You could travel around the world, run from museum to church, tick off the best restaurants in all lists, starred or otherwise, and yet, there’s a chance that you may not be able to feel the pulse of the place.

The only way to feel the pulse of any destination is through locals. See their town through their eyes. Live a day in their shoes. Ask them where they eat, and what they avoid with a barge pole. And if nothing else, observe them. See how they go about their regular day. What makes them different? Parisians sit in a straight line outside cafes, facing the road, simply watching people pass by. Italians flock to underground, home-style trattorias where the nonna cooks only her favourite dishes, and the Greek up in the mountains (not in the overcrowded party islands) brew their own local drinks as the entire multi-generational family runs a taverna and takes a siesta in the afternoon.

Denmark – Hygge

On my summer quest this year, I came across the concept of Hygge in Denmark. A concept that goes back to almost 1800, it refers to taking time out to do things which give you comfort. To relax and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures such as baking, or lighting candles. Perhaps originating during the cold and long Dane winters, Hygge is all about finding solace and contentment at home by creating a cosy space.

Sweden – Fika

Sweden, on the other hand, introduced me to the concept of Fika. This is one that I’m going to take home with me. Simply put, fika is a spontaneous meeting with a friend over a coffee and a pastry such as a cinnamon bun (kanebulle). The joy of taking a break. ‘Let’s go fika’, is a common utterance in Swede life. Fika is a concept, a state of mind, an attitude and an important part of Swedish culture. Many Swedes consider that it is almost essential to make time for fika. And why not. We must always find time for a little bit of joy, lest life pass us by.

Switzerland – Swimming in lakes & rivers

Meanwhile, in Switzerland, I found that the pulse of a place lay not always in a concept but sometimes in an activity too. Summers are precious here, and sunny days, even more so. Come summer and the Swiss love to jump into the nearest lake or river and enjoy the outdoor life. And that’s what we did. An ‘okayish’ pool swimmer, I am dreadfully ill-equipped to swim in natural water bodies. Yet, the temptation to swim in the Rhine River in Basel was too strong when our local host suggested that as her favourite thing to do in town. And thank God we listened. An exhilarating experience, it was one of the most incredible things I have ever done in my life. Ice-cold water, strong currents underfoot and just you and nature. Drifting along the mighty river along with locals beat any monuments that I may have missed seeing in town. Absolutely incredible. On top of any must-do list that can ever be written.

Conclusion

So, if you want to feel the beating heart of any city, town or countryside that you visit next, meet the locals and ask them what they like to do. Take a cue, dig deep. Go beyond the obvious, don’t stick to the top 10 listicles. And you may realise that you just unearthed an experience to treasure that no guidebook or AI-generated itinerary could have ever suggested. Ask the locals, find out the way of life. And if you’re lucky enough to get a chance, live it too.