“Authentic travel” is the travel industry’s newest buzzy phrase, and it captures the rising desire many vacationers are citing for more authentic experiences while away from home. Whether that means eating traditional foods prepared in the most by the book fashion, making memories with local residents or simply spending enough time in a place to feel like they truly understand it, many modern travelers are searching for ways to connect with the destinations they visit on a deeper level.
Interestingly, there really is no set definition or rules for what it means to “travel authentically.” The truth is, “authentic” experiences look a little different from person-to-person, and that’s OK. Whether you’re looking to ditch tourist traps completely and explore off-the-beaten-path or want to make a few realistic swaps to make your vacation feel like less of an Instagram highlight reel, these tips to travel more authentically will set you on the right path.
Learn the Language
Connection is at the heart of the human experience, and the same can be said for authentic travel. People want to feel understood by those around them, and, whether jetsetters are looking to make a new friend in a far-off place, or simply want to forge deeper relationships with the people they meet while on the road, learning the local language will certainly help. Before you start rummaging through your things in search of that dusty old Spanish textbook, we aren’t saying travelers need to be totally fluent in a destination’s native tongue prior to booking their next trip. Instead, we recommend starting with a few key phrases like “please,” “thank you,” “can I have,” “where is …,” “how much is …,” etc. and building from there.
Not only is taking the time to learn a region’s official language a smart and thoughtful thing to do, but it also opens the door to better understanding the people you’ll meet while you’re there.
Visit Longer and Slow Down
Sometimes it takes a while to truly immerse yourself in the “vibe” of a place. While short, action-packed trips are great, vacationers hoping to hit all the major sightseeing spots while simultaneously gaining an understanding of the local way of life, will find it’s much easier to do so when they have a little extra time on their hands. Whether that means staying long enough to have breakfast at that tiny corner cafe, spending afternoons perusing neighborhood grocery stores or having enough downtime to find that they’re actually a little bored (gasp!?), taking the time to stop and smell the proverbial roses is a surefire way for travelers to have a more authentic experience in their destination of choice.
While the amount of PTO travelers can swing will vary, a study from Finland’s University of Tampere suggests vacations that are eight-plus days in length allow travelers more time to acclimate to a new time zone and adjust to their surroundings.
Keep It Local
From dining and shopping to tours and more, local is the name of the game when trying to narrow down which experiences will offer the most authentic bang for travelers’ buck. While big names may be present in the form of fast food joints and familiar storefronts, vacationers are advised to stay away, instead opting for something unique to the destination and totally new-to-them — after all, the adventure is part of travel’s allure. Whether that means sipping on German beer that’s brewed to perfection from the comfort of a beer garden in Munich, sampling earthy Matcha tea — ancient ritual and all — somewhere in Japan, perusing a vibrant market in Istanbul or sampling mouthwatering street food from a packed food stall in Thailand, authentic experiences await around every corner.
When it comes to sightseeing, vacationers seeking the most authentic experience will want to opt for tours managed and run by local guides, because, while anyone can tell you the history of a place, locals are always the best source for insider tips and knowledge.
Embrace Public Transport
Want a true taste of daily life in your next vacation spot? Try taking public transportation. From bus stops to train stations, public transportation is often a fast and efficient way to get around a new city. While mastering unfamiliar routes certainly comes with a learning curve, tools like Google Maps make it easier to get from Point A to Point B, even when you’re tens of feet underground or cruising on a rail line high above the surface. Similarly, Google Translate and iTranslate are essential apps for decoding signs written in foreign languages, seamlessly ensuring you don’t get lost along the way. Alternatively, if all else fails and you do get turned around, at least it will make for a good story when you get back home.
Bring Your Walking Shoes
The original form of transportation, walking is an incredible way to get to know a new destination. In addition to allowing you to explore those little nooks and crannies that just aren’t accessible by car, walking doubles as a fabulous way to find your bearings on unfamiliar turf, discovering little wonders along the way as you navigate from place to place. Slow by nature, walking forces visitors to take their time, allowing them to take in the scenery and get a genuine feel for a destination and its people with each step.
Meet New People
Looking to make a lasting travel memory with someone new? Doing so is easier than ever thanks to a handful of nifty mobile apps and websites geared toward connecting people around the globe. Don’t know where to start? Travel influencer Nomadic Matt says website/app “Meetup” is an excellent resource for meeting locals and other travelers alike while “Couchsurfing” works wonders for visitors in search of free accommodations in the form of a local resident’s couch — yup, it doesn’t get much more intimate than that. Similarly, volunteering is always a feel-good way to meet new, like-minded people, even when you’re far away from home, while local events, free walking tours and even Facebook groups can act as a catalyst for connection.
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