Ditch the Guidebook

Look, it’s not a revolutionary idea. But do you really want to walk around all vacation reading about what you are seeing instead of actually seeing it? There are any number of reasons to ditch the guidebook, but here are the best.

Guidebooks often get in the way of actually interacting with humans. And humans are the best guides. Whether you talk to other travelers, locals or staff at your hotel, you are bound to find more interesting and unique experiences than you would by relying on your guidebook. Often these people can direct you to places that your guidebook never even mentions. Frequently, locals will show you their favorite restaurant, give you a tour themselves or introduce you to someone who can. There is no better way to get the lay of the land than talking with actual people.

Guidebooks interfere with you living your own experiences. Instead, you are repeating what someone else has already lived; you are essentially following a pre-ordained script. Traveling is about experiencing something new; why let that be stained by following in the footsteps of someone who is really only trying to sell you a book?

A guidebook is not the be-all and end-all of tourism. Guidebooks (and articles) are written by humans who may have visited and researched the places they are reporting on or they may not have. Or they may have eaten a particularly poor breakfast the day they visited, and so their interpretation will forever be tainted. Guidebooks are a good way to get an idea about where you will be visiting before you go. But then leave it at home. Let a guidebook be just that: a guide. Form your own decisions about your destinations and attractions and you’ll be sure to have a much more memorable experience.