The Six Biggest Mistakes That Traveler's Make
I've probably seen thousands of other travelers, and while most have a good time, some don't. Here are what I've observed to be the biggest mistakes that travelers make which impact their ability to get the most from their trip:
- Wrong place: A very common mistake is that traveler's go to a place that's not a good fit for them, because they didn't do the legwork to find out what their destination was really like. I remember chatting with a traveler on the roof of a hotel watching an Indian town below come to life. "It's really something, isn't it," I said with admiration. "Yes, it sure is," she said with disgust. How do you find out what a place is really like? Read a practical guidebook (e.g. Lonely Planet
), review traveler's online journals, and take a look at other traveler's photos and videos.
- Wrong time: Another common mistake is that traveler's go to a place at the wrong time of year. Lousy weather ruins trips, so understand when to go and plan accordingly.
- Too much, too fast: I've seen too many travelers frantically going from one stop to the next, checking-off as many sites and destinations as they can....only to find themselves dazed, confused, and road-weary from a blizzard of train rides, bus rides, and hotels. Everyone's different, but I try to focus on a smaller number of stops, and spend at least two or three days at each.
- Too cheap: Backpackers in particular often take great pride in how little they spend, but I've sometimes observed that the result is that they don't actually do anything! You're traveling to enjoy the experience, not to see how little you can spend. Spend what you need in order to get the most out of your trip, even if it means you run out of money and have to come home a little sooner.
- Too arrogant: Take the opportunity to interact with the locals, and not just the ones trying to sell you something. They and their stories are often interesting and enlightening. Don't treat locals as either a curiousity or a nuisance, but instead treat them with courtesy and respect. You'll not only get more out of your trip, but you'll make it a little easier for the next traveler.
- Brought too much: I've run into lots of travelers who grumbled about carrying around too much stuff, and conversely I've run into very few who complained that they didn't bring enough. If you pack smartly, you'll bring what you need and still have room to bring home the various things that you'll invariably pick-up on the road.
I hope these tips help you get the most out of your travels, and best wishes for a Fat Passport!
Bob
Next: Should you bring a laptop?