About City Unscripted
Our most memorable travel experiences have been with local friends living around the world who’ve helped us build intimate connections with people and places in their cities – and that’s what we (and our incredible hosts) want to replicate for you.
City Unscripted Description
City Unscripted is a personalized travel service that connects you with hosts who live in a city. We pride ourselves on our highly personalized nature and we make sure that travelers are matched with a host with similar needs. We do this through getting to know all of our hosts personally and understanding them fully – not just what they do and what they know but what they are like as people.
Reviews
If you're planning a trip to Kyoto then you want to check out our host Eko's list of recommended temples that you must not miss! ⛩️ http://bit.ly/2UCJVkH
Find out the best beer spots in Munich recommended by our Host Andrea 🍻
https://bit.ly/2sBwDZH
Here are the top 10 things to do in Munich and warning, some of these may surprise you... 😜
https://bit.ly/2Di83mP
You don't have to be rich to get the ultimate feast in Singapore. Read our article now for tips and tricks to guarantee an amazing culinary adventure and bon appetit!
http://bit.ly/2Fyfvwr
Your 24-hour itinerary in Seattle, sorted! Follow a local's guide to make the most of your one day in the city. http://bit.ly/2FACqY7
🌸 Like the idea of visiting Kyoto in cherry blossom season? Then read on 🌸
Today's article is all about the extraordinary things you can get up to in Kyoto in spring. Check it out now! 😍
http://bit.ly/2FCG3f1
You can never get bored in a city like Melbourne. From watching the footy to rocking out at gigs, here are the top 10 things to do - just like a local! 😜
http://bit.ly/2FBs3SO
Eating dim sum is a popular pastime in Hong Kong, but if you really want to impress the locals, read our guide to learn how to do it traditionally as part of yum cha (an equivalent to the English "tea time") now! 🥟🍵
http://bit.ly/2FGUXkL
Find out what the best time to visit Amsterdam is so you can get booking those flights!
http://bit.ly/2Fttqnp
Home is where the ART is! 🎨 Check out why San Franciscan locals love their street art and where the best places to find some are.
http://bit.ly/2Fsqur5
Discover the best London street food markets by clicking the link below! http://bit.ly/2FtsLSX
Thinking about travelling to Munich? Use our guide to figure out the best time for you to visit now! 👍 http://bit.ly/2Ft41Kw
Here are our top 10 must-eats in Brussels and where to find them! 🍽😍 http://bit.ly/2Fi8hwa
Eateries mentioned: - Restaurant Mémé Café ... - C'est Bon C'est Belge - Noordzee - Mer du Nord - Dolma - Restaurant végétarien - Nuovo-Rosso - Marché Des Tanneurs - Yaki Brussels - BALLEKES - Beer Mania - Contrebande
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Now, *this* is how to do Edinburgh like a true Scotsman (or indeed, Scotswoman)! 😜
http://bit.ly/2FpoRur
The perfect family adventure is only a click away... 😜 http://bit.ly/2Fuj5rr
Did you know that Liverpool is one of our destinations? 😊 Have a read of this bucket list and if you fancy giving some of these a go, why not book an experience with us? 😉
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/…/liver pool-bucket-list-100…
Want to know what locals get up to in their spare time in Mexico City? Then read on... 💃🚴♀️⛲🎥😊
http://bit.ly/2FrYBj3
Discover Barcelona beyond the main attractions. Check out our article on one of the city's more quirky, artistic neighbourhoods - El Born - today! 👀✨
http://bit.ly/2FqYe8s
Susukino in Sapporo is an absolute must-see with a Host! Check out why by clicking the link below... 😍😉
http://bit.ly/2FtSI51
While travelling for a week through "Central" Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo), and exploring both Osaka and Kyoto all on my own, I had thought about booking a guided tour for Tokyo where I would be staying just for a 2.5 days at the end of my trip, but I couldn't really make up my mind early on, so I just gave it a try contacting CityUnscripted about 36 hours before I wanted to start my tour.
As it was such a short notice, I didn't want to do an online booking as I wasn't sure whether it was possible to indeed get a guide, and I didn't want to go through the troubles of getting a refund for the online paid tour if it didn't come to be, so I just sent a message enquiring whether someone was available.
After not hearing back from them for nearly 20 hours, I thought it was not going to happen, but then I was contacted that a guide was indeed available and asked to provide my interests and intentions in terms of when to start and what I wanted to see and do, and, having been met with full understanding for not having paid before, asked to do the online payment just then.
After all that was done, contact was established with a "local guide" to set up a meeting point and time for the tour about 15 hours later.
Now, the description of "local" might not have been met in everyone's eyes as my guide was neither a native Japanese nor a long-time resident in Tokyo, but as I asked for a tour at the last minute I was more than happy nonetheless, and my guide Mithila, a lovely young Indian lady who had been living in Tokyo for about a year, was indeed able to give me a wonderful tour just as I liked it. A really wonderful "local".
