How many times have I hummed that song to myself as I have clocked up the km’s wandering around foreign cities?

For me, this is the only way to really discover a city that you are visiting and all too often visitors to great cities don’t have the luxury of spare time to do just that!!!
Try and arrive at least one day prior to the start of a tour or have a little time after your arrangements are complete to do a little exploring of your own.
So forgo the tube, metro and even the buses and get away from the main roads and tourist areas to find what really makes a city tick.
With a very large ball of string – no only kidding . . . . with a good map, good shoes, camera and a sense of excitement, you can set off in most cities of the world on your own little adventure . . . . whether you have an hour before a tour pick up or half a day, please take a walk!  When you return home, whether it be to work or at the bowls club, it is more than likely these tales of adventure that are the first ones you tell.
Even for people who normally only feel comfortable on an escorted tour, you can rustle up some courage and do a little exploring of your own . . . . imagine being able to tell Mavis over the breakfast buffet that you did something she didn’t!!
An early morning walk in Paris can have you nodding and smiling (no speaka da French…) to local stall holders who are setting up the most amazing displays of fruit, vegies and best of all flowers.
On my last memorable visit to Paris, we ended up at Jardin de Luxembourg with a baguette, cheese, tomato, meringue and a bottle of red wine – only to realize that the French have stuck stubbornly to corks in their wine bottles. . . . but we did enjoy the gardens and the baguette!
Walking through the back streets of Kensington, Mayfair and Belgravia in London reveals how the other half really do live.
These homes are spectacular from the outside and normally have lower floor curtains open that enable you to have a sneaky peak inside.  My husband hates me doing so, but you can see a lot from the footpath – honest!  A lot of these homes look like old Victorian doll houses.
Amsterdam streets at night, well lets perhaps move on to the next city!!!
Tokyo on a Sunday of course has Harajuka which is where you really get to see another slant on fashion!  The area is famous for the Harajuka girls and what they wear has to be seen to be believed.
One little piece of advice is that if your wife tells you to go a certain way, you do so – remember,  a key success to walking tours is that the same rules as driving/navigating a vehicle apply, the woman is always right!
Last of all, before setting off on any little adventure take (a) a bottle opener and (b) enough money for a taxi back to the hotel and best of all, remember the name of the hotel (or better yet, grab a hotel business card).
Don’t forget that only Travelscene American Express at Samford lets you travel anywhere, any time and pay with your membership rewards points so contact us on 3289 3700 and let us help you turn your American Express membership rewards points into your next trip.

www.travelscenesamford.com.au