How to Enjoy Your Vacation like a Local

Aug 02, 2018

As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

When it comes to traveling, it's important to immerse yourself in the culture and get accustomed to the lifestyle and customs of the destination you're visiting. When you live like a local and do as the locals do, you are more likely to have an authentic travel experience that is unique to your day-to-day vacation life. Here are just a few ways to enjoy your vacation like a local:

Get to Know the Locals

To live like a local, you first need to become acquainted with the locals. This is one of the best ways to welcome yourself into a culture that’s foreign to you - and you can enjoy the perks of making new friends and getting insider information. By asking a few questions, you can get to know what makes the local residents tick, experience traditional customs, get to know others on a personal level, and make some treasured memories along the way.

Go for a Stroll Around the Area

If this is possible and you know your safety and security won’t be compromised, then take a local walk around the local area of your destination. This will enable you to be mindful of your surroundings, soak up the local culture, and be one with the beauty of the environment you’re in. While participating in nonstop local events can be fun, don’t forget to soak up the sights and take a breath on your vacation to truly enjoy your time there.

Learn to Speak the Language

To feel connected to other local people on your vacation, it makes sense to learn the language before you set off on your trip. When you’re learning a language that you’re not familiar with, it helps to aim to reach for at least conversational level. If that isn’t possible, then at least be familiar with common phrases and questions that may arise (Ex. “Where is the bathroom?” “Can you give me directions?”). You can also learn via free apps, CDs, and books from your local library.

Taste the Delicious Cuisine

While there are many places in the world where you can enjoy the home comforts that you'd find on your local doorstep (English breakfast in Spain, anyone?), going to another country is a great chance to taste some authentic cuisine. During your travels, be sure to indulge in the flavoursome dishes that you've never tried before. After all, who can say no to authentic sushi handrolls from Japan, a pizza pie in Italy, or a chocolate soufflé in France?

Switch Homes

When going abroad, finding the right accommodation is important as it will form a big part of your stay. You can stay in a hotel, villa, chateau, hostel - or whatever tickles your fancy. However, there’s another option: a home exchange. With Love Home Swap, you can swap your home and stay at a holiday home anywhere in the world. You can even use these coupon codes to unlock a 33% off discount on a standard membership, so you can save money on your travels. Best of all, Love Home Swap encourages you to live like a local and have a delightful travel experience.

Turn Off Your Phone

These days, most of us are glued to our phones, and therefore fail to take notice of the world around us. Also, a lot of us are accustomed to seeing a cookie-cutter life via social media. So during your vacation: get off social media, turn off your ringtone, and get exploring (but, of course, don’t forget to take some snaps along the way).

How would you live like a local on your travels?