases a few weeks before your trip, or you’re endeavouring to shoot the breeze with all the locals, learning (parts of) a new language can only ever be beneficial — especially when it comes to the experiences you’re afforded on your vacation.
“To best enjoy your trip, take the time to learn how to say please and thank you as well as hello in the host country’s language. Courtesy is internationally appreciated.” — Kate
Three: Work with Local Companies
If you work with travel agencies, tour companies, and tourism businesses that operate far away from your destination, then chances are the experience you get will also be far away. Maybe not in terms of physical distance, but more so in terms of the authentic connection they have with the area you’re in.
When you work with companies who understand the area like it is their own (specifically when it is their own), then the calibre of your experience reflects that. It’s essential to work with vendors who know the region, and that experience usually comes with having the insider insight of a local.
Working with, and spending money at, larger franchises can be appealing for many reasons — they’re usually cheaper, they have an efficiency that comes with being a large corporation, and some many even bring on a sense of security that comes with global recognition. However, even the economic benefits come at a price. As soon as you stop working with smaller, local businesses, your consumer experience becomes less personal, and their product becomes compromised.
Working with smaller and local companies ensures an authentic experience that makes any price difference worth it.
Four: Figure Out What You Want
Much like breathing, this one works in pretty much all situations. However, when it comes to travel, the more you know what kind of experience you’re looking for, the more likely you are to get it.
Sure, packing a bag and heading off to an unknown location seems very romantic in the movies, but in reality, it’ll just leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere with no idea what to do.
By thinking about what you want in a trip, and creating an itinerary based on that, you have a much higher chance of finding the adventures that will make your dream trip, rather than finding the experiences tailored to everyone.
Five: Leave Your Comfort Zone
“Remember that foreign countries (and sometimes regions within countries) work differently from your own and adapt to each host country as best as you can (mealtimes and choices, shop times, behavior, etc.).” — Kate
The beauty of travel comes from the difference of experience you get to enjoy, so it’s important to embrace the new experience, rather than seek the comfort of what you know from home.
No one’s telling you to throw yourself out of a plane to really see Spain, but you should soak in the things that make your destination unique — even if they feel a little, well, foreign to you.
Again, this highlights the importance of research once again — the more prepared you are for certain differences, the more equipped you are to deal with them, and the more authentically you are able to travel.
(Bonus…)
Six: Travel with us.
Okay, sure we’re biased — creating authentic experiences that allow travellers to see the world like a local is sort of what we do. If you want to do all six of the above, with none of the hassle, then really — look no further.
