I know a lot of people who vow they won’t ever go back to the same destination twice (or more) because they’d rather explore a new one. On the flip side, I know people that go back to the same place every year because they love it that much. I’m somewhere in the middle. I always love a new place, but I have a fondness for certain countries that make it tough to pass up a visit there (ahem… Italy, I’m talking about you).

I’m a person who loves to explore and learn. New experiences are paramount in making my trip fulfilling. So it’s difficult when I travel to a destination and my travel companions, who have never been there, want to visit the same cities and sites that I’ve seen numerous times. Before I go any further, I’ll admit that I realize saying “oh, not the Coliseum again! I’ve seen it so many times” makes me sound like horrendous travel snob. There’s a reason for this – in some ways, I probably am. I’m lucky in that I make my living planning travel, that I’ve been traveling the world since I was 16, and that I’ve had the opportunity to visit six continents. So yes, there are repeats and yes, I may begrudge them at times. Still, it’s not fair to my traveling companions to say “sure we can take a trip to Italy, but we can’t visit Rome, Florence or Venice, or if we have to we can’t see the Coleseum, the Vatican, the David statue or St. Mark’s Square.” If I do this, I’ve pretty much shot down every reason they had for taking the trip in the first place.

Therefore, I’ve learned a few tricks throughout my travels on how to experience an old destination “for the first time”. Obviously, it’s not the same as exploring somewhere completely new, but it helps bridge that gap between never revisiting a place and feeling short-changed when you head to a repeat location.

Walking across flooded platforms in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice.

• Travel during a different time of year, if possible. I’ve been to Italy in every season (Italy is my most visited country, for the record), and each the various times of year have added a distinctive element to my trip. I have celebrated Easter in Pisa in the spring, cooled off with entirely too many gelatos in the August heat in Rome, and enjoyed all of the fall seasons’ gastronomic offerings in Bologna in the fall.

• Take part in a class or local activity. This might be a market tour or wine tasting, a surfing lesson, a tour of a nearby (non-touristy) village given by a local, or anything else that doesn’t involve traditional tourist sites. You may have to do this by yourself or with others that have already seen the “top 10 attractions”, but it’s ok to not do everything together all the time.

Sculpture work on a bridge right near my apartment in Philadelphia.

• Take advantage of your camera. If you’ve ever walked around your hometown and taken pictures, you probably see the advantage here. Looking at places through a lens, especially a creative or artistic one, can give a whole new perspective – literally. I can’t count the number of times I used my zoom lens on a building and details that I never knew were there. Playing with lighting, shutter speed and various lenses (if you have an SLR) can all add to the experience. Now you’re looking for “what would make an interesting shot” as opposed to “here’s a cheesy picture of me in front of the Roman Forum”.

• If you’re in a city, and it’s deemed safe, take a night tour (a privately guided option is my personal favorite). This might sound silly, but it’s amazing the different vibe a city can give off at night. The lighting alone can completely change the feel of a city. In addition, night tours may focus on different features of the city.

Orsay Museum in Paris - All impressionistic art

• Find an “out of the ordinary” museum. Sure, it’s possible you’ve been to every museum in a city, but it’s pretty unlikely. Find something that isn’t on the tourist radar, or one that you’d not traditionally head to, but that offers something different. I’ve lived in/near Philadelphia for the better part of my life, and I probably haven’t been to half of the museums the area has to offer, at best. There are almost certainly one or two that you’ve not been to at your destination, and probably a whole lot more. You might even discover an interest you didn’t realize you had.

Me and my friend Hannah from London, visiting Belgium.

• Connect with a local. Social media makes this increasingly easy these days. I could probably tweet that I’m going virtually anywhere (or at least anywhere where there’s regular internet access, hence social media availability), and I will have at least one or two people respond that they’re from that area. Reach out for a couple of months or more before the trip and get to know people virtually. If nothing else, they’ll have great local suggestions. If you get to know them and feel you can trust them, meet up with them (taking the normal precautions of meeting somewhere public, in daylight, etc) when you’re there. There’s nothing like making new friends while traveling. As an added bonus, next time you “have to” go back there, you can further escape from the traditional touristy activities by visiting the local friends you made on your previous trip.

