Traveling can be overwhelming. I totally get it! How do you go somewhere new, especially a foreign country, and not feel like a tourist? Here are couple tips I thought could help you avoid looking like a tourist 🙂

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-Don’t have your camera around neck at all times, and ditch the giant backpack. Nothing screams tourist like having on a big ol’ backpack. Try a messenger bag or a bigger tote purse that blends in a little more. Of course you want to take photos of the beautiful new place you’re in, but try keeping your camera packed away for some of the time. Plus, it’ll give you a time to actually enjoy and really take in the place you’re exploring.

-Learn a few phrases of the language. You don’t have to be fluent in a new language to travel somewhere, but learn of few basic sayings if you can. Especially greetings. In most major cities you’ll find people that speak English, but it’s much more courteous if you at least make an effort to greet locals in their own language. We expect people here to speak our language, shouldn’t we try to learn theirs when we’re in their hometown?

-Keep an eye on the clothes in the place you’re going. Research what’s in style for that city and for the season that you’re going. AKA say no to the light jeans and white tennies. You don’t want to wear anything that will draw attention to you.

-Ask around for local hang outs/eateries. Go off the beaten path a bit and find restaurants where the locals hang out. Pro tip: if there are photos on the menu there’s a 99% chance that it’s a tourist trap with not so great food. That also means higher prices too.

-Try not to flash cash. Don’t carry all your cash at once when you’re out in the city, and avoid taking out wads of money when you’re going to pay for something.

-Take public transportation if you can. Besides the fact that private cars and taxis are expensive, taking public transportation will give you more of the local experience.

So tell me, what are some other ways we can not stick out as tourists when we travel?? Don’t forget to check out some of my must haves below!