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How to Meet the Locals While Travelling in Italy?

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How to Meet the Locals While Travelling in Italy?

Seeking a different kind of travel experience? This vacation, delve deeper by immersing yourself in a cultural discovery of Italy. Meeting and interacting with the locals is a great way to do this – you'll gain fascinating insights into the culture and history of the country, uncover some of Italy's hiddem gems, find out about the best places to feast on authentic Italian fare, and discover how to get around during your day trips. 

1. Learn the Language

Picking up some basic Italian phrases will go a long way in enabling you to meet and interact with the locals during your travels. The Italians you meet will appreciate that you are making the effort to converse with them in their native language, and be more inclined to engage in friendly banter. Learning Italian does not have to be costly; simply download an Italian language learning app on your smartphone, or log on to websites like Duolingo to learn the basic conversational Italian. 

2. Livin' with the Locals

Live where the locals reside, and you are likely to meet the natives of Italy, and experience the country through the eyes of a local. You may book a stay in the homes of the locals through online platforms such as Airbnb and FlipKey. All hosts are verified by the organisation to ensure the safety and security of guests, and user reviews are provided to assist potential guests in selecting suitable hosts.

3. Venture Off the Beaten Path

Italy is home to a number of iconic attractions, but more often than not, these well-know sites are populated by tourists. Take a shot at exploring the country beyond its tourist haunts, and you stand a good chance of meeting the locals. Explore websites such as likealocal to find out information on where the locals in different cities like to hang out, eat, shop and drink at. You may also refer to Italy: Beyond the Obvious, a site that details some of Italy's hidden gems near its cities. 

4. Goin' Solo

Travelling around Italy alone may seem like a daunting idea, but it will help to expand your comfort zone, and encourage you to become more open towards meeting different people and trying out new experiences. It increases the likelihood of any kinds of interaction with locals – you are much more inclined to approach the natives for help when you require assistance, as there are no fellow travellers to seek aid or advice from. 

5. Dining with the Locals

The Italians take pride in their cuisine and in bonding over meals. Dining with the locals in Italy will bring a unique dimension to your travel experience, as you discover for yourself their passion for food and warm hospitality. If you cannot get enough of the delectable Italian fare prepared by your host, why not take up a culinary lesson with them? 

6. Confidence is Key

Generally, the Italians and warm and friendly people, but do not expect them to approach you during your travels. To get to know the locals better, you will have to take initiative – and this is not as intimidating as it appears to be. Start slowly, and you will become increasingly adept in approaching the locals as your travel progresses. 

 

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How To Eat Like A Local In Budapest

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How To Eat Like A Local In Budapest

In the gastronomic city of Budapest, one will find a diversity of flavours that combines food influences from both the east and west. Most Hungarian dishes, particularly traditional items, are heavily influenced by the nomadic lifestyles and tastes of the Magyar people. Livestock, seasonal vegetables and meats were cooked over the fire, and stews, such as beef goulash and fish soup, as well as pickled vegetables and spices are often featured in the diet of the locals. This wide variety of local food in Hungary may be overwhelming to travellers new to Hungarian cuisine…until you get a handy list of tips on how to eat like the local Magyars in Budapest!

1. Angelo Café Bar

Kalvin Ter, along with other central locations such as Deak, Andrassy Road or Octogon offers a good number of dining options. The eateries here will suit tighter budgets, and you will be able to find all kinds of traditional food items here. One restaurant that comes with my recommendation is Angelo Café Bar. You will not have a problem spotting this place – the menus of the cafe are huge, and it is one of the first few restaurants that you see when you enter 6 Raday Street. 

Prices are affordable, and portions are generous for the food items sold here – a gigantic salami pizza costs just €5. Savour a taste of traditional Hungarian flavours by ordering the beef goulash, fish soup and cabbage wrap, or try out well-loved fare such as sandwiches and steaks. You must order the Elderflower wine spritzer to go along with your meal – the combination of aromatic elderflower and wine makes this a heavenly-tasting beverage not to be missed!

