Next Time You Travel, Move Right In

February 23, 2015 Leah Griffin

When planning our travels we often think of a route that will take us from destination to destination, exploring each place along the way. But what if there were a way to stay in one place, slow down and check out the surrounding area with as much curiosity and sense of journey? Local Living tours offer just such a way. We asked Innovation Manager for Local Living tours, Leah Griffin for her top reasons why centre-based travel works so well.


Unpack once

italy property view with pool

Put your bags down and forget ‘em.

Your suitcase may very well explode the second you walk into a hotel room, but if you’re only staying at one place, it’s worth it (and feels good) to unpack, organize, and get settled in. When you get comfortable at your home away from home, you set the tone for a great trip.

Move right in: Italy

Experience life the local way in Southern Tuscany.

Appreciate your not-so-usual hotel room

Charm defined at this villa in Croatia.

Charm is defined at this villa in Croatia.

Chances are if you’re staying in one spot, you’ve selected your accommodation with care. Our Local Living tours, for instance, stay at unique, off-the-beaten-path places like Croatian villas or working farms in Italy. With a picture-perfect place to lay your head, it’s as much a pleasure to hang out at your accommodation as it is to explore the surrounding areas.

Move right in: Croatia

Cooking classes and cycling day trips await you in Southern Dalmatia.

Make new friends

Ecuador_Jungle_Homestay_Delfin_Family-

Staying put means time to forge new friendships.

When you stay in one spot for a while, you become familiar to the staff at your accommodation, the server at your favourite café, and the local bus driver. It’s easier to break the ice to have meaningful conversations and interactions with those around you. By the time you leave, you’ll have new friends to visit someday when you return.

Move right in: Ecuador

Let the Delfin family show you the Amazon Jungle.

Enjoy the pace

traveller feeding cows in mongolia

Slow down the pace of your travels.

Have you ever come back from a trip abroad only to think that you need a rest after your vacation? On a centre-based trip, you are in charge of the pace. Day trips abound to scour the cities and countryside, or you can opt to stay close to home for a day of relaxation if that’s more your speed. Do as much or as little as you like and enjoy!

Move right in: Mongolia

Slow down to the nomadic lifestyle in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park.

Get to know one place. In depth

Pitch in and help make a meal with the Hilltribe's in Thailand.

Help make a meal in Thailand.

Move right in: Thailand

After a few days in one place, you start to get into a bit of a routine. You discover a favourite fruit stand, find the best place to get comfortable with a book, and know how the local buses work. Of course, there will be some touristing in between to try out different restaurants and visit nearby attractions, and that’s all part of getting to know a place. In no time, you start to feel like you belong, and with that comes comfort and confidence, allowing you to blend in with the locals while enjoying beautiful surroundings.

Stay at a local hilltribe for an all-access glimpse into (very) rural life.


Getting There

G Adventures runs a number of Local Living departures encompassing a wide range of departure dates and activities to cater for different tastes. We’re thrilled at the prospect of showing you this big blue planet of ours — check out our small group trips here.

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