As I get older, and more or less wiser (mostly less) - I'm finding it more important to me to spend my money traveling. Shoes and handbags are great - but the rush I get from being able to explore new places is irreplaceable. And the more I travel, the more I learn the best way to spend my time and money on these trips.
I'll preface this with: my type of travel is the kind of adventure that allows me to immerse myself in the local culture. I believe that wherever I go, I'm a guest. And as such, its my responsibility to do as the locals do. Not only does that afford me the most authentic experience, it makes me a better visitor to that world. I highly advise when you travel, you adopt the same viewpoint so that we can do our best to both respect and preserve the customs and traditions of the world around us.
Going local is easy. It requires a bit more research and planning, but it's worth it for the end result. And don't just think local for out of country travel. These strategies apply to places right in your own backyard. In fact - I highly recommend going local in your own country so that you can be a better local for the rest of the world who comes to see you!
Stay local
Check out local places to stay. Choose a local inn, BnB, or utilize Air BnB. Not only does this help the local economy but it affords you a great starting point for going local. The people running these places are either locals or ex pats and can give you tips and tricks as far as where to eat, explore, how to travel, where is safe, where you should avoid, and so much more. Hotels are of course easier to book, provide more of our usual comforts, and of course are the go to - but they're not setting you up for local success. Stay local and build a relationship with the people at that property. When you do that - you're starting the trip off 10 steps ahead of the folks that choose big chain hotels.
Travel local
Check out local transportation. Again, a great place to find out what's affordable and safe is by asking the locals at the property you're staying with. For example, the subway in NYC (which is so confusing to me) is the best way to travel cheaply and effectively. When I go to Belize next month, the easiest way to travel between islands are the water ferries. Don't just rely on cabs and car services. When you can walk, take public transportation or ride share, DO IT. Listen to conversations, notice where people go, talk to people and find out what true locals do.
Eat Local
Eating is the best part of traveling. Don't you dare visit a chain restaurant. Ever. Not once. Continue the pattern of talking to locals and find out where they eat. Go there. Whatever that city/country is famous for making, find the best spot for it and eat there. Food is the heart of a culture. It's where families and friend share the most important moments of their lives. It's almost a ritual thing. Do your best research here and truly make it an experience.
Experience Local
Go to the local bar. Attend a local show. Head out to a local ball game. Hike the local trail. Don't spend your time at amusement parks or movie theaters. Don't go somewhere for the Instagram photo. Go somewhere for the history, the culture - find out what the locals do. Certainly don't miss Machu Pichu or the Statue of Liberty but maybe don't hit up Six Flags or stand in line for 4 hours for a donut. Have a picnic at Washington Park in Denver. Eat at Le Sel in Nashville. Stay with ex pats in a hut in Belize.
Traveling local means immersing yourself into the culture of whatever city/country you're visiting. Be open to whatever that means. Try the food, hike the mountain, have beers with the locals. Go in with the mindset to learn, explore, and be a guest. Think of traveling local as being a student of the world. And being a representative of wherever you come from. That means being respectful, open minded, and above all - leaving the space better than when you arrived.
Happy travels my local Sequins!
