How to find hidden gems while travelling
Do you ever feel like you’re just tramping along the same well-worn tourist trail as everyone else? These tips can help you to hunt out some hidden gems along the way.
Real recommendations
Bars, restaurants and shops open and close so quickly that the latest hotspot might already be gone by the time you come to look for it. A slew of apps are now available that will give you the latest information on just about every destination from locals, frequent travellers and experts. TripGems lets you browse a huge international database of places that people have recommended and you can even upload your own if you find somewhere really special. Tourcaster has podcast and audio guides organised by destination and interest that you can download before you go. If you’re standing in the middle of Trafalgar Square or Piazza di San Marco and not sure what to do next, open up the NearMe app and it will give you a list of all the bars, restaurants and events on in your area – and a map to find them.
Meet and greet
You can read all the guidebooks in the world, but nothing beats a personal touch. Some travel companies, like US-based Context Travel, will help you get to grips with your destination through a welcome chat with a local insider like a college professor, art curator or food critic. You can ask questions before you arrive to help plan your itinerary and then your expert will meet you at your hotel when you arrive to discuss your plans and take you for a walk around the neighbourhood. They can give you info on everything from the best restaurant in the area to the location of the nearest ATM. These services can be pricey (around $300-455) but the information you’re getting really is invaluable.
Maps you like
It’s easy enough to find a map of a city, but what about a map with only the things you want to see? Well now there’s an app (or two) for that. Mosey is a location based app that lets you set a theme for your journey (like food and wine, shopping, art or history) and it will generate a list of places in the city and create a map so you can explore on your own. If you are looking for something a bit more strenuous, try Kamino. It’s an interactive, user-generated app with set walking tours and hikes in and around lots of cities, with practical information like distance from public transport, turn by turn instructions and even helpful directions to local watering holes so you can refresh yourself.
Social dining
Why eat at a faceless restaurant when you can enjoy a home cooked meal with a handful of your new best friends? Social dining apps like EatWith offer travellers the opportunity to dine with food loving locals who will cook them a meal in their house for a “suggested donation” (usually very reasonable). And many of these hosts take their food seriously – you could be eating Sunday brunch with pancakes and mimosas in a New York City brownstone or trying delicious Anatolian meze plates in an Istanbul apartment.