It’s fun to visit new cities, but it can sometimes be really easy to feel a little lost.
Between figuring out how to get around, finding the best places to grab food, and trying to see all of the main attractions, it can be really easy to miss out on the true character of a place you’re visiting.
The key is to find a good balance between having some structure to your trip and being spontaneous.
One approach that helps many travelers is mixing independent exploring with some guided tours.
You don’t have to plan every single little detail, but having a little bit of direction can help you to get around and free up some more time for you to enjoy moments by yourself.
Start With a Walking Tour
When you arrive in a city a walking tour is one of the quickest ways for you to start finding your way around instead of staring at Maps or your phone screen you can ask somebody who knows the area to guide you around they will show you all the main streets the neighborhoods and the landmarks walking tours often copper history culture and even small details that you might not have caught if you were doing this by yourself
It also gives you a little bit of a mental map. After a few hours, you will start to recognise some of the street names nearby, where you are staying. You’ll know where to find the local cafes, and you will feel more comfortable exploring on your own
Make Time for Group Tours
That is a misconception that traveling independently means you need to avoid scheduled activities; however, if you find the right group tours, they can add a lot to your trip, whether it’s a food tour, a bike ride through a hidden town, or a day trip outside the city. Enjoying others often unlocks experiences that you might not have been able to do by yourself.
For example, a cooking class might introduce you to ingredients that you had never noticed in the local market. A wine tasting tour might give you access to smaller producers that you wouldn’t have found by yourself or in any stores.
Leave Space for Your Own Adventures
Wild tours and planned outings can help to add a little bit of structure to your trip. Make sure that you also create some time for your own exploration, too.
Wandering around without a fixed destination is often when you make the most memorable discoveries. It’s a good idea to alternate between guided days and free days.
After a tour, take what you’ve learned about the place and then explore the neighborhood by yourself. You’ll start to feel less like a rushed tourist and more like you are experiencing the place like a true local.
Conclusion
Exploring a city doesn’t mean that you need to choose between having freedom and having a structure in place. Walking tours will help you get your bearings in a new location, and group tours give you access to more experiences.
Don’t forget to include some solo wandering, as this leaves plenty of room for surprises.
Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.