Off-the-beaten-path. Ditch the guidebooks, embrace the uncharted: my recipe for a non tourist couple’s escape.

Let me start out by telling you I am all about the tourist areas, the souvenir shops and seeing what everyone raves about, but not everyone agrees…my wife. So with that being said I wanted to write about the alternative for the couple who wants to get off the beaten path and avoid the tourist traps. 

So with that, it is time to ditch the cookie-cutter itineraries, but hold on lovebirds, before you impulsively book that first excursion, let’s break down how to do this. Remember no generic tourist traps here, only the vibrant local scene. 

So, how do we turn this dream into reality?

Here are 5 tips to make your off-the-beaten-path escape anything but lost:

1. Plan ahead:

Nothing is more frustrating then getting to a new place and you are tired, worn down and starving so you pull out your phone and look on yelp for ideas and end up reading food reviews, and you begin to get “hangry” and neither one of you can decide so you end of going to a national food chain. Scour the internet before hand – look up niche travel blogs, local forums, instagram reels. Remember, these treasures often lurk in places you don’t expect. We all talk about them but we never know where the best “hole in the wall” restaurant is, or where the locals go to grab a bite.

One place my wife has always wanted to go in Savannah, Georgia is the Paula Dean Restaurant The Lady and Son. It is the classic southern flagship restaurant, but it is where all the tourists go. In fact, after a recent tour we took our guide said, “only tourists eat there”. The locals prefer a much smaller place called Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room at the Wilkes House. Do you research and it will pay off.

2. Book a local tour:

Let me explain. There are many tours to pick from on the internet that take you to the same place all found on Get Your Guide. For example if you go to Mexico and visit Cabo San Lucas everyone wants to take you to that most popular arch of Cabo San Lucas just off the coast that looks like something from the movie, Goonies. They will take you out in the busy ocean to weave around the traffic on a glass bottom boat, jet skis, kayak, paddle boards or even a pirate ship which all sound fun, but think local. What if you trade that experience for a local Aztecas Taco Cooking Class. Ditch the pre-packaged tours and seek out the guide doing a small business tour that really loves what they do. Try a local private glassblowing class in Charleston, South Carolina or spooky Jack the Ripper tour at night through the back alleys of London where passionate guides bleed for its hidden corners. These are the experiences that whisper authentic stories, stories only locals truly know.

3. Rise before the tourist rush:

I believe the golden hour belongs to the adventurous! My wife doesn’t agree, and wants to take her time in the morning on vacation. But if you want to be the first to witness the city before the storm of tourist, this is your time. If you want to see the Trevi Fountain in Rome at 9 or 10 am you will have to surf the crowds, but at 6am you can toss in your coin from any spot.

This is your time to eat with the locals as they know the best places to get your jolt of sugar in the morning to get you moving, or just explore the city you are in as the sun emerges. Remember, on vacation the early birds catch the magic of the morning, and the quiet moments often hold the most powerful memories.

4. Embrace the unexpected:

Ditch the rigid itinerary and let curiosity be your compass. Wander down an unmapped alleyway, follow the aroma of freshly baked bread, or strike up a conversation with a friendly local. Remember, the most thrilling adventures often begin with a single “what if?”.

Be ready to let go of the plan and embrace the spontaneous detours, for that’s where the true magic lies. I had the most perfect day planned for my wife in Tuscany. Italy to go explore a new city at sunset and after a fun day of exploring we arrived at our little villa in the rolling vineyard countryside to drop off our bags. My wife couldn’t get over the view and wanted to enjoy the moment. Our plans changed as we watched the sunset over the olive trees and we had a home made meal in the most romantic setting. That is the moment we still talk about. 

5. Capture the moment:

Collect the memories. I use my phone as my way to document what we do, as a way to journal. If you prefer write down the moments in your journey, fill your phone with laughter-filled videos, or capture the city’s essence in a simple phone photo. These are the treasures that will take you back to those moments, even if you have a shy companion. It is funny how we marry our opposites. One always has their phone out capturing the moments and one doesn’t want to be captured in any moment. Tell them tough luck and keep taking videos and photos and those moments will live on long after the fun fades. (What do you do with all those photos or videos after your trip? Click HERE to learn what options you have).

So, empty nesters, ditch the guidebooks, grab your sense of wonder (and please make sure you have some sturdy shoes), and set out to live as the locals do. The secret alleys, hidden markets, and local food vendors await. Remember this is for those who want a new adventure and not a tourist trap. Pass on those busy tours everyone books and chase the authentic stories shared by only by those who truly know the place.