4 Rules for an Immersive Vacation
1. No guidebooks or online recommendations
Try to avoid using review sites or so-called “travel guides” to find activities and restaurants. These are glorified advertisements. Muster up the courage to ask a local (not a tour guide!) for their recommendation at least once per day. Any other decisions must be serendipitous. You’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way: by walking around and taking that huge risk of going to a restaurant without any prior knowledge of reviews.
2. No taxis
Once you are in the city, you should have plenty of options to get around. Taking a taxi presumes that your final destination is the only one of importance and skips many of the hidden treasures. Budget for more time to get to your goal destination and travel there via trolley, bike, walking, ferry, etc. Keep your eyes open – this is a great opportunity to people watch.
3. Go where the locals go
Instead of seeing a top-billing musician who happens to be touring in the city you’re currently at, watch a local group perform at a coffee shop. Favor the regular Wednesday Salsa night over the “Salsa for tourists” group class. You’ll meet genuine people here who are passionate and not simply filling up their trip itinerary.
4. Uninstall Social Media
Try deleting any addictive social applications for at least the first few days of your vacation. Remember this vacation is for yourself and your own betterment; not for your followers. The truth? No one cares all that much. Notice how many people are taking selfies in front of The Louvre – would adding yours to the mix really impress many people? Once you take social media out of the picture, you can focus on your real goals.
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