How to be a traveller, not a tourist

Tips and tricks on how to discover any city, the right way. Check out our city guides as a starting place and go from there. These guidebooks are designed to help take some of the guesswork out of travelling to a new city.

Don't use spray-on sunscreen

There is nothing more devastating than the aftermath of a music festival or large public gatherings. Mountains of plastic bottles that could fill 100 swimming pools.

The waste ranged from plastic beverage bottles and unfinished meals to abandoned tents. [Photo/VCG]

The devasting environmental effects are any city's pain point. Visitors are transient people. The attachment they have, and the consideration for the state in which they leave an area, are less than that of their city.

An expert traveller respects all cities like their own. Don't litter, be polite and respect the locals.

A good place to start is prior to departure and it entails research. Look into the history of where you are going, what is this area known for?

Next, you will want to make sure to plan for the weather. Having the proper attire (think lightweight clothing in warm climates and many layers in cold climates) can completely alter your experience while travelling. Nothing like sunstroke or a heat rash to dampen your plans

The last step is to start planning! What made you want to visit this city? What are you hoping to experience on this trip?

Seek out local experts who can help guide you. It's a good idea to as locals what they consider to be safe, or unsafe, actions/activities/areas. Quora is a good option to ask locals or Tripadvisor.