Five travel tricks that will allow you to completely immerse yourself in a new atmosphere: the impressions will be many

When you arrive in a new country, and sometimes even a new Ukrainian city, you probably want to feel the atmosphere of this place as much as possible: get to know the culture and understand the mentality, visit the favorite locations of the locals and taste the national cuisine. Guidebooks often offer exclusively touristy places, where there is no real soul of a city/country. As a result, you get to know a new territory superficially, as a tourist, not as a traveler.

There are proven life hacks that will allow you to stop feeling like a tourist and help you start living like a local. If you follow these tips, you will be able to fully immerse yourself in a new atmosphere and get an incomparable vacation experience. Emily Dumas, an experienced traveler from the United States, revealed these tricks on The Everygirl platform.

Do your research, but leave room for spontaneity

Of course, every trip, especially if we're talking about abroad, requires careful preparation. Buying tickets, getting and booking accommodation is just the tip of the iceberg. You need to conduct a whole lot of research: where to eat, what to do, where to drink the most delicious coffee, and many more questions. However, when trying to find answers to all these points, give up on guidebooks. Do not choose the most popular places among tourists, but ask the locals for advice. There are many services and forums where you can do this. After all, there's always TikTok. Find local bloggers and analyze what places they visit. And of course, leave room for spontaneity - maybe the perfect cafe will find you.

Don't leave your hobbies at home

This tip is especially relevant for those who like to travel alone. In a new country, find a place where you can practice your favorite hobby. Sign up for an art or fitness class, visit a local bookstore, or just have a beer at a local brewery. This will allow you to meet the locals, make new friends, and as a result, get unique recommendations on food, drinks, and entertainment, and maybe even learn about the best secret places. In addition, it will help you to get a feel for the culture and lifestyle of the people whose country or city you are visiting.

Avoid tourist traps

In Paris, you should definitely visit the Eiffel Tower, in New York - Times Square, and in Cairo - the pyramids. All of these are, of course, must-sees, but you shouldn't limit yourself to just the most famous sights. You will definitely agree that locals do not spend time in these places, but are looking for something more interesting. Think about the places you frequent in your own city, such as art galleries, small boutiques, farmers' markets, or hiking trails, and look for local options in your new city. You will be able to see what you love in a new light.

Eat where the locals eat

If a restaurant has a line around the block, chances are it's really good, or maybe it's just on the #1 list of must-visit restaurants in the city on a tourist service. To get the most delicious and authentic food, look for restaurants that have a lot of locals in them, not the ones that are mentioned the most in guidebooks. Check out social media tags or just explore the city. Often, the most delicious and atmospheric places are small family-run restaurants that are not mentioned on travel websites.

Use public transportation

There's no better way to see a city the way the locals do than by using public transportation. Most major cities have a well-developed subway or bus system that can take you almost anywhere. If you're looking for a different form of transportation, try renting a bicycle or electric scooter. Bike rental is widespread everywhere today, which will allow you to see the city in a completely new way. Not only will you save money by choosing public transportation, but you will also see much more than you expect. It's also a great opportunity to find an unusual interesting place hidden from the eyes of tourists.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote about how to get the best hotel room without extra charges. Many people did not know about these tricks. All the details are in our article.

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