We all want to make the most of our vacation. That’s why I often rely on online “things to see” lists and TikTok’s recommendations for a destination’s best attractions and eateries.
But while these strategies are useful, using the Internet to plan every detail of your trip ignores the essence of discovery that made pre-Internet travel journalism so thrilling to read.
These six tips will show you how to explore new places like an old-school travel journalist and an old-fashioned explorer. You’ll be able to look up from your smartphone and use your intuition and curiosity to find your destination.
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1. Ditch the itinerary and trust your intuition.
Freya Madeline Stark, by Herbert Arnold Olivier (1923). National Portrait Gallery
Before smartphones, travel journalists like Freya Stark and Bruce Chatwin relied on serendipity. They didn’t have TripAdvisor or Google Maps to guide them. Rather, they listened to their intuition and the advice of locals on how to shape their trip.
A famous example is Chatwin, who was walking through Patagonia after a conversation with a local advised him of his next destination.
Try this on your next adventure. Walk without a plan. Follow your instincts and go to a local cafe, a quiet park, or a lively market. If all else fails and you’re not quite sure where to start, stop and ask people nearby what they like about the area. People’s stories often take you to places you’d never find online.
2. Use analog maps and guides
Before GPS, maps weren’t just a function, they were part of the adventure. Travel writers such as Jean Morris and Paul Theroux (father of documentary host Louis) have written about how unfolding maps are forced to interact with the landscape in a tactile way.
Pick up a local map at a bookstore or visitor center and spread it out at a cafe. Mark places you’ve been and circle areas that interest you.
Guidebooks like The Rough Guide and Lonely Planet did not provide detailed lists in their early editions, instead promoting cultural excursions with an emphasis on authentic activities. Think about the traditions, history, language, and customs of the region you are visiting. On a cultural experience trip, you can interact with local residents and get a deep feel for their way of life.
Carrying around a printed guidebook seems old-fashioned, but this act transports you back to a time when discovering the hidden corners of a city meant turning pages rather than scrolling.
Talking to locals is a great way to discover gems in new places. English Tourists in Campagna (1845) by Karl Spitzweg. Arte National Museum
3. Talk to locals
Before smartphones, travelers had one invaluable resource at their disposal. That is “people”. For example, during his long walks through Europe, travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermore relied on the people he met for insight into local customs, history, and hidden gems.
Do the exact same thing. Go to typical bars, bazaars, local events or take courses on the language and cuisine of the place. Chat with bartenders, shopkeepers, and street vendors. These tips will get you off the algorithmic beaten path.
4. Immerse yourself in slow travel
Travel journalists of old were in no hurry. Rather than jumping around from one attraction to the next, they stayed around long enough to pull back the layers of the place. Author Rebecca West’s journey through the Balkans (which she described in her 1941 book The Black Sheep and the Gray Falcon) took several months. A long stay in the village allowed her to really get to know the place and its intricacies.
It would be better to take it easy on your next trip. Stay in a small town or neighborhood a little longer than you planned. Stroll through the streets and immerse yourself in the rhythm of daily life.
Chinese travel journalist Robert Byron (left) and his friend Desmond Parsons (1937). Wikicommons
5. Read travel literature
Whether it’s Robert Byron’s journey through the architecture and culture of Persia or Isabella Bird’s unknown trip to 19th-century Japan, authors of travel history books explore how their forebears visited the places they visited. Clearly state what you understand.
Read books written by local authors to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context of the places you visit. We find that their reflections on their hometowns and regions often provide a more insightful and nuanced perspective than modern “Top 10” lists.
6. Research the history of every place you visit
Writers like Colin Toubron included historical and cultural details to make their travel stories richer and more meaningful.
Whether you’re visiting a local museum, reading about a place’s past, or simply walking down the street looking for historical landmarks, learning the context of where you are can give your visit more meaning. can.
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