Travelling is about really getting to know a place, fitting in with the local vibe, and connecting with the people who live there. If you want a more meaningful experience, it’s important to go deeper than most tourists do when visiting a place. A lot of people who choose this approach follow the idea of slow travel.
Three Ways That Will Help You Integrate Into A Place Like Temporary Local
Slow travel gives you the chance to understand the culture and way of life in a more personal way, helping you see things through the eyes of the locals. Worldschooling families, digital nomads, and curious travellers all try to learn while they visit a place. In this article, we will go over some strategies to help you live like a temporary local.
#1. Avoid hotels!
Staying in a hotel can sometimes make you feel like you're just passing through as a tourist. While hotels are comfortable, they don’t always give you a real sense of what life is like in the place you’re visiting. If you want to connect with the local vibe, short-term rentals are a much better option. For example, Toronto rentals for monthly stays can help you get a real feel for the city.
If you’re staying for a while, having your own space makes it easier to find favourite local spots, meet neighbors, and discover things that hotel guests might miss. You might be in an apartment in a lively neighbourhood or a quiet home away from the tourist spots. You can cook your own meals with ingredients from local markets, explore parts of town that aren’t full of tourists, and experience what everyday life is like.
#2. Respect local customs (and try to learn some of the language!)
Every culture has its own ways of doing things, and learning about these shows that you care about the community you're in. It’s more than just knowing the basics, like how to say hello or how to dress. Take some time to watch how locals act. In some places, there might be specific ways to interact with others, especially older people, or rules about personal space. You don’t need to get everything perfect, but trying to follow these customs shows respect. It's also important to think about your impact on the environment. Travel can put a strain on the places we visit, so it helps to make choices that reduce waste and support the environment.
#3. Try the local cuisine!
Trying local food is one of the best ways to connect with the culture when you're travelling. Instead of sticking with places you're familiar with, try eating at local restaurants or from street vendors. The ingredients and cooking styles often reflect the area’s history and lifestyle. Places where the locals eat usually offer the most authentic flavours. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite from a food stall or sitting down at a small cafe, you’re getting a taste of the local way of life. It also helps to know a bit about local dining customs. In some places, there are specific ways to eat or share food, like using your hands or passing dishes in a certain order.
What about you, have you ever tried slow travel? Feel free to share any tips & advice below! (Images by Trinity_Elektroroller from Pixabay and Kinga Howard on Unsplash)
ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
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