Introduction
Travel is now more accessible than ever before.
Trust me, I’m not complaining about that. However, thanks to modern innovations and conveniences, we often lose the essence of a journey.
Traveling today, many of us feel the need to rush from one well-known landmark to another, ticking off imaginary boxes from a list predetermined by someone on Trip Advisor.
There is pressure to keep up with the Joneses by getting selfies in front of all the famous landmarks. In doing so we are not absorbing the soul of a place. We are merely scratching the surface, which can leave us feeling lackluster.
After nearly a decade of traveling, I’ve learned the art of curating authentic experiences. So read on as I outline 5 steps everyone can take to go deeper than the surface-level tourism of any place.
1. Slow Down
Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal closes to vehicle traffic in the summer months. Be like the locals and take a stroll.
I’m often guilty of wanting to eat up as much of a new experience as possible. With travel, we feel this unspoken pressure to not waste any time, especially if we’re only in a new destination for a handful of days.
This mindset, however motivating, can be a detriment.
A huge part of curating authentic experiences is fostering genuine connections with the people and places around us. And it’s hard to do that if you’re always in a hurry.
The truth is, we will never gain a truly complete picture of the places we are only passing through. We will never be locals, but we can gain insights on what it is like to be one. To me, those insights are what makes travel so fulfilling. I haven’t found the same fulfillment when I’m merely checking items off a bucket list predetermined by someone else. So I think it’s best to first pause, take a deep breath, and then try to live in the moment.
For example, Dave and I physically slowed down during our last trip to Montreal. We spent most of our time walking around and, on paper, we didn’t do as much as we could’ve, didn’t “experience” as much as we could’ve. But our long, slow walks allowed us to digest the Québécois French language and get a true feel for the city because we witnessed the sometimes-nuanced changes from block to block.
We opted to meander, sometimes for hours, to get from Point A to Point B on our itinerary. In doing so, in forcing ourselves to slow down, we passed through pockets of neighborhoods that we never would’ve seen otherwise. We were beckoned into restaurants not because we recognized the name but because it looked perfect for that specific moment in our day.
One of my favorite memories was stumbling upon Plateau-Mont-Royal, a street that closes to vehicle traffic in the summer months. This pedestrian-only avenue was lined with colorful murals and outdoor seating for restaurants. It just so happened that a huge outdoor street market was taking place the weekend we were there. We didn’t plan for the memories we made there, and that’s what made them so sweet.
2. Establish A Daily Routine
Along with slowing your pace, I encourage you to establish a daily routine, even if you’re only spending a week at your destination.
For example, visit the same coffee shop every morning (the continental breakfast inside your hotel does NOT count), take an afternoon stroll around the same few blocks, or grab a drink at the same pub each night.
A daily ritual allows you to observe local life and, potentially, see similar faces at the same time each day. Of course, the benefits will compound the longer you are visiting. Even if you’re only visiting a city for the weekend, give it a try. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll stumble across a moment you would otherwise miss.
This tip leads into my next one seamlessly.
3. Engage With Locals
A group of kids from Lutu, in the Naitasiri Province of Central Fiji, invited me to play in the river between their village and the fish market.
Talking to strangers can be daunting, especially in a language that’s not native to you. Trust me, this introvert understands the struggle.
Traveling gives me social armor, though. I find it easier to say hello or ask questions when I know my time somewhere is fleeting. Plus, I think connecting with someone who lives in a place you don’t is one of the most rewarding experiences in life.
If you establish a daily ritual at the coffee shop, for example, consider asking the barista if they have any recommendations for lunch or dinner. Consider asking the friendly bellhop at your hotel where he likes to go for breakfast. If someone recommends a place that I know is geared towards tourists, I respectfully ask if they’ll dig deeper for me. I assure them that I’m interested in seeing their city, their home, through their eyes. Most people appreciate that sentiment enough to let me into their world (or at least their favorite restaurant).
For part of my trip to Fiji during undergrad, I volunteered to teach English in exchange for housing with a local family from the school district. I asked my homestay parents if I could join in on their daily life, and they invited me on a sunrise walk to the local fish market. Of course, I said yes and was wide awake at 5 am the next morning.
There I was, deep in the Fijian rainforest, witnessing how locals bartered for seafood that I didn’t recognize. I also learned about the various local landmarks along the way, like the sacred spot in the river where all the village kids played.
This is one example of how, through genuine curiosity and respectful questions, I unlocked a deeper view into someone’s life. No one put on a show for me, they just let me tag along on an errand that they were already planning on running. I missed out on some sleep but gained so much mutual respect and appreciation for my host family.
4. Venture Beyond the Highlight Reels
The view from atop the Garður Old Lighthouse in Iceland.
Now, do you want to know my favorite experience from my time in Iceland?
It wasn’t snapping my selfie at Hallgrímskirkja church in downtown Reykjavík or walking around the popular Thingvellir National Park. My favorite, most rewarding experience was chatting with the lighthouse keeper at Garður Old Lighthouse.
This particular lighthouse isn’t the island’s biggest or most iconic. The site is about an hour’s drive from downtown, along the Northwest coast to the Garðskagi peninsula. It was stunning…and virtually empty when I visited at mid-day.
The kind lighthouse keeper was a lifelong resident and, just because I started a conversation with him, I learned a little about his life and all about this not-as-popular corner of the country. He seemed genuinely thrilled that he could share all his knowledge with me. Plus, after our chat, he invited me up to the top of the lighthouse, where I got a 360-degree view of the surrounding coastline.
I didn’t chase down this experience because a travel influencer told me to. I just wanted to see what was north of the international airport because I hadn’t heard much about that region.
By thinking beyond the highlight reel, literally going in opposite direction of where every travel blog told me to go, I unearthed this wonderful, genuine experience.
5. Attend Local Festivals and Events
Generations of drummers perform at the Tam-Tams festival in Mont Royal Park in Montreal, Quebec.
You can further immerse yourself in a authentic cultural experiences by attending festivals, celebrations, and events unique to your destination.
Whether it’s a traditional religious festival like Holi in India and Nepal or a lively street parade like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, participating in events alongside locals exposes you to the heart and soul of their community.
For example, when Dave and I were in Montreal, we went hiking around Mount Royal Park on a Sunday. I chose this day because, each week from May to September, a vibrant group of drummers and dancers perform at the base of the mountain.
The Tam-Tams is an all-day affair, and talk about cultural immersion!
The park turns into a full-blown music festival that’s free for anyone to attend. Vendors sell handmade trinkets, college kids make out on the lawn, and toddlers dance around as their friends and family members perform. Dave and I were mere observers in a weekly tradition that dates back to the 1970s.
Conclusion
Travel has never been just about ticking off landmarks or capturing picture-perfect moments. I travel out of a profound appreciation for the people and places that lie beyond my daily experiences.
I want to glimpse the essence of a destination and learn about the people who live there. Travel is a tool for deepening my empathy and respect for other perspectives and ways of living. In turn, I get the gift of authenticity.
I encourage you to travel not just to check things off a list, but to understand, to connect, and to appreciate the beauty and diversity waiting for you all over the world.
By embracing the principles above you, too, can open yourself to a world of enriching experiences and authentic travel encounters.