Travel Blog list

Whitby Abbey, Yorkshire

Ten Places to Visit in England that Aren’t London!

While chatting recently with our Yorkshire-based guide Keith, I mentioned my upcoming trip to London. His sigh came across clearly, even over email: why was I sticking to London? Why wasn’t I seeing more of the country?

Oct 10 2014

Grapes growing in Cognac

Wine Tourism Around the World

Have you ever experienced the joie de vivre that accompanies wine tourism? The experience can be a heady one as you drink in the sense of well-being that comes with savouring one of life’s truly simple, yet luxurious

Oct 03 2014

Guide Pamela in Paris

Tired Feet, Happy Heart: Life as a Busy Guide in Paris

What's it like to be a popular guide during high season in one of the most visited cities in the world? We asked our Parisian guide Pamela, who's just starting to wind down after a summer of meeting and touring with

Sep 29 2014

Hole Stone, Co. Antrim

The Legend of the Hole Stone - Northern Ireland

Have you ever heard of the “Hole Stone”? Probably not, unless you’ve been paying close attention to legends arising out of Northern Ireland. Our Belfast guide James(AKA “Wee Jim”) recently shared this story on our

Sep 23 2014

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How to Make Your First Inquiry on ToursByLocals

Are you new to ToursByLocals? Unsure about how it all works, or feeling shy about making your first inquiry of a guide? We’re here to show you how easy it is. The first thing you should know about how ToursByLocals

Sep 15 2014

Vicki on safari in Zimbabwe

A Travel Agent Shares: Why I use ToursByLocals for my clients

We now have over 3,000 travel agents registered on our site. With some of them booking upwards of 50 tours in the last 6 months, we decided to find out what keeps them coming back to ToursByLocals. Joining us today is

Sep 15 2014

A Cognac pot still

Sample Cognac at a Private Estate with our Newest French Guide

A double-distilled brandy is one of life's great pleasures, and Cognac has become famous the world over for its rich aroma, smooth taste and warm, amber colour. Sipping some of this fine liquid on a visit to the

Sep 12 2014

Catia (left) with a traveler in Lisbon

Five Things NOT to do in Lisbon

Cátia, one of our longest-standing guides in Lisbon, has delivered over 130 private tours to ToursByLocals travelers. She knows the Portuguese capital inside and out and can spot a tourist trap a mile away. Today she’s

Sep 05 2014

Easy storage for travel medication

Five Surprising Things You Can Pack to Make Your Next Trip Easier

Have you honed your packing skills to perfection? Do you prepare for a week-long jaunt to Europe with stylish neutral separates that fit in a carry-on sized wheely bag? Always bring a copy of your passport, a foreign

Sep 02 2014

Typical Peruvian fruits

South America's Premier Food Festival

Have you ever experienced the wonders of Mistura? This popular Peruvian food festival is one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in South America, and it returns to Lima's Magdalena del Mar for the seventh

Aug 27 2014

Sunrise at Hawke's Bay

Five Reasons to Visit Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Traveling to New Zealand? You can’t skip a visit to the place known as “The Tuscany of the South Pacific” now, can you? Our local guide John joins us today to talk about what makes his part of New Zealand a can’t-miss

Aug 26 2014

Suisian traditional market, Tainan

Five Ways to See Tainan, Taiwan's Oldest City

Tainan is Taiwan distilled down to its essence. The island's oldest city offers travelers a mix of old and new: shiny skyscrapers and tiny temples, mega malls and street markets. Joining us today is Kevin, our local

Aug 19 2014