Travel Like a Local Instead of a Tourist

When I vacation, I like to immerse myself as much as possible in my destination. I know a lot of people find it hard t get into the swing of how things work when they go somewhere new, but it can be the best way to really feel where you are. If you're constantly in your home state of mind, you're never going to get the most of your destination. 

There's quite a difference from embracing a new place and being a traveler and trying to hit everything on your must-do list as a tourist. Doing your research before you leave can certainly help you make the leap.

Go Off the Beaten Path

I love seeing tourist attractions, even in my own city, but I don't want to fill my whole itinerary with them. I enjoy research, so I will spend quite a bit of time looking at all my options. If you aren't into that, keep space in your trip plan to go interesting places. I have asked waiters at restaurants, the renter of my Airbnb, people I've met in line, hotel staff, employees at museums and tour guides. Sometimes I ask which I should do if I could only do one of a few things, sometimes I ask where they like to eat and sometimes I just ask for tips in general. If nothing else, get out of the touristy areas and see new neighborhoods, cafes and shops.

Learn the Language

You don't have to learn everything and be completely fluent, but it helps to learn key phrases that might help you if you're out to eat, shopping or at a museum. People will be impressed you try and want to help you. You have to remember, even though much of the world can speak at least a little English, it doesn't mean you should assume they do. You're in their country, so they aren't there to make you comfortable, just as they wouldn't expect you to know their language if they came to visit America, Canada or the UK. Get a phrase book, a set of Pimsleur CDs or an app on your phone to learn things like "Please", "Thank you", "Where is the bathroom?" "How much?" and "I would like..."

Get a Vacation Rental

Instead of staying a in a hotel with hundreds of other tourists, stay in neighborhoods in apartments, condos and homes. Not only will you get more of a sense of what it's like to live where you visit, but you'll even feel more at home and save money, because you'll have a place that is more lived in and probably has a kitchen and possibly laundry. There's nothing better to me than coming back from a long day of sightseeing and making a snack to eat while watching a movie and doing a bit of laundry. Am I weird? Maybe, but I love feeling like I really live somewhere for a week or two. This leads me to...

Shop the Farmers' Markets and/or Grocery Stores

Because we often stay in rentals and have a kitchen, we plan to make our own breakfasts when we travel. This gives us an excuse to hit up the local grocers for necessities. We've found some unexpected things when we shop and also things we love and bring back home with us. Before we head off anywhere, I check out local markets in the area where I'll be staying or sightseeing. Getting produce that's grown nearby is always awesome, plus you can get handmade goods, foods and even an affordable meal. It's a perfect way to interact with locals and ask them questions about things they make and grow.

Don't Forget to Be Flexible

Not everything is going to go as planned whenever you travel, but don't let those times get you down. You might also find that someone gives you a suggestion that is too awesome to not take. Sure, maybe you were going to go to that Michelin-starred restaurant and then that famous landmark, but instead have the chance to go see some local ruins or go ice skating with new friends and try food from the nearby night market. I like to make daily schedules, so we can get to things we definitely must do, but we aren't so locked in that we can't skip things or move stuff around to do something else instead.

Eat Local

Dining venues near tourist attractions are going to cost more than other restaurants and are generally not that good. There are exceptions, of course, but it's always smart to wander about a little further from your sightseeing. You never know what you might find if you just walk a few blocks away. Look for restaurants that serve up local favorites and you'll save money, but also will probably find some new yummy foods. Not sure how to pick a good place? I go by two rules: If there's a line, you know it's good. Food trucks/carts = win! Some of the best foods I've had in Paris have come from a cart. Some of the worst foods I've had anywhere were because I was too hungry to do any research and ate at the first place that served something edible. This also leads me to a different tip: Always keep snacks on your person, so you don't make a bad decision based on necessity.

Ask Facebook Friends

Chances are you have some international friends on social media you may not have met in real life, but can give you great tips for your upcoming trips. I have done this several times, asking for suggestions from my friend in Vancouver BC for my 12-hour layover or sending questions about a friend's recent trip to a place I'm headed to. This can also be a good chance for you to meet up with your previously unmet friends and you can let them show you around their favorite places when you get there. Not only will it be fun, but you'll see something less touristy than you would if you just went by our guide book.

Get Lost

I'm fantastic at getting lost, but instead of seeing it as a curse, I use it as an opportunity. Some of the coolest things we've done are because we stumbled upon them when making a wrong turn or getting off at the incorrect stop. Just as many times as we rent cars, we rely on walking and public transportation. Going at your own pace can afford you the chance to see things you wouldn't if you took a cab and stayed on the main thoroughfares. It also lets you meet people when you have to stop and ask for directions or pop into a cute little cafe for a bite or a cup of coffee. 