My wishes for things to see in Tokyo were to see not too many tourist spots (if we happened to be in the vicinity of one, we surely could drop by there, but not travel across the whole city to get there just for the "attraction"), but rather places that show a different side of the bustling city, to see a few quiet spots within the city where locals would like to go to take a break from their busy lives. Also, living in the desert with no "natural greenery" around, I wanted to see some green spots within the city.
I had mentioned that I didn't need to "hunt" for shrines and temples as I had seen several in Osaka and Kyoto already (and I'm not too much into the "spiritual background" of such anthropocultural aspects anyway, but again, if we happened to come across one, that'd be totally fine) but that I would also very much like to see a few spots where locals go to eat and drink.
When we met the next day, Mithila apologised for not having worked out a fixed itinerary yet as she wanted a few more inputs from personal conversation to work out what best to see and do and where to go etc.
Given all that, I was mightily impressed with what she was showing me.
From quiet green spaces (Imperial Gardens, Meiji Jingu, Todoroki Japanese Garden and Ravine) and less busy areas just off the main tourist spots (back alleys in Harajuku) to the more busy areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku, and including fantastic meals where locals go for lunch and dinner, it was a well rounded and awesome tour catering exactly to what I had asked to see and experience.
A huge two thumbs up for Mithila for understanding what I wanted to see and do and delivering on those wishes, and also for CityUnscripted for being flexible and understanding and being able to provide a guide on such a very short notice.
We had the most incredible day in Paris with our guide Loli
She was just amazing with her friendliness and willingness to help and show us around
I cant speak highly enough of Loli and would not hesitate to recommend her as your guide and city unscripted
This tour set up our whole week for us to really enjoy and appreciate Paris for the magnificent place that it is
Thanks again
Glenn Lan & Sam Davis
Melbourne, Australia
We had a great experience with Elisabeth- she met us on time and listened to what we wanted to do. She took us to local shops and restaurants and helped us find some things we were looking for. Would definitely use this company again!
We had Kenji for 4 hours one evening in Tokyo to take us to some amazing eateries and bars. It was my wife's birthday and what a great way to celebrate. The all you can drink sake bar was a big hit. Kenji certainly knew where to take us
We booked a 4 hour guide to Tokyo, which was superb! So much so, it was quickly apparent that Yuji was going to be invaluable, so we had (hoped) to book him again the next day - but regrettably, my wife was ill. Yuji is really fun and knowledgeable and with his duel Japanese and American citizenship, I feel that we totally lucked out with him;- communication was a breeze, in-fact, we all got on famously.
Most people don’t get much time for city breaks, maybe 3 or 4 days, so having someone who can cut corners for you and take all the hassle out of getting to see the most important things in as short a time as possible, I would now say is essential. I will 100% be returning to Tokyo and will use CityUnscripted (who I wholeheartedly recommend) again. I will be requesting (insisiting actually) on Yuji for our next visit. Essentially, just tell him what you want to see, and he’ll make it happen, OR, if you haven’t had time to do your research, just leave it to him.
Lastly, photographers! If you want those quintessential instagram moments in Tokyo, Yuji is a passionate photographer, who knows all the tricks when it comes to positioning yourself, and when to get there etc. Cant recommend enough.
Martin, London, England
Our tour guide Marin was extremely friendly and well-versed in getting around the Shinjuku and Shibuya area of Tokyo!! She met us promptly at the desired time and aided both me and my wife to any desired destination we wanted to visit.
We initially made plans to eat specific foods, but we’re offered alternatives that were well within our budget and were more illusive than what we could have obtained ourselves. This made the experience feel much more wholesome than stumbling our way through communicating in restaurants where English menus were not available.
Marin, being from another country, offered a well-versed explanation of the differences between Japanese, French, English, and Australian cuisine. We enjoyed speaking with her about her past experiences with traveling, the ways in which she became accustomed to eating and living in Japan.
I would say that a part that was unfortunate, but not Marin’s fault, is that we chose a Sunday to do our food tour which caused some eating spaces to be closed earlier than expected. Again, not her fault! Just bad timing on our part.
I would suggest doing a food tour with her 100%. She even stayed with us after her appointed time and showed us more spots to explore on our own accord. We took her out for a drink and more food after because we appreciated her kindness and wanted to get to know her even better! After, she even directed us to the JR railway, and showed us how to get home. This made us feel safe in an unfamiliar city, and we left feeling satisfied and smiling.
Thank you Marin!!
