No offense Rick Steves or Lonely Planet, but when I’m planning a trip, I don’t use guidebooks. The thing about them is, everyone is reading the same guidebook. So everyone goes to the same places. And I find that they’re very corporate. They usually just share all the same big ticket attractions and tours that have paid their way in. It’s not the best way to get a complete experience of the destination. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love to visit the popular touristy places when I travel. But I also like to balance it with unique finds or smaller attractions. This way I get a more holistic experience and support smaller businesses. Today I’m sharing the main things I use all the time to plan things to do while traveling to help you get the most out of your next trip.
8 Ways To Plan Things To Do While Traveling (Not Guidebooks)
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
Google Maps
This might be an odd one, but I use Google Maps to find things to do all that time – whether it’s local hikes where I live or things to do in a new destination while traveling.
For travel, I’ll start by searching my hotel on Google Maps. Then I scan the map for what’s in the area. If I find something that looks interesting, I click on it to look at visitor photos and check the reviews.
I’ve found so many interesting places just by doing this, especially restaurants and cafes that are walking distance to my hotel which has been handy.
Another way I use Google Maps is I look for things like landmarks, attractions, points of interest, and viewpoints or lookouts to name a few. The label is not important because they have so many, but I’m looking for things that might be worth visiting.
When I find a lookout or viewing platform, I look at what it’s viewing. Then I might want to go see that thing (not necessarily the lookout point.)
Facebook groups
Another one of my go-to’s is using Facebook groups to find things to do.
I’ve found that looking for local groups for the specific area you will be visiting is more helpful than a broad ‘travel’ group.
This way you get more volume and specific recommendations for where you will be going. The local groups are usually filled with more off the beaten path experiences as opposed to just touristy attractions.
For example, when I was planning a visit to Key Largo recently, I searched Facebook groups for Key Largo first, then broadened out to The Keys and Florida. The Key Largo group I found was super helpful and contained a lot of unique, local things to see and do.
Even if you’re not traveling right now, I recommend looking for some groups for the area where you live. I’m always finding things from ice cream stores to local hikes or local businesses in the groups I’m in for where I live. It’s a free, easy way to help you make the most of wherever you live, not only where you travel to.
Found this local swimming spot in Tuscany after asking my accommodation host for recommendations
Blogs
Obviously, I’m a blogger so I have a little bias with this one. And I truly hope I’ve been able to create blogs that help you plan outings and trips over the years.
Not only do I create blogs though, I also use them as a way to find things to do when I’m planning a trip.
Usually, I will come across a blog either from Pinterest or Google (check the second page of Google since sometimes the first page can be dominated by ads and big company sites). Once I get to the post, I do a quick evaluation to put the content into perspective.
For example, if all the photos are super editorial, staged (things like a flowy dress and floppy hat in a place where it’s not practical e.g. on a long hike) then I keep that in mind because it’s not the way I prefer to travel.
Or if all the content is regurgitated information from travel brochures and no authentic opinions, then I keep that in mind too. Probably a lazy blogger that never left the hotel room to get the first hand experience – what do they really know about the destination?
Perspective is super important to set yourself up to consume the content intelligently. One good example is that when I was planning my trip to Egypt I read a few blogs that talked about how dangerous it is for women and how much harassment they experienced. They said it wasn’t worth going. HOWEVER, in their photos, they were showing a tonne of skin with midriff tops and spaghetti straps etc. in a place where I conservative dress code is highly encouraged. No wonder they had a bad time.
You have to get that perspective and read the content with a bigger picture view, instead of just absorb it blindly.
Once I get a quick perspective check on the blog, then I either click out or take what I might be able to find useful to plan my trip.
Instagram hashtags
Another handy way to find cool places to visit is by searching the destination as a hashtag on Instagram.
For example, if you are planning a visit to the Amalfi Coast, then you might search amalficoast (one word) in the hashtag section on Instagram search. You could even narrow it down to specific towns on the Amalfi Coast, for example #praiano or #positano.
Sometimes in the lead up to the trip I will also follow the hashtag so I see new posts that come up.
The pitfall with this is that sometimes people will use a hashtag for a photo and the photo wasn’t taken at the place they hashtag. This is when people are using related hashtags to grow their reach. For example, the photo might be of Cinque Terre but they use the Amalfi Coast hashtag.
So you will still need to do a little research to check out the places you find in the search. But, I’ve certainly found a lot of cool places as well as new accounts to follow by searching Instagram.
On a Take Walks walking tour in Rome
Walking Tours
Booking a local walking tour can be a great way to visit places that you might not find otherwise. I remember doing one in Lisbon where we ate at all sorts of hole in the wall places that I never would’ve found on my own. I’ve done them in a lot of places though and they’ve always been a great time.
Not only do you get the experience of the places you see on the tour, but you also get the feet on the ground experience of exploring the destination where you might come across places to visit another day in your trip. I’ve also gotten more recommendations from chatting to the tour guide and other people in the tour.
Take Walks is a company I always search first because they keep the tours small and intimate and are great value for money.
I recommend Booking.com for booking accommodation – this is what I use to book my accommodation when I travel and I can always find a good deal there. They also have an experiences tab where you can search for things to do in the destination.
These are not usually the most off the beaten path things to do, but you can get some good ideas to start your planning through this section. You can also find decently priced tours there.
During your trip
Ask locals – servers, hotel staff, tour guides, Uber drivers etc.
If there’s one thing I’m doing when I travel, it’s asking people who live there for recommendations.
The only thing is, don’t be a douchebag and ask when the person is super busy. If there’s a huge line for the front desk staff at the hotel, wait until later. Or if the restaurant is packed, it’s not the time.
But, I’ve gotten so many great recommendations by just talking to people.
Look in hotel pamphlets and book
One of my routines when I first get to my room is to read the little guidebook they usually have. Just to check if they have recommendations that I might like.
There’s usually also an area where they keep pamphlets for local tours which I always scan as well.
Walk with no plan
Lastly, one thing I always do when I travel is to leave time to walk with no purpose. True exploring.
I like to wander a city just to see what I find and where I end up.
I also try to walk as much as possible because when you’re walking you can see more than when you’re whizzing by in a car or bus. If you’re not confident enough yet to walk with no purpose, just walking as your form of transport as much as possible can help you find new things.
Found this cool street while walking without a plan in Lisbon
Other guides you might enjoy
What To Look For When Booking A Hotel – Here’s My Research Process
Travel Diary Ideas – 21 Thoughtful Prompts For Your Travel Journal
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