It’s day one in a foreign city, what’s the first thing you do? Is it a) whip out your trusty travel guide or b) ask a local for directions to the best coffee shop? If you answered b then Dopios.com will revolutionise the way you explore new destinations.

Whether you want a walking tour with a difference or an adrenaline-fuelled activity, Dopios connects everyday local people with inquisitive visitors. Following the massive success overseas after launching in San Francisco and Athens, the online travel community has now arrived in London.

The recent launch in the capital has meant that quintessentially British pastimes such as picnics, shopping at Portobello market and cycling along Hampstead Heath are now available to buy as group or individual experiences. Sellers are typically not big-name tour companies but instead the girl or guy-next door types sharing their insider knowledge of the city.

Take Jamie. He’s an architect and avid record collector. He will take 1-4 people around the best record shops for 2 hours for £11 per person. Invaluable knowledge for the right music lover.

Fashion-obsessed? So is Annie. When she’s not working at a British design house she’s offering fellow fashionistas a chance to see a show for themselves.

This is of course just a taster of what’s on offer as the pool of guides continues to grow daily. By connecting like-minded people and helping travellers get the most out of a visit, Dopios is fast-becoming the go-to tool for planning activities and trips during city breaks.

Dopios CEO and Co-founder Alexandros Trimis says: “Seeking an experience off-the-beaten track is the Holy Grail for travellers, but they’re not that easy to come by. What we’re doing with Dopios is helping people to connect and explore a city in ways that you won’t be able to find elsewhere.”

To join the community of locals in London visit: www.dopios.com/calling, or to search for a London local, visit: www.dopios.com

ENDS

Note to the editors

- Dopios, or 'local' in Greek, is a community marketplace where travellers can discover authentic experiences created by locals. 

- Founded in 2012 by four young entrepreneurs, Dopios launched in San Francisco, followed by Athens. 

- The idea for Dopios originated after the co-founders realised that every time holiday snaps were shared with friends and family, the typical tourist sightings were often quickly skimmed over. However, the images of quirky independent shops and off-the-beaten track trips were discussed with passion. Why? Because the captured moments were no longer simply a picture but instead a story. Dopios is an initiative designed for travellers to connect with locals and create their own unique and personal stories. 

- Following the launch in Athens, the innovative business model hit the Greek headlines as it arrived at a time when tourism in Greece was suffering from the after-effects of the crisis. Dopios provided an opportunity for Athenians to not only earn money but also to passionately share their community through their own eyes. 

- In less than 2 years, Dopios has 1,259 locals listed on the site spanning 124 cities in 33 countries. The London launch is the most recent city unlocked to travellers.