My first time using GoSoLocal

Do you ever get to the point during travel where making one more decision will put you over the edge? That was me before a recent trip to London. I had just spent a month in Spain and was suffering from major decision fatigue by the time I arrived in London. A friend had mentioned GoSoLocal as a useful new travel app for local recommendations in London. I played around on the website for a while to see if this was something I’d actually want to use. The website promised to group together places I’d love and create a custom itinerary just for me—exactly what I needed. I sent them a message not really knowing what to expect. 

As it turns out, I was about to become one of their first customers. They were super friendly and the whole process couldn’t have been easier. Matt, the founder, explained that GSL connects visitors with locals for 1:1 tailored recommendations. I’d have a dedicated local to chat with and ask questions before and during my trip, which I loved. It sounded like a concierge service, but to a whole city. I was sold! I made a profile and answered a few questions about my interests and travel preferences. I knew I wanted cozy cafes, cute bookstores, and local neighborhoods to explore. Right away I got a message saying that my local (Hi Vivian!) was working on my recommendations.

I woke up the next morning with my recommendations in my inbox. I grew more and more excited as I scrolled through my list. I loved the look of the places and could tell they were clearly curated just for me. I was able to sort by Areas, Eat & Drink, Places, and Routes. Each recommendation comes with useful tags like location and category. Tapping on each recommendation gives a more detailed description, nearby locations, and a tip from your local. The tips from Vivian were awesome and gave me great info on things like best views, best time to go, and whether or not to make a reservation. 

The Routes feature was also super helpful. Each route is an itinerary of about 10 stops organized geographically. These are so good to use as your plan for the day. Following these routes made for a stress-free day. It was SO nice to not be on my phone all day searching for things to do or sorting through reviews. To me, the routes are the perfect balance of structure and flexibility. I loved knowing where I’m heading next, but also being free to linger at stops I’m enjoying (like ordering a second coffee at the cute cafe Vivian found for me).

Maybe my favorite feature was the map you get of all of your recommendations. I frequently use my own map apps on my phone for travel. So often I’ll come across something I’ve saved in a new city, and I have no idea why I saved it. Did I read about it in a blog? Did a friend recommend it? Did a random person in my hostel mention it? The GSL map is the perfect solution for me. I’m able to view all my trusted recommendations, and see why each was recommended. I’m also able to get a feel for where everything is located within the city. 

London is the kind of city where it pays to have a local friend, and GSL is like having a whole crew of local friends. Whether it’s your first time in London or you’re just looking to try something new, GSL is a game-changer for travel. Other travel apps I’ve used have a one-size-fits-all feel to me, offering the same experience across the board. GSL feels truly personalized. You can tell the team genuinely cares about what they do. I’m obsessed with Vivian’s recommendations, and felt so supported knowing she was a real person who was there to help me and answer questions. I’ve got a few new favorite London spots that I can’t wait to go back to, and I’ll be checking off more from my list on future trips. In the meantime, I’ll be patiently waiting for GSL to expand to other cities.