Being a vegetarian traveler can, at times, be difficult. There are many countries in which it’s not advised to eat raw fruits and vegetables, which leaves out salads, most fresh fruits, cold sandwiches and other staples of the vegetarian diet. In addition, many countries cook primarily only what’s in season, and during late fall and winter months, this could include a very small variety of vegetables. I spent one 10-day trip through Italy eating nothing but various types of eggplant dishes – and I don’t even like eggplant!

The point is, though for most of us it’s a “choice”, being vegetarian is an important part of our lifestyle and we want to honor that while we travel. At the same time, we want to try to assimilate into the local culture without our digestive tracks being torn apart from some bacteria that we’re not used to.

Here are a few tricks I’ve accumulated over the years to help myself enjoy the gastronomic culture when traveling while still being safe.

1. Scope out the food scene before you go. Talk to others who have been there and ask them about the vegetarian options. Specify what you do/don’t eat, as vegetarian has different meanings to different people. Social media makes this increasingly easy to do.

2. Learn the rules about what you can/can’t eat before you go. It’s important to know if it’s recommended to drink the water or eat raw fruits and vegetables. If not you have two choices – work around it, or do it and deal with the results. I always choose the former, as my already sensitive stomach doesn’t need any additional aggravation.

3. Bring a few non-perishable snacks such as cereal/protein bars, trail mix, or crackers. These might not be part of the local culture, but in a pinch it will at least hold you over while you search around for a vegetarian friendly restaurant. This is especially important if you have any blood sugar issues or take any medications that must be taken with food.

4. Eat frequently. If you are relying on a couple of big meals per day and you can’t find anything suitable to your diet, you’re going to be really hungry (and possibly cranky due to low blood sugar, which is no fun for anyone). If you eat something small each time you have the opportunity, you’re less reliant on certain meals so that if you absolutely can’t find something to eat at your standard meal, at least you have some food in your stomach. It doesn’t need to be full meals each time, but smaller meals or snacks work well.

5. Be cautious of certain foods. Soups (broths) and sauces are big culprits of sneaking in meat and fish products, so if you’d rather be safe than sorry it might be best to avoid these all together, unless you’re 100 percent certain it contains no meat products.

6. Foreign menus aren’t always as descriptive as those we’re used to at home. It might just have the name of the dish or a list of the main components, but not include every detail. Ask right out if it contains any products you’d rather not have (as best you can if you don’t speak the language).

7. Talk to your hotel concierge. They may have a better idea of where you can find vegetarian options, and also be more able to communicate in English so that you can give a more detailed request. Still, make sure they know what you mean by vegetarian.

8. Learn how to say “no meat” and/or “vegetarian” in your destination’s language if you can. At least this way, if nothing else, you can attempt to determine what is/isn’t in a dish.

9. Do the best you can. I’m quite a strict vegetarian and I always specify very clearly at home what I do/don’t eat. I know which foods have meat products in them that people don’t realize (ie Caesar dressing, Worchester sauce), and I make sure my food is absolutely vegetarian. When traveling, I do my best. If it looks vegetarian, and they ensure me it is, that there is no meat or fish in any form in it, I say to myself “well, I guess it’s vegetarian” and feel I can eat it in good conscience. I realize this doesn’t hold for everyone – especially if your diet is based on religious beliefs. For me, though, I don’t beat myself up or starve myself because I haven’t confirmed every single detail of every single ingredient (ie whether or not the cheese has rennet in it – I don’t even attempt to ask this one). I do the best I can, eat vegetarian to the best of my knowledge, and feel satisfied with myself.

In the last few months travel planners (consultants, advisors, agents) have gotten a good deal of positive press. It seems travelers are getting weary of searching for Internet deals and traveler reviews to find the best options. Or perhaps they’re just taking larger trips that they don’t feel comfortable booking on their own. Either way, there have been numerous articles in the past several months from sources as large as CNN (dot) com about the value of travel professionals.

This press is a great start for us. We don’t have to answer questions such as “travel agents still exist?” quite as often. Still, I think people don’t truly understand the scope of what we do. Even those who know that they want to use my services often ask me something akin to “so what types of things do you actually book?”. This is a fair question, especially since different travel planners offer different services. Some may focus on tours or cruises, while others focus on all-inclusive resorts or independent travel. For the purposes of this article, I’m going to focus on those services we could book – this doesn’t necessarily mean that every travel professional is going to book all of these, which is why it’s important to make sure the planner and the client are a good fit.

