Erica Johansson who writes one of my favorite travel blogs, Travel Blissful, recently nominated me in Tripbase’s travel secret blog tag. The goal of the project is for travel bloggers to list 3 of their travel secrets. Erica posted her 3 best kept travel secrets and below are my 3 travel secrets of frequent travelers.
1. We Keep Our Real Travel Secrets To Ourselves
You can be certain that many travelers keep some of their favorite destinations within destinations to themselves. As Cate commented recently it’s good to keep some destinations under the radar. Frequent travelers also don’t typically like to admit their mistakes or mishaps on the road.
2. Places That Aren’t Secret (Locally) Make Great Destinations
Most of the great secret destinations you read about by travelers and writers aren’t secret to the locals. In fact, if the locals are flocking there, it’s usually a good sign. Generally most of the secret destinations for frequent travelers are near home – an area of exploration many frequent travelers neglect.
3. There Are No Secrets
Everybody knows a little about something and in the world of travel there are no secrets. That’s part of what makes reading about travel so much fun, there is always something new to learn and a little of something to add of your own.
What Are Your Secrets?
Although part of Tripbase’s project was to ‘tag’ 5 other travel bloggers, I’ll leave it to you if you want to take this on with your own 3 travel secrets. Everyone else can post your secrets in the comments below, anonymously if you’d like though that wouldn’t be much fun.
[photos by: (cup)cake_eater, Aguapfel, ilsignoirinocravan]
Thanks for sharing your travel secrets. I don’t doubt that a lot of travelers keep their travel gems to themselves. Also, you write “if the locals are flocking there, itβs usually a good sign.” So true! I’ve especially found this to be the case when it comes to restaurants. Only tourists in a restaurant; I wouldn’t be particularly keen to eat there. A mix of local and tourists; much better. Only locals; often ideal.
“Travel secrets” usually mean secrets for tourists or visiting foreigners. The locals have been there a lot longer and know the best places – like you said, especially when it comes to food.
These are good secrets. We weren’t as innovative as you, and just came up with 3 great locations that we love.
I like the local advice. Get to know a person that lives in a place and you will find out amazing unknown secrets about a destination.
I have to say, we are one of the few that love to admit our mistakes. (At least while blogging, it makes for better writing and a lot more fun for the reader:)
It is funny though, once we come home, we forget all of the negative and when we retell stories to friends and family it is all perfect in our minds:)
Having some friends or couchsurfing in a place is a good way to get that ‘insider’ information. I sneak my mishaps in posts here and there and I love reading about others (and yours as well!) We all go through them and it makes things less stressful to know that you’re not alone in it all.
I like your second secret – so true.
Locals know best π
I’m with you on where the locals go. That’s how one can get an more authentic experience. Thanks for sharing your secrets, Anil.
Sometimes it’s good to follow the crowd π
An interesting take on the game, Anil.
Thanks for sharing!
I had fun participating Katie. It was a good idea for a post and fun to read everyone else’s secrets too.
Great secrets revealed here. Following the locals is a valuable way to find the best locations, especially restaurants. On our road trips in the U.S., we avoid dining at a restaurant with no cars parked out front. That’s always a sign.
Thanks Donna. Restaurants are one of those hit or miss things. A hole in the wall can have great food or have no customers because the food or service is bad. I’ve found it’s hard to tell without giving it a try.
You know why I don’t go to Indian restaurants in Toronto? They are filled with non-Indians who rave about the food. LOL! I’m sure its good food but anyway. Somehow this ties in to your #2. π
haha – I don’t like the fancy, fancy Indian restaurants. Seems like the smaller ones have better (and spicier) food π
My secret? I talk to everybody! I think sometimes we get so busy seeing things, and then writing about them, that we find stopping to have a conversation a distraction or an intrusion on our time. When this happens to me, I stop and reassess. Travel is so much more rewarding when I take time to really learn about a place from the viewpoint of the people who actually live there.
That’s something I wish I did more, it takes a bit longer for me to come out of my shell.
Hi Anil, could you send me your email? Thanks, Katie
I’d agree with all the secrets, and would add one more: the best way to visit a place is to act as if you’ll be coming back again. Rick Steeves gave that piece of advice and I really like it. It has given me more of a “soak it in” feeling rather than a “check it off the list” feeling. I may see less, but I always enjoy my trips more.
Wonderful advice and something I agree with. You see more when you take your time π