Beyond Tourist Traps: Redefining Authentic Travel & Navigating Day Pass Paradigms

Forget hopping from one tourist spot to another—this episode is all about embracing authentic experiences. Starting with a manifesto that shatters common travel myths, we guide you toward a deeper connection with your destinations. Take Paris, for example; it's not just about snapping a selfie with the Eiffel Tower, but about savoring coffee in quaint cafés and meandering through art museums.

But the conversation doesn't stop there. Ever heard of buying a day pass to an airport or a beach club? We take you on a comprehensive tour of these emerging trends that are redefining travel convenience. From Orlando's new terminal access program to luxurious airport lounges, discover how these passes are more than just golden tickets—they're game-changers in how we experience layovers, amenities, and more.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights. From Mike's deep dives into India—a sensory spectacle that needs to be felt to be believed—to James's gastronomic escapades in New Orleans, we cover the globe, one authentic experience at a time. Oh, and don't forget about our Virgin Voyages cruise giveaway. It's a world of opportunity, and we're handing you the compass.

Ready to set sail on a voyage of discovery? Tune in now.

Introduction and Virgin Voyages Giveaway

Hey adventurers, welcome back to another episode of No Tourists Allowed. Before we dive into today's tales, we've got a quick pit stop in our Virgin Voyages cruise giveaway journey. Every week we've been unveiling new ways to win. We want to know your favorite airline if you have one. Maybe it's the one that's giving you the best in-flight experience, or perhaps the airline that takes you to your dream destination. Whatever the reason, we want to hear it. By sharing your top airline pick through the poll on our website, you'll earn five raffle points. But remember, like all our entry options, to ensure your points are locked in, you must cast your vote via the raffle form on our website. You can visit the link in the description or go to notouristsallowed.com. Your next journey might just begin with you stepping aboard a luxurious Virgin Voyages ship. So make sure you're casting your votes and racking up those points. Now with the skies mapped and your airline choice in mind, let's jet off into today's episode.

Welcome to No Tourists Allowed, a podcast where two recognized travel industry executives with a combined seventy-one years on the inside of travel and technology give up their secrets to the thing everyone wants to do: Travel better, spend less, and see more of the world. Here are your hosts Mike Putman and James Ferrara. Mike Putman: Hello, I'm Mike Putman. James Ferrara: And I'm James Ferrara and no tourists allowed fist bump, Mike. There we go. The camera cut off your fist, but hopefully I did the right thing. Welcome everybody.

The No Tourists Allowed Manifesto

Mike Putman: Yeah, welcome. We've got a lot of stuff to go over this week and a lot of upcoming travel. James and I both have a lot of travel coming up which we're going to share a little bit about with you. But first we want to start with our manifesto. For those who have been listening over the last few weeks, you know we've been covering things that really relate to the ethos of this podcast, No Tourists Allowed. These are things that are near and dear to our hearts and make up the compilation of the messages we're trying to get across to our listeners.

James Ferrara: That's absolutely right, Mike. We've had six or seven of these points in our manifesto already in prior episodes. If any of our listeners have missed it, you can go back to notouristsallowed.com. If you're subscribed to us through Apple or Spotify or any of the platforms, you can look in your library of our episodes. This season alone, and going back to our first season, we've discussed tips, ideas, and central beliefs that Mike and I share for how to travel in a better way, a more authentic way, and how to not be just a tourist.

Practical Tips for Authentic Travel

James Ferrara: First, we’ll start off today with the mentality of not seeing things and going to places just to tick them off a list. That's a very touristy thing to do. Oftentimes on those lists you'll find the really big tourist attractions, and sometimes those attractions are less than what they're made out to be. Right, Mike?

Mike Putman: Yeah. There are certain big things that everybody wants to go to and they're culturally sound, like going to the Eiffel Tower. You can see the Eiffel Tower from all over Paris pretty much, but going to it, maybe you can get an Instagram picture. Unless you're going up to Le Jules Verne, which is a two or three-star Michelin restaurant, there's not a heck of a lot to see. That's one of those tick-the-box things that people want to do. Instead of doing that, you could spend your time at one of the great art museums in Paris. They have a great impressionist museum, which is probably my favorite art museum in the world, as well as the Louvre.

James Ferrara: Or you can sit in a cafe or visit a classic French grocery and get much more of an experience out of it. One rule of thumb I keep in mind to keep things more authentic and local is if it's free or cheap, it tends to be what the locals do. So if it's free or cheap, do that. Be spontaneous too. That's another thing. Don't over-schedule and don't be rigid about your trip. Sure, do a bit of research and have some places that you want to hit, but leave time to wander a little bit and go with the flow. Don't stress yourself out and don't block out the possibilities by being so rigidly scheduled.

Mike Putman: And take advantage of public transportation. You can really meet a lot of interesting people and see how locals actually live.

