My strongest passion has always been knowledge of the world in all possible ways: through books, music, science, art and, of course, travel. By the way, traveling in this list are in a separate line. Between travel and stay, I always chose the first option. And it is not so important where and how, the main thing - to a place where I have not been, even "reindeer" in the most budget hostel.
For me, it all began, as perhaps most of my generation is banal: the first independent travel - ten trek across the expanses of Belarus, the first sea - in the Crimea.
Then there was the desire to grasp the immensity and see all the sights of Europe, referred to in guide books (well, as well, because an educated person must see the creation of the Eiffel father in his life). In fact, under the influence of the installation in my life I came to Brussels, Strasbourg, Amsterdam, Cologne, Venice, and a dozen propiarenny places.
As my movements, selection criteria began to change. The main was not so much a designation of a place in the guide, as the presence of a special museum and atmospheric places with history. So I discovered Croatia, Vienna coffee house, the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, Athens, Northern Bulgaria and has a couple of places that really want to show his son.
Who is the most valuable for me is the authenticity and the ability to touch the non-touristic places of life in which I find myself. Therefore, I choose small towns (almost village), avoid hotels (if not, stop at very small), try the kitchen in places with very basic furniture and the lack of empty tables (because the most delicious food was there), buy products on the local markets, find out what and how to cook from them right there and try to play it, listen to street musicians, on fingers explain where Belarus and just smile listening to me enthusiastically tells something in a language I do not understand :) All this makes me happy, because in all of this - real life. Life, such as it is, without hypocrisy. Life is changeable, but beautiful and amazing :)
"the most valuable for me is the authenticity and the ability to touch the non-touristic places of life in which I find myself." I 100% agree. It makes the experience so much more sincere and worthwhile.
Authenticity when traveling is the most important thing I think. Yesterday I wrote about a small Chilean fishing village and how powerful it can be to explore non-touristic places.
Thank you for your votes. Here is the continuation:
https://steemit.com/travel/@asdes/only-the-most-most-extraordinary-places-which-i-visited