Boldly Go Solo

Who better to tell you all about the things to do, places to go and food to eat than someone who lives in the town you're visiting? That's why I posted here about things to do in Washington, DC, that I know about from living here. And which travel guides don't often include. 

That's the theory behind Spotted By Locals, a group-written blog with posts on 21 different European cities. Completely written by residents of those cities. It includes places such as Berlin, Budapest, Geneva, Hamburg and Stockholm.

Many travel guides, and sites such as Trip Advisor, take contributions from travelers. The Amsterdam couple who created Spotted By Locals chose their bloggers, or "spotters" specifically to write about their own home towns, offering tips from their personal, local perspective.

Spotted By Locals isn't about solo travel per se. You'll have to come back here for that. And it's not about joining adventure travel groups as a solo traveler. You'll have to come back here for that.

No, Spotted By Locals is for travelers to European cities who want to find the unique places frequented by the locals. It seems like it would be a good, if not comprehensive, resource for when you end up in one of the cities it covers. It would give you an "in" as you explore. 

For example, one blogger wrote about a dive bar in Barcelona that is a hip hangout for students, street musicians and dogs. A place where you can bring your own food without getting kicked out. 

Funny!  

Two Portuguese bloggers recommend Cha da Lapa, a lovely "hidden gem" of a patisserie with food made on site. Perfect for a lunch stop after visiting the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga. (The two bloggers like the fried meatballs.) If you're there for tea, you can try the blattertart. (The blattertart???)

This blog seems like a good one to read for fun from time to time. Even if a trip to Europe isn't imminent.

Photo: Ellen Perlman. Fado performance in Lisbon, Portugal.