James Ferrara: Another one that I think you and I share is: read a book. It doesn't necessarily have to be a guidebook, although that's a good idea too. It could be a history book about the place you're visiting. For me, when I went to Scotland, I was reading a book about Scottish Baronial Castles. You can read a fictional book or a novel that takes place in and around the area that you're visiting. It adds a kind of dimension. It inspires you and adds depth to your experience of the place. Do you ever do that?

Mike Putman: Yeah, absolutely. It definitely adds texture. John Grisham, who is a prolific legal writer, wrote a book out of his norm called Playing for Pizza. It was about this small town in Italy, and it was a captivating book because he writes so well. It was very specific about a cathedral being on a certain street and a particular restaurant. These were real places. The story was fictional, but the locations were real. It adds texture to your travel when you've had a chance to read. If you're going to Europe, you're going to be on the plane for seven, eight, or nine hours. Why not immerse yourself in something that will give you some impact once you hit the ground?

Airport Headlines and Lounge Access

James Ferrara: I read a book in London on one trip called The Oldest Shops of London. It was a chapter-by-chapter look at stores in London, some of them a hundred and fifty or two hundred years old. In a sense, it was part guidebook because I could go to those stores, but in another way, it was a history and very evocative of London. I really relished it. So look for opportunities like that.

Mike Putman: Where did you find a book on old shops in London? James Ferrara: I tend to shop in vintage bookshops. I like to find books that are no longer in print that might be anywhere from thirty to a hundred years old. I found a wonderful hundred-year-old cookbook once in London. I tend to root around in places like that. We’ve got some headlines that have been interesting too, Mike. Sometimes we take a moment to talk about what's going on in the wider airline industry. I know you spotted one or two.

Mike Putman: This one is a rather bizarre one, and it might be right up your alley and also with a past guest, Bryce Bay. Airports have begun selling day passes to the airport. This is not to a lounge; this is just to get in past security. I'm not quite sure where this market originates from or why people would want to go sit in an airport. It's not something I like to do other than when I have to do it to get to my destination. But the Orlando airport has begun selling these day passes which will get you into their new terminal, Terminal C. It’s called the Experience MCO Visitor Pass Program. Even if you don't have an airline ticket, you can buy this. You’ve got to complete some paperwork, of course, and you can go through security just like the rest of us.

James Ferrara: And go spend your day eating at a Taco Bell in the airport or watching people scurry around? I would think that's a security problem, letting people into the airport who don't actually have a flight. Mike Putman: Well, the only barrier you're taking out of the way is someone buying a nineteen-dollar Spirit airline ticket. These people still have the same security rules. They can't take liquids greater than 3.4 ounces. Seattle is doing the same thing and a place you're going to soon, New Orleans, is doing this as well.

James Ferrara: Interesting. Well, I'm going to be there legit tomorrow, so I have an airline ticket. Maybe your daughter can get one of these passes and meet you at the gate. Mike Putman: Now Mike, you also know a bit about airport lounge passes. This is another type of pass. You and I both have dabbled in the airline lounge benefits idea before. There are lots of programs that you can get involved with through your credit card, a travel club, or an airline that can give you access to these lounges. For those of you who have never been in an airport lounge, it's generally a quiet place and a sanctuary. Maybe the Delta Sky lounges are not; they seem to be overrun at the moment. But it's a sanctuary from being out in those hard plastic chairs. There are typically free drinks, snacks, and sometimes even full meals. Generally, there is Wi-Fi, televisions, and magazines to make you comfortable.

Mike Putman: There are several levels of these, so it pays to do your research. A lot of travel clubs have access to a big portfolio of these. There are fifteen hundred airport lounges around the world that are part of one association. Some credit cards have access to these as well. You can buy a membership into the Delta, American, or United Lounges and pay a flat fee per year. Some international lounges actually allow you to buy a day pass for $75 to $150 to go in and have a break.

Resort Day Passes and Layover Hacks

James Ferrara: There's another kind of pass too. A couple of years ago I downloaded an app called Day Pass. It lets you book a day at a beach club, a resort, or a health club all around the world, like Dubai, Tenerife, or domestically in the US. You pay by the day, maybe fifty or seventy-five dollars. It consolidates all those day passes and lets you book. I've never actually used it, so this is not an endorsement, but I think it's interesting that there's a market for it. I can see where it can add to your experience, especially if you're doing an Airbnb or a vacation rental and don't have access to hotel facilities. You could go to a resort for the day by paying a small fee.

Mike Putman: I'll tell you the way I've used that concept. One time in Mexico, I had a friend come to an all-inclusive resort. They weren't staying there, but we wanted to hang out for a day, so they paid a fee to get access to the drinks and food. Other times, I was in Gatwick Airport and Edinburgh airport and had extensive layovers of six or seven hours. Some hotels adjacent to the airport offer day passes or day rooms. If you've got an extended layover, have your travel agent look for a hotel connected to the airport. They can often book a day room where you can relax and take a shower. I've also taken a pass where I could use their pool or spa for a few hours, which was nice.

