The pain au chocolat you had in Paris, the fish and chips you had in London, the street food kebabs you had in Turkey — even though meals abroad aren't a souvenir we can take home with us and place on a shelf, the fleeting moments we spend at a table in another country eating something new often stick with us as some of our most cherished, poignant travel memories. In fact, some studies have shown that because eating a meal engages so many of our senses, it's easier for them to become deeply ingrained in our memories. But it can be hard to know exactly how to curate those experiences and avoid forgettable meals at tourist trap restaurants that fade into the background of your trip memory.
Luckily, well-known travel expert, Rick Steves has a few simple tips for eating meals abroad that he uses to make sure every meal is "a travel thrill in itself." Number one: Find places to eat that are outside of the tourist zones. Number two: Go for local and seasonal specialties.
And number three: Eat fearlessly. Putting these tips into action You're strolling the streets of Italy on a summer evening and realize you're hungry for dinner — how should you go about finding the perfect place? First, stay clear of the tourist traps . These areas, typically near popular monuments or museums, cater to tourists with a simpler menu and Instagram-ready facade.
Prices might be higher, and the atmosphere won't usually give you an idea of what locals experience when they dine out. Sometimes, just w.