Location: 6 Raday St, alight at metro station Kalvin Ter

2. Nagyi Palacsintazoja (Granny’s Pancake House)

Hungarian-style pancakes are a must-try when you are in Budapest. A hiddem gem called Granny's Pancake House is tucked away at Batthyany Square. This eatery may not have an attractive location or fancy decorations, but it continues to draw flocks of diners keen on having a taste of its delightful pancakes. Browse through the menu, and you will find about a hundred different varieties of sweet and savoury pancakes, with fillings such as choclate, spinach and chicken stew. The eatery is open 24/7, so you can get a fix of pancake treat any time when the cravings hit. 

Locations: 

Pest City Center – Petőfi Sándor utca 17-19, District 5

Buda – Királyhágó tér 2, District 12

Óbuda Aquincum – Szentendrei út 131, District 3

3. Local Markets

Avoid the over-priced souvenirs and food produce sold at the touristy Central Market Hall. Instead, explore local haunts, such as the market located next to Allee Shopping Centre at Ujbuda-Kozpont. You will find an abundance of vegetables and fruits, such as cherries, strawberries and paprikas, sold at affordable prices. 

Location:  October twenty-street 8-10

4. Spar / InterSpar

Supermarkets offer heaps of options to go truly local. In Budapest, you will easily find a chain of supermarkets known as Spar. Once here, do not leave without getting a box of Pöttyös, a well-loved snack of chocolate coated with sweet cheese. The coating does not taste like traditional cheeses, for it is sweet and sour. This is the most amazing snack that I have ever tasted! 

All the Spar outlets offer a good selection of salamis with varying levels of spiciness and flavours. The salami with paprika is a must-try, and can be eaten as a snack, or used as an ingredient in dishes. Give the liver spread a try too – you will find tins of goose, chicken or cow liver spreads on the shelves. Spread over bread, and eaten with pickled cabbage and cold cuts, this makes for a simple breakfast often consumed by the locals. 

Locations: All over the city

5. Anna Café

Venture to Vaci Ucta, one of the most popular tourist streets in Budapest, and you will find Anna Café. The cafe offers a variety of traditional Hungarian cakes and desserts, as well as salads, sandwiches, wine and specialty coffee. 

Try the gundel palacsinta, a decadent treat made up of three gundel pancakes rolled up together, and coated with chocolate, peanuts and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you are not in the mood for an indulgent dessert, the cafe's strategic location makes it an excellent spot to spend a leisurely afternoon sipping coffee, people watching, and enjoying the views of the city. 

Location: Vaci Ucta 5, 1051 Budapest Hungary

6. McDonald’s

Yum! Creamy, filled with small wafer balls and containing a splash of rich chocolate, the Cornetto McFlurry is a treat that ice cream lovers will adore!

The baroque-style McDonald’s outlet at Nyugati Railway Terminal in Budapest is regarded as the most beautiful McDonald’s outlet in the world. Opened in 1988, it is the first Mcdonald’s outlet in Hungary, and also one of the first outlets opened in Eastern Europe. 

Location: Right outside Nyugati Railway Station

7. Street Food Stalls and Food Festivals

Lucky holidaymakers traversing the streets of Budapest during the summer will have plenty of opportunities to explore a slew of food festivals. Make time to visit Oktoberfest, set up beside Deak Metro station in the heart of Budapest. You will find stores selling different varieties of beer, sausages, stews, pickles and crunchy, deep-fried fare.

Be sure to try out kolacs when you see it sold at the street food stalls. This traditional pastry is made by rolling pastry dough around a cylinder, before cooking it slowly over fire. When it starts to brown and turn crispy, a generous dash of sugar and cinnamon are spread over the pastry before it is served.  

Nutritious and flavourful, the paprika is a favourite snack among the locals. 

8. Home-dining with the Locals

Want to tuck into a spread of Hungarian dishes in the cosy homes of the locals? A meal with Peter promises to be a culinary adventure. You will start dinner with a traditional soup served with Palinka, a local spirit made from fruits, and round off the meal with flodni, a layered Jewish cake packed with walnuts, apples and poppy seeds.

