By Katie Allie
Hi, I’m Katie. Once upon a time I was a kindergarten teacher, and life was pretty good. I loved coming home each day with paint on my hands and funny stories to tell. I got to travel a lot, too. Every time I had a break, I was somewhere new, managing to travel on a very tight budget and coming home with even better stories to tell. Since then, I’ve started my own travel consulting company, and I’ve experienced many memorable moments and mishaps. I’ve haggled, made friends and found hidden gems. I am hooked on getting lost in this great big world of ours, and I want to help you get lost, too.
We’ve all been there: fresh off a plane or beginning a road trip in a brand new city and no idea where to start exploring. Here are my top five tips for getting your bearings when you arrive in a new city so you can hit the ground running, whether it’s across the state or across the world.
Take a free walking tour.
If I only had one tip to give, this would be it. Search online for free tours of the city you’re visiting. Chances are, you’ll have a plethora of options. Tourism boards often offer free walking tours with official guides, and other companies will offer paid tours on a tips-only basis—still a great deal. You will learn things about the people and the city you’re in that you otherwise never would have known, plus you’re supporting a local enterprise. Get the scoop on history, cool neighborhoods, the guide’s personal restaurant recommendations and more—all without having to track it all down in advance.
When you’re abroad, utilize the free Wi-Fi for your cell phone.
Just a few years ago, I would spend precious time tracking down internet cafes in faraway places, and I was never able to use my cell phone to text or call loved ones at home for fear of incurring steep data charges. Today, everyone from your budget hotel to long-haul buses have Wi-Fi, so use it! Turn your phone on airplane mode if you’re abroad and connect to the Wi-Fi to send and receive texts, check your e-mail or work out a route on a map without incurring data or roaming charges. Check with your carrier before doing this to make sure you’re covered, of course. To text new friends you meet along the way, try apps like What’sApp and Viber. Almost everyone has them, and they’re free. Just don’t forget to look up every now and then and enjoy the world around you.
Stay near the tourist zone but not in it.
I think the only thing worse than the soulless, pay-through-your-nose cafes and endless slew of hawkers with trinkets right by the Eiffel Tower would be making that your home base. Branch out a little bit—and not just in Paris. Pick a nearby neighborhood that has connections to public transport and begin exploring. Talk to locals, find hidden parks and museums, try treats at bakeries the average tourist never lays eyes on and come home with memories that reach beyond tiny plastic tower replicas. I can guarantee a more rewarding experience when you step outside the main tourist zone, even if you’re only tiptoeing.
Talk to taxi drivers.
They’re local, they know the city well, and they probably know where everyone is going. If you’re looking for a great authentic meal or a suggestion for things to do, just ask. Most of the time, they’re more than willing to let you in on a few of their secrets. The only time you need to be wary is if you’re in a country known for its touts. In this case, ask a bartender or chat with your hotel’s front desk. You’re more likely to get a genuine recommendation.
Check out the local market.
Farmer’s markets, night markets, markets converted into restaurant stalls—wherever you are, there’s bound to be a market somewhere nearby, so go take a look. The food on peoples’ plates is a lesson in history and geography. It’s fascinating to try new flavors and learn about local traditions. You may even be surprised at how much changes from city to city between states, let alone between countries. After all, when I went to college in a nearby state, no one had ever even heard of pepperoni rolls. Can you imagine?
