Uncertainty tends to fuel anxiety, so your best friend can be planning. The more planning you can do to solidify details, the easier it may be for you to ease your anxiety. Do your research on the destination, book your accommodations and transportation ahead of time, and prepare a loose itinerary. It will also help you to have confirmations saved in either an app, like TripIt, or in Google Drive.
The more you learn the less space there is for a worry about the unknown. Review how to get to your hotel from the airport, for instance, or find out what customs/local antics you can expect to have prior to arrival. The more you are able to prepare, the less your worry about what will occur once you arrive.
Don’t forget to allow time to wander without a plan. This is one of the best ways to to find some hidden gems. Take time to walk off the main thoroughfare and check out side streets and lesser-known areas. Look for small, independently-owned restaurants or unusual shops or landmarks that didn’t make any of the travel guides or tourist maps. Finding little hidden gems is also the benefit of public transportation. You may have the same destination as tourists, but the experience of travel on the bus or train makes them feel more authentic. Stay curious, be open, and you’ll probably discover new things you never expected.
Finding hidden gems while traveling adds a bit of magic to your trip by helping you to find unique experiences that are removed from the tourist path. Ditch the guidebooks and start with local sources first. Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and others can be gems as well—you can search hashtags for your destination or search for geotags. Reddit, other niche travel forums, and local websites can also yield threads or recommendations and/or locals or seasoned travelers who have designated off-the-beaten-path recommendations. Be sure to ask locals for recommendations whether it be hotel staff, taxi drivers, or people you trailer—they have insights on all the best-kept secrets back home.
Finally, think about the time of year when you explore. Many of the hidden gems tend to be special because they aren’t on everybody’s Christmas list, so to speak. Try to explore early in the morning or during shoulder and off-peak seasons, before everybody else arrives. And respect the hidden gems you do find— patronize the local businesses and work to maintain the original charm of the places for everyone who finds them. Once you fall outside the traditional itinerary and embrace the spontaneity of travel, you will find a side of a destination that is yours alone.