Travel
The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist
Slide Nr 1Looking to deepen your travel experience, go off the beaten path and make your journeys more intimate, immersive and truly transformative? Search no more. We spoke to travel veterans and writers from different corners of the globe and asked them how they explore a destination from the inside out – and go that extra mile from ‘tourist’ to ‘traveller’.
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 2First up is Michael Turtle, an Australian journalist who left his job in television to travel the world. On his blog, Time Travel Turtle, he shows you how to find the lesser-known places, get involved in the culture, learn the history, and meet locals along the way. For travel inspiration and advice, follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. [Photo by Michael Turtle]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 3“The famous landmarks of a destination – perhaps a tower, a temple, a tomb – only tell you part of the story. Look deeper, and there’ll be many more tales to uncover. One of the ways I like to find these is through World Heritage Sites: determined not by fame, but by significance. When I spent a month in Peru, this strategy took me to the pyramids of the oldest civilisation in the Americas, jungle temples where cults once held ceremonies on hallucinogens, and dramatic landscapes among glaciated mountain ranges. I was often the only foreign tourist there, even though these sites turned out to be some of the best things to do in Peru.” – Michael Turtle, Time Travel Turtle [Photo by Michael Turtle]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 4“But heritage only takes you so far. To really get a deeper appreciation of a destination, you need to get off the tourist trail. That can mean visiting smaller towns where daily life, not hordes of tourists, fill the streets. Or it could be as simple as looking at a popular city through a different lens – taking a food tour that goes to local neighbourhoods, for example, or finding accommodation in the suburbs, not the city centre. My most memorable experiences on trips are rarely from within the walls of a famous tourist site – they happen in those magical moments when you intersect with the vibrancy of local life.” – Michael Turtle, Time Travel Turtle [Photo by Michael Turtle]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 5Up next is Susan Portnoy, a traveller and photographer who writes about amazing (often remote) destinations, exciting excursions, interesting cultures, nature, wildlife and photography on The Insatiable Traveler – a blog that inspires adventure and fosters a connection with people and places. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. [Photo by Susan Portnoy]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 6“One of the most immersive experiences I’ve had was in Mongolia: a two-week photographic adventure in the Altai Mountains, spending quality time with Kazakh nomads and exploring the countryside along the way. They were kind and gracious people who welcomed us as if we were family. Throughout our journey, we had the privilege of being invited to a couple of weddings where we shared tea, cheese, sweets and boiled goat, washed down with plenty of vodkas. One evening, we celebrated absolutely nothing with an eight-hour dance party in a small ger in the middle of nowhere. It was one of my favourite nights ever.” – Susan Portnoy, The Insatiable Traveler [Photo by Susan Portnoy]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 7“My advice is to look outward when you travel. Embrace the community. Have dinner at a local haunt, not the trendy tourist spot. Chat up a bartender or shop owner and ask for recommendations on where to go and what to see. Wander without a plan and get a feel for your surroundings. Travel is about sharing experiences with others, connecting with the people and places you visit, not only the people you’re travelling with.” – Susan Portnoy, The Insatiable Traveler [Photo by Susan Portnoy]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 8Meet Olly Gaspar, a Swedish-born Australian photographer and the voice behind raw adventure backpacking blog We Seek Travel. He and his life partner, Haylea, have been backpacking around the world on a shoestring budget for the past four years. Follow Olly on Instagram and Facebook. [Photo by Olly Gaspar]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 9“One of my favourite travel experiences was trekking in the Nepal Himalayas. I hiked the three passes independently, spending 21 days and nights at high altitude. The feeling of walking amongst the world’s tallest mountains and immersing myself in Tibetan Sherpa culture is something I’ll never forget. The experience taught me the value of combining raw challenges with my love for adventure travel and, in turn, changed the way I saw travel forever.” – Olly Gaspar, We Seek Travel [Photo by Olly Gaspar]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 10“My top travel tips: (1) I think as long as we view travel as an escape, we’ll never fully appreciate the true value that it can provide. Skip the conventional beach cocktails and instead, pursue an experience that both scares you and gets the butterflies going in the belly at the same time. (2) Do a deep dive on something challenging, something that you’ve never pictured yourself doing. This unique approach to travel will make you fall in love with a destination and help you find new meaning in the word ‘travel’.” – Olly Gaspar, We Seek Travel [Photo by Olly Gaspar]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 11Coming up next is Meg Jerrard, an adventure travel blogger who has visited over 100 countries across all seven continents. She’s a fierce advocate for solo female travel, and co-founded the community of 130,000 women over at Solo Female Travelers Club, which empowers women through tourism. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. [Photo by Meg Jerrard]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 12“Travel to Antarctica is fairly limited in terms of options, however there’s still a choice between a traveller and tourist experience. I chose to go on an expedition cruise on a small ship with a limited number of passengers (100 people max). This preserved the romance of experiencing Antarctica as a quiet, isolated destination – and more importantly, made it possible to get off the boat (international regulations limit the number of people allowed on land at any one time, making large cruise ships ‘view only’ experiences). Taking an expedition cruise meant I could disembark twice a day and explore Antarctica – hike, kayak, and even camp out overnight on the ice.” – Meg Jerrard, Solo Female Travelers Club [Photo by Meg Jerrard]