So what can we offer? Most travelers know that we book flights, accommodations, cruises, tours, all-inclusive resorts and these larger items. Here is a list of some of the smaller and more detailed items that people don’t often realize we can arrange.

• Rail and bus tickets/passes
• Airport transfers (private or group)
• Private drivers
• Day tours (group or private)
• Museum/attraction tickets
• Theater tickets
• Special event celebrations (I’ve booked an anniversary dinner at the restaurant atop the Eiffel Tower)
• Spa treatments
• Shore excursions on cruises
• Pre/post trips for meetings and conferences
• Wine tastings, market visits, cooking classes

No doubt there are travel planners who have booked experiences not on this list. These are just among the most common detailed requests that I receive. So don’t be afraid to ask. It’s possible that your planner doesn’t book each of these, but it can’t hurt to check. Most travelers want to leave some things to spontaneity, but booking items such as museum tickets can save time from waiting in long lines and often can save money as well. Discuss with your planner to find the right mix combination of pre-booked and flexibility for you.

Itinerary creation is often one of the most difficult parts of planning a vacation. It’s not so much putting the actual pieces of the trip together – flights, hotels, transportation – that slows up the process, but the initial determination of which stops to include within your destination.

I often have clients come to me with a very general request such as “we want to go to Europe on our honeymoon” (or something similar for just about any continent). They may have a specific country they want to visit or even a city that they must include, but the rest of the details are a bit fuzzy. It’s not uncommon for travelers to request certain types of locations or to want to center around specific interests such as a beach destination, cultural and historical sites, or wine tasting.

Part of the confusion, I’m quite sure, is the vast number of options and information overload so readily available today. It’s easy to get bombarded with stories from friends, tweets from hotels and tourism boards, pictures on Facebook, and while it’s wonderful to have these contacts at hand, it can also be a lot to process.

From the view of someone who plans travel for a living, sometimes it’s easier to get an idea of where you want to go and what you want to do if you have some simplified concrete ideas in front of you, from someone who can offer an objective opinion. While I don’t sell pre-created itineraries, I can provide examples of itineraries that I’ve completed or planned in various parts of the world that may inspire those who have the travel bug but are stuck on the question of “where”. In this article, I’ve decided to do just that. These are only a quick sampling of some suggested itineraries I could create. I plan to continue posting other ideas following this article. These suggestions are very broad, and are created with the idea of customizing them to fit the client. I’ve tried to include a wide range of destinations, to inspire as many people as possible.

1. Basic Italy 8-11 days:
Fly into Rome (overnight flight recommended if available)
Spend at least 3 days in Rome
Train to Florence (approximately a 90 minutes)
Spend 2 to 3 days in Florence. If you want wine/Tuscany tours, definitely 3 days
Train to Venice (approximately 3.5 to 4 hours)
Spend 2 to 3 days in Venice
Fly out of Venice

Suggested Add-ons:
Amalfi coast or Positano (from Rome);
Overnight Bologna between Florence & Venice

2. Argentina:
Fly into Buenos Aires and spend three nights here
Fly to Iguaçu Falls; overnight at Iguaçu*
Return to Buenos Aires for one or two nights
Fly to Mendoza (Argentina’s wine region); stay 2 to 3 nights here
Fly home from Mendoza

*Suggestion: Bring a small overnight bag for your trip to Iguaçu and store the rest of your luggage at your Buenos Aires hotel. There will be a charge for this, but it’s worth it.

Optional Add-on:
Day or overnight in Montevideo, Uruguay. It’s approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes by ferry from Buenos Aires. There are other towns in Uruguay much closer by ferry. Montevideo is the capital.

