Imagine exploring a new city with a good friend who actually lives there. Intrepid’s Urban Adventures are like that. Find out how these day trips let local know-how lead the way.
Adventure travel doesn’t need to be reserved for the ones who have a week or more to spare. In a matter of just a few hours, places like the sizzling street food stalls of Bangkok or those local galleries tucked into Parisian pockets can serve up their own adventure.
All these under-the-radar city scenes need is a local to help shape the experience and lead the way. And Intrepid’s Urban Adventures have been doing just that since 2009.
Today, these bite-sized day tours serve up a behind-the-scenes look at more than 40 cities around the world. In just two to five hours (depending on your tour of choice), you’ll go where the locals like to hang out and see some of the lesser-known but totally-worth-the-visit parts of the city.
From hole-in-the-wall coffee spots to hidden neighbourhoods that you’ve possibly never heard of, Urban Adventures are the answer to those ‘so, what should we do while we’re in town?’ questions.
Let local know-how lead
Brooklyn Beckham recently tapped into this local know-how while in Miami, USA, visiting a handful of local hangouts, tucking into Cuban sandwiches and sipping cortadito (AKA Cuban espresso) with Urban Adventures leader Carlos, who’s been a Miami local for just under a decade.
Like Beckham, I also joined an Urban Adventure and chowed down on my share of local eats during a recent jaunt in Hanoi, Vietnam. Our leader, Chinh, has lived in Hanoi for more than ten years – being a long-term resident is an essential prerequisite for Urban Adventures leaders. He told me his favourite thing about running these trips was ‘sharing his city with people from all over.’
‘I want to show travellers not just the city but the special parts of it,’ he told me with a huge smile. ‘I like telling people about the food and the major attractions, but I also just like showing people local life here and the little things that make this city different.’
Chinh stuck to his word, leading us into an unassuming restaurant that I totally would’ve walked right past on my own where we had banh cuon freshly made right in front of our eyes. Then he guided us through the hidden laneways that house tightly-packed apartments to a no-frills eatery where we sat on what looked like kid-sized plastic blue chairs and tucked into grilled nem chua, a fermented pork roll, bursting with flavour. Imagine this, plus plenty more, all washed down with a locally-brewed beer at the end of the evening.
It’s moments like these – the ones often easily missed – that make travel special. These ordinary moments turn into unforgettable memories thanks to a combination of time, place and people.
One of the best ways for travellers to quickly get acquainted with a new destination while creating those tell-your-grandkids-about-it memories is to kick things off with an Urban Adventure.
So, I’ve rounded up a few of the favourites.
New York Tenements, Tales and Tastes Discovery
Stroll through New York‘s unique cultural and historic sites on the Lower East Side, Chinatown and Little Italy. Dive into the thriving mosaic of cultures in places such as the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, the African Burial Ground and the exciting streets of Chinatown, where you feel like you’re in Shanghai.
Cicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice
With this Urban Adventures trip, you can wander the winding laneways of Venice without fear of getting lost. Learn the secrets of Italian aperitivo, try local wines from the Veneto, and tuck into traditional local dishes during this tasty initiation into Venician culture beyond the gondolas and canals. The experience begins in the Cannaregio neighbourhood, one of the few remaining residential areas of Venice, known for being a popular after-work meeting spot for locals.
A Taste of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Tour
Get a feel for Morocco’s history, tradition and culture from inside Marrakech’s famous medina. Wander through the souks, sampling olives, dried fruits, nuts, pastries and other Moroccan specialities. Visit a local spice market and hear how spices are used in Moroccan dishes, see the mouth-watering variety of food in the iconic Djemaa El-Fna, and dig into a traditional dinner among the spectacular sights of this world heritage square.
Experiencing a new place or an old favourite through a local lens hits different. So, next time you’re on the road, explore those under-the-radar city scenes in just a few hours with Urban Adventures.
