Tourist Attractions

If you ask most travellers where they want to go, they’ll express a desire to get away from it all and go off the beaten track and find somewhere unique.

This is a wonderful sentiment, but don’t overlook the classics either. The reason that tourist attractions become that way in the first place is that they are interesting, easy to access and often hard to beat. You may stumble across a hidden gem on your travels sometimes, but you can waste a lot of precious time looking!

The drawback to tourist attractions is that they can be surrounded by tacky or overpriced memorabilia, or in some cases, an abundance of locals trying to make a quick buck out of the tourists. You may have to be more forceful than you would normally be in another country when dealing with street vendors. Never allow yourself to feel pressured into a purchase. The easiest thing to do is to be clear and brief. Do not be drawn into discussions.

Keep your wits about you and when it comes to buying souvenirs, think long and hard. Would you rather spend money on an overpriced t-shirt, keyring or mug, or take plenty of photos and save your money for more important purchases (glass of wine anyone?)

Be proud to be a tourist – take the silly photos, make the most of every moment you have on your trip – chances are it has taken a long time to plan and budget for – enjoy yourself!

Ask for local advice on the best time of day to visit – do tour buses arrive at the same time every day? It might be an idea to avoid that. Are there special entry prices later in the day? Do you need to take a guide with you? Will you need to know anything else – appropriate dress code, customs, ability to take photos or video – and the like.

There is a real rush in arriving at a classic destination that has been featured in movies or moments in history. Don’t miss out on the quintessential travel experiences just for the sake of being different.

If you are planning to head off the beaten track, even in a tourist city, again, get information from the locals – are some areas safer than others at various times of the day? Will tourists travelling along be a target for unscrupulous vendors? Are there certain foods to avoid eating from a street vendor?

Your travel advisor may also be able to help point out any common issues faced by travellers to certain places. Never be too proud to ask for advice – it may save you in the long run!