by oneneptune
12 subcomments
- This is great unless you live in an area of almost absolute geographic and social homogeny in a 100 mile / 160 km radius. "Yo friends, want to drive an hour and see if the fast food in a strip mall is the same as our fast food in a strip mall" just doesn't quite land or "Want to drive 45 minutes and walk in a park that was built in the early aughts and lacks proper shade and had all it's benches removed just like ours?"
- It isn't the same as travelling to truly remote cultures, of course, but odds are, your area has more stuff going on than you realize. My wife and I have taken to planning our occasional 2 week vacations with 2-4 days that we have plans for, and then plan to just use local resources to figure out what to do from there. And we always find things. Sometimes literally just driving down the road on the way to something else we found online and there's a little park on the side of the road or something dedicated to some interesting little thing. If you're just traveling as the wind takes you, it's not a problem that maybe that little park is only 10 minutes of "interesting". It's not a bad way to travel.
- I am a huge proponent of this. I find it shocking how many people I talk to in California have never even heard of so many amazing parts of the state outside of a few urban bubbles of SF/LA/San Diego and major attractions like Yosemite. Such a better experience in nature when you aren't surrounded by tourists in places like the Mendocino forest or the Inyo mountains. I also learn so much about our history and how regular people live in small rural towns, they often put effort into preserving it, and the locals love to talk about it. I also love seeing all of the huge mines, factories, infrastructure projects, etc. that support our cities, but people rarely think about.
- I recently found out about a tiny room in the local public library that resells books (most for $0.25-$1). I've lived here over a decade.
Overreliance on echo-chambering platforms like Reddit/IG/Google Maps limits one's ability to explore. There's still lots to discover. And re-discover as you grow up.
- I've done this wherever I lived.
In a large city, you can often just walk in one direction, (or take transport in one direction), find yourself in a new neighbourhood and discover loads of interesting things (culture, food, shops, parks, ...).
In London there are hundreds of walks/hikes around and beyond the green belt, all within an hour train from central London.
I do agree that there are some places where this is more challenging.
by legerdemain
3 subcomments
- Notably:
> here in Switzerland
by tschwimmer
0 subcomment
- Switzerland is probably the most densely interesting and scenic place in the entire world. Try telling this to someone in Iowa.
- Traveled the world in my youth and regretfully did not visit several notable locations when I lived close-by. Now I'm partially retired I am making up for it big time - though it helps having a great starting point.
Last week I hiked the Paparoa trail (West coast NZ) for 4 days through old mining trails with one of my friends who was a local historian and gold prospector, the whole experience was fascinating, and great inspiration for my next novel.
by throw98226
0 subcomment
- We live in the Pacific North West, and have travelled in a similar fashion. Visit Vancouver BC, then out to Squamish, Whistler. On different trips we then venture out further to Prince George, Edmonton, Jasper, Banff.
We've then expanded to different provinces and states, staying in each town or city for one or more days.
At first we did this by car, staying in hotels at night. But then we bought a large van, outfitted with a simple mattress and kitchen and toilet, and traveled more into the mountains and forests to enjoy nature.
From there we crossed Canada from the extreme west coast to the east coast of Newfoundland in our van. We did the same in the northern States and the entire west coast down to southern California. It's a good way to travel and explore our own backyard before venturing out to other countries.
Currently doing similar in South East Asia. We have a home base, travel slowly from our home, outwards. Then to different countries nearby. A good life!
- Funnily enough, the country where I'm from is so touristic that if you're a local (with a typical local salary i.e. miserable) you get much more value for your money by going abroad.
- This is great advice, and I appreciate the opening sentence to frame it as a "yes, and" sort of situation. We took our teenagers to London and Paris last year (we're from the upper midwest in the states) and it was a joy to see them experience a) a different culture and b) art and architecture they never would have experienced otherwise.
But visiting local destinations is also such a joy. I'm a mile from one of the best BBQ joints in Michigan, in a "blink and you miss it" village. I try and make sure I don't take it for granted.
- I like the name that Alastair Humphreys uses, it's not 100% the same but the same direction: Microadventures
https://alastairhumphreys.com/product/microadventures/
- I like that about Europe - you really don’t need to go far to experience something very different. Not quite as local as OP has in mind but 50 bucks can still take you to Italy or Sweden
- “because we found it randomly” reveals the importance of mindset. So much of the travel experience (hell, life itself!) is influenced by a positive attitude and openness to really see what is around us.
by bwestergard
4 subcomments
- Birding is also a great way to discover interesting environments in your home locale.
- I get the point and I’m thankful for the article. I just find “middle of nowhere” and Switzerland a bit hard to reconcile.
- > Fraser calls it “staycation”, which is a more accurate term and hasn’t been heard before.
Hasn't been heard before? Major newspapers use the phrase "staycation" nearly every year when talking about travel habits. It's in about as much regular use as "vacation" is.
- I agree. In Europe we're particularly lucky that, after only a few hours in a train, we can be in a totally different culture, speaking a different language.
But even without this, traveling in the country side, getting to learn the history of those places, with the "small history", not the big battles, but the local inventions, the local specialties, etc, is so enriching and rewarding
by fumeux_fume
0 subcomment
- I couldn't help reading this article in the voice of Ted Flanders. It's such an insipid point and the writing is so bad. Not the writers fault, but when you find out he lives in Switzerland it's kinda hilarious.
- What's the next place in your list?
- This, but take a bike ride or a bus instead of driving.
by gradstudent
0 subcomment
- So, summarising the OP. Switzerland is awesome. News at 11.
Hacker News