Travel advice you should not be listening to
Planning a vacation may be both exciting and stressful.
Especially if you are a first-timer or just a traveller with not so many trips under your belt. Here you are, trying to plan a vacation, and people around you give you various advice. You shouldn’t do this, but should do that. Do you need to listed to all of the advice? Or just some?
It can be hard to separate good advice from bad advice. How can you tell what advice is good, and what is not? To help you with the task of planning your next vacation, we have created this list of the worst travel tips — travel advice you should not be listening to.
Check it out!
Travel advice you should not be listening to
1. Do not travel solo, especially if you are a woman
It’s one of the worst travel tips ever.
You can travel solo, and you should (if you feel like that). And do not listen to those who tells you otherwise!
Have you always wanted to go somewhere? But never went, because no one wants to come with you? Do not wait around for others. Just GO!
Travelling solo definitely has its benefits. You can go wherever you want, and whenever you want. You don’t have to wait for anyone, and you don’t have to compromise. You can have a rest when you feel like it, and move every other day if you feel adventurous.
As for travelling as a solo female traveller, it’s very easy. Just use common sense. Do not visit unsafe areas. Travel during the day when possible. Try to blend in. Be cautious with your possessions. Do not get drunk. And stay in touch with your family.
2. Stay on the beaten track
It’s very easy to travel to popular touristic places.
Just follow the majority, and that’s it.
But once you want to go somewhere more quiet, more authentic, more off the beaten track, it’s not that easy anymore. You have to translate articles on how to get there as there may not be info in English about it. Or you have to arrange transportation to get there.
But believe me — it’s totally worth it.
Travelling somewhere where almost no tourists go, to an authentic place where you can meet locals and learn about their way of life.
So, again, if you feel like that, look for these kind of places and experiences.
Don’t worry — world is a much safer place than you think. Locals will be happy to see you. You may even end up staying with a local, or, at least having a drink with a local. You see, in busy, touristic areas it’s significantly harder to make these kind of genuine connections.
If you are travelling in Europe by car, it’s very easy to include less popular places in your travel itinerary.
Often you don’t even have to go far to get off the beaten track.
Do not miss little villages on your way from one major hotspot to another.
Eat at a small cafe where only locals eat.
Take a side-street rather than the busy tourist filled street.
3. Skip the tourist hot spots
They are popular for a reason. Mostly.
So don’t just skip tourist hotspots and all the top sites.
Most of the popular tourist attractions are of significant importance or of extreme beauty. That’s why you shouldn’t miss them! Of course, if you don’t like museums, don’t go to them. But don’t just skip something because it’s a very popular place.
4. Do not visit “dangerous countries”
Yes, there are countries with civil and political unrest that are really dangerous for travellers right now, but it’s not the case with every country you hear bad news about.
For example, some people consider India very dangerous and tell you to avoid it at all costs. But you should not listen to such advice. Yes, you need to stay alert and keep yourself out of trouble while travelling there but generally it is safe. Even if you are a female solo traveller. You just need to have your wits about you, that’s all.
Joining other travellers is also a good idea.
5. Never travel with a baby
Travelling with a baby is challenging, but it’s doable.
You don’t have to postpone your travels just because you have had a baby. When you feel that it’s the right time for you and your newborn to go, go. Do not be scared. In fact, more and more new moms travel with their babies.
Only better wait for your baby to be at least 6-12 months old.
Choose a child friendly location. Choose child friendly attractions. Do a bit of planning, or, even better — plan the whole trip. It will give you a sense of security.
Learn what are the rules when flying with a baby.
6. Never travel to exotic destinations during the rainy season
Yes, some places are awful during the rainy season.
For example — Goa, India. During the summer most of restaurants and cafes close down, there are barely any other tourists, and it can rain really a lot.
But it’s not the same everywhere.
If you want to travel to popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, such as Bali, Thailand and Malaysia — the rain isn’t really a problem. As the rainy season is not that bad there. Mostly it rains for an hour or two, and then it’s dry again. It may not be always sunny, but it isn’t constantly raining either.
What’s cool about the rainy season?
Everything is green. The air is more fresh. There are less people and everything’s cheaper.
So, don’t just take such an advice. Do your research before!
7. Carry your passport with you at all times
It’s generally a bad advice.
Why? You can easily lose your passport. It can get stolen. You may leave your bag somewhere. You may accidentally drop it.
Your passport is the most important thing in your luggage.
To avoid losing it, leave your passport in your hotel room. If you are staying in a hostel, lock it in a locker. Believe me, it is safer there than in your bag.
8. Do not eat the street food
Don't be afraid of street food. It’s safer than you think!
Especially if you see a long queue of locals at the street food stall.
Yes, there are many countries where you should practice heightened precautions when choosing the street food stall. But more often than not the street food is safe. The turnover is quick, you can see your food being prepared, and, most importantly, the locals eat there.
As Anthony Bourdain said - small street food vendors don't stay in business by "poisoning their neighbors.” It's not as clean as airport food, but you shouldn't be afraid of them.
9. Always haggle
Yes, haggling is a custom in some cultures but do it with respect.
Try to assess the situation. Ask a local how much should it cost.
Do your research beforehand.
If you decide to haggle, always be respectful. Be kind, friendly and humorous. Address the seller politely, with respect. Make an offer the seller can’t refuse. Tell them you’ll buy several items, if they give a discount. Or, tell them you’ll bring your friends who want to buy the exact same thing.
10. You need a lot of money to travel
There are so many ways to travel cheaply.
These include:
- eating at local restaurants,
- cooking your own meals,
- staying in guest houses and homestays instead of hotels,
- staying at a hostel dorm,
- staying with a local (CouchSurfing),
- hitchhiking,
- volunteering,
- housesitting.
Subscribe to cheap flight mailing lists to get the best flight and hotel deals.
Book last minute deals. Travel by bus. Get a rail pass.
Travel doesn’t have to be expensive.
With the right budget and the right mindset, everything is possible.
11. You aren't going to get that flight compensation. It's not worth filing a claim
Not true.
In fact, it's worth filing a claim even if you're unsure about the outcome.
Learn about the most common myths about flight compensations in Europe.
And remember the basics.
You don't have to be European to be entitled to European flight compensation.
In Europe you have the right to care even if it isn't your airline's fault that a flight is late or cancelled. And all of that applies also both to charter airlines and, in some situtations, to non-EU airlines, the same way it applies to all commercial EU airlines. Know your rights!
Go and explore the world! Be brave!
By Europe and EU we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.