3. Southern/Eastern Africa:
Fly into Johannesburg and overnight near the airport (to break up the flights)
Fly to Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe. From here, take a transfer down into Botswana*
Spend 3 nights at the Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana**
Transfer back to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Spend two nights at the Victoria Falls Hotel
Fly from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, South Africa
Spend 3 to 4 nights in Cape Town
Fly home from Cape Town via Johannesburg

Suggested activities
Half-day elephant back safari in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is also a wonderful destination for white water rafting and other adventure activities.
Half or full day wine tour from Cape Town
Robbin Island Tour in Cape Town

Add-ons:
Several day tour on the Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth; Fly home from Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg

Notes:
*The transfer from Zimbabwe to Botswana will be a van (or van-like) transport to the Botswana border. Here, you will have to switch vehicles and guides. Zimbabwe guides have to pay a very large fee to enter Botswana, and therefore instead they just switch transfer companies and vehicles. The second vehicle may be more like an open-air jeep.

**The Chobe Game Lodge is a luxury lodge on the bank of the Chobe River. Packages at the Lodge include accommodations, all meals, plus two jeep safaris and one river safari each day.

More sample itineraries coming soon! Have a request? Let us know!

Working with clients on a detailed and personal level, I tend to get to know their interests rather well. Whether it’s a passion for a country, a period of history, an activity, or a style of travel, we weave this into their trip as much or as little as they desire.

Often, it’s something not all that uncommon – wine tours and cooking classes for those who are interested in gastronomy, day tours of famous historical landmarks for the history buff. Themed tours and travel, though, can be taken to an additional level, and whole vacations (or at least a good part of a trip) can be planned around a particular interest. In fact, tour companies, both group and private, are continually offering new travel themes, and this, coupled with a travel planner whose focus is customized vacations, allows clients to create a trip focused around virtually any interest.

Here are just a few of the themes that are gaining popularity amongst travelers.

• Music tours: Music is intrinsically linked with culture and way of life in many countries, and travelers are not only enjoying music’s lure, but specifically traveling to it. Music and Markets Tours, for instance, takes traveler and music enthusiasts to Europe to experience the countries, the cultures and of course, the music.

• Garden tours: Tulip tours in and around Amsterdam may be the most famous, but the garden tour trend is spreading across Europe. Countries such as England, Wales and Scotland are rising in popularity, and the Riviera’s of Italy and France are not to be ignored.

• Ancestry/Heritage/Genealogy tours: Programs such as ancestry.com make it easy (or easier) today to take a look into ones past. Taking it one step further, ancestry tours – also sometimes called heritage or genealogy tours- take you to the towns of your family’s past. Tours tracing ones history are, by nature, almost always private tours, though some companies do offer more general small group tours focused on particular areas, for those whose relatives might share a common region.

• British royalty tours: Perhaps spurred on by the marriage of Prince William, or the TV show The Tudors, the fascination with British royalty, all generations of it, seems to be increasing by the week. Royal castles, palaces and grounds, and the tower of London are among the common stops on these tours, and those belonging to the Tudor family are particularly popular. As specific as this niche is, numerous companies are offering a wide variety of British royalty themed tours these days.

Until recently, the source of the Amazon River was a hotly debated topic. Five years ago, researchers officially determined that the source of the river is in Peru. The Peruvian Amazon, and its surrounding rainforest are also considered to be the more undiscovered portion. The rainforest in Peru can be accessed from two main points: Puerto Maldonado in the southern part of the country, and Iquitos in the north. I chose to visit the former and stay at the Inkatera Reserva Amazonica. The trip there takes some coordination – a flight to Puerto Maldonado, a transfer to the dock, and a 45-minute boat ride in basically a large, motorized canoe to the reach the resort. Regardless of the accommodations you choose, there are several important factors to keep in mind when visiting the rainforest.

1. The rainforest is a haven for mosquitos, and there are some blood-born illnesses that these creatures can pass along. Before you head to the rainforest, talk to your doctor about the medications and vaccines needed. Certain parts of the rainforest may require proof of a yellow fever vaccine for entry.

2. Load up on bug spray and sun block. Both of these are absolute essentials in the rainforest. You’re close to the equator, so it’s very easy to burn. The bug spray relates back to suggestion #1. Mosquitos may bite through lightweight clothing, so apply even if your arms and legs are covered. Reapply both frequently.

3. Bring a lightweight rain jacket. Depending on the time of year, it can be quite warm in the rainforest, and it’s virtually always humid and damp. You want your arms covered to ward off bugs, but you want something light and breathable (how light depends on the time of year) to stay as cool as possible.

