Whenever you travel to a new part of the world, you will inevitably experience something different than home. That's why we like to travel, right? But while every place you visit is different, there are five questions I like to ask before leaving home. Questions that a quick Google search, a visit to a travel blog (like StacyTakesFlight.com) or a Facebook post to friends and family can easily answer.
1) What is the local food specialty?
One of the best parts of traveling is trying some of the unique cuisine that different regions are known for. From empanadas in Argentina to Turkish delights in Turkey to pulpo a la feira in Galicia, Spain, my tastebuds have been pleasantly (and sometimes unpleasantly) surprised on my travels. Getting a sense of the local flavor by knowing what - and where - to eat can give you a much more authentic sense of a place.
2) Is there a free walking tour?
I've talked about free walking tours before, but they are worth bringing up again. What better way to get to know the layout, history and fun facts of a city than by walking around town for an hour or two with an enthusiastic guide? (Especially a guide working for tips who is genuinely interested in showing you a good time!) Some of the best free tours I've been on were Feel the City in Granada, New Rome Free Tour in Rome and Sandeman's New Europe tour in Madrid (they operate in 18 cities!).
3) Which top tourist attractions are must-see's?
TripAdvisor is my favorite resource for uncovering the most popular and obscure attractions, and reading a few reviews (especially if you filter by the type of traveler whose opinions you would like to see) will quickly tell you if it is worth your time. Some must-see sites like the Alhambra or Colosseum may require tickets in advance or are less crowded at certain times of day. It will save a lot of time (and stress) to know these tips in advance so you can plan the rest of your trip around them.
4) What should I drink?
On a recent trip to Disney World, a stop at the Coca Cola "Club Cool" at Epcot Center introduced me to a new world of soft drinks. Instead of the usual Coke, Diet Coke and such, the fountain dispensers were full of the most popular soft drinks from countries across the world. If you are lucky enough to travel beyond Orlando, think back to Disney and try to taste the local drinks wherever you end up.
Sure, you can always order a craft beer or glass of wine from a nearby vineyard (which I definitely like to do), but there is often a lot more to local beverages than what may initially come to mind. From Turkish coffee to Moroccan tea; Valencia's horchata to Switzerland's Rivella, there are drinks hot and cold, sweet and refreshing that are unique and deserve to be tasted... be sure to ask your waiter / bartender / taxi driver!
Sure, you can always order a craft beer or glass of wine from a nearby vineyard (which I definitely like to do), but there is often a lot more to local beverages than what may initially come to mind. From Turkish coffee to Moroccan tea; Valencia's horchata to Switzerland's Rivella, there are drinks hot and cold, sweet and refreshing that are unique and deserve to be tasted... be sure to ask your waiter / bartender / taxi driver!
5) What is culturally relevant?
As a sports enthusiast, I love finding out about the local favorites wherever I travel. Soccer (or football), for example, is extremely popular outside of the US, and I was lucky enough to be in three countries during the 2014 World Cup where I cheered for the home team alongside bars full of locals! I have yet to catch a soccer game in person, but there's always next time!
Aside from local sports, music and art are among my favorite cultural things to explore when traveling to a new place. I've been to the opera in Vienna and a traditional music 'session' in Ireland. I've even been to a rock concert in Buenos Aires to see a great band that never made it to the US charts. Taking a look at event calendars on city websites or in free magazines found in many shops and restaurants are great resources for finding out what is going on while you are in town.
Aside from local sports, music and art are among my favorite cultural things to explore when traveling to a new place. I've been to the opera in Vienna and a traditional music 'session' in Ireland. I've even been to a rock concert in Buenos Aires to see a great band that never made it to the US charts. Taking a look at event calendars on city websites or in free magazines found in many shops and restaurants are great resources for finding out what is going on while you are in town.
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