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Travel
The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 13“Ask yourself how you can truly immerse yourself and get beneath the skin of a destination. Aim for that ‘local’ experience versus staying strictly on the tourist trail. Put yourself out there and speak to locals, go to local bars, chat with people in cafés, join Facebook groups for the destination, and find out about local events you can join while visiting.” – Meg Jerrard, Solo Female Travelers Club [Photo by Meg Jerrard]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 14Next on the list is Canadian travel blogger and content creator Lauren Yakiwchuk, who specialises in outdoor adventures and eco-friendly travel, sharing her stories and experiences on Justin Plus Lauren and Ontario Hiking. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. [Photo by Lauren Yakiwchuk]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 15“I travelled to India for the first time with a small tour company, led by locals offering unique experiences that aren’t always possible otherwise. We were invited into the home of a local Jaipuri family for a delicious dinner and excellent conversation, and we also stumbled upon a small Holi celebration for women at a nearby temple and were invited to participate. We threw flower petals and coloured powder, danced and had a wonderful time. While I love visiting places on my own, I’ve found it helpful to travel with local experts who provide those one-of-a-kind experiences that you’ll always remember.” – Lauren Yakiwchuk, Justin Plus Lauren [Photo by Lauren Yakiwchuk]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 16“There are many ways to gain a better appreciation for a place. You can sample the cuisine, visit places that locals love, and go beyond the major tourist destinations (sometimes I love the little towns more than the big cities!). Experiencing a country’s beautiful nature and responsibly observing wildlife can also be so rewarding. I love volunteering to help animals when I travel. After volunteering at a wildlife rescue centre in Guatemala, I left feeling as though I had made a positive impact.” – Lauren Yakiwchuk, Justin Plus Lauren [Photo by Lauren Yakiwchuk]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 17We also spoke to British travel blogger Ellie Quinn of The Wandering Quinn, who has been a travel addict since 2010 and has visited some 60+ countries. Apart from being a content creator, she runs group tours and retreats which you can join and read about here. Follow her on Instagram and YouTube. [Photo by Ellie Quinn]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 18“Going for breakfast is the best way to start any day travelling, and I love visiting cafés that locals visit, too. So many places have cool coffee shops and brunch cafés now, and when I visit these places, I feel like I get a small insight as to what it would be like to live there, especially on a weekend. I recommend searching for cafés away from popular tourist sites, looking for good coffee specifically, and using Instagram to help find the perfect place.” – Ellie Quinn, The Wandering Quinn [Photo by Ellie Quinn]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 19“Taking a tour or hiring a guide to see a specific place may seem ‘touristy’ – I used to think so, too, but in the last few years I’ve had some amazing local guides who have not only told me so much about the places we were visiting, but also about the history and culture of their home. Booking with independent guides for unique tours and activities, like a specialised vegetarian street food tour or a spiritual tour of Alhambra (which I did recently), is a great way to get a deeper understanding of the destination and the locals, as well as support the local economy.” – Ellie Quinn, The Wandering Quinn [Photo by Ellie Quinn]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 20Jiayi Wang is the writer and photographer behind The Diary of a Nomad, a travel and photography blog with a focus on less-visited destinations. She has been living in the UK for over six years and enjoys exploring all corners of the country. Look her up on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. [Photo by Jiayi Wang]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 21“Until last year, my travel itineraries used to be chock full of activities to be accomplished within a short time frame – exciting but also manic! Then, in June 2021, my partner and I decided to spend several weeks on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, immersing ourselves in an intimate fishing village there. The goal was to truly experience the destination by slowing down, getting to know the locals, and simply going with the flow. By spending weeks rather than days, I found details and hidden gems that I never would’ve otherwise. I was also able to learn about the lives of the village folks, deepening my connection with the place.” – Jiayi Wang, The Diary of A Nomad [Photo by Jiayi Wang]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 22“If you wish to truly experience a destination, the key is to slow down and give yourself ample time in that place. First, figure out how many days you need to see the main attractions there. Then, add another four or five days to that itinerary. That way, you’ll have time to explore hidden gems, talk to locals, learn about local traditions, and deepen your appreciation for the destination.” – Jiayi Wang, The Diary of A Nomad [Photo by Jiayi Wang]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 23Up next is Sara Essop, a blogger and writer based in Johannesburg who writes about family travel and experiences around the world on her blog In Africa And Beyond. Although she has been to 47 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful home country. