It's second nature to me these days, and that's to chat to the person booking me in to my friendly New Zealand Motel and ask for a few tips on places to see and go.

Why? Because they have experience. They deal with customers all the time and know what is of interest to us travellers. What the most popular spots are. 

When we travel, we don't know all the places where we are going because invariably we have never been there before, so how can we know.

Here is a personal example……

Earlier this year I was travelling the South Island and my stop one evening was Oamaru.

When I was booking into my Motel I asked the owner the usual question…Tips on where to go.  I knew there was a Blue Penguin Colony and planned on visiting it the next day as it was about 5pm.

He raised the subject and told me that I have to go at about 8pm in the evening to see them come ashore etc.  (I have a blog on this)

If I had not asked I would have missed the show which was totally amazing.

Local knowledge gave me an experience I will remember forever.

Glad I asked the question.

PS> They always have a brochure stand to check out in the office.  

See what else is of interest to you.