Visiting a new local or international city comes with excitement, a sense of adventure, and so many new things to see and do. However, it can be overwhelming when you don’t know where to begin or the best way to traverse its grounds. We’ve created the ultimate need-to-know guide for tourists looking to explore new cities. From savouring new international cuisine to finding the best selfie-worthy spots, the world is your oyster. Keep reading below for our ultimate guide on what you need to know when visiting the next big city on your travel bucket list.
1. Join a Local Tour Group
One of the best ways to familiarise yourself with foreign land (or cities, in this case), is to join a local walking tour. While you may be apprehensive about it because of the fear of seeming too ignorant or “tourist-y,” the pros outweigh the cons. Walking tours give you the chance to not only meet new like-minded people but also come across the best local hot spots, as well as more budget-friendly stops for shopping and leisure (besides the typical tourist destinations, of course).
2. Kickstart Your Adventure By Choosing 1 Landmark
Foreign land can very quickly confuse even the best geography expert! That’s why we recommend picking a central landmark as your basecamp from which to explore the city’s biggest and best attractions. All roads eventually lead to home, so decide on a landmark that is well-known in the area. You can even go the extra mile by taking a picture of it for reference purposes! This way, you can always ask a local to assist you if you get lost.
3. Harness the Power of Hashtags
Cities like Paris and Dubai have so much to see and explore, making it difficult to narrow them all down or squeeze them into one trip! Utilise the power of social media and hashtags to pick out the trending spots in a city that may be creating a current buzz among locals and tourists alike. Trust us, you wouldn’t be the first person to make use of this smart tactic.
4. Get Travel Insurance
While it isn’t always mandatory when visiting certain countries, travel insurance can offer you the ultimate peace of mind at a time when you should be relaxing more and stressing less. Allianz Travel offers a variety of comprehensive travel insurance packages to clients trekking the globe, whether that be in the Middle Eastern desertscape or the sandy shores of the Maldives. With the right travel insurance, you can enjoy coverage for emergency medical situations, delayed or cancelled flights, and more. Learn more about our product offering and services here.
5. Start with One Part of the City at a Time
New cities can be intimidating when you don’t know where to begin. We recommend creating a shortlist of specific landmarks or locations you’d like to see, then spending a few hours (or a full day, if you can) tackling each area of the city. This way, you’ll be able to really immerse yourself in the culture and heritage while taking in your surroundings in the best way possible.
6. Snap as Many Pictures as Possible
For many of us, visiting must-see destinations only happens once in a lifetime. Even if you get to do it time and again, the experience is never quite the same as the first time. So, be sure to take as many pictures of natural scenery, trendy spots and “wow-factor” moments as possible during your trip. Plus, taking pictures along the way also serves as a welcome reminder during those moments when you can’t find your way back home!
About Allianz Travel and Allianz Assistance
Allianz Travel has over 30 years of experience in offering first-class services and products to tourists from around the globe. Our global headquarters are based in Paris, but we also have regional offices in more than 28 countries worldwide. Allianz Travel and Allianz Assistance is the largest travel insurance and assistance company in the world, providing end-to-end travel insurance solutions to those in need.
If you are considering a trip to a particular city or country and are looking for travel insurance, get in touch with us today to learn more about our products and services.
Disclaimer: certain parts of this blog post have been repurposed from original content posted on a blog post by The Design Tourist.
