Travel is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Being able to explore this beautiful planet is something many people dream of. Dream holidays, however, can be ruined by unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of travelers.
Here are some tips to avoid tourist traps and keep your vacation experiences as dream-like as possible.
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Choose restaurants wisely
Tourist attractions will do everything they can to get you to visit. This isn’t a bad thing; most attractions are incredibly interesting and fun. You will notice that surrounding large attractions will be a litany of eateries.
Whilst these restaurants and cafes still serve delicious food, they can have inflated prices, meaning tourists pay more for basic dishes. To avoid this, look for places to eat away from major attractions. If you are staying in an Air BnB or home share, ask your host where they recommend. Chances are they will know some great local hotspots that will give you authentic food at a reasonable price.
Use reliable transportation
Unless you are a local, navigating your way around a new city or country can be challenging. Naturally, you will rely on public transport or taxis to get around.
Unfortunately, some taxi drivers try to take advantage of people being disoriented in their city and either take a longer route to justify charging more or charge more than they would a local.
One way to keep your budget safe is to use ride-sharing apps such as Bolt and Uber. Some companies don’t operate overseas so check to see which you can use wherever you are. If you do use a local firm, try to confirm the fare price before you set off and make a note of the license plate, driver number, and make and model of the car. This will keep you as safe as possible.
Seek authentic experiences
Tourist spots are a lot of fun, but there can often be more authentic experiences to be found outside of the main attractions and cities. Booking vacations that are centered around authenticity such as hiking holidays in Italy, for example, will lead you off the beaten path and into the less visited areas.
Instead of staying in the center of big cities and resorts, look for Air BnBs in more remote areas or the suburbs of the larger cities. Your hosts will be invaluable when it comes to seeking out unusual activities and places to go.
Be aware of current scams
Scammers and pickpockets target tourists in every city across the world so it pays to be savvy. Simple things such as keeping your money close to your body in a fanny pack instead of a purse means it is harder for people to get to it.
People who want to scam you are a bit smarter than trying to grab your cash and valuables as you walk past. Take some time before your trip to research local scams in the area. Common ones are vendors putting products in your hand and hassling you for payment.