International Itineraries: Tokyo and India

James Ferrara: An interesting way to add to your trip. Mike, you've got a big trip coming up, don't you? I'm just going to New Orleans for a parents' weekend, but you are going halfway around the world. Mike Putman: Completely around the world, actually. I'm leaving in the next couple of weeks for Tokyo. I've been lucky enough to get into what is supposedly the top steakhouse in the world. I haven't spent a lot of time in Tokyo and I've got a business meeting. From there, I'm going to Delhi, India, and then on to Pune, where I have an office. I'll spend several days there, then on to London, then Spain, and then back home.

James Ferrara: That's quite a trip. Because you go there so often for work, you could be our guide into a more authentic experience of India. What tips do you have for how to visit India? Mike Putman: First of all, you do need a visa. You can apply for a tourist or business visa online. One tip is your passport has to be valid beyond six months from your return date. I learned that at my expense one time. It's quick and easy to get it online, but you need to do it a few days in advance to be safe. James Ferrara: By the way, we recommend that for everyone. Your passport should always be valid for at least six months beyond your stay.

Experiencing the Vibrant Culture of India

Mike Putman: India is a bustling, vibrant sensory overload. All of your senses are just overexposed. There are fragrances, some good, some bad. Anytime you open your eyes, especially in the cities, the throng of people is unimaginable. The taste of food is different. Most of the Indian food we get here is not quite like it; it’s very vibrant with fresh spices and interesting flavors. The colors are everywhere. It can get to you when you're not used to that many people, that much noise, and that much smell. You have to take it in a little bit at a time.

Mike Putman: It’s a land of great resources and friendly people. Street food is readily available. If you walk outside our office in Pune, most of the people working there go to street vendors for lunch. James Ferrara: How do you get around when you're there? Mike Putman: If I lived there, I would not have a car. Ubers or taxis are readily available and so inexpensive. I took a 15-kilometer trip which took about 40 minutes because of traffic, and it was like three US dollars. The majority of trips are the equivalent of a dollar or a dollar fifty. You don't have to deal with parking or driving.

Mike Putman: Inner India has the most prolific train system in the world. That's the way the majority of people travel, as well as buses. It's not quite so glamorous, but it's very efficient and extremely inexpensive. They have some first-class compartments, but they tend to be overcrowded. India is also full of low-cost carriers, so you can fly around the country for inexpensive rates.

Mike Putman: The first time I went, I was on a business mission trip. We went to Mumbai and took a boat to Elephanta Island. We went to Bangalore to see the gardens, then to Delhi and Agra to see the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal. Those things were touristy, but that was twenty-five years ago. I wanted to see the highlights then. Now, a lot of people go for yoga retreats, health cleansing, or cooking schools. There's so much to do in India.

New Orleans and the World Travel Market

James Ferrara: I am heading off to New Orleans. Nothing as exotic as what you're heading into, but New Orleans for me is a lot about food. We have some great reservations. My daughter goes to school there and she set up reservations at top restaurants, but I am really looking forward to getting a Po' boy at Parkway Tavern. They have been making sandwiches since 1911. It's mostly outdoor with bare-bones picnic tables, but they make incredibly good sandwiches and side dishes like fried pickles and onion rings.

Mike Putman: And then at the end of my trip, I'm heading over to London. The World Travel Market starts in early November. It is the second-largest travel industry event in the world. It’s held in the ExCeL London building in East London, near Canary Wharf. This building is like ten convention centers stitched together. You go into a hall and that in itself is like a whole convention center. I think that hall is more than a half-mile long. Every tourist organization will be there in pavilions for Europe, Africa, or the UK. There are hundreds of tourist boards, hotels, and cruise lines sharing what they do. It's a very interesting week. I look forward to getting back to London and having a couple of nice meals.

James Ferrara: One of the pavilions is technology related to travel too, which I know is interesting to you. Mike Putman: Yep, that's where I'll spend the majority of my time. It's a great event and people come from all over the world. London is a great food destination. We didn't used to think of it that way, but it really is a great culinary scene now. Some of the finest Indian food outside of India can be found in London.

Culinary Classics and Raffle Details

James Ferrara: As of last year, there were more Michelin-starred restaurants in London than in the entire US. That’s amazing, especially when we used to think of British food as drab. I'm stuck on this sandwich theme, but another great tip for New Orleans is the Muffaletta. It’s like an Italian hero, but it comes on a specially baked round bread cut in slices like a pie. Inside are Italian meats and a giardiniera, which is pickled vegetables like peppers, celery, and carrots. It started at a place called Central Grocery in the French Quarter. You have to go early because they run out of bread by noontime, and when they run out, they close the store.

Mike Putman: That about wraps it up for us this week. Please go to notouristsallowed.com and register for the raffle. This is a killer cruise we're giving away, compliments of Virgin Voyages. You get to choose whichever cruise you like as long as you complete it by June of next year. We'll be giving that away in the coming month. James Ferrara: Register while you can and take advantage of the other offers to get more entries. We look forward to seeing you next week. Mike Putman: Thank you for joining us at No Tourists Allowed. Thank you for listening to another episode of No Tourists Allowed. We'll see you next week. No Tourists Allowed is produced by Podcast Studio X.