What is the correct way to travel? Throw all your belongings in a backpack.? Overpack? Travel alone? Travel with others? Travel aficionados weighed in about their unpopular travel opinions. 

1. Traveling Alone Is Dangerous

When scrolling through Instagram or watching travel videos on YouTube, you’re bound to stumble upon traveling buddies exploring the world together. Remember, social media serves as a highlight reel, and those videos don’t show the planning and behind-the-scenes of the jaw-dropping picture.

Traveling alone is an excellent solution for free-spirited individuals who don’t want to abide by a strict schedule. Solo traveling lets you indulge in activities and culinary experiences conflicting with a group’s opinion. 

2. Avoid Tourist Traps at All Costs

Tourist traps have a self-explanatory name. They’re usually picturesque locations bound to attract millions of tourists a year. Some of these hyped places live up to their hype, and some don’t deserve the praise they receive. But you can decide that on your own. Don’t let one snobby traveler dictate your travel plans. If you fly to Canada and want to see Niagara Falls, do it! Pro tip: the Canadian side of the falls beat the New York side. 

3. Organized Tours Aren’t Worth It

Tour guides specialize in curating the most interesting tours in short time spans. My favorite guided tour was the Jack the Ripper tour in London. These guides spend their lives learning about their craft, and usually, they have a bit of dry humor to add to the history lessons. 

4. Don’t Bother Going if You Can’t Stay a Week

A stressful part of planning a vacation is deciding how long to spend in each location. Is a week long enough to explore Rome, or can you manage in three days? Frequent travelers shared that their favorite way to travel is to spend two to three days in each destination before hopping to the next destination. 

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5. Skip McDonald’s

I stand by this one. British McDonald’s remains superior to American McDonald’s. Like most food in Europe, the cooks refrain from injecting their menu with additives and preservatives, ensuring a better taste and fewer ingredients. American McDonald’s is the only chain with beef stock in their french fries.

6. Find the Cheapest Deal

One travel enthusiast suggested paying more for a better experience when possible. They explained that tourism fuels international revenue in several countries, so why not dish out a few extra dollars for a better experience? If you identify as a foodie, pay the extra money for a food tour. 

7. Share Your Trip on Social Media

As mentioned in the first tip, social media is life’s highlight reel. Because we live in 2023, we feel societal pressure to upload every picture of neat places we see, and some countries even have designated Instagram photo spots set up. To truly enjoy your trip, try unplugging from social media and immerse yourself in the moment. 

8. Don’t Bother Driving if You Can Fly Instead

Drives don’t have to be endless, tedious treks. Especially in the U.S., you need a car to jump between locations. Split up the drive by researching spots to stop along the way. You’ll discover fantastic restaurants, great tourist traps, and beautiful natural scenery.

9. Try the Top-Rated Restaurants

Top-rated restaurants may have the best food ever created or suffer the same complex as tourist traps. They’re overhyped and overpopulated, causing the quality to deteriorate. Instead, try eating at the locals’ favorite restaurants for a slimmer chance of an underwhelming experience. 

10. Plan a Packed Agenda in the City

Another traveler mentioned they prefer spending time in nature rather than in cities. To them, cities offer the same landmarks and attractions across the world. They’d rather take a hike, hop on a safari, or experience wildlife in their natural habitats.

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This article was produced by Our Woven Journey and inspired by this thread post.