Hi there, lovely readers!

Wow, where did the last few months go? Oh yeah – I got married! And to ensure my travelling guests were able to make the most of their time in my city, I created a list of accommodation recommendations, local activities, fabulous food and drink experiences and a batch of must see landmarks for their consideration. They loved it! This got me thinking…

Just like my international guests, I love diving into new destinations and making the most of every moment, despite often limited timeframes, and I bet you do too. If your travelling for the first time and wondering where to start though, here are my top 10 tips for hitting the ground running…

1. Create a rough plan

Pre arrival, do a quick research into local markets, festivals, cultural events, and  best spots to sample local cuisine.  Create a ‘rough’ plan as you want to have wiggle room for exciting alternatives that might pop up. I check Google Maps to plan my  route and use ‘Ulmon Pro – city maps to go’ for planning walking tours. Brushing up on local etiquette and customs helps too!

2. Practice the language

If heading to a foreign speaking country, practice key essentials in the local language. Google Translate is  handy for coverting dialogue and interpreting menus. Locals love it when you attempt to speak their language, and for etiquette sake, always ask if they speak english (ideally in their language) before launching into a dialogue.

3. Find your base

Upon arrival, I head straight to my digs, throw the kit in then go for a local walk. This helps shake off travel fatigue while locating nearby essentials like supermarkets, bakeries, bottle stores and bars. Being familiar with the neighbourhood makes it easier to navigate the new environment in the coming days.

4. Soak in the atmosphere

While on that initial recon, I’ll find a charming outdoor cafe, order a drink and people-watch, listen in on random conversations and take the time observe daily life. This gives me a real feel for the vibe. This spot will usually become my bolt hole – coffee AM, a wine PM before heading into the eve’s festivities.

5. Befriend a local

If the staff speak a little English pop your winning smile on and chat them up. They can recommend the local wines, restaurants the locals populate and if you’re  lucky, even pour extra wine and throw in a free aperitif. Locals also know the best hidden gems that aren’t in the guidebooks, and they’re always a friendly face to come home to after a hectic day.

6. Conduct a recon

The next day, take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour to get the lay of the land. This recon gives you instant bearings on where to start and end your day’s adventures. A great way to cover a lot of ground and see the major landmarks before deep diving with walking tours. VoiceMap Audio Tours and Guides is a great app to take you on those adventures without getting lost or needlessly backtracking.

7. Indulge

Oh yeah! I love to dive into the local food markets. Cheap, fresh and wonderful for discovering new flavours while absorbing the language, the smells, the beauty and textures of the fare on offer. Listening to a stall holder passionately describe the best way to cook a meat cut  to a fellow local, while others wait patiently for their turn instantly puts you in the moment.

8. Immerse

If you love the cuisine, book a cooking class. For historic sites, join guided tours. Enthusiastic guides can make a place come alive, like the Rosslyn Chapel in Edinburgh for instance, impossible to deconstruct the intricacies of intriguing constructions such as these without one. They’ll bring the experience alive with stories that you’d never otherwise glean. I mean, would you ever have guessed the message behind the penis carvings on the walls and paths in Pompeii?  VoiceMap or the self-managed headphone guides are also handy when all else fails.

9. Book ’em Danno!

In peak season the queues are long for viewing major beauties such as the interior of the Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, the Uffizi in Florence, the Tokyo Tower, the Louvre in Paris, Tower of London and other iconic must-dos. Some have a free to the public day – take advantage of these. If your staying in a hotel, ask the concierge to book your tickets, or book online a day or two before launch. Straight to the front of the queue babe!

10.Trust your Instincts

Finally – safety and security. If a place feels off, it usually is. Pickpockets love confined spaces – if people crowd you on a train, hang on tight to your goodies and leave the carriage. Trust your instinct. Heading home late one evening in Paris, the hairs on my neck suddenly spiked. Immediately ducking into a crowded bar, I watched my stalker go by, then, after necking a nerve calming wine, attached myself to a group of people going my way. May have been nothing, but instinct told me otherwise. Listen to it and stay safe.

Love to hear your own travel tips and suggestions, please drop in the comments. Let’s keep the adventure rolling!

Safe travels and happy exploring! 🌍✈️🍷