For a traveler who’s in search of an interesting adventure in a foreign city, it’s not always good to stick to a detailed itinerary. Sometimes, the best part of your vacation may be that unplanned detour you take down a small alley, or a little mishap that took you miles away from your supposed destination. For avid travelers, getting lost in an unfamiliar city is just the thing you need to turn a normal day into a fun filled adventure. Whether or not it’s a big city or a small town, getting lost is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local setting. Not knowing what to expect, you’re more observant of your surroundings, you’re more inclined to approach local residents and ask them for directions, and you’re also more likely to chance upon a city’s well kept secret that hasn’t quite made it yet into travel brochures.
If you’re up for it, grab your bags, leave the map at home, and get ready to dive into a foreign city on your next holiday. For ideas on where you can let yourself loose, here are a couple of places you might like to check out. Good luck!
New York, U.S.A.
The streets in the Big Apple may not be as chaotic as the others on our list, and it may not seem as exotic compared to our other destinations. But we think there is simply something about New York that makes it such a nice city to wander around in. Obviously, main tourist spots such as Times Square and Museum of Natural History serve as interesting diversions, but it also helps that this city is really meant to be explored on foot. If you feel like resting or a bit, you can hang around in one of the pretty parks you’re bound to come across. If you go on long enough, you’ll reach Little Italy and Little China where you can choose to have pizza or noodles for lunch.
Venice, Italy
The criss-crossing canals, streets and bridges of Venice make this city into a real life maze of sorts, which is an idea setting for a curious traveler like yourself ready for a day’s worth of exploring. First off, the streets are often narrow and seem to go about in circles; to make matters more complicated, not all of these alleyways have names. Next, there are numerous blind corners that could lead to pretty much anything, and the only way to discover what lies around the corner is to actually see for yourself. The bridges in the city are also often identical, which could easily fool first timers in the city.
But one thing that this city has going for itself, despite its relatively chaotic layout is its undeniable beauty. Walking along the canal bank, you come across gondolas ferrying couples on their honeymoon getaway and beautifully colored buildings one after another. Take a turn at a random corner and you find yourself in the middle of a beautiful square with pigeons flying all over the place. The architecture of the bridges and buildings alone is enough to keep you occupied and staring at awe the whole day.
It also helps that the locals in this city are a friendly bunch. It doesn’t matter if you know zero Italian or that not all of them speak English; a lot of the people you will meet along the way are willing to point out the best café in the area. If you’re lucky, you might even be invited for a quick bite!
Wandering around Venice with no particular purpose in mind will in no way be boring or turn your day into a waste. There are numerous shops located all over the city where tourists can shop and chance upon great finds. At Calle Vallaresso, ladies will have a hard time restraining themselves in handbag heaven; cigar cases and other leather good can be found at Calle de le Ostreghe; and for the traveling musician who’s in the city for a little inspiration, a flute can be had at Cannaregio.
Manila, Philippines
We’ve observed that travelers by nature are an adventurous bunch. There is no place that is too far, no food that is too exotic, and anything is worth trying at least once. Getting lost in Manila then, is definitely the way to go for an adventurous traveler.
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and is home to many historical and cultural sites. There are many modes of transportation available to the public such as the numerous jeepneys plying the streets, buses, tricycles, motorcycles, and bicycles. Unlike its neighboring countries which have organized public transportation systems, knowing which jeepney to take in Manila is something that takes time to master, as jeepney stops are pretty rare, and not all of them follow the same route.
The best way to know if you’re boarding the right jeep is to ask the driver first if your destination is in his route before getting on. You do have the option of walking, but it’s not always recommended in a place where a popular habit of motorists and pedestrians is to weave in and out of traffic. In reality, confusing system actually has an upside: without designated stops, you can actually ask the driver to drop you off practically anywhere you want. Not all of the streets here have names, and a lot of main streets lead to small alleyways, but we find that this is the best way to test one’s navigational skills (especially since a detailed map of the city has yet to be put on Google Earth!).
A good way to get to know the city is to board a jeep and get down at a random spot; from there, you can go on foot and do a bit of exploring. There are plenty of places to shop in the city starting from flea markets to big, commercial shopping malls. You can get anywhere here from jewelry to electronics to clothes, furniture, jewelry, etcetera.