4. Bring long pants: again, this protects against mosquitos and other bugs. Something water/weather proof is ideal. Jeans are not.

5. You’ll get dirty/muddy/sweaty. Your accommodations may (as the Inkaterra does) provide mud boots for your activities. If not, bring something that will protect your feet/legs from mud and that you don’t mind throwing out when you get home if not easily washable. Accommodations should be able to tell you in advance what they do or do not provide.

6. Check with your hotel about their electricity availability. Even a high end resort such as the Inkaterra turns off electricity several times each day (and from 11-4 over night) because the entire place runs on a generator, and they want to save electricity when possible. If your accommodations do something similar, you may want to bring a reading light if you plan to relax and read or write during your stay, or something else to do during your down time that doesn’t require bright lighting.

7. The rainforest isn’t particularly easily accessible. Most likely, you’ll fly into a nearby town and then get a transfer to a boat dock where you’ll take a boat to your hotel. Because of this, you may not be able to bring a large suitcase, so check with your accommodations. You may have to pack a smaller bag to use for your time in the rainforest.

8. Unless told otherwise, rainforest accommodations are generally quite casual. Check with your hotel on this, but most likely, you need nothing more than your clothes for activities and something clean and casual to wear to dinner.

9. Meals may be on a specific schedule, especially if the accommodations regulate electricity. If you like to snack throughout the day, or have specific dietary needs due to blood sugar, you may want to pack some non-perishable snacks to bring for your time in the rainforest.

Machu Picchu was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and it absolutely does not disappoint. Cusco was the Incan capital of Peru, and the history is almost palpable. The Sacred Valley is a magnificent gateway to both spots.

An important factor to consider when planning your trip to the center of Peru is the altitude. It doesn’t affect everybody, and the symptoms and severity vary from person to person, without much rhyme or reason, but it’s important to be prepared. Here are some tips to help hedge altitude sickness as best as possible:

1. Drink a lot of water before and during your stay.

2. Headaches are a very common symptom of altitude sickness. Make sure to have some ibuprofen or your preferred headache medicine readily available. Some suggest taking this 30 minutes before your plane lands in Cusco as a preemptive measure.

3. Take it easy. Allow yourself plenty of time to rest the first day or so.

4. Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol. This is particularly true the first day or two until you know how you’ve adjusted to the altitude.

5.The locals drink cocoa tea, which they claim helps with altitude sickness. I know others that swear by this, but personally tried only a sip of it so can’t claim its powers.

For these particular destinations, the best approach is to start at a lower altitude and work your way up. The Sacred Valley is at approximately 8,500 feet above sea level, while Cusco is approximately 11,500. When you land in Cusco, head to the valley for a couple of days. There is a magnificent hotel in Urubamba called Tambo del Inka that is perfect for taking it easy. Conveniently, the Sacred Valley is also an ideal jumping off point for a trip to Machu Picchu. After a couple of days in the valley, you should feel more acclimated and be able to head to Cusco without much issue due to the altitude.

Local food stands, street performances, ancient architecture, sidewalk cafes, tucked-away green spaces – these are just a few of the enumerable features you can find in a city. People, particularly those not from urban areas, tend to think of city travel as the downtown business district, but this is just one small sector, and not generally the one where travelers flock to. In fact, in many cities you’ll never step foot in the central business district as a tourist unless you’re seeking it out. Cities can be just as adventurous, inspiring, cultural and downright fun as any other type of destination. This issue is devoted to city travel and all that it has to offer.

From a person that loves a city atmosphere, the list of cities around the world that fall into the category of “must see” is so extensive that it could never fit into a single article. To narrow it down, I’ve chosen some of my absolute favorite cities, as well as those that I think might get overlooked and deserve more attention.

1. Vienna, Austria: While Vienna is certainly popular enough, I think it tends to get overlooked as a “must see”. Why? Name ten major attractions in Vienna (no internet searching allowed). Have you thought of them yet? How about five? Three? Exactly. Maybe you’ve come up with the Opera House, and a palace or two. Beer gardens and cafes don’t count as major attractions, sorry. They are, however, shining examples of the character of the city. Vienna is a living, breathing, working city. It has some magnificent palaces including Schoenbrunn and Belvedere, and the Opera House is certainly beautiful. The real “attractions” in Vienna, though, are walking up the vibrant pedestrian street where people sit at beer gardens and coffee houses, sitting in the park enjoying one of it’s many festivals (film, art, theater), wandering in and out of the numerous shops that line the streets. There are plenty of cathedrals and museums, and they are worth a visit. They just aren’t the “soul” of the city.