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. [Photo via Unsplash]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 24“I usually travel with my husband and kids, and although it’s important for us to see the main tourist attractions wherever we go, we ensure that we also get a taste of the local life. We steer clear of touristy restaurants and venture into cafés where the locals eat, use public transport or walk whenever possible, and speak to local guides about their lives – you’d be surprised at how much they’re willing to share! Some of our most immersive experiences have involved eating lunch off banana leaves on the floor of a hut in Zanzibar, drinking mint tea at local teahouses in Morocco, hopping on a boat on the Nile with locals, celebrating Eid in Cairo and consoling our driver who was lamenting his marriage problems in Jordan.” – Sara Essop, In Africa And Beyond [Photo by Sara Essop]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 25“There’s no better way to deepen one’s experience in a destination than spending weeks or months living among the locals, but since this is not always possible, here are some other tips that may help: (1) Instead of a hotel, stay at an Airbnb or homestay in a local residential area. (2) Walk as much as you can – especially off the beaten track. (3) Engage in conversation with the locals and get their best tips. (4) Take a free walking tour – the guides will be able to tell you stories and anecdotes that you won’t find in any guidebook.” – Sara Essop, In Africa And Beyond [Photo by Sara Essop]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 26Say hello to Isabel Leong, a digital nomad and full-time travel blogger from Singapore. Pulling from her own world travels and lessons, she shares her travel tips on her blog, Bel Around The World. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest. [Photo by Isabel Leong]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 27“I’ve been travelling full-time since being stuck at home in Singapore for eight months during the pandemic – through the US, Central America and South America (perks of being a travel blogger!). What has really helped me in truly experiencing a place is the approach of staying at a destination for at least for a month rather than just a few days. So, if you’re working full-time, try to negotiate a remote work arrangement that allows you to stay abroad longer.” – Isabel Leong, Bel Around The World [Photo by Isabel Leong]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 29Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott are the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind Uncornered Market. More than 100 countries later, they’re still going… and still married. Follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. [Photo by Daniel and Audrey Scott]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 30“For us, experiencing a destination has meant walking the streets, eating at markets, travelling by public transport, and just putting ourselves in places where local people live, work and hang out (ie., usually outside the tourist centre). We find that this approach provides more opportunities to engage with local people, observe everyday life and get a perspective that goes deeper than if we just spent time in the centre of town.” – Daniel and Audrey Scott, Uncornered Market [Photo by Daniel and Audrey Scott]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 31“To deepen your experience of a place, look for local social enterprises that offer tours or run cafés, restaurants or handicraft shops where the profit is invested into community projects. These organisations often work with marginalised communities or champion an environmental or social cause, giving you an opportunity to learn more about the local issues and support the organisation. Another interesting and fun way to learn more about a destination – especially its politics or socio-economic issues – is to take a street art walking tour.” – Daniel and Audrey Scott, Uncornered Market [Photo by Daniel and Audrey Scott]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 32Our penultimate traveller is Alex Reynolds, an American solo female backpacker, who travels to all kinds of places many tourists never consider and blogs about her experiences at Lost With Purpose. Find her on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube. [Photo by Alex Reynolds]
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The Real Deal: How To Be A Traveller, Not A Tourist.
Slide Nr 36“In my view, one of the best ways to truly experience a destination is to spend an extended period of time in one place, so you can immerse yourself fully in the culture. A few years ago, I spent a month in Salamanca in Spain to take a basic Spanish language course at the University of Salamanca. During that time, not only did I learn some Spanish, but also about the necessity of siestas, the beauty of free tapas and the frustration of everything closing mid-afternoon.” – Nicola Easterby, Polka Dot Passport [Photo via Unsplash]
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