What are some of your best tips for being a traveler instead of a tourist?

Review: BauBax Travel Bomber

When I travel, I always take a coat with me. I mean, unless I'm in Vegas in the summertime, there's almost always an occasion to use one, especially on the plane. BauBax has created the ultimate travel jacket for you and it comes in several different styles. Their most popular is a hoodie and it may very well become your favorite over your current favorite now. With that in mind, I asked to try the more structured bomber jacket, which has a heavier fabric and is waterproof.

The bomber, just like the hoodie, comes with 15 different functions that are unique and all very useful when traveling, whether you're on a plane, train, bus, or even just heading to a festival in your hometown. The jacket features 9 pockets, all of which have a function. 

The design of the bomber is a bit more form-fitting and runs a bit small. I seemed to be in between sizes, and I chose the large, which fit just a little loose, but will be perfect for layering, especially in the winter and fall and sweaters are necessary. I like my jackets to be a little roomy, especially if I'll be using it instead of a purse, which you can certainly do with this one.

Now, I'm short, 5' 1", and this hits me right at mid-hip. If you're taller, it may hit you at your waist. I think it's a comfortable fit and keeps all the important stuff warm.

The bomber has these lovely built-in gloves that I love. Usually, only outdoor clothing features these, but they really help in keeping your hands warm. It also has hand warmer pockets, lined in this same fabric, to help you stay warm even when outside for long periods. If you don't want to use them, they can easily be pushed back into your sleeves. 

Let's get to the other awesome pockets this jacket has. There are 5 on the inside: 

1. On the top left you'll find a sunglasses pocket. This also has a fun loop to hang your glasses on when you want them to use them more often than not.
2. Below that pocket is a much larger one that will hold your tablet. You're going to use it on the plane, so why leave it in your bag? This pocket zips, meaning it won't accidentally fall out when you're reaching down to put your bag under the seat. 
3. On the other side on the top, you have a zipper pocket for your phone. You'll see that there are loops along the jacket, so you can keep your earbuds from jumbling up in a pocket, plus they are out of the way, coming up behind your back and hanging over your shoulders by your ears. You won't get all tangled in the cord, nor will you need to search for them when you want to listen to a movie or music.
4. Below that you have two more slip pockets. The first is for your battery back-up.
5. The second is for a travel blanket, because you still gotta think about your legs on a cold flight.

Your pocket for your glasses also comes with an attached glass cloth. Now you don't have to use your shirt to get clearer vision. That's pretty awesome, right?

Aside from your two handwarming pockets, the outside of the bomber has two additional pockets. There is a zipper pocket that's the perfect size for your passport. In fact, you could keep more than one in there if you're the responsible one in charge of keeping all the important things safe. Or, when you're out and about, this is where I would keep my Metro Card, or my city pass, or my theme park ticket, or some spare cash for purchasing small items. Anything you need handy that you're going to use multiple times.

The last pocket is a snap pocket that can double as a drink holder. A small water bottle or a soda can will fit snugly inside. If you're sleeping on the plane, you won't have to worry about spillage, since the pocket keeps your drink upright. It's also nice for walking around, because it lets you keep your hands free.

The hood of this jacket zips off if you're not expecting rain and you don't want it attached. I think more coats should have this option, because sometime a hood just gets in the way. You'll also see that there's a button in the middle. That button keeps your neck pillow in place (though you might find this a bit bulky and annoying and want to stash it in one of the other pockets). 

The cool thing about this neck pillow, besides how lovely and soft the fabric is, is that it hides the inflation hole in a zipper compartment. It also inflates with just two or three puffs and then deflates with a push of your finger. Nobody likes being that person who sounds like they're dying trying to inflate their pillow, or the one who has to start deflating it under their arm 20 minutes before the flight is over. 

I also like that there are snaps on the front, so you don't have to worry about it falling off when you move. 

And now let's get to the totally unnecessary bonus that BauBax added, because they are cool people who know what people need during a flight: A stylus that is also a telescoping pen that clips onto your zipper with a tiny caribiner. That's crazy rad! 

Closed, the stylus is small and non-intrusive at all. Use it for your phone or tablet and then use the pen when you want to do the crossword or have to fill in those annoying customs forms. 

This jacket isn't just great for the plane and keeping all your electronics contained, but it's also fantastic when out sightseeing. You don't need to carry a purse if you don't want to and you always have a place to put smaller purchases, eliminating the need to carry a bag around all day with you. That makes it extra eco-friendly now, doesn't it? 

