One of the best travel secrets I’ve come to learn is to ask the locals anything and everything. If you’re not sure where to eat, where to stay, or what sights are ‘can’t miss’, asking locals is by far the best way to get answers. People, very often, are so open to sharing their culture and history with you. This happened in every place I’ve visited, and especially in Scotland. After completing a two week road trip of all of Scotland, I love it even more than before. Some of my favorite experiences from the trip came from asking the barista at the local coffee shop what her favorite things to do are, and asking anyone and everyone where their favorite places to eat are.
One recommendation we got was to take a scenic detour while driving from on Thurso to the Isle of Skye. This was the most beautiful drive of the whole trip. Although it took a little bit longer, it was amazing to see the changes in scenery. If we hadn’t asked her for suggestions we would have just driven on an average highway like any other. This part of the trip was worth a little extra time in the car.
Also, my favorite restaurant came from a local’s suggestion. The place didn’t look all that exciting from the outside, but once you got settled in at a table the atmosphere was great, and the food was even better. The chef came out at the end of the meal and asked us how the food was. Turns out he retired from being an engineering professor to follow his dreams of opening up his own restaurant. All the food came from local suppliers, and everything was cooked fresh when ordered. This was definitely another experience I won’t forget.
Some other general safety tips for traveling abroad are never leave bags unattended, be aware of your surroundings, and be smart. I know two people that have gotten their wallets or purses stolen during weekend trips to other countries in Europe. It’s also extremely important to remember your passport. Whether it’s for a spring break trip or it’s just in your room, make sure it’s locked up or somewhere safe. Losing that would definitely take away from the amazing experience of studying abroad.
