Not everyone who travels wants to remain a tourist. Perhaps those who travel (even if they can only do so for a weekend or so), want to travel because they want to form deep connections with those they meet along the way. Or perhaps they https://www.touristsecrets.com interviewed seasoned travelers regarding how they travel and how they find the hidden gems and secrets that might seem elusive to the new traveler.
Without further ado, here are the secrets to hunting down hidden gems whenever you visit or travel.
Reddit is notorious for a lot of things. Most people don't know how incredibly helpful Redditors can be. Whether you're traveling to Wyoming or Bali, there's bound to be a reddit thread about it somewhere. And if there isn't, simply post a question in the appropriate thread and turn on notifications.
There's bound to be a bunch of expats wherever you are traveling so look for them in Facebook, Google, or even Twitter. They'll have excellent recommendations and some might even be up to a meetup or two.
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are a godsend to the modern traveler. If you love food, there's bound to be a Facebook group + Place if you look at it at the search option. Join 2 or 3 Facebook groups and that's probably enough to give you clues about the best places to visit whether it's Thailand or Sweden.
Take Local Transport
Even if it's scary, take a leap of faith and take the local bus. Sometimes, hidden gems are best discovered from a local's point of view (and mode of transport). Just take the appropriate measures like dressing like a local, storing high ticket items in your hotel room, and having Google maps installed in your phone in case you get lost.
Learn the Local Language
If you learn the local language and try to speak it, it's bound to endear a local or two. Even if it's just the equivalent of hello or thank you, it will still mean a lot to the locals who would obviously know you're a tourist, you're lost, and you are desperate for directions.
Talk to your hotel receptionist, the cab driver, the waiter, the person behind the 711 counter. If you want to know the best places to be at in your travel destination of choice, don't forget to strike a conversation, especially with people who work in high foot traffic areas. These people know a lot of things, a lot of people, and they won't find it weird if you strike up a conversation with them.
Instagram Tags
Instagram may stir up feelings of envy for some people, but, if you're traveling, this is a great place to search for places to go to because of the location tags. If you're unfamiliar with weather conditions and unsure of what to pack, real-time posts of #OOTDS can actually help you decipher where cold IS truly cold or you just need to pack a button up shirt.
Take It Slow
Lastly, the best way to find hidden gems is to take it slow. Spend a few hours walking, people-watching, and just enjoying the views. This will help you figure out where to go next at a truly relaxing pace.