
Auckland, Oceania
Auckland: The City of Sails
Coffee Obsession: Kiwis take coffee seriously, locals know every good coffee spot in their neighborhood. Weather Mood Swings: Four seasons in one day is real…
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Insider notes for 59 destinations across 39 countries.
Popular local notes to get you started.
Auckland, Oceania
Coffee Obsession: Kiwis take coffee seriously, locals know every good coffee spot in their neighborhood. Weather Mood Swings: Four seasons in one day is real…
Bangkok, Southeast Asia
Traffic Standstill Reality: 2-hour commutes for 5km distances normal, locals time their lives around traffic patterns and work remotely when possible. Street…
Barcelona, Western Europe
Siesta Reality Check: Shops close 2-5 PM, but restaurants don't open for dinner until 9 PM (locals eat at 10 PM). Beach Etiquette: Topless sunbathing is norm…
Berlin, Central Europe
Cash Culture: Many places only accept cash, locals always carry €50-100. Sunday Closures: Everything closes on Sundays except restaurants and bars, locals pl…
Budapest, Central Europe
Thermal Bath Etiquette: Locals take it seriously - no swimsuit in saunas, bring flip-flops, don't splash. Ruin Bar Reality: Szimpla Kert is tourist central, …
Buenos Aires, South America
European Complex: Porteños think they're more European than Latin American - don't call them Latino. Therapy Culture: Everyone has a psychoanalyst, Freudian …
Canggu, Southeast Asia
Surf Etiquette: Respect the lineup, don't drop in on waves, locals take surfing seriously. Temple Dress Code: Cover shoulders and knees when visiting local t…
Cape Town, Southern Africa
Load Shedding Reality: Power cuts scheduled daily, locals plan lives around electricity schedules. Mountain Weather: Table Mountain creates microclimates - s…
Casablanca, North Africa
French-Arabic Language Dance: Conversations switch between Darija Arabic, French, and Berber mid-sentence - locals code-switch without thinking, creating uni…
Chengdu, East Asia
Mahjong Capital: Every park has elderly playing mahjong from dawn to dusk - the clicking of tiles is the city's soundtrack. Spice Tolerance Test: Sichuan pep…
Chiang Mai, Southeast Asia
Temple Etiquette: Remove shoes before entering, dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees), locals appreciate respect. Songkran Water Festival (April): City …
Coimbra, Western Europe
Academic Pride: Locals are fiercely proud of their university heritage and intellectual traditions. Student Culture: Large student population, locals maintai…
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Auckland: The City of Sails
Coffee Obsession: Kiwis take coffee seriously, locals know every good coffee spot in their neighborhood. Weather Mood Swings: Four seasons in one day is real…
Bangkok: Street Food Capital Meets Digital Nomad Paradise
Traffic Standstill Reality: 2-hour commutes for 5km distances normal, locals time their lives around traffic patterns and work remotely when possible. Street…
Barcelona Beyond Las Ramblas
Siesta Reality Check: Shops close 2-5 PM, but restaurants don't open for dinner until 9 PM (locals eat at 10 PM). Beach Etiquette: Topless sunbathing is norm…
Berlin: Germany's Creative Capital
Cash Culture: Many places only accept cash, locals always carry €50-100. Sunday Closures: Everything closes on Sundays except restaurants and bars, locals pl…
Budapest: Thermal Baths & Ruin Bars
Thermal Bath Etiquette: Locals take it seriously - no swimsuit in saunas, bring flip-flops, don't splash. Ruin Bar Reality: Szimpla Kert is tourist central, …
Buenos Aires: The Paris of South America
European Complex: Porteños think they're more European than Latin American - don't call them Latino. Therapy Culture: Everyone has a psychoanalyst, Freudian …
Canggu: Bali's Digital Nomad Paradise
Surf Etiquette: Respect the lineup, don't drop in on waves, locals take surfing seriously. Temple Dress Code: Cover shoulders and knees when visiting local t…
Cape Town: Mountain, Sea & Rainbow Nation
Load Shedding Reality: Power cuts scheduled daily, locals plan lives around electricity schedules. Mountain Weather: Table Mountain creates microclimates - s…
Casablanca: Morocco's Economic Heart & Cultural Melting Pot
French-Arabic Language Dance: Conversations switch between Darija Arabic, French, and Berber mid-sentence - locals code-switch without thinking, creating uni…
Chengdu Slow Living Panda City
Mahjong Capital: Every park has elderly playing mahjong from dawn to dusk - the clicking of tiles is the city's soundtrack. Spice Tolerance Test: Sichuan pep…
Chiang Mai: Northern Thailand's Cultural Heart
Temple Etiquette: Remove shoes before entering, dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees), locals appreciate respect. Songkran Water Festival (April): City …
