Top Mistakes Travelers Make (and What to Do Instead!)
Even the most seasoned travelers (myself included) have fallen prey to travel blunders over the years. From dining at bland tourist traps to getting lost, to even tipping 50 dollars instead of 50 pesos (yes, that really happened) – mistakes are bound to happen. Let’s count down a few of the most common (and easily fixed) mistakes a lot of travelers can make…
Saving Money at the Expense of Time
Don’t book that flight with three stopovers just to save $200, when it will eat into 36 hours of your trip. Not only that, but you will have so many more things to worry about with possible extra flight changes, missed connections, cancelations, and lost luggage. And don’t forget the extra time it will take to recover from such a long-drawn-out journey. It’s just not worth it!
Think you want to take the local transit instead of a short taxi ride? Be certain you’re well versed with the directions, stops, and duration of your travel – it’s often far longer (and more complicated) navigating public transit in foreign countries, especially if you don’t speak the language. That being said, public transit is often a great way to travel as the locals do, see different parts of a particular city, and immerse yourself in local culture. Just make sure it won’t take you all day.
Having an Overly Ambitious Itinerary
I get it, if you’ve never been to Europe, it may be tempting to want to hop on the Eurail and see 18 countries in 14 days, but I would strongly discourage it. Not only is it exhausting, but you also don’t get the true sense of a destination without fully immersing yourself in it, and this takes time.
Paris is so much more than the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysee, and New York much more than just the island of Manhattan. Spend some time really getting to know a particular country, city, or region, and you’ll come away richer for it. Consider staying in one destination and taking day trips out from there to see the sights. Often this will save you money and it will also save you from having to pack and unpack every day.
Never Leaving the Tourist Areas
Of course, when you travel to Rome you want to see the Colosseum or take a walk through Times Square when visiting Manhattan. But that doesn’t mean you need to stick to the major attractions only. The areas closest to world-famous attractions are not only generally extremely crowded but often have overpriced (and under-seasoned) restaurants catering to tourists and don’t showcase local culture the same way other neighbourhoods do.
By all means, take in all the attractions, but be sure to take some time to explore further afield and visit some neighbourhoods that are filled with the restaurants, shops, and markets that the locals use regularly. That’s generally where you will feel the heart of the city and have a more authentic experience.
Never Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Great things happen outside of your comfort zone, and this applies to travel especially! Sit at an old bar alone in a small town, and chat with the locals. You’ll learn far more about local life and culture than you could ever read in a travel guide and get insider tips on nearby hidden gems to explore. Hop on that zipline above a canopy of trees, even if you’re scared of heights. Try local cuisine that you’ve never heard of before. Pushing yourself out of what you would normally do in your regular day-to-day life is part of what makes travel so memorable and gives you the stories that you’ll share for years after you get back home.
Software Slipups
If you snap away on your Smartphone everywhere you go, make sure you have the photos backed up to the cloud, or synced with Google Photos. The last thing you want is to lose all your travel memories if your phone gets lost, stolen, or accidentally dropped into the ocean!
With connectivity being a priority of so many travelers, consider getting a decent travel plan that gives you some data for checking emails, texting friends, or family, or even going on social media while away. The last thing you want is to return home to a hefty phone bill. I personally use WhatsApp on Wi-Fi to connect with my loved ones while abroad, so that I can avoid a lot of extra charges.
Money Trouble
Nowadays, you no longer need to notify your credit card company of any major impending travel you have; however, you will want to make sure that they have your most up-to-date contact information in case they do detect any suspicious or unauthorized transactions. While you’ve got them on the phone, it’s worth finding out what the foreign currency transaction fees are on purchases abroad.
If you are going somewhere with a different currency, exchange some money in advance at your local currency exchange shop, which tends to have better rates than the airport or private exchange companies in tourist zones.
Glitz & Glam Can Backfire
Don’t be a walking target for pickpockets and criminals. Depending on where you’re going, you may wish to wear stand-in jewelry for your engagement or wedding ring – or omit them altogether. Read up about local culture, customs, and crime wherever it is that you’re going, and decide from there if you need to bring along your Louis Vuitton bag or 2-carat ring, it may draw unwelcome attention.
Also, it’s a really good idea to wear your purse across your body, with it resting more in front of you where you can keep an eye on it rather than behind you. Be sure that it is zippered closed at all times, especially when in busy tourist spots that are highly crowded. Unfortunately, pickpockets target those areas and are experts at being able to quickly slip your wallet from your bag without you noticing anything is amiss.
Final Thoughts
There are so many things to think about and consider when planning a trip, but hopefully, if you keep these tips in mind when you start to plan your next vacation, you’ll be set to have your journey started off right!
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