Olga was amazing! We had such a great time on this tour, but I think it really speaks to our awesome guide (okay, fine, the charming city of Amsterdam can get some credit, too). Olga was friendly, prepared, and thoughtful with her struture of the day; taking into consideration places and things we would want to (and "should") see on our first trip to Amsterdam, but also mixed in hidden gems, known to and appreciated by locals. She was knowledgeable and personable, and so incredibly generous with her time. We frequently referred to her recommendations for the rest of our stay in Amsterdam. It was so great to experiene the city through her eyes.
My wife and I had a tour with Marie-Louise tonight through the Le Marais section of Paris and had an excellent time. Not only did she take us to great local places, but we really enjoyed her company. Extremely knowledgeable and has a great ability to put you at ease while roaming the streets of France. We'll seek her out when we return to this city.
Mike and Tami Mathis
South Carolina, US.
Love City Unscripted! I've booked two during my recent family holiday to Japan and will DEFINITELY use this company in future! It's so much better than a 'guided tour' and I couldn't believe the fun I had on such a good price.
I went on the four hour Kowloon experience with Jacky and it was amazing. I highly recommend this tour and Jacky as a guide. The street food that was included was absolutely amazing and I would never have found some of these vendors by myself. Having Jacky assist with my haggling at the markets was lovely. Thanks!
I visited Bologna in Italie for the first time and thanks
to my personal tour guide, Elisabeth, I had a great time. She isn’t Itslian but Dutch , student of the university Bologna. She was very kind , charming and loves so much Bologna. And her love for the city
made me more interested in that historical city.
She took me to a not touristic restaurant and I enjoyed a lot the famous tagliatelle bolognese.
It was really genuine tast!!
I had such a wonderful time with her,and if I visit some other city, I’d love to have a guide again from
The CityUndcripted.
Thank you so much! Kaori
I have visited Munich several times visiting family friends, so my Local Host Tulika took me to a neighborhood I had not yet explored and we had a spectacular time. Tulika was excellent at explaining the significance and history of the various places we visited. We chatted as we walk through the streets of Munich, along the Isar, past the Angel of Peace, through the Englischer Garden and into the University area where we had a lovely lunch and parted ways. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer conversation or walk for my first day back in Munich. I hope to have the chance to take another tour with CityUnscripted and would like to thank Tulika again for a great morning!
I have had a very wonderful tour with Dan seeing the most attractions arround .
I believe with Dan orientation the trip was amazing and for sure there will be a following up visit but that time will be with my lovely family to see what i was and to enjoy what i been enjoyed.
Once again Thanks Dan.
I had a lovely time, during my private tour in Edinburgh this morning. My local tourguide Richard Duffy is a very nice man, with who I could talk and laugh a lot. He told me many things about Edinburgh and we decided together what we were gonna do and see. It was a wonderful, kind of Unscottish warm day and that even made it more beautiful. Saw the most gorgeous views, while Richard explained everything we saw. He also was very interested in who I am and how I got to Edinburgh.
I would definitely recomment a private tour with Richard. �
Since my Get your Guide app still says I will attent this tour (while it already happened) I decided to write the review here. Hoping it will get to the right people and Richard of course.
Richard, start watch Outlander. You won't regret it. �
I booked a one on one tour of New York. My guide, Denise, was amazing. Not only did she take me to sights that I wanted to see but she also included some things that she thought might interest me. We had a great day with lots of laughs along the way. I would go back to New York in a heart beat and would definetly catch up with Denise again. Thank you City Unscripted for a great guide and a great day!
Having had a great time with a City Unscripted Local in NYC 2016 I thought we would spend an afternoon with a Local in Berlin (November 2017).
Josa and the team took time to understand what makes us tick as travellers, and what we would like to do during the afternoon we would spend together.
During the pre planning steps I felt we would have something really tailored to us. Based on this alone, and before we got to Berlin I was really looking forward to the experience.
We met Josa an a very wet, windy and grey Sunday afternoon, but Josa's enthusiasm was not dampened by the weather ! We spent the afternoon exploring lots of Berlin's less well know areas.
Having established a great rapport with Jose throughout, we ended up having a great chat over a few drinks at his favourite rooftop bar.
Something we would have never have experienced without him. I thoroughly recommend Josa and City Unscripted !
Great company with a great concept: live the city "like a local" and not just see it. Highly recommended for people who like to discover the real part of a city !
Excellent overview of Stockholm with local host Stefani. Very knowledgable, friendly host with a good sense of humour.
Gave us a number of great tips on what to see and do for the rest of our stay.
Highly recommend her for your city tour.
Christi was a marvelous guide for my husband and I in Rome. We did a walking tour of Trastevere, a neighborhood in which I had been but never really knew. It was like an afternoon with a friend (or favorite nephew) wandering the streets as he pointed out medieval houses, historic locations, talked about Roman history. He had a wonderful sense of humor and the hours sailed by. He made recommendations of restaurants for us to try (and we did and it was delightful and delicious). Can't recommend him enough.