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buenos Aires’ charm lies in its neighborhoods. Like Vienna, it doesn’t have numerous sites that call out to tourists (though do visit the La Recoleta cemetery where Eva Peron and several other famous Argentineans are buried). Instead, dine along the waterfront of Puerto Madero, wander through the markets in Palermo and take in a tango show in San Telmo (the non-tourist version). It’s not the cleanest city, so be prepared for some graffiti and litter. Also be prepared to stay up late – virtually no one goes out to dinner until at least 10 PM, and it’s not uncommon to be eating dinner until close to midnight. Most of all, let go of your expectations and enjoy the city like a local.

3. Cape Town, South Africa: Dine on the promenade overlooking the water, take a private tour of the lush vineyards, hike (or drive) up Table Mountain for an unobstructed birds eye view of the harbor and the city, walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela. This is the Cape Town experience. If you’re willing to travel a couple of hours outside of the city, you can even explore a game park. Cape Town truly has a little bit of everything, in a picturesque setting with friendly people and pleasant weather. What more could you ask for?

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands: No, not for the reasons you might suspect – though if that’s your thing, there’s plenty of opportunity. The images portrayed of Amsterdam on TV with canals running through the cities, bicyclists riding along the streets, lively restaurants, shops and bars – this really is Amsterdam. If you have the opportunity, visit in the spring when the tulips are in bloom, though it’s an attractive and fun-loving city any time of year.

5. Venice, Italy: People seem to have a love/hate relationship with Venice – they either love it or hate it. Both sides have to admit, though, that it’s like no other city in the world. There are no cars allowed on Venice so you’ll travel by foot or water taxi (I strongly suggest the former). Its winding streets are easy to get lost in, especially at night, but also alluring. The locals live right in the city center, so its not unusual to watch them hanging their laundry, smell their sauces and spices cooking or see them wave at you as you pass by. The canals throughout the city, the local produce and fish stands, the shops and restaurants tucked into every corner and of course the famous St. Mark’s square and the bell tower come together to create a city that’s one-of-a-kind, and for that reason alone is a must see.

6. Barcelona, Spain: It’s difficult to find a city in Spain that I would not recommend, but Barcelona tops the must see list. The city’s distinct “Spanish” feel but with an international flair differentiates it from the rest of Spain. The bustling Las Ramblas pedestrian street, the plazas surrounded by restaurants and cafes, the sparkling harbor, the cathedrals with their intricate architecture and Olympic Village overlooking the rest of the city are some of the highlights (ignore guide books, the village is worth seeing). As in Buenos Aires, be prepared for late evenings – dinner generally starts around 10 PM at the earliest.

7. Paris, France: Like Venice, people seem to either love or hate Paris. I love it. It has nearly everything I could possibly want in a city. The most enthralling feature of Paris is its neighborhoods. Each section of the city has it’s own distinct feel. Many could be their own little town worth visiting independent of the rest of the neighborhoods. The literary and artistic district of St. Germain, lively Latin Quarter, Montemarte’s famous Sacre Couer, the history of Bastille and of course the popular center of shopping, attractions, museums and more with which most visitors are quite familiar all converge to form Paris. Add in fantastic wines, cheeses and baked goods, people watching and gorgeous green spaces and you have a city that it’s almost impossible not to love.

8. Seoul, South Korea: Bright, busy, and booming, Seoul surprises visitors with its combination of cutting edge technology, modern style and historic influence. As with Paris and Buenos Aires, Seoul is divided into sectors, which range from the local artists district to the bustling shopping center with a wide variety in between. Seoul’s character is further sculpted by its friendly residents and distinct cuisine. To read more on Seoul, check out this recent post which describes in further detail the features that make this city a must visit.

