Traveling is as daunting as it is fun. If you are traveling to an entirely new place where you are unfamiliar with the culture and lifestyle, then no amount of research or planning is enough for you to be truly able to understand and appreciate it. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your trip. Here are five, frequent traveler attested, tricks of the trade that pretty much ensure you get your money and time’s worth. 

Get to know a local
As a tourist, you will never know a place like a local. That is unless you befriend one. So get to know a local. Before embarking on your journey, try to find someone you can get in touch with to know about the place in advance. There will almost always be someone who knows someone or can put you in touch with someone at the destination you are visiting. So exploit your network and ask around. Facebook and Twitter can be great social media platforms to ask for local help or connection. Alternatively, if you can’t find anyone willing to help you beforehand, then befriend the hotel staff or get a local guide once you reach your destination. You could also strike up conversations with the local bakery or pub owner at the place you are staying and pick their brains for little nuggets of wisdom about the area. 

Get a map
Yes, you can navigate your way around a new place with the help of Google maps but having a physical, locally-made map of the city helps you find your way quicker and figure out where and how far major tourists attractions are from your location. The maps almost always come with recommendations of places to visit, sights to see, and bars and restaurants to try out. Plus, there will sometimes be great offers going on that will be promoted through advertisements on the maps and you will completely miss out on those opportunities if you don’t pick up a map (usually available at your hotel’s reception). Having a map also helps you circle out the places you would like to visit and keep that on hand to consult when you are out and about exploring. 

Sample the food and take the local transport
You can pretty much sample all types of cuisine at your own home country but you will probably be limited to the popular dishes. And, sometimes, even these will be tweaked to suit the local clientele’s tastes and preferences. So make it a point to try out local dishes when you travel. Ask chefs of the restaurants you visit for a recommendation or watch where and what the locals eat. There is a lot a country’s food can tell you about its culture. Also try to eat at the roadside and little eateries, instead of bars and restaurants catering to tourists, for that is where you can sample local delicacies at their best. Exercise a little caution though and check out a place where there’s a crowd of locals. It’s usually safe and hygienic. 

As far as getting around is concerned, walking is a great option if you are going to be based in the center near all the attractions, but chances are that you will need to go further away at some point. You might be tempted to use uber or book a taxi when you are at a new place. After all, it’s much more convenient than trying to figure out the bus or train routes. However, catching public transport when you are traveling abroad is a great way to meet local people, see the sights, and reach your next destination while saving money. You will also discover the city better as local transport usually doesn’t take the shortest route and you are likely to pass through places that weren’t on your to-go list. 

Visit museums and local markets 
Even if you aren’t a history buff, it would be a blunder to not visit a museum or place of national interest when you go to a new place. There is a lot you can learn from these places. You won’t fully understand the current political, economic, or social context of a place unless you know what the country has gone through in the past – all the upheavals and unrest it has seen in the last few decades or so. When you know the history of a place, it will become much easier to appreciate its present. It might initially be hard for you to browse through vast sections of museums, but you will appreciate all the information it equips you with later on. Also, in many places, museums are a lot more than just collections of artifacts. They allow you to meet with strangers and become a part of the ongoing local activities, should you want to be actively involved.

Take a guided tour
A lot of people are averse to the idea of taking guided tours. They want to discover the place themselves and sometimes also don’t want to spend money unnecessarily. But, guided tours aren’t frivolous expenses. Especially if you are short on time, taking a guided day or half-day tour will ensure that you don’t miss seeing important landmarks. These days, local travel agencies or even the hotels you choose to stay at will offer all sorts of tours to suit all kinds of travelers. Don’t be duped into paying more though. Always check the prices at your hotel and then cross check that at a few local travel agencies as well before booking a tour that fits your needs and budget. And be aware that hotels and travel agencies will always try to sell you a tour package coupled with other packages. These deals are only worth checking out if you were thinking of visiting other attractions during your stay.

 
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