To distinguish the best images, we need to get past that inertia. I like to visually warm up to a location by landing the luggage in the hotel room, resting up a bit, and then going for a walk - carrying a simple system of one camera body, one zoom lens. It's a good way to acclimate and get your bearings. So now you're rested and ready to go. Create a sense of place.
Nothing is more powerful than a cultural landscape that captures the mood, the energy of a place.
No matter where you are, you can create images that visually describe it. Some simple ways include photographing signs, recognizable landmarks, buildings, and other elements that are unique to the area. While this method may sound quite literal, how you include these identifying elements is the important part. Well-composed, unique perspectives can make 'literal' images more expressive. These will give a strong sense of place to your image.