Time truly flies! It only seems a moment ago when we were preemptively planning our summer breaks. Now the summer sun is passing us by and Autumn is rolling in. No need to be down in the dumps though…
Autumn is the ideal time for an end of year refresh. With an array of beautiful, interesting destinations available across Europe and internationally, Autumn city breaks have become increasingly popular in recent decades.
Although decadence, luxury and sumptuous holidays appeal to us all, there is also a lot to be said for hitting the ground running and exploring cities like a local. In this article we will explore how to travel like a local, allowing you to get a richer understanding of the places you travel to.
Avoid Tourist Traps
Travelling like a local starts with knowing where locals do not go. Sometimes the first stop-offs on an autumnal city break can be the most well-known, central restaurants, museums and statues. Someone who lives there will show you the difference, and steer you past the tourist traps.
Although there is a lot to see in these central areas, often eateries and sites in these locations can be the most expensive, crowded and overwhelming. Avoiding these spaces at super busy time periods is key, as is exploring locations a little further afield.
Most European cities have central squares and plazas comprising well-known religious, cultural and historical offerings. By venturing a few streets away, you are likely to uncover a whole host of hidden gems that provide a more authentic, local, affordable experience.
Try Something New
The beauty of a city break is that there is so much choice. This means that travellers have an opportunity to throw themselves into life in that city and opt for something a local would pick. Why go to a chain you’d visit back home when you can try something boutique and unique in a new place?
Say you head to Venice, after a day of exploration aboard a gondola, it is time for dinner! Now, fish may not be your usual choice, but here many of the delicacies are of the pescetarian variety. Try the delightful scampi alla busara, sample some grilled oysters with artichoke and enjoy the salt cod baccalà mantecato for a real taste of Venetian cuisine.
Trying something new extends beyond food choices. Ask locals out and about, talk with the staff at your hotel and chat with your servers at local eateries, to branch out and experience local activities wherever you travel.
Make Space for the Unexpected
When travelling somewhere for a quick city break, it can be tempting to cram-pack your itinerary with activities, events and must-see’s from dawn till dusk. Take this as your gentle prompt, to take your foot off the accelerator for a moment.
Leaving time to have a relaxed wander around an interesting area, speak to the locals, and be open minded, can make way for a beautiful, spontaneous experience. It is always the things you don’t plan that turn out to be the most cherished memories.
Imagine strolling down the cobbled streets of Prague, wandering the route of the river Seine or relaxing in the parks of Gaudi in Barcelona and bumping into a young family. You begin talking about the crisp autumnal weather, the beautiful views and find that this chance encounter leads to an unexpected restaurant recommendation, a museum suggestion or a secret concert that only locals would know about.
Planning for some breathing space enables you to relax, whilst opening things up for some spontaneity.
Follow Your Curiosity
It’s important to not just follow the crowd when travelling. Experienced Find A Local platform guide Iskra, from Barcelona,shares her thoughts on why the curiosity of experienced travellers is leading them to favour local guides instead of standard tours. She says:
“Experienced travellers are not simply looking to see a destination; they want to feel it, understand it, and connect with the life behind its most visible attractions. They may not even identify as tourists anymore. They are curious travellers who want to discover the culture, stories, everyday rhythms, food, music, and perspectives that make a place truly unique.”
She added that a local guide’s firsthand connection to the environment really enhances what they can offer visitors. She continues:
“A local guide can make a real difference. A good local guide does not simply share facts or lead people from one landmark to another. They offer a personal connection to the destination: its history, language, traditions, communities, and the small details that are often invisible to someone visiting for the first time. Local guides can show travellers places they might never discover on their own, or reveal a more human and meaningful side of well-known sites.”
With Iskra’s wisdom in mind, take this as your Autumn city break invitation; find a moment to tiptoe outside your comfort zone, try something new and experience the joy of travelling like a local.
