Guide to Authentic and Safe Adventures Away from the Crowds

Most traditional guidebooks and major travel websites lead everyone to the same overcrowded destinations. While iconic landmarks deserve their fame, a destination’s true essence often lies in its quieter, lesser-known corners, where authentic experiences await the savvy traveler who knows how to find them safely.

The challenge isn’t just about avoiding crowds – it’s about experiencing a destination authentically while staying secure and confident in your surroundings. 

It’s not that you don’t want to see the Trevi Fountain after all, it’s that you don’t want to be pickpocketed at the fountain because there are too many people and you didn’t notice the thief’s actions.

This guide can help you stay safe when you’re planning a truly authentic experience that lets you uncover hidden treasures. Let’s get started!

1. Research like a local, not a tourist

The first rule is to research your travel itinerary like a local and not a tourist. Think about how you would research the area if you just moved there and wanted to learn everything from locals and go about your search that way.

Social media can be your ally, but be strategic. Instead of following major travel influencers, seek out local photographers, food bloggers, and community organizations. 

Please be sure to look for accounts run by expats living in your destination. They often bridge the gap between tourist and local perspectives while understanding safety considerations that matter to visitors.

On Reddit, you can search for very specific advice and get first-hand tips and suggestions. Interestingly, we typed in “local tips and recommendations for visiting porto, portugal” and learned a bunch of things like:

• Wearing heels is a bad idea because the streets are very hilly and made of bumpy stone and brick.
• Make reservations at restaurants or go without.
• Most places are closed on Sundays AND Mondays, so plan ahead.

We also learned which bridge to cross to find a hidden port house with caves. Pretty nice little tip.

2. Timing is everything

The key to experiencing a destination like a local also depends on when you go. While tourists mob Paris in July and Venice during Carnival, savvy travelers know that timing can transform a crowded experience into one that is intimate and stress-free.

Start by identifying the destination’s ‘shoulder season’ – the sweet spot between peak and off-peak travel periods. For example, visiting Amsterdam in late March means catching the beginning of tulip season with fewer crowds, or exploring Kyoto in late November offers stunning fall colors without the peak October crowds. During these periods, you’ll find more availability at local guesthouses, easier reservations at authentic restaurants, and more opportunities to interact with residents.

Next, look up the local festivals and events, regional celebrations that locals actually attend. This can give you a more authentic experience, but the trick is to arrive a week before or after the major events that will draw lots of tourists. For instance, while loads of beer lovers flock to Munich for Oktoberfest (which by the way starts in late September and ends in early October), consider visiting the lesser-known Starkbierzeit (Strong Beer Festival) in late April to early March. It’s spread across many breweries and towns, and it’s beloved by locals.

Weather should also inform your no-tourist trip planning strategy, especially for safety reasons. Research historical weather data on sites like Weather Underground or AccuWeather to know what to expect. For example, if you’ve longed to go hiking in Switzerland, know that summer hiking doesn’t really begin until mid-July, when the snow in the upper regions has finally melted.

Pro tip: Use Google’s hotel price graph feature to identify unusual dips in accommodation prices – these often reveal ideal times when tourism is low but conditions are still favorable. Just be sure to investigate why prices are lower during these periods to avoid unwelcome surprises like major construction projects or seasonal business closures.

3. Staying safe off the beaten path

Exploring hidden gems takes a different approach to travel planning because it demands thoughtful preparation to ensure safety while seeking authenticity. So many great tour platforms offer guides that take you through the city or town you are visiting and present the local viewpoint.

Establish a reliable connection with verified tour platforms

I’ve been very pleased with my experiences with Viator and GetYourGuide, but The Points Guy recently recommended Elsewhere.

I signed up and gave it details for a Portugal trip I’m planning to take in the future. I gave them my ideal travel day, just for fun, and we’ll see what they come up with.

These services typically have an app, so you can contact your tour guide and meet your group at the right location. They’re also very reliable in the (rare) situation when a tour guide fails to show up or something else goes wrong. You can schedule your tours ahead of time and manage them on the go. 

Plan your communication strategy

This is essential, especially if traveling off the beaten path. Not only do you need to research how to stay online  (sim, e-sim, etc.) and charged up (what adapters do you need?), you also need to be prepared for situations that can happen in more remote areas where you may not speak the local language all that well.

1. Download offline translation apps like Google Translate.
2. Save and learn key phrases in the local language – especially safety-related ones like ‘is this a safe area’ and ‘how do I call a trusted driver’.

Pro tip: Create a shareable digital itinerary using apps like Google Maps or TripIt, marking your planned exploration areas and backup meeting points. Share this with a trusted contact back home and update it as your plans evolve. This provides a safety net while allowing for spontaneous discoveries.

Remember that the most memorable travel experiences often happen in unexpected places, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of your safety. Balance your sense of adventure with smart preparation. After all, the best souvenirs aren’t photos of crowded landmarks – they’re the authentic experiences and connections you make along the way.