A Beginner’s Guide to Exploration
When you first start out travelling solo—without your parents or as a newbie backpacker—arriving at a new destination or country can seem wildly overwhelming. And I can totally understand why.
Too many of us are, consciously or not, taught to remain within our comfort zones in order to maintain a sense of control or safety. There is security in familiarity, and travelling somewhere new and remote is so very far removed from that feeling!
This can then lead to some resistance to travelling, which manifests itself in not opening up to places that are unfamiliar. For some people, it’s enough to stop them going anywhere at all.
The thing is, with travelling, everything is just that: unfamiliar. At least, that is, until you make it familiar!
When speaking to people about travelling or visiting new places around the world, I often get asked how I go about exploring somewhere new.
Here are some of my favourite ways to become familiar with a new country, culture, city, village etc. when travelling. Embracing the newness of a foreign place is about to become your new favourite thing to do!
Tip One: Head Out on an Aimless Exploratory Walk
The prescription for a bad day and perhaps the best solution for figuring out a new travel destination—the humble walk. And another reason why I don’t bother with anything but trainers when travelling anymore.
Walking allows you to sightsee leisurely, is completely free, and it’s an easy way to get the lie of the land. You’ll find that you quickly become acquainted with your local area and feel much more at home.
Tip Two: Or… Take a Guided Walking Tour
A free guided walking tour on the first day in any new place is a MUST.
Typically these are organised by hostels and conducted by a local who knows their way around their hometown.
These are also almost always free, which is great if you are looking to familiarise yourself with your surroundings but are on a budget.
Just be sure to give your guide a tip for their time!
Tip Three: Get Up High
What better way to get a lay of the land than by getting up to a scenic viewpoint to get yourself acquainted with somewhere new?
Look out for places like churches or other tall buildings and monuments that offer you the chance to climb up them. The same goes for locations that have cable cars—you know there will always be a sick view at the other end of that cable car ride! Nearby hikes or hill climbs will also do the job.
The key message with this one is to alter your perspective of a place by switching up your viewpoint.
Tip Four: Visit a Religious Monument
One of the easiest and most peaceful ways to learn more about a new place is by visiting a religious monument. This, for me, has always offered a brilliant insight into the religions, traditions, and history of the place I am in.
Many religious buildings are also beautifully constructed and decorated, which is another bonus.
I appreciate that not all churches, mosques etc. allow visitors, but if there is the opportunity to venture in, definitely try it.
Whether you consider yourself to be religious or not, it offers value when it comes to cultural immersion.
Tip Five: Explore the Main Square
Wherever you are in the world, I can guarantee you there will be a main square from which the rest of the village, town, or city sprawls.
These places are often a hive of activity where both locals and tourists mingle and congregate—a fabulous place to people-watch!
Typically, a main square is also in a central location, which puts you in a great position to begin exploring and offers an anchor to return to so that you are less likely to get lost.
Tip Six: See the Old Town
Very often an ‘Old Town’ is in very close proximity to the aforementioned ‘Main Square’.
Historic, beautiful and full of charm, exploring the Old Town area is a must when visiting a new place, as it allows you to see the bigger picture. It’s a place steeped in nostalgia and paints a picture of what a city looked like years ago.
How old the Old Town actually is will depend on where you are in the world, but regardless, it will allow you to get to grips with the history of the place you’re in.
Tip Seven: Go to a Market
Markets are some of my absolute favourite go-tos when travelling anywhere in the world.
Not only do you get to see what the local culinary scene is like by checking out produce and ingredients (perfect for foodies!), but there is an energy in a foreign marketplace that is just impossible to describe. It’s often busy and chaotic, sometimes a bit noisy (and smelly even!), and has a lifeforce of its own.
You can learn a great deal about a culture by watching how people buy and sell produce. It’s also great fun to get lost in the hustle and bustle of it all. Trust me and try it.
Tip Eight: Go to a Mall
Similarly to a market, a visit to a foreign mall can be just as interesting and insightful.
I love going to malls all over the world as, while the premise of a mall is the same across the board, everything inside of it is different wherever you go.
Everything is new and intriguing. Whether it’s the architecture, the shops, or the food court offerings, it’s never dull.
Tip Nine: Try a Food Tour
Regardless of whether you are an adventurous eater or simply a curious person who would like to try something new when travelling, signing up for a food tour is always a good idea.
Typically, food tours operate in small groups and you are guided by a local. This means that not only do you get to meet fellow travellers, but you also get better acquainted with the local area by eating!
Where is the downside?
Tip Ten: Book onto a Cooking Class
Taking things a step further in terms of culinary experiences, booking onto a cooking class is also a fun way to discover more about the country you are in.
Food is so important when it comes to understanding a country and its culture, which is why I think it’s crucial to get acquainted with local dishes and ingredients.
Tip Eleven: Take Public Transport
Buses, trams, minivans, tuk-tuks, motorbikes, trains, tubes… try ’em out.
As daunting as it may seem initially, taking whatever form of public transport the locals use will immediately root you in the present moment. And it’s a really fun way to see a city—not to mention, often the cheapest option to get around too.
Figuring out public transportation systems in different countries is, frankly, a life skill that I think is priceless.
Tip Twelve: Stay in a Hostel
Staying in a hostel is the ultimate cheat code to travelling somewhere new and instantly finding yourself at home, surrounded by like-minded people and in a space that is geared up for helping travellers explore.
Hostels are fantastic in offering lots of advice and suggestions of things to see and do. Many also run their own tours or can help you navigate the area.
I know that hostels harbour negative connotations for some people—misconceptions that they’re loud, host rowdy parties, are full of drunk people, and are only somewhere teenagers would stay. But that is so far from the truth.
Having stayed in my fair share of hostels, there are some incredible ones out there that are inclusive of everyone’s needs.
Don’t worry—private rooms exist so you don’t have to share a bunk if you don’t want to!
Tip Thirteen: Interact with Locals or Stay with Them!
I cannot tell you how many great travel stories began with a simple interaction with a local. You don’t even need to speak a different language—a smile, positive body language and universal gestures all contribute to friendly exchanges. And if you want to try your hand and practise a new language, more power to you!
If you remain open and willing to chat to people—a lot of the time people will be curious and speak to you!—the world opens up.
And if you want to take this a step further, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new culture is to consider a homestay accommodation option. You get to really see a new place through the eyes of someone who lives there and witness how they go about their day-to-day and what kinds of homes they inhabit. And that is a beautiful thing.
Happy Exploring!
I hope my beginner’s guide to exploring new places is helpful to anyone looking to expand their travel experiences.
These easy and actionable steps should help budding explorers kick-start their travels with a positive and curious mindset—one that turns getting familiar with a new place into one of the most rewarding reasons to travel and step outside their comfort zone.
I’d love to see if any of these tips pay off too, so feel free to drop me a message if you found them useful. If you think I’ve missed anything out, comment below so that other readers can gain some insights from the travel community.
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
