June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Authentic travel is more than just buzzwords. The trend comes from a desire to gain a deep and respectful understanding of the culture, customs and people of your travel destination. Authentic travel is often about giving back to the local community, taking part in or observing cultural experiences, eating native cuisine and connecting with local people. Pursuing an authentic travel experience can expand your worldview and result in a more meaningful adventure.
Authentic travel calls on you to do as the locals do. Avoid tourist traps, eat at the favorite local small restaurant, attend festivals for local holidays and support local businesses. Notice the emphasis on “local.” While there’s nothing wrong with booking a relaxing stay at an all-inclusive, it is not going to show you how your hosts live day-to-day. You won’t learn much unless you venture outside of the resort bubble.
Authentic travel doesn’t mean you have to avoid all the popular vacation spots to have a taste of what the locals do. Here’s how Adventure.com puts it:
“Aren’t people who live in Las Vegas allowed to have dinner on The Strip or folks living in Paris welcome to visit and appreciate the Louvre? Those are common, real activities for average residents living in certain places —so aren’t they authentic?”
Imagine strolling through the streets of Hanoi while sampling savory Banh Goi (fried dumplings) from a busy food cart. Grabbing lunch from street vendors is a great way to sample local food on the go. Avoid chain restaurants and eat at family owned or other small businesses. Head to the favorite local market and bring some fresh local goods back to your room. Take a cooking class or food tour run by locals.
Eschew fast-pace living and instant gratification and instead travel slowly. The concept of slow travel means taking your time to explore an area in depth before rushing off to the next destination. This could mean walking and observing city streets instead of calling a ride share, or taking the time to view works at an art museum instead of rushing to the next destination on your itinerary. If you’re visiting the Louvre, don’t head straight for the Mona Lisa. Spend the day at the museum.
Choose to stay at local bed and breakfasts and small, non-chain hotels when possible. In Slovenia, that could mean staying at a kmetij Slovenije — a network of independently owned tourist farms. A stay at one of these idyllic farms allows you to sample the best produce, hospitality and home-cooked Slovenian meals.
Imagine purchasing a souvenir from a local craftsperson in one of the oldest malls in the world — The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. When you purchase from area artisans, it supports the local economy, and you have a meaningful reminder of your adventure.
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