Rachel Felder, the author of Insider London, shares some advice about how you can get the most from your trip by thinking like an insider.
Take (good) advice:
When you’re travelling, it’s tempting to simply Google the name of your destination and see what comes up. But that’s just too general to be reliable, and doesn’t point you towards the type of vivid and unique experiences that really make travelling special. I rely instead on tips from people I know and trust, and also check out local blogs (especially ones focused on food and design) and newspapers online. I also never hesitate to ask people I come across while I’m travelling who seem to have a similar sensibility as mine–restaurant waitstaff, boutique owners, art gallery owners–about where they like to go. My goal with both Insider London and Insider Brooklyn was to put those in-the-know spots that can take some detective work to find into one easy place.
Veer off-course:
I always travel with a list of places to check out–a new cafe, galleries, a quirky little boutique tucked on a quiet side street–but also make sure to allow time to just wander and explore. A few of the spots in both my Insider books were found this way; sometimes you just uncover some beautiful architecture to quickly look at that way, but usually somewhere wonderful to spend more ample time appears. Some cities particularly lend themselves to this type of discovery, like Barcelona and Paris; I love to explore in the country too, sometimes crossing paths (literally!) with a cow, sheep, or deer.
Stay off the tourist track:
To get a really accurate taste of a place, head away from the city centre and its hotels and landmarks. I always look for residential neighborhoods, as well as the area near universities, where there are pretty much always small, vibey cafes and shops aimed at the students who are based nearby. Sometimes these are neighborhoods that are evolving–like Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, which has ad an influx of new residents over the past few years–but they’re often established and elegant, just not magnets for anyone but locals (which is part of what makes them great!)
Head to the market:
My favourite places to shop when travel are open-air markets, sometimes for food, sometimes for vintage or crafty finds. These are ideal places to find the freshest ingredients and most inventive, delicious meals to go, and truly unique items to buy. They’re also usually packed with locals and offer a much more colorful shopping experience than what you’d get at a more formal department store or supermarket.
Spiff up your journey:
Travelling isn’t just about what you do at your destination, but the journey itself, which can be stressful in the age of budget airlines, delayed flights, and liquids crammed in a see-through plastic bag. I always bring a few small indulgences to make the trip more enjoyable. Quality tea bags are always in my carry-on, for example, since a perfect cuppa seems to make even the smallest airplane seat feel a lot more comfortable. I also travel with lots of snacks, including almonds, granola (to snack on or sprinkle over yogurt), and often a sandwich stuffed with something that doesn’t need refrigeration, like avocado slices or peanut butter. A cozy pair of socks and soft scarf are also ideal to bring along. And noise-reducing headphones make a huge difference–I wear them on the tube and New York subway, long haul flights, and everything in between.
Insider London by Rachel Felder £16.99