If you’re determined to get yourself off the well beaten path and discover somewhere new for yourself where tourism is not at a point where many of the world’s capital cities have recently found themselves over the last couple of decades, there are a few things that you might do well to remember.
1. Not all of the places you find will be as welcoming as you would expect in a big city. Tourism, while being great for the economy and general setting of a place, can have a negative impact on the people who call that place home. They may not necessarily speak your particular language as fluently as they would in the airport and they may not be as helpful as you might expect.
2. Accommodation might be sparse. If you’re backpacking or staying in hostels, you will tend to find that you can get along pretty well by yourself, but Hotels or similar might not be as common as you’re used to. A small village will not necessarily even have regular transportation to and from the city.
3. Depending on the size of the place, you won’t always be able to get food or drinks that you recognise. Waking up in the middle of the night in a small town, hoping for something to eat might be a bit of a stretch, particularly if you’re in a rural area. Not everywhere has twenty four hour fast food and even fewer places will have round the clock supermarkets.
4. Always make sure that your travel insurance is paid up before you leave. A hospital visit in a small town could cause any number of complications.
Bearing these few pointers in mind will set you in good stead to enjoy the time you have set aside for whatever kind of holiday you’re planning.
Editor’s Note: This is guest post
