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.
I mean that, traveling today, we may feel pressured to rush from one landmark to another, to tick imaginary boxes off a list predetermined by someone on Trip Advisor, to keep up with the Joneses by getting selfies in front of all the famous landmarks of a city. In doing so we are not absorbing the soul of a place. We are merely scratching the surface, which can leave us feeling lackluster.
Through my own adventures, and the reflections I share in this article, I've learned the art of curating authentic travel experiences. So read on as I outline 5 steps everyone can take to go deeper than the surface of any travel experience.
1. Slow Down
I’m often guilty of wanting to eat up as much of a new experience as possible. When I travel, there’s this unspoken pressure to not waste any time, especially if I’m only in a new destination for a handful of days.
However, throughout my travels, I’ve learned that this mindset can be a detriment. A huge part of making authentic experiences is fostering genuine connections with the people and places around me. And it’s hard to do that if you’re 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.
Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal closes to vehicle traffic in the summer months.
For example, Dave and I physically slowed down during a recent 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. However our long, slow walks allowed us to digest the Québécois French language and get a true feel for the city because 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 long weekend 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. However, 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
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 show them that I’m interested in seeing their city, their home, through their eyes. Most people appreciate that enough to let me into their world (or at least their favorite restaurant).
For part of my trip to Fiji during undergrad, I was lucky enough to participate in a homestay program with a local family in the school district where I taught English. I asked my host parents if I could join in on their daily life. That night they asked if I wanted to join them on a sunrise walk to the local fish market. Of course, I said yes and was wide awake at 5 am the next morning.
The children of Lutu, in the Naitasiri Province of Central Fiji, play in the river between the fish market and their village.
There I was, deep in the Fijian rainforest, witnessing how locals bartered for seafood I didn’t recognize. I then helped my host family carry home their purchases and learned about the various landmarks along the way, like the spot in the river where all the village kids played and all the houses my host brother’s friends lived in.
This is one example of how, through genuine curiosity and respectful questions, I got to glimpse someone’s life. They didn’t put on a show for me, they just let me tag along on an errand they were already planning on running. I missed out on some sleep but gained intimate insights into the lives of my hosts.
4. Go Beyond the Highlight Reels
Now, do you want to know my favorite experience from my time in Iceland?
It wasn’t snapping my photo 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.
The view from atop the Garður Old Lighthouse in Iceland.
This particular lighthouse isn’t the biggest or most iconic Icelandic lighthouse. 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 got there, even though I arrived 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 someone. Plus, after our chat, he invited me up to the top of the lighthouse, where I got a 360 degree view.
I didn’t chase down this experience because a travel influencer told me to. I genuinely wanted to see one last lighthouse before my flight home and was curious about 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 got to have this wonderful, genuine experience.
5. Attend Local Festivals and Events
You can further immerse yourself in a authentic cultural experiences by attending festivals, celebrations, and events unique to the destinations you visit. Whether it's a traditional religious festival like Holi or a lively street parade like Mardi Gras, participating in events alongside locals will give you a window into 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.
Generations of drummers perform at the Tam-Tams festival in Mont Royal Park in Montreal, Quebec.
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. There were vendors selling handmade trinkets, college kids making out on the lawn, and toddlers dancing as their friends and family members performed. 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 curiosity. 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 appreciation for the people and places outside my life at home. In turn, I get the gift of authenticity.
So, by embracing the principles of slowing down, engaging with locals, establishing little pockets of routine, and venturing outside the highlight reels, you, too, can open yourself to a world of enriching experiences and authentic encounters. 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.
I hope that, in sharing a few of my authentic travel experiences, I’ve inspired you to embrace the principles outlined above. In the end, it is these memories—being one of the only tourists around, sharing conversations with fleeting friends, and immersing myself in a city’s cultural touchstones—that make my travel experiences so profound.