Travel is subjective. Every human has various interests and motives, so always take travel advice with a grain of salt. Here is a list of ten tidbits we hear all the time, but readers in a recent travel forum admitted they ignored them. Do you ignore them, too?
1. Avoid Tourist Traps
They’re there and famous for a reason. Sometimes tourist traps engage individuals curious about the buzz surrounding a particular tourist trap, but other times, they deserve their popularity as they offer one-of-a-kind experiences. Macchu Picchu is a tourist trap I’d repeatedly visit.
2. Don’t Plan at All
This advice might work well for those who don’t live within deadlines or have physical job locations to return to. However, planning a trip provides potential plans and a semblance of an itinerary before arrival. If you show up with no idea where to stay, what to eat, or what to do, you’ll spend more money than expected, and you could find yourself in danger or lost.
3. Ignore Reservations
Piggybacking off the previous tip, this doesn’t help in situations where reservations are booked months in advance. The first time I visited Amsterdam, I wanted to see the Anne Frank house but needed a reservation. Guests booked weeks in advance. Book in advance.
4. Stay at the Cheapest Hotel
Hotel quality depends on the traveler’s preference. Invest in a more expensive, comfortable hotel if you value sleep and cleanliness. No one wants bugs crawling on them in the middle of the night before driving to a new place.
5. You Need X Amount of Time in a City
Again, the traveler’s preferences determine time spent in a set location. A history buff will spend more time in Philadelphia than a geology major. Before deciding on a length of a trip, research the destination and assess your interests. Base the longevity of the journey on that.
6. You Don’t Need X Amount of Time in a City
On the other side of the previous tip, some jet setters like to spend more time in one place than others. Someone might tell you it’s possible to see all of California in two days, but you know you’ll need (or want) ten days to explore and witness everything the Western state offers. I despise anyone suggesting how much time should be spent in a single spot.
7. Organized Tours Aren’t Worth the Money
Organized tours are one of the best parts of trips. Knowledgeable hosts direct you through multiple stops in a country or city while giving you insight into the history and the culture. Sometimes these day tours include meals, and the hosts are generally more well-respected than tourists trying to explore and navigate an unfamiliar culture independently.
8. Never Visit the Same Spot Twice
This is bogus advice. If you like somewhere, you have every reason and right to go back. I’ve been to Amsterdam three times and would love to go again. Each trip is different, even if you visit the same place. Weather affects outdoor activities and tourism, meaning a summer trip to Colorado differs from a winter journey.
9. Don’t Check Bags
If an airline has forgotten your bag before, the experience instills a trauma response, avoidance, and fear of checking bags in the future. But, removing twenty pounds from your person allows you to move through the airport freely. Track your baggage for extra security.
10. Pack Light
All of these tips vary between travelers, but a prevalent piece of advice doled out by self-claimed travel gurus is that you should pack light and wash your clothes in the sink overnight. This may work for a backpacker who only wants to lug around a little extra weight, but if you’re planning a two-week trip to Greece, you’ll want to bring a few more outfits than a dress and khakis.
10 of the Most Dangerous Countries for Women Traveling Solo
As more women choose to explore the world on their own, it’s important to recognize the potential dangers that come with solo travel. While traveling solo can be an empowering and exhilarating experience, it’s crucial to stay informed about the safety risks in different parts of the world.
10 of the Most Dangerous Countries for Women Traveling Solo
Facts About America That Foreigners Find Unbelievable
For better or for worse, Americans are known for many things people from other countries find odd. Odd doesn’t necessarily mean bad, it just means, well, a bit hard to believe. One Reddit reader has garnered thousands of upvotes and hundreds of comments since he posted about it. Here are a few ideas that he says his friends back home find unbelievable.
Facts About America That Foreigners Find Unbelievable
10 Scariest Cities in the United States – Know Before You Go
Whether it is brazen shoplifting, carjackings, or physical confrontations on public transport, there seems to be no end to the crime wave washing across the country. Recent data show the official top ten worst cities to watch over your shoulder, and here they are.
10 Scariest Cities in the United States – Know Before You Go
Quiz Time: Discover Your Ideal Vacation Personality
Finding the perfect vacation can sometimes be as invigorating as the trip itself. However, before you start dreaming of sandy beaches or vibrant cityscapes, it’s important to understand what kind of traveler you are. This fun and enlightening 10-question quiz has been designed to help you decipher your vacation personality.
Quiz Time: Discover Your Ideal Vacation Personality
This post was produced by Our Woven Journey. Source
Demi Michele is a seasoned traveler, turned freelance writer. Having explored most states and ventured internationally, her love for outdoor cafes, new cuisines, and cultural immersion shines through her wide range of articles. Based in Texas with her family and two Scottish Terriers, Demi turns her adventures into captivating travel narratives to share with readers.