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touriste dans sa propre ville

Exploring Your City: Secrets for a New Perspective

touriste dans sa propre ville et staycation

Has this ever happened to you: you go out to do some shopping on a sunny afternoon, taking your usual route, and suddenly you look up and realize, "Wow, this building is beautiful, is it new?" One day in 2006, while I was a student in Metz, I was walking home after a day of classes. As I crossed the Moyen Bridge, my mind preoccupied with homework, I suddenly looked up and noticed the Temple Neuf.For a few seconds, I felt a pang of doubt: was it new? Well, of course not. Despite its name, the Temple had been built 100 years before I arrived in Metz. Yet I had been too absorbed to notice it before. This phenomenon of not seeing what's right in front of us is well known. It's called "inattentional blindness."« . 

But I’m not here to give you a psychology lecture. I’d rather talk about the city where you live. Yes, you, not me. I’ll have the chance another day to talk about Strasbourg (my beautiful adopted city where I’ve lived for 13 years). Today, I’d like to share some ideas on how to rediscover your own city. Because I’m sure, no matter where you live, there’s something there to see and admire.

Being a Tourist in Your Own City: Why Do It?

Whether you were born and raised in your current city or moved there later in life, chances are you haven’t explored it fully. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily routines that we forget to look around and appreciate the wonders that surround us. That’s where being a tourist in your own city comes in.

A few weeks ago, I had an administrative task to complete for my associationassociation. It was a beautiful day, and my beloved came along with me. Once the task was done, we decided to take a walk along the Ill River. Suddenly, an idea popped up: why not take a ride on the Batorama? And just like that, on a Friday morning, I found myself doing the most touristy activity in my adopted city.

And you know what? It was amazing. I learned so many things about Strasbourg,things I didn’t know or had forgotten, things even native Strasbourgers might not know. Plus, I enjoyed the sunshine and the good vibes from all the tourists excited to discover my city. I even filmed this high-quality video. That’s why sometimes you need to step out of your routine and rediscover where you live.

(Re)Discover Museums and Points of Interest

Mon expertise de travel planner balkans

I have a friend, Ana, who is great at being a tourist where she lives. Ana travels a lot but also knows how to explore her adopted cities. Often, on the first Sunday of the month, she drags me out to visit a museum. Ana, if you’re reading this, thank you. Visiting museums when they’re free is an excellent way to be a tourist in your own city. If you don’t like the exhibit, you won’t regret the money spent.

If you’re not like my friend Ana and don’t want to leave your home, you can opt for a virtual visit to your favorite museum. Since the 2020 pandemic, many museums offer the chance to explore their masterpieces from your couch. What could be better than admiring the Mona Lisa without leaving your house? And without navigating through thousands of tourists to take a selfie.

If museums aren’t your thing, I invite you to stroll through parks and enjoy the nice weather, or visit points of interest with fresh eyes. Take the time to wander in your city’s green spaces, breathe in the fresh air, and admire the nature coming to life in spring. You could also rediscover monuments or iconic neighborhoods from a new angle, focusing on details you might have previously overlooked. Or do what I do and take thousands of photos of the Cathedral from a different perspective.

Discover Your City Through Gastronomy

touriste dans sa propre ville et staycation

I have another friend, Marie. Marie takes the time to explore our city’s gastronomy. With her foodie friends, she occasionally checks out the restaurants in Strasbourg. To be honest, my friend Ana does the same, but I wanted to make it seem like I have more than one friend.

I’ve already talked a lot about the cuisine of Bulgaria, but I’m convinced that no matter where you’re from, there’s something delicious to try. Exploring the different restaurants in your city is an excellent way to be a tourist at home. Whether you’re enjoying authentic local dishes or exploring new culinary trends, every meal becomes a gastronomic adventure. By stepping out of your usual routine, you can discover unique flavors and diverse atmospheres while supporting local restaurants. It’s also a great opportunity to share convivial moments with friends or family as you explore the culinary delights your city has to offer.

Touriste dans sa propre ville

touriste dans sa propre ville

Enjoy Festivals, Celebrations, and Local Events

I must admit that I often lag behind when it comes to discovering cultural activities in my city. Yet, it’s full of fascinating events and attractions. That said, since I embraced my career as atravel organizer,I’m determined to change that. I’ve made it a goal to get more involved in the local cultural life and discover everything my city has to offer.

To stay updated on local events, sometimes all it takes is a few well-placed clicks. Social media is our best ally. Whether it’s following the pages of cultural venues, local artists, or even community groups, it’s easy to stay in the loop. Dedicated apps for local events are also practical for getting alerts about concerts, exhibitions, or festivals not to be missed. And then, there’s always the old-fashioned word of mouth, effective and full of surprises. By keeping your eyes open and staying curious, you can uncover hidden gems of the local scene, even without being a professional detective.

Your City, Your Way

Don’t forget that no matter where you live, somewhere in the world, people want to visit your area. Yes, even if you live in a village of 400 people in the Meuse. Somewhere in Bulgaria there’s someone’s mom, maybe a travel planning expert, travel planning expert who would be thrilled to visit your village. So take advantage of it. Go out and discover it. And if you ever decide to travelling lightfeel free to use in my services . I’d be happy to assist you with your journey of of travel.

touriste dans sa propre ville

For more useful information

To find your plane ticket :

I can recommend you use ExpediaI trust them with my own travels and when I am working with clients

For your hotel reservation

I invite you to look into Hotels.fr they have a large choice of bookings and your client services are always available

Pour trouver des activités sur place :

I use either viator or GetYourGuideThe two plateforms offer a large choice of activities at reasonable prices

To rent a car

I recommend discovercarsTheir prices are competitive and they have a great customer service

Need more inspiration?

Get a look at my other blog articles to discover the Balkans and the rest of the world

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