Coimbra: Portugal's University City
Academic Pride: Locals are fiercely proud of their university heritage and intellectual traditions. Student Culture: Large student population, locals maintai…
Cusco: Where Inca Stones Meet Living Quechua Culture
Altitude Shock Reality: 3,400m elevation hits visitors hard, locals chew coca leaves daily and have enlarged lung capacity from birth. Inca Stone Foundations…
Da Nang: Vietnam's Hidden Gem
Traffic Chaos: Motorbikes rule the roads, locals navigate with confidence and patience. Coffee Culture: Strong Vietnamese coffee tradition, locals drink iced…
Dubai: Beyond the Skyscrapers
Traditional Values: Locals maintain strong Emirati traditions despite modern development. Family First: Strong family bonds, locals prioritize family time an…
Ericeira: Portugal's Surf Capital
Surf Etiquette: Locals respect the lineup - don't drop in on waves, wait your turn. Fish Market Timing: Fresh catch arrives 6-7 AM, locals buy before 9 AM fo…
Gaborone: Gateway to the Kalahari
Pula Currency Pride: Locals proudly explain pula means 'rain' - most precious thing in desert country. Cattle Culture: Cows wander everywhere, have right of …
Gran Canaria: Island of Eternal Spring
Weather Obsession: Locals constantly talk about 'perfect weather' while complaining about wind or occasional clouds. Island Time: Everything runs slower, app…
Hanoi Hustle & Hidden Lanes
Plastic Stool Culture: Locals eat meals on tiny plastic stools on sidewalks - embrace the squat, it's where the best food is. Motorbike Madness: Millions of …
Hiroshima: Peace, Okonomiyaki & Island Hopping
Peace City Identity: Atomic bomb history everywhere, locals balance remembrance with normal life. Okonomiyaki Wars: Hiroshima-style vs Osaka-style divides th…
Ho Chi Minh City: Digital Nomad Hub Meets Street Food Paradise
Motorbike Madness: 8 million scooters create organized chaos, locals navigate by sound and intuition more than traffic laws. Coffee Culture Obsession: Strong…
Hoi An: Ancient Town Lantern Paradise
Lantern Making Tradition: Every family has lantern-making skills passed down generations - locals craft silk lanterns by hand during monsoon season. Ancient …
Hue: Imperial City & Perfume River
Imperial Etiquette Remains: Locals still bow when passing royal tombs, speak quietly in Citadel grounds - 150 years after monarchy ended, respect continues. …
Istanbul Bridge Between Worlds
Call to Prayer Schedule: 5 daily prayers starting before dawn - beautiful but loud if staying near mosques. Haggling Expected: In Grand Bazaar and markets, s…
Jaipur Pink City Secrets
Pink City Origins: Built with pink sandstone in 1876 to welcome Prince of Wales - entire old city maintains pink facade by law. Autorickshaw Negotiations: Al…
Johor Bahru Food Paradise
Singapore's Cheaper Cousin: Everything costs 3x less than across the causeway - Singaporeans flood here on weekends for cheap food and shopping. Traffic Jam …
Kigali: The Phoenix City of Tech & Reconciliation
Ultra-Clean Streets: Monthly community cleaning day (Umuganda) where entire city participates, locals pride themselves on spotless neighborhoods. Plastic Bag…
Krakow: Poland's Royal City
Historical Pride: Locals are fiercely proud of their royal history and cultural heritage. Academic Culture: Large student population, locals maintain intelle…
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's Melting Pot
Multi-Cultural Etiquette: Respect all three major cultures (Malay, Chinese, Indian), locals appreciate cultural sensitivity. Prayer Time Respect: Business sl…
Kyoto Temple Traditions
Geisha vs Maiko Spotting: Real geisha wear subdued makeup and kimono, tourists in rental kimono are obvious (and that's okay!). Temple Photography Rules: Som…
Lahore: Where Mughal Emperors Meet Street Food Kings
Food as Religion: Locals argue about paaye (trotters) and nihari (slow-cooked beef) with religious fervor, breakfast debates can last hours. Walled City Maze…
Lima: Where Ancient Meets Modern Peru
Gray Sky Syndrome: Overcast 8 months yearly, locals call it 'eternal winter' despite no rain. Ceviche Time Rules: Only eaten at lunch, never dinner - locals …
Lisbon: Seven Hills & Atlantic Soul
Tram 28 Survival: Historic yellow tram packed with tourists and pickpockets - locals only ride it at 7 AM or after 8 PM to avoid chaos. Earthquake Superstiti…
Ljubljana: Slovenia's Green Capital
Car-Free Center: Old town is pedestrian-only, locals walk and cycle everywhere. Slovenian Pride: Locals are fiercely proud of their independence and culture,…
London: Beyond the Tourist Trail
Tube Etiquette: Stand on the right, walk on the left - breaking this rule causes passive-aggressive tutting. Pub Culture Rules: Order at bar, never at table,…