Not only is the bomber very useful, but it's great looking and won't target you as a tourist either. That's exactly the kind of clothing you want with you on a vacation. In fact, this may become your new favorite jacket, whether you're traveling or not.

Additional details

Where can I buy it? On the BauBax website, but there is a new Kickstarter campaign to get in on the 2.0 which will have even more and cooler features!

How much is it? $179.99 for the bomber, but the hoodie and windbreaker are $149 for either men's or women's sizes.

What colors does it come in? Bomber Blue (shown) | Black | Bomber Red (shown at top)

Other specs: 100% polyester, machine washable (don't forget to remove the stylus and the neck pillow), BauBax ships worldwide!

Loving the innovation of BauBax? Keep up with them on social media:

Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Disclaimer: I was provided with the BauBax travel bomber for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Review: Coolmesh II Tab Sock from Wrightsock

As a frequent traveler, and frequent buyer of new travel shoes, I am not a stranger to blisters. Let me tell you, getting a blister from walking all day makes walking all day like torture. It's the worst when all you can think about is how terrible your feet feel and wish you could just cut them off and get new ones. 

Since you only have one pair of feet, you're going to want to treat them better when you travel and Wrightsock has you covered, literally. Their performance socks were designed for runners and hikers, and makes them ideal for travelers who maybe do those things on vacation, or just walk several miles a day sightseeing like I do. 

Wrightsock realized that travelers loved their socks as much as athletic folks, when they found out a good portion of them were purchasing them from their local outdoor store. I'll be honest. I always thought it was my shoes that were the problem. While that might be partly the issue (they either fit incorrectly, don't have good arch support, or haven't been broken in properly), since I've been wearing these socks, I've found that my socks (or lack of) maybe have played a big role in my hurty feet. 

Wrightsock guarantees no blister in all of their stocks and styles. Well, who can say no to that? If you get a blister or are unsatisfied for any reason, they have a 100% money-back or replacement sock guaranteed. I had to try them for myself and went home from the Travel Goods Show with several pair to test out. I enjoy these ankle socks, because they work with all my walking shoes and it doesn't matter what color they are, because they barely show. Also, see that ribbing around the middle of my foot? That's a stabilizer zone that keeps the sock from sliding all over like other socks can do. Genius!

All the other ankle socks I've had have either rubbed on the back of my heel or have just given up and scrunched under my heel, which is the absolute worst! As you can see, these socks don't show with my shoes that I wear for work (where I am constantly walking back and forth in a warehouse and lifting boxes). 

Not only that, but they have that nifty notch for my ankle bone, so it eliminates friction there as well. As you can see, they go along the natural line of the shoe and the line of your foot. Runners won't end up with scrunch or slouch, and walkers won't either. Your foot stays nice and dry, no matter how much activity you are engaging in too, because the sock is comprised of mostly Dri-WRIGHT, which wicks the moisture from your foot. My feet don't sweat at all, and when it is cold, they keep the heat in. 

Wrightsock uses a double layer system, so it's like you're wearing two pair of socks. These two layers are knit together at the ankle and toe, but are free within the rest of the sock, which is what give it its blister-free feature. These two layers also release moisture and excess heat; two things that also will cause blisters.

You don't just have the option of buying the ankle sock in varying classic colors, though they do come in the fun pink as shown at the top and a blue that is just as vibrant, but they have taller socks as well. In fact, I came home with a pair of pink striped crew socks as well, and they are just as awesome, but keep my ankles warm (though not too warm) in the cold weather we're still having. So, whether you want to wear them for running, hiking, sightseeing or everyday use, these socks won't let you down. I've only been wearing them for the last two weeks and I have not been disappointed. I think Eric is going to love his on our trip to Vegas in July, so I should probably order him a few more pairs. 

Have you been looking for a good pair of travel socks? If so, I think we have a winner!

More details:

Where can I buy them? Purchase at Wrightsock website, your local REI or Amazon

How much are they? $13+, depending on the style. The Coolmesh II Tab I'm wearing is $13.

What colors do they come in? All the classics and a bunch of fun colors and stripes as well. 

What else do I need to know? Come in sizes to fit size 4 in women's up to men's 14 (US), made in the U.S., mix of Dri-WRIGHT, nylon and lycra. 

Love what they're doing? Check out Wrightsock online: Facebook | Twitter

Disclaimer: I was provided with several pairs of Coolmesh II Tab socks for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.