Solo Travel: Exploring Off The Beaten Path – One of the best things about traveling is experiencing new things. The sense of pride you get when you step out of your comfort zone to learn about other cultures, meet new people, and see beautiful places. One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to just walk around, get lost a little. That’s how you get the most amazing travel experiences that aren’t in the guidebooks.
Getting off track is an important part of sustainable travel for me. Mass tourism has a deep dark side, leaving cities overrun and residents displaced from homes and profits. Going to less developed tourist areas, getting away from the crowds, and showing more interest in the attractions is important. It will make everyone’s experience more enjoyable. That’s why slow travel and sustainable tourism are key to the future of travel.
Solo Travel: Exploring Off The Beaten Path
But finding those who are already on the road with hidden experiences * can be a challenge. In many places, there are developed tourism systems that take people to the same places over and over again. That’s what most visitors seem to like, so that’s what’s taken care of. Fortunately, the tide is turning in that direction and more and more tourists and locals are joining the desire to see the tourist attractions and show off the different sides of their home. Difficult does not mean impossible, as long as you are willing to put in some effort and research. And why don’t you? With these tips you will be able to find unique travel experiences and unusual activities wherever you go.
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*I just want to write here. There is still a lot of work to be done to eliminate travel issues, including mine! When I use the term “hidden treasure” I mean something that the average tourist doesn’t know about, but obviously the locals would know about. It is important to realize, especially as a white western visitor, that although things may be new to you, you are not “discovering” anything. Check your privilege and colonial heritage with your bags please 😉
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If you’re new to Atlas Obscura, you’re in for a treat. It’s actually a Tripadvisor partner, where there are big ticket tourist sites, people listing their favorite hidden gems. It’s the perfect place to start your search for unique experiences and things to do and see in any city.
I love Free Walking Tours. I’ve mentioned it in a few posts before, and it’s something I do on every solo trip I take. I think it’s a great way to get to know a place and learn about the culture and history. And the guides always have the best tips for unexpected things to do and places to eat.
The Ultimate Guide To Travelling Off The Beaten Path
Most of the Free Walking Tours are a very good overview and aim to be interesting and beautiful. They often act as a teaser so you can pay to hire a more exclusive tour. I have actually done this a few times if I am impressed with the guides and am interested in other tours offered.
With competition for guided tours high, especially in popular destinations, many companies are trying to come up with new ideas for tours that delve deeper into some part of local culture and history. I like these types of tours when I have a little time, like the Medici Tour in Florence and the Alternative Walking Tour in Berlin.
And it’s not just the big tour companies, many local guides are getting into the game. And who better to show you around their city than someone who lives there and knows it well? Withlocals is a platform for finding private tours tailored to your interests, such as art and food experiences.
No one knows where they are going like the people who live there. Especially those who work in tourism. That’s why tourist boards and tourist information are a great resource. Here you can find all the upcoming events, fun things to do, and unexpected travel experiences. It is one of my first stops on any trip and to prepare in advance.
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Another great way to get local travel information is through bloggers and influencers. They spend their days exploring their yard and know it like no other. So read local travel blogs to find the ones that don’t work. And don’t be afraid to reach out to bloggers and influencers to ask for personal suggestions. Many will be happy to suggest something fun for you to do.
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Online travel sites are a great source of travel tips of any kind. From what luggage to your honeymoon destination, travelers love to give their opinion 😉
Facebook groups like Girls Who Travel and Women Who Travel are women-only groups, while BuzzFeed spin off group Bring Me is for all types of travelers. If you want to meet locals or recommendations specifically for locals as a solo female traveler Host A Sister, Travel Meet Ups & Overnight are the groups to join. Finally for Facebook Groups, you can join local groups for visitors and ask for tips.
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She is a member of Wanderful, an international women’s travel organization. Wanderful organizes events and gatherings outside the country, online, and provides an amazing sisterhood of women around the world. If you join any travel community as a female traveler or travel blogger, this should be it! Wanderful lets you connect with women wherever you go, ask for tips and recommendations, and join exciting events and tours.
And finally, don’t forget to ask your host for recommendations. I use Couchsurfing a lot, and my hosts always have the best suggestions for things to do and places to eat. I’ve had so many experiences with Couchsurfing that I wouldn’t have had otherwise! From being shown around the neighborhood to being invited to family parties.
If CS isn’t your thing, the AirBnb host usually has a lot of knowledge to offer as well. They won’t be able to take you there, but they’ll probably be happy to point you in the direction of some unforgettable travel experiences.
And for hotel and hostel accommodation, I have found the reception staff to be a great source of information. They know their city and can give you insider tips, as well as book and organize day trips and activities for you. You don’t have to do it alone 😉
Hidden Gems: Off The Beaten Path Travel Experiences
So now that you have the right equipment, you too can find unique travel experiences wherever you go. I encourage you to look beyond the main attractions and famous places. Instead of trying to create the same Instagram picture, go out and find everything you’re going to. Talk to the locals, get off the beaten path, and keep an open mind. Adventure begins at the end of your comfort zone!
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Hello! My name is Sophie and in 2017 I quit my job to travel. Best decision of my life! For 2.5 years, I lived as a digital nomad and worked remotely while traveling the world. Now, I live in Berlin as an expat and work in a travel company. Talk about a dream job! I am passionate about sustainable tourism and solo travel, and I want to help you do just that. POSTED MAR 2020. If you have done many of the popular things to do on Oahu and are looking for things to do Newbies, this post is for you. Today I’m sharing a guide to some of Oahu’s best Oahu tours. With Hawaii’s culture of ‘posting pictures not places’ it’s a tricky balance of sharing events and saving places. I try my best to share just enough information for you to check out for yourself without giving away all the details. I hope it can help you have new adventures on the island.
If you want to start with the more popular tours first, check out my Oahu tourist bucket list. It’s a big guide with a lot to do.
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Hawaii has had such an Instagram boom in recent years and it sounds like there isn’t much going on. When I moved there, you had to search and talk to people to get information for tours and excursions.
Now everything is on Google. It’s crazy to see how much it has changed and where it is
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