HOW TO LIVE LIKE A LOCAL WHEN YOU’RE ABROAD

WITH MICHELE HARVEY, TRIP DESIGNER AT LUXURY TRAVEL COMPANY BUTTERFIELD & ROBINSON

As a “trip designer”, my job is to pair travellers with the right people and places to create unique travel experiences with a local feel. Here’s what I’ve learned (and apply to my own adventuring whenever I get the chance).

SLOW DOWN AND TAKE IT IN You need to move like a local to travel like a local, so get your head out of the guidebook and toss your itinerary aside for a moment. In our overly connected world, it’s refreshing to discover a few things through your own intuition, rather than following reviews and lists of where to eat, what to buy, etc. Be curious and allow for those authentic experiences by going unplugged from all sources of information, here and there.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TALK TO THE LOCALS Chat to people, ask questions and become part of the community. Locals are the biggest ambassadors of their home country or town and more often than not are happy to play tour guide or point you in the right direction to uncover the local cafes, bars or that random but amazing gallery. They enjoy sharing what they know so don’t be afraid to talk and see language barriers as part of the fun.

EAT LIKE A LOCAL Sampling the native cuisine is intrinsically linked to an authentic experience of the destination. Try to avoid the big restaurants and tourist traps (you can spot them a mile away), even though they can seem like the easier option. Instead, seek out local markets and restaurants, and try something new from the menu or ask what their specialty is. Markets are a great place to start conversations and make connections as they’re often the heart and soul of a community, so make it one of the first places you visit. There are also many places now where you can eat at a local host’s home (check out mealsharing.com). Nothing immerses you more into a culture than a home-cooked meal and conversation around the dining table!