It’s a question that keeps creeping into the minds of curious travellers:
How do I move beyond sightseeing and genuinely connect with a place – and its people?
Whether you’re sipping a flat white in a sun-drenched Melbourne laneway, sharing a cinnamon bun in Stockholm, or tucking into a Custard Cream over “elevenses” in London, there’s something universally comforting about sitting down with a local for a casual chat.
But what if there was an app that made those moments not just possible, but easy—wherever you land in the world?
Short Answer:
Yes, technology could absolutely help foster these simple, meaningful meet-ups, like fika in Sweden, smoko in Australia, or elevenses in England, making travel more about human stories than ticking boxes.
Why Local Connection Beats Major Landmarks
Ask frequent travellers what they remember most, and it’s rarely the cathedral or the queue at the Eiffel Tower. Instead, they’ll tell you about:
- The café owner who shared the story of her family’s secret baking recipe.
- The laughter echoing from a Sunday market, mingling with the smell of cinnamon and cardamom.
- The retired teacher in a tiny town who offered a spare chair at her kitchen table.
These moments create that sense of belonging we all crave, especially once we’re past the phase of ticking off bucket-list sights and start yearning for something more real.
But here’s the thing: those encounters often rely on luck, boldness, or being in the right Facebook group at the right time. What if there was a way to nudge those moments into happening more often?
The App Concept: Fika, Smoko, and Beyond
Imagine this:
You land in a new city. You open an app. And up pops a list of friendly locals keen to meet for a cuppa and a chat. You choose a time and place, and soon you’re deep in conversation—over carrot cake in Gothenburg, or lamingtons in Brisbane.
I recently stumbled across a post in a Facebook group called The Epic Retirement. A Swedish woman had written a simple but inviting message: she was keen to meet up with like-minded travellers passing through Stockholm. No tour guide spiel, no agenda – just coffee, cake, and good conversation – or fika, as the locals call it.
So, I’m going to take her up on it.
Next Friday, on our next ICON Adventures tour to Scandinavia, we’ll be doing our inaugural Fika with a Local experience. Follow along as we sip coffee, share stories, and see what happens when strangers meet over something sweet in a cosy Stockholm café.
But, it got me thinking: what if that kind of moment could be made easier, safer, and more accessible – for anyone, anywhere?
Every culture has its version: fika in Sweden, smoko in Australia, elevenses in England. What if one simple app could help us tap into these global tea breaks?
Here’s the Catch…
To our knowledge, such an app doesn’t yet exist.
Yes, there are apps for language exchange, guided tours, or cooking class in a stranger’s home—but there’s nothing that specifically helps you find a friendly local who just wants to meet for coffee and a chat. And no, we’re not talking about a dating app. This is about meaningful, human interaction—sharing a cuppa with someone who lives where you’re visiting, hearing their perspective, and maybe swapping a few travel tales of your own. No pressure, no swiping, no awkward small talk over cocktails—just good, old-fashioned conversation (and hopefully good cake, too).
And yet, the need is there. The desire is there. The cake is definitely there. All that’s missing is the app.
Why It Matters (Especially for the 50+ Traveller)
For many travellers in their 50s, 60s and beyond, it’s not about flashy selfies or Insta-worthy content – it’s about connection. Stories. Depth. Understanding.
An app like this could:
- Help introverts or solo travellers make meaningful connections without the awkward small talk.
- Encourage slower, more mindful travel that’s about people, not just places.
- Spark friendships that span continents and generations.
Until That App Exists: How to DIY Your Own Coffee & Cake Meetup
- Be curious, not just courteous. join a local facebook group in the location you are going to
- Look for cafes with community boards – scan the notices or post your own
- Ask at your hotel or accommodation – locals know locals
Final Thoughts: The Power of Pausing to Connect
Years from now, you probably won’t remember what time your flight landed.
But you will remember the clink of coffee cups, the laughter shared over sticky cake, and the way a stranger’s story made you feel something deeply familiar in an unfamiliar place.
And if someone out there is building this app, or knows someone who could – I’ll be the first to download it.
Until then, let’s keep sharing coffee, cake, and conversation. And if you’ve done something like this before, tell me—would you use an app to meet locals while travelling? I’d love to know.