Monuments and tourist towns typically offer guides, maps and brochures in a number of languages, including the local tongue. Take advantage of the parallel texts to pick up brochures in both your native and target language. Read about the place you are visiting in English and then go off and do a tour. When you have finished, sit yourself down in a coffee shop or cafe and go through the local language tourist brochure. You will already know what is being described, which makes it easier to guess what new words mean. An added bonus is when locals ask you what you liked about their hometown, you’ll know just how to talk about points of interest without resorting to translations or pointing at an image in your guidebook!
Remember that being in a new place not only enhances your access to language but also helps to strengthen your existing vocabulary. For example, you may learn new ways of using a word or encounter an unfamiliar meaning for a familiar term. Prepare for you trip by ensuring you have the dictionary, flashcard and learning tools you need to look words up and remember them (Lingua.ly mobile will do the trick). And above all, interact with native speakers as much as you can while you are abroad. Travel communities like Couchsurfing.org are a great place to start as they often have meet-ups in central places and forums with helpful hints that only a local would know.