9. Brussels, Belgium: It’s tough to turn down a city that’s known for it’s chocolate, frittes (fries), beer and waffles, isn’t it? All kidding – and food – aside, Brussels tends to be passed over for cities like Paris and Amsterdam. Brussels is a walk-able city, and in fact a large part of the downtown area is a pedestrian zone. Shops, restaurants and cafes line the stone streets, which are filled with locals and visitors after work and on weekends. At the center lies the Grand Market, a large pedestrian square surrounded by eateries and exquisite cathedrals, which have now been transformed into museums. At night, the square is beautifully lit and becomes quite lively, the local hang out for the young and young at heart. Brussels is filled with museums, ranging from the more tradition such as art and history to the Museum of Musical Instruments, Museum of Belgian Brewers and the Toy Museum.

City travel, especially for those who do not come from big cities, can be both exciting and slightly daunting. Where do you stay? How do you get around? Is it safe? While it’s tough to guarantee a perfect location or a seamless vacation, there are certain steps that you can take in planning your city travel to feel more comfortable.

1. Think about hotel location – do you want to be in the center or near a particular attraction? It may be more convenient but it might also be noisy, especially in the evening, and will almost certainly be more expensive. Which of these factors is more important? What type of neighborhood do you want to stay in – downtown, something more artsy, the neighborhood with lots of bars and restaurants? These are all important aspects to consider.

2. Check out the transportation system before you go. It’s important when packing to know how much walking you’ll be doing. While walking is a great way to see a city (see tip #9), learning the transportation system let’s you see sections that may be too far to visit on foot. This can also help with tip #1 – if you’re further out from the center of town, you may want a hotel near local transportation.

3. All cities are not created equal. Just because it’s a city doesn’t mean it’s fast-paced or that there are a lot of “attractions”. Make sure you’re choosing a city that’s right for you, not just because it’s popular or someone else told you to go. Examine what features, activities, atmosphere, whether, cultural preferences you’re looking for and then carefully select a city to match.

4. Keeping tip #3 in mind, it is ok to get out of your comfort zone or try something different. Often it helps to take into consideration the surrounding area as well as the city itself. If you’re curious about a city but not ready to spend a full vacation there, place it in an itinerary with other locations that you feel more comfortable with. Destinations will often surprise you.

5. Lose the map. Once you have the lay of the land, don’t consult your map or guidebook for everything. Often the most memorable experiences, especially in a city, are ones that you stumble upon when traveling like a local. Feel free to carry the map in your purse/pocket (discreetly, not sticking way out of you back pocket, which screams “I’m a tourist”) in case you do truly get lost in an area you don’t want to be in, but don’t consult it every five minutes. Explore a new city like you would if you were showing someone your own. Would you send them to all of the cheesy tourist traps or would you give them the inside scoop?

6. Don’t’ carry much on you. Leave your passport, some credit cards, anything of extreme value in the hotel safe. The safest cities in the world still have some crime, and why invite it when you can do your best to avoid it? Better safe (no pun intended) than sorry. Besides, walking around with half of your possessions in a purse or bag will only slow you down.

7. Explore the city at night. I’ll admit, there might be some cities that you’d rather not walk around by yourself at night, so use your head. Generally, though, cities have two sides – their “day side” and their “night side”. A laid back coastal city could become a bustling hotspot when the sun goes down, and a hectic city by day might look magical when the nights go on at night.

8. Ask the locals where to eat, find the best activities and enjoy nature. Guidebooks might help and concierges can be of use, but who knows a city better than the people that breathe, eat and live it day in and day out? Ask a variety of locals to see what suggestions come up most frequently.

9. Explore on foot. With a few exceptions, you see places when walking a city that you never would if you took a taxi from point A to point B. Be sensible about distances and neighborhoods, but don’t be afraid to wander. Keep a business card from your hotel on you so that if you do really drift off track and don’t know how to get back, you can easily communicate to a taxi driver where you need to go without knowing the language.

10. Travel with an open mind. If I had to choose one tip to share when traveling, not just in cities, this would be it. Just because the food isn’t what you’re used to, the toilets look different, a city isn’t as pristine as you want it to be and the people don’t act as you’d expect doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy and learn from a travel experience. Travel a city as if you’re starting from a clean slate – no expectations either of the city or the culture. Those aspects that you may be so leery of at first may be the same things that you miss most when you return home.