Being spontaneous and going with the flow when traveling might sound romantic and adventurous, but I believe the best experiences come with a bit of prep work.
Saving a list of places to visit on Google Maps gives me a sense of orientation when I arrive somewhere new — but when those pins come from algorithm-fed videos, influencers, and glossy listicles, I find they often miss the mark.
Creators and I rarely share the same definition of what’s worth seeing or eating, and media roundups can sometimes lack a personal touch.
That’s why trusted insider tips remain my favorite way to get recommendations. Unfortunately, not every destination I travel to comes with a friend ready to share their carefully curated list of local gems.
So, I use dating apps. A few days before a trip, I change my Hinge location to a cool neighborhood in the city I’m visiting and ask locals for suggestions.
Most people I talk to seem excited to share recommendations
Through a mix of profile curation and the questions I ask my matches, I make my intentions clear from the start. And usually, people are happy to provide recommendations.
Recently, while planning a trip to Istanbul, I set my location to Kadıköy. Within an hour, I had more than 50 locals ready for a chat.
A quick, “Hey, it’s my first time visiting the city. Do you have any tips?” is often enough to get the conversation going.
To make things even easier, I sometimes change one of my profile prompts to something that invites recommendation-giving. From Hinge’s long list, there are plenty that work:
“The way to win me over is … telling me your favorite food spot in town.”“I want someone who … can direct me to the best cocktails.”
From their responses — and their profiles (age, occupation, interests) — it’s easy to tell if our tastes align and know who to ask for specific recommendations.
For example, I can ask an architect about a local building he thinks is underrated or a runner about the best nearby park for a morning run.
If the conversation flows, the person genuinely piques my curiosity, and I’ve got time in my itinerary, I sometimes meet my virtual guides in person.
When I do, my usual dating safety rules apply: We meet in public (preferably in daylight), I share my location with someone I trust, I don’t drink too much, and I always watch my drink.
Romance is never completely off the table — who says you can’t mix business with pleasure? However, most of my matches have remained on the app or turned into Instagram friendships.
Overall, it’s been a great way to meet new people and see the city like a local
Through these encounters, my matches have scored me discounts at their friends’ stores, invited me to parties filled with locals, and even guided me on personalized bar-hopping adventures.
I’ve found that most people naturally like to help others and to show their city in the best possible light. And if the chat is pleasant, I encourage them to reach out when they’re in my city so I can return the favor.
This travel hack might be a single-person privilege. However, in times when main courses can sometimes only be ordered for two, there aren’t many perks left — so let us have this one.
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