Now that multiple COVID-19 vaccines are becoming more widely available, you could be again planning to travel once permitted. If you’re dreaming of your next getaway, the following are some of the best tips to keep in mind when planning to explore a new city.
Figure Out How You’ll Get Around
If you plan to travel to a big city like New York, or any major urban area around the world, you might be tempted to rent a bike, scooter, or even an electric bike. A lot of cities have made these options readily available, but does that mean you should take advantage?
Riding a bike in a big city, especially if you aren’t experienced or familiar with where you’re going, can be extremely dangerous.
The same is true of scooters.
There’s an inherent risk of being in traffic on a bike or scooter and this can be amplified if you aren’t familiar with the location and the rules of the road.
You might want to do it on foot because otherwise, you could end up spending your first post-COVID travel experience in a hospital.
If you can’t do the entire city on foot, a bus tour can be a good way to get a feel for the area and give you the opportunity to see some major sites. Then, you can always go back to the places that caught your attention most when the bus tour is over.
Another option to get around a city safely, efficiently and still get a feel for it is to take public transportation. When you take public transportation, you get the same experience as locals and you may be able to people watch and perhaps you’ll find yourself exploring areas you wouldn’t otherwise go to.
Be Flexible
If you really want to get to know a new city, rather than having a plan and using a GPS to guide you, maybe take some time to explore without any particular destination in mind. Getting lost can be an amazing experience when you’re traveling and one of the best ways to see a new place and get a true feel for it.
Otherwise, you might be tempted to stay in the more touristy areas, and you won’t really be exploring the heart of whatever city you’re in.
Do A Guided Tour
A bus tour is one type of guided tour, but there are others. Seeing a city through the eyes of a local is such a great experience. If you don’t know someone in the city you plan to travel to, you can always use a site like Airbnb.
Locals offer their own guided tours and experiences.
You book these experiences the same way you do Airbnb lodging, and you can read reviews and learn more details beforehand.
Delve Into the Food
The food of a city is one of the most important cultural elements. You can explore food by going to local markets, cafes, and restaurants. While you’re there, try things you wouldn’t normally have back at home.
These can also be great opportunities to talk to strangers who live in the city, which is again, such an important part of exploring a new place.
Just sitting outside at a café and people-watching is a good way to fully explore wherever you are. You can watch families and couples interact with one another, and see how people are when they greet one another or say goodbye. Park benches are another good spot for this.
Many cities around the world have a café culture, meaning it’s not uncommon for locals to sit and sip coffee or wine and read or chat for hours at a time, so maybe you immerse yourself in this.
You can also explore a new city with a food tour. Again, like other tours, you can book these through Airbnb, or you can do so through tour companies.
Rent an Apartment
In most cities, you’ll find that hotels are typically located in tourist areas. If you want to have a better base for authentically exploring a city, maybe you rent an apartment or house instead. Then, you are probably not only going to be in a location that’s truer to the city, but you also have a reason to go to the market and buy food that you can prepare.
When you plan to visit a new city, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Often when we travel, we want to see it all. See the city at a leisurely pace, and perhaps step outside of your comfort zone.
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