Do's and Don'ts: Visiting a City in a Year
How to See All a City Has to Offer in One Year
So you're studying abroad for a year or you're doing like me and moving abroad just because you felt like it. Congratulations! It's a life changing experience. But whether you're studying abroad or just working, visiting a large city in a year is a task that it hard to complete. Move to a European capital and a year won't be enough. So here are some tips on how to visit a city in an entire year.Don't
Don't assume you'll see it all without an effort. You're not going to walk past all the famous monuments every day to work, it just doesn't happen unless you make it happen. And it's not like you're going to be hitting up the museums on your hour lunch break. You're going to have to put effort into seeing everything. It won't happen through daily experience, but it will happen by making efforts. |
| Charles Bridge, Prague |
Do
Remember that seeing a city isn't just about seeing it's major monuments. It's experiencing the festivals, trying the food, and taking part in the activities. So get to know your city and learn what it's famous for and try it. Go to the Christmas markets in Germany. See the fêtes des villages in France. Experience all it has to offer, but remember to research ahead of time so you don't miss it.Don't
Don't just rely on tourist websites. Hear what the locals have to say. Some of the best things I've seen have been recommended by people in the area. And if it keeps the locals coming back, it has to be good.Do
Remember to not book every weekend full of trips. As I'm writing this right now, I'm sitting in an airport because I am returning from my third straight weekend trip. I can't visit Paris when I'm gone all the time. So remember to ease up on the trips if you want a real taste of the city. You won't get it if you're coming and going all the time. |
| Tyn Cathedral, Prague |
Don't
Don't save it all for the end. You think that you'll have all this time at the end. But that's not true. Instead your packing, finishing up last minute projects, saying your goodbyes. Take advantage of your down time in the beginning. After you find that apartment before you start school or work, hit the ground running. It's ok to play tourist in the beginning. And take advantage of down time when you don't have much homework on the weekend to see the city. Try to experience it gradually throughout the year because if you save it all for the end it won't happen.Do
Prioritize what you want to see. Some things may not interest you, and that's ok. So think about the things that you must see before you leave and save the other for random days or for a return trip. By prioritizing then you can feel accomplished in seeing the city to your satisfaction.