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Eat Like a Local in Prague

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Eat Like a Local in Prague

Eating like a local in Prague is not a difficult affair, as long as you avoid restaurants and eateries targeting the tourist crowds, for these places tend to be overpriced. Make time to check out food haunts frequented by the locals, and get a taste of the flavoure that they love. Places to wine and dine at are not limited to restaurants and dining outlets – if you are feeling adventurous during your sojourns, why not make your way to the homes of the local for an authentic, home-made meal? 

1. Havelská Koruna

Travellers keen on trying out Czech cuisine in a central area of Prague will find Havelská Koruna to be a restaurant worth patronising. You will find a wide array of items on the extensive menu, and the dishes are changed on a day-to-day basis. The long queues snaking outside the restaurant are a testament to the popularity and quality of the food offered, but the prompt service means that you will not have to endure a painfully long wait.

[PRAGUE https://www.bonappetour.com/s/Prague–Czech-Republic?lat=50.0755381&lng=14.43780049999998]
 

2. Lokál U Bílé kuželky 

Lokál U Bílé kuželky may be situated close to the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, but it is not one of the overpriced, touristy restaurants lining the streets of Prague's city center. Boasting a quaint pub-like setting, the restaurant dishes up a slew of traditional Czech cuisine at affordable prices. Do not leave without downing a pint (or more) of homemade beer!

3. Kavárna Pražírna

After a fun-filled day excursion, take a well-deserved break at the cosy and welcoming Kavárna Pražírna. Spend a leisurely afternoon sipping an aromatic cup of coffee, nibbling on buttery baked treats or savouring bites of a rich cheesecake. A selection of sandwiches are also available for travellers keen on tucking into a meal here. The cafe's quiet and laidback atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for holidaymakers seeking to escape the lively buzz of the city centre. 

4. Street Food Stalls

You have not really discovered the cuisines and tastes of the locals unless you have tried the street food of a particular destination. Here in Prague, keep a lookout for vendors in Wencelas Square. Once you are within close proximity to these stalls, you will discern an irresistible aroma wafting in the air – one which reminds you of decadent cheese and savoury sausages.

Step closer, and you will see throngs of locals sinking their teeth into soft bread rolls filled with sausage, or an indulgent fried cheese sandwich. This is a snack often consumed by the locals when they need to eat on the go, so grab one of these hot dog rolls if you need a quick bite during your travels.

 5. Cafe Bar Propaganda

Prague's myriad pubs and watering holes makes it a haven for beer fanatics. If you want to drink as the locals do, make your way to Cafe Bar Propaganda. With a quirky setting and well-priced beers, it comes as no surprise that this is a fond favourite among the locals. Teetotallers in the group can opt from a selection of non-alcoholic beverages on the drinks menu. 

6. Home-dining Experience

If you find yourself missing a heartwarming, homecooked meal during your sojourns, quell your cravings by trying out a home dining experience. Beer aficionados will be eager to start a spread of Czech cuisine and beer feast with Jana, while travellers with a curious palate may want to sample an array of Czech Indian fusion food with Shruti. 

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7 Miseries of Solo Travel

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7 Miseries of Solo Travel

1. Table For One 

Experiencing that awkward moment of hearing the waiter shout across the restaurant: "Table for one!"  

2. Too Much Food

When you want to try different dishes, but cannot afford to order as many as you want to as there is no one else to share them with. 

3. Taking Photographs

A cure for the problem of being #foreveralone? A selfie stick. 

4. When you fall sick, you will not have any travel companions to look after you. 

5. Having a random, homeless passer-by hit on you.

"No I’m not interested – I'd like to read my map in peace."

6. Taking a solitary walk back to your hostel, filled with fears of getting mugged. Or knocked out, and left for dead by the roadside. Or being butchered up. 

7. At the end of the day, you come to the realisation that you do not have anyone to share your highlights of the day with. 

If you have checked off all seven points listed above, you are definitely a seasoned solo traveller! Cure your solo travelling woes by embarking on a social dining experience with BonAppetour. Having tasty, home-cooked meals is not the only plus point – you will also get to meet plenty of friendly locals! 

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