Tips For Your Next City Escape

Make the most of your City Escape

Here’s some handy tips to help you navigate your city vacay so you can get into the groove quickly and get the most out of your stay. Whether you’re visiting your own city, another city in your own country or going international (when travel bans are lifted) it’s only natural to want to see and experience it all. These tips can help you streamline your plans making the most of your time, get some downtime and return home feeling like you’ve had a break, relaxed and refreshed, ready to plan your next adventure!

At the end of the day whether you like to be organised or a freestyler, experience your city escape your way, in your own time.

Winging it - Don’t over plan
When organising your trip it pays to jump online and check out some must see and dos that interest you (tours, attractions, cool eateries, trending bars, the latest shows etc), their locations from each other and prioritise your faves. This will help you create a rough plan and maximise your time so you aren’t running all over the place unnecessarily. Picking a few options, taking into account the length of your stay, will allow you time to get the feel of your chosen city rather than racing against the clock trying to see and do everything.

Take the City Bus
If you are short on time and want to get the feel of the city centre quickly then jump on a city bus. Most cities have a (free or cheap) bus that does a loop around the city centre, allowing you to see the city’s attractions and hop on, hop off to explore when and where you like. It’s also a great way to gauge where everything is so you can revisit places during your stay to explore at your own pace. Check with your accommodation for bus locations or jump online for info.

Free Walking Tours
Want to get out and about at a grass roots level? Consider a walking tour. Walking tours have gained popularity in recent years and you’ll find that many cities offer different types of free (or cheap) walking tours, from history, attractions, architecture, street art and foodie tours to name a few, so there’s bound to be one that suits your interests. It’s also a great way to mix with the locals, get some street smarts and gain the insider local knowledge on other cool places to hit up.

Not all who wander are Lost… or are they?
Not a fan or organised tours? Then get lost. Literally. Go for a wander in any direction and see where you end up. You may accidently stumble across some hidden gems or an experience so amazing it becomes one of the highlights of your stay. On one trip Rome, while waiting for an overnight train to Milan, we wandered the city for hours, finding secret little piazzas with ornate fountains, hole-in-the-wall trattorias full of amazing music, food & wine and beautiful ruins tucked away down cobbled stone streets, eventually finding our way back in time to catch our train. It was an unplanned, amazing night and one of my favourite visits to the city. Pro Tip: If you are in an unfamiliar city and are concerned about safety in certain areas, check with the reception/concierge desk/visitors centre to get a heads up before heading out.

Get high
Who doesn’t love the high life every now and then and what better way to see the whole city scape than from above? With so many buildings offering amazing vistas from viewing decks, restaurants and rooftop bars (now you’re talking!) it’s a fantastic way to get a different perspective on the city you’re in, to see it sprawling out in front of you in all its glory, by day or by night.

Foodie Heaven
Eat where the locals eat. Restaurants on the tourist strips cater for just that, tourists, which is fine if you want the usual fare or you’re short on time, but if you really want to get to know the local cuisine head off the beaten path a bit, or ask a local where they love to eat. Visit the local markets to really get a feel for the food of the region and sample something you’ve never tried before. It doesn’t have to be an extreme choice (at a night market in Koh Samui my partner once ate a whole bag of fried crickets “just because” needless to say I didn't kiss him for 2 days...) but it’s always fun to try something new. Anyways, you get the gist… Pro Tip: There’s some great apps around such as Fork that offer deals on various restaurants in cities all over the world so you can get a great meal at a great price.

People Watch
Slow down and watch the world go by. Whether you’re enjoying a morning coffee at a trendy café, having a long lazy lunch at a chic eatery, or a few drinks at that cool bar you got told about, people watching is a great way to tap into the rhythm and hum of the city you’re in. It’s also a great way to take the time to relax and unwind during your stay, you are on holidays after all.

 Other Tips:

Think Comfort
Make sure you pack comfortable shoes especially if you are going to be on your feet all day. Shoes that can cope with changing weather or shoes that can take you from day to night are a great way to multi task with minimal space in your luggage. Pack a few layers of clothing to deal with weather changes throughout the day. Check out our great range of Outerwear with fab finds for any weather here.
Take a Day Pack or a Cross Body Bag
If you’re heading out exploring for the day pack some essentials in an easy to carry a cross body bag or backpack with enough space for the basics (water, phone, purse, umbrella and so on). It’s always a good idea to have a hard copy of the city map in case you lose reception and a portable power pack in case you run out of charge on your phone). Keep it lightweight. Check out our range of cross body bags here and view our range of organic hemp Sativa bags, just made for day tripping and travelling without the bulk here.
Fuel Up
Get in a decent breakfast before heading out so that you have lots of energy for exploring and you’re not spending half your day getting hangry and looking for a place to eat. Invest in a hold/cold insulated drink bottle to use for your cuppa or a cold drink (win win) while you're on the move. All our drink bottles keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold so one bottle will do it all, check out our range here. Also, with plastic straws and utensils banned now (yay!) grab one of these handy travel utensil sets to pop in your bag so you'll never be caught short.
Relax and Have Fun!
You’re on holidays so live it up and enjoy every moment your way!