Finding Beautiful Views, Locally
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for international travel. International travel is one of the main type of trips I book as a travel agent! Even booking internationally, I realized that there is great value in discovering beautiful views locally, away from the tourist attractions. This means that there is also a way to explore beautiful views domestically, without leaving your general region as well. Local travel lets you see a place in its true colors, without the fluff tourism may bring. You get to witness how the local community lives, works, and play, which gives a more authentic experience. It's about soaking up the culture and immersing yourself in the local way of life. There are wonderful things you can experience without having to go too far.
Experiencing small businesses and local culture doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice luxury either. Many small businesses, including boutique hotels, restaurants, and shops, offer high-quality services and amenities that can rival larger, more commercialized options. In fact, many travelers often find that smaller, locally-owned businesses offer a more personalized and authentic experience. I ate at a local Thai restaurant in Rockville, Maryland, Thai Chef, and had the most delicious braised noodle soup. My experience was absolutely lovely - such a beautiful restaurant and amazing staff that truly care about and serve their customers well. It was so good, I’m trying to make excuses to stop by the restaurant again.
The delicious Braised Noodle Soup from Thai Chef in Rockville, MD.
We recommend taking detours from the usual tourist route to find these gems. Explore the not-so-known neighborhoods, visit the local small business shops and restaurants. Basically, “shop, eat and play locally!” Not only are you experiencing authentic, local culture, but you’ll be supporting small businesses! Participate in local events and festivals. Have you ever been to the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC or the Filipino Fest in Maryland and shopped at one of the vendors shops? Have you visited the restaurant around the corner from your hotel that the community swears by? Have you been on the local hiking trail that you can’t book online but can see the entire view the city? What about the local coffee shop that sells handcrafted jewelry by the owner? There’s an entire list out there and there’s something happening in every season.
To show you the wonderful things you can experience, Bellavue Travel Agency has started a travel blog, highlighting local restaurants, shops, festivals and any other experiences Bellavue puts its stamp of approval on. Subscribe here so you don’t miss out on all of the local beauty that surrounds you.