Food lovers who claim they’re willing to eat anything can test their palates and stomachs by trying the fare from food vendors at practically every street corner. Common street food like hotdogs can be found here, but don’t forget the chicken innards, ice cream sandwiches, sweet tofu, day old chicks and fresh fruit. You can wash that down with the refreshing fruit shakes that come in an assortment of colors.
Here, you will find old Spanish houses located near colorful Chinese temples. Churches are built across the street from mosques; carriages can still be found making their way around the city streets; and almost everyone you meet is friendly and hospitable.
London, United Kingdom
Ever wondered what it would be like if London didn’t have the tube? Well, we’ve tried going around the city neglecting the trains completely and lo and behold, we found it to be quite extraordinary. When it comes to global tourism, London doesn’t really need to do much to get attention, especially since it has been enjoying a steady stream of tourists for years and years. But going around on foot and getting a first hand feel of one of the most popular cities in the world is something that we think every traveler to London should try.
Since London is relatively small compared to other major cities in other countries, visiting the major attractions such as the Big Ben and Buckingham Palace shouldn’t be a problem. Along the way, you are sure to come across beautiful squares and charming churchyards that are also ideal places to stop by and have a look. Today, this place has also become a melting pot for many different cultures which has definitely transformed its image.
The old and the new can be found sitting side by side in this city. One minute you’re taking pictures in front of a structure that was built decades ago, and the next minute you’re up on the London Eye getting one of the best views of the city.
Varanasi, India
If you want to get lost in a city, you might as well pick one that has a rich history and culture that you can learn and take home with you. Varanasi’s 3,000 year history oozes out of the unruly tangle of the city streets which certainly make for an interesting journey. Actually, getting lost in this city is pretty easy as the streets don’t follow any definite grid or pattern. There are buildings everywhere you look, not to mention people as well.
This city will have no trouble winning over travelers who like to get lost and are up for anything. Cobblestone streets may not be the most comfortable surface to walk on, but they sure give off lots of charm. Aside from the hordes of people walking all over the place, you can also expect a cow to block your way every now and then. Those who like to take their time can browse inside any of the numerous stores lining the streets. You can get pretty much anything from silk saris to sweets.
Varanasi is considered by the Hindus as a holy city, which would account for the abundance of temples in the area. The brightly colored Durga Temple is one of the more popular ones; constructed around the 18th century, it is also known as Monkey Temple. Inside the Bharat Mata Temple, a map of India made entirely out of real marble can be found. Shiva is honored in the Kashi Vishnawah Temple, while the Annapurna temple pays homage to Devi Annapurna also known as the goddess of food and nourishment. Hindus from all over India travel to this city to bathe in the Ganges River as part of their religious custom, which would explain the large number of people bathing in the river. You might even say that walking around the city can actually be a learning experience about Hinduism.
Tokyo, Japan
It’s hard not to be bewildered when you’re roaming the streets of Tokyo without a clue as to where you want to go. Everything seems fresh, new, exciting and different. After all, where else can you find a vending machine that offers fresh ramen? When you’re here, the best thing to do is to abandon all intentions of a structured, well thought-out itinerary and just go where fate takes you; otherwise, simply follow the blinking lights that can lead to pretty much anything: arcades, stores, restaurants, and even baths.
What’s so great about Tokyo is that it never seems to have a down time. The city is always pulsating and buzzing with energy. Finding yourself in a sea of people all of whom seem to look like they’re rushing to go somewhere is an exciting thing indeed. And if you’ll notice, even the locals themselves always seem to look hip and have a bit of pizzazz. While waiting for the traffic light to change, red-haired teens in platform sneakers stand next to businessmen in expensive-looking suits.
When you get tired, how about stepping into a restaurant and sample some sushi or sashimi? And if the mood takes you, how about belting out a song or two at a local karaoke bar?
Istanbul, Turkey
Travelers who want to really know Istanbul should take a closer look at this city beyond the expensive hotels and the rug merchants. Once you do this, you will soon discover that you’re in one of the most captivating cities there is. You can take a journey outside of the main tourist center and make your way to the hills. By then, your toned legs and exercised heart will thank you for the wonderful view. Numerous shops selling and serving tea can be found; don’t be afraid to sit down to a glass of tea and quench your thirst.
Spending time in Istanbul also gives you access to dishes based on ancient recipes all the way from the Ottoman Empire. You can sample some sheep intestine stuffed with rice, tasty kebabs, and even perhaps some kubbes, the local dumplings.
No comments:
Post a Comment