How to Really Engage with Your Location When You Travel

How to Really Engage with Your Location When You Travel
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Have you ever been to a location and felt as though you were missing out on the main point of being there? Many millennials now seem to feel that way when they head to new destinations. While before traveling was seen as more of a way to escape the daily grind and get a dose of relaxation, a younger generation sees it in a new light. Millennials are found to want to engage with a destination when they visit, but that barrier of tourist and local can be difficult to overcome.

Marketplaces and new sites are working to bridge that gap. Triple, a platform that connects travelers with local residents in cities like Barcelona, London, and Paris, has noticed that many millennials are searching for more on their trips:

“Travelers today are more interested in spending their money on an experience and immersing themselves in a new culture, language, or activity. At Triple, we see a trend that transcends just the Millennial generation, and even the older generation prefer to spend their time traveling this way now.”

Many millennials are looking to form a deeper relationship with a place instead of just taking a tour and finding themselves removed from their chosen destination. Not only does this lead to a greater understanding between cultures, but travelers tend to get much more out of their time away, too.

Are you one of these people? Here are some ways you can engage more with the spot you’ve chosen to visit.

Triple.co

Think about what you want to do while you’re there

Chances are, you’re going to want to see and experience certain aspects of a culture. Whether that includes a language course, a cooking demonstration with the local produce, or the chance to see a hidden spot, having an idea of what appeals to you can make your time more enjoyable when exploring a new city. It’s also likely that there are two ways to participate: as a tourist, or more like a local. Some activities are innately going to be more tourist-oriented, but others can be more enjoyable by doing a little bit of research beforehand.

Olga, a traveler from Russia visiting Spain, commented to the Triple team: “I wanted to give myself the best opportunity to do what the locals do there; drink a coffee and interact with people in a non-tourist café, or ask the locals about the latest new music they listen to.”

Strike up a conversation

It’s unlikely you’re going to know what the locals like to do unless you talk to a few. The internet has made it easier than ever to find people within the location you’re staying, and it’s often simple to ask for recommendations from Facebook friends. However, you can often learn about the best bars, coffee shops, and restaurants by asking around. Most locals are happy to share some secret knowledge with curious travelers, and they might even offer to bring you to their select spot. Don’t be afraid to throw a few questions out there and see what response you get.

Do a little research

Long before you could Google search terms about the place you’re headed to on your next trip, you’d have to look at a guidebook. Now, it’s possible to get locals’ suggestions for activities and food and drink with a simple search (or by just heading over to a platform that connects you with locals hosting activities). You might want to research the best places to go for a night out, or you might want to make a new friend—even if it is someone who has come from your own culture and who now lives in the city you’re visiting. Triple recommends making some face-to-face connections as a way to really understand the difference between your culture and the one you are adopting for a few days or weeks.

“Many travelers on our platform purposely connect with local hosts who speak the travelers’ native language, or are even originally from the same country. Often, this ends up sparking a lot of discussions about how life and culture differ and gives the traveler a deeper understanding of how their destination is different from their own culture.”

It probably doesn’t hurt to do a bit of digging on your own and by asking for others’ opinions. That way you can get an idea of what you want to do, and what will be the most enjoyable while you are there.

Keep an open mind

Most millennials are willing to step outside of their comfort zones, and that tends to yield the best rewards when you are really trying to interact with a culture. The important thing is to really get out there and explore and be willing to experiment. This might mean trying new foods, saying “hello” in another language, or communicating with no words at all. Regardless, recognizing that travel is all about forming connections and trying new things can make all the difference in your time abroad.

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