The last year-and-a-half has been a washout for travel-loving folks, but with the global pandemic slowly receding and vaccinations increasing, you could start thinking about travelling again (soon, if not immediately). And while many of us have our destinations marked out and our travel bucket lists ready, there are some of us who prefer to go with the flow when it comes to travel. They pick a destination on a whim (or perhaps after seeing an advert or coming across a great holiday deal package) or just travel to different parts of the world for adventure. 

 

Whatever type of traveler you might be, this guide can help you get the best out of your sightseeing and entertainment when in a new city or part of the world. 

City Sightseeing

Main Attractions

If you are headed to a world-famous city, then, as ‘touristy’ as it sounds, it is a must to see the main attractions of that city, especially if it’s your first visit there. For instance, the Eiffel Tower in Paris; the Statue of Liberty in New York; the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco; the Big Ben in London, the Pyramids in Egypt and the Taj Mahal in Agra.

 

Useful tips:

 

• Try and plan your visit to these attractions at less busy times of the day, so as to avoid the hoard of other tourists and the general crowds including vendors, photographers etc. If possible, pre-book your tickets so you don’t waste time standing in a long queue to purchase your tickets and then another long queue to get inside.
• Keep your personal belongings with you at all times and be aware of your surroundings – these are the places where you are most likely to be pick-pocketed owing to the large crowds.

 

Entertainment and Sports…

Most large cities have an amazing entertainment scene and a buzzing nightlight, so if that’s your kind of thing, do some research beforehand and visit these as well. New York’s Broadway and London’s West End are where all the best theatre shows and plays are; or if in Paris definitely experience the Moulin Rouge Cabaret show.

 

Many cities are also famous for their sports stadiums and sports teams, and for die-hard sports fans, visiting these stadiums become part of their travelling itinerary too. Cricket lovers often choose to have a tour of the Lord’s cricket ground in London, while football lovers often like to visit the Old Trafford football stadium in Greater Manchester, home of the Manchester United team. Or perhaps the stadiums of other leagues like the Spanish leagues in order.

Useful tips:

• These theatre and cabaret shows get booked months in advance, so don’t assume you can just land up there and avail of a ticket. You will have to plan ahead and buy your tickets beforehand, especially for the more popular shows. 
• You will want to purchase memorabilia of your favorite sportsmen and sportswomen, or even sports team, and these don’t come cheap, so make sure you keep aside some money and budget for this as well.

Countryside Sightseeing

If bustling, noisy cities are not your cup of tea, and you prefer to be in the lap of nature, then there are a plethora of places you can visit as well. And a number of ‘different’ types of vacations you can plan too, 

Road-trips and Caravan holidays

If you don’t like to be bound by pre-decided timings and flight schedules, and rather stay in the open than amidst the four walls of a five-star resort, then a road-trip or caravan holiday is a perfect idea. You are your own boss so to speak, and can holiday exactly as per your liking. And be amidst nature. Win-win.

 

National Parks and Forests

If you are a real nature lover, you could plan your ideal holiday visiting national parks and forests. There are numerous ones in almost every country of the world, so aim to do at least two or three together in one trip. A lot of them have accommodation facilities within the parks itself. The Ranthambore and Jim Corbett National Park in India, the Yosemite, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon parks in USA, the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Banff National Park in Canada are some of the most renowned national parks worldwide. 

Adventure Holidays

If you’re the kind of person who likes adrenaline-pumping moments, then an adventure holiday such as a ski holiday or a scuba-diving holiday or a camel trek in the Sahara will be perfect for you.