Luang Prabang: Ancient Kingdom of a Million Elephants
Alms Giving Ritual: Monks collect food at dawn - tourists should observe respectfully from distance, not participate. Curfew Culture: Everything closes by 11…
Mallorca: Beyond the Beach Resorts
Siesta Reality: Everything closes 2-5 PM, even in tourist areas - locals take this seriously. Catalan Pride: Locals speak Mallorquí (Catalan dialect), not Sp…
Manchester: Industrial Heritage & Modern Music Scene
Rain Reputation vs Reality: It actually rains less than many UK cities, but locals always carry umbrellas as psychological comfort. Northern Directness: Loca…
Marrakech Maze Master
Haggling is Expected: Start at 30% of asking price, walk away if they won't budge - they'll often call you back. Fake Guides: Ignore anyone offering to show …
Medellín: City of Eternal Spring
Paisa Pride: Antioquia region has distinct identity, locals more proud of being Paisa than Colombian. Pablo Escobar Tourism: Locals tired of narco-tourism bu…
Melbourne: Australia's Cultural Capital
Coffee Obsession: Melburnians take coffee seriously, locals know every good coffee spot in their neighborhood. Weather Mood Swings: Four seasons in one day i…
Mexico City: Cultural Giant & Creative Capital
Altitude Reality Check: 7,350 feet elevation means you'll get winded walking up stairs - locals carry small oxygen cans in their bags. Earthquake Drills on t…
Nairobi: Silicon Savannah & Cultural Crossroads
Traffic Jam Culture: Nairobi's legendary traffic creates mobile economies - vendors sell everything from newspapers to roasted corn through car windows. Mata…
New Orleans: Jazz, Gumbo & Second Lines
Second Line Culture: Spontaneous parades with brass bands - locals join in, tourists watch. Drive-Thru Daiquiri: Frozen cocktails in drive-thru windows - per…
New York City: Beyond Times Square
Neighborhood Pride: Locals identify by their neighborhood first, not just 'New Yorker'. Subway Culture: Locals navigate the subway instinctively, know every …
Osaka: Japan's Kitchen & Comedy Central
Escalator Etiquette: Stand on RIGHT side (opposite of Tokyo), locals will push past if you're wrong. Kuidaore Culture: 'Eat til you drop' - locals obsessed w…
Ploiesti: Romania's Oil Capital
Oil Heritage: City built on petroleum industry, locals are proud of their industrial history. Traditional Markets: Locals shop at century-old markets, avoidi…
Pokhara: Nepal's Lake City
Mountain Spirit: Locals have deep connection to Himalayas, mountains are sacred and part of daily life. Lake Culture: Phewa Lake is central to local life, lo…
Porto: Wine, Tiles & Portuguese Soul
Fado vs Fado: Porto fado is different from Lisbon - more melancholic, locals prefer Coimbra-style university fado. Port Wine Rules: Never call it 'porto wine…
Rome Like a Roman
Cappuccino Rules: Only drink cappuccino before 11 AM, never after meals - locals will judge. Aperitivo Culture: 6-8 PM drinks with free buffet snacks, essent…
Sarajevo: Where East Meets West
Coffee Culture Obsession: Bosnians drink coffee for hours - it's social ritual, not caffeine fix. Sarajevo Roses: Red resin fills mortar shell craters in sid…
Seoul: K-Culture Capital & 24/7 Energy
Ppalli-ppalli Culture: 'Hurry, hurry' mentality, locals do everything at breakneck speed. Age Hierarchy Sacred: Formal language changes based on age, locals …
Singapore: The Lion City Insider
Chewing Gum Ban: Illegal to sell or import, but not illegal to chew if you brought it from elsewhere. Death Penalty for Drugs: Signs everywhere, locals take …
Tashkent: Where Silk Road Meets Soviet Dreams
Soviet Architecture Meets Silk Road: Marble metro stations underground while bazaars operate above using 1000-year-old trading methods. Triple Language Reali…
Tbilisi: Where Europe Meets Asia Over Wine & Khachapuri
8,000-Year Wine Heritage: Locals invented winemaking in clay vessels called qvevri, buried underground for fermentation. Polyphonic Singing Tradition: UNESCO…
Tokyo Local Secrets
Elevator Etiquette: Always stand on the left side of escalators in Tokyo (opposite of Osaka). Shoe Culture: Remove shoes when entering homes, some restaurant…
Warsaw: Poland's Phoenix City
Cash Culture: Many places prefer cash, locals always carry złoty notes. Traffic Light Respect: Locals wait for green lights, jaywalking is frowned upon. Sund…
Windhoek: Where Desert Meets German Heritage
German-African Fusion: German street names with African pronunciation, schnitzel served with pap. Windhoek Lager Pride: Local beer is point of national pride…
Xi'an Ancient Capital Secrets
Ancient Capital Pride: Former capital of 13 dynasties, locals constantly reference 3,000-year history in daily conversations. Noodle Obsession: City revolves…
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