Things NOT To Do When Traveling
Most posts you see online and in travel blogs share all these great tips on what you need to do or what you should do in order to have a great vacation. Often times I have noticed that people should be aware of what not to do as much as what they should do. Here are a few things that you should never do while traveling that will help insure you have a memorable vacation.
- Never pack more than you can easily carry. If you are taking a cruise, going on a business trip, going to only one destination, or attending a fashion event then ignore this post. However, if you are traveling to Hawaii or most anywhere in the world you will be amazed at how little you need to make a vacation wonderful. The rule in our house is to only take one roller board and one personal item.Yes, even my teenage daughter can survive nicely for 10 weeks traveling around the world with minimal outfits and shoes. What you should do is pack one or two swimsuits and clothes that are comfortable and can easily be washed. Remember, you aren’t out to impress people when you travel.
- Don’t expect everything you see on TV or in Movies. Movies have a tendency to glamorize everything slightly more than reality. When you land in Hawaii you will not be greeted with a lei unless you have paid for the service or have a friend waiting to surprise you. While Hawaii is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, it is also home to a million people and parts are no more spectacular than your neighborhood What you should do is be open to new and different experiences and travel with a willingness to accept that which is reality.
- Don’t count your pennies when dollars matter. Everyone travels with a budget. Some people simply have larger budgets than other people. However, wherever you are on the continuum of a travel budget make decisions based on your needs, wants, and personal desires. A simple way to evaluate your travel time is to look at your hourly wage and then consider what you are willing to trade off for the amount of time you spend. For instance, people often go to presentations for timeshares in order to receive a free dinner or a free show ticket. How much is that presentation really costing you time wise. (Your hourly wage + Companions hourly wage) x hours spent = your cost. Here is how this looks for two travelers making $15 an hour when working. $15 + $15 x 2 hours = $60. My guess is that those free tickets which cost you $60 of your precious vacation time could be purchased for less while leaving you those two hours on the beach, seeing the sights, or doing nothing. Remember, it is your vacation.
- Don’t share too much online while you are gone. We hear this all the time about the dangers of posting too much on social media. While you will want to share and boast your photos and experiences of you in Hawaii or on vacation, think twice. How many of your friends on Facebook are more than acquaintances? Posting too much information is almost like giving everyone knowledge of your absence and ability to break-in to your home while you are thousands of miles away. Post all those great pictures when you get home. The photos and memories are just as impressive a week or two later than when it is happening.
- Don’t open your trunk in a parking lot and then leave your car. The rule is that you should never carry valuables in your car when you are doing activities like the beach, a hike, or out shopping. However, the realities of travel often mean that you can’t leave your luggage locked up at a hotel, the airport, or at a storage unit while you are exploring. Make it a point to not open your trunk before leaving it unattended. There is no reason to let observers see what you have in your trunk before you head of for sunshine at the beach. Stop at a parking lot before you get to your destination and make sure that the only ‘stuff’ in the car is what you are going to take with you. Put anything you don’t want or need in the trunk. Then, when you get to your destination simply park and head off. Don’t leave anything in the car that can be seen by people passing by. There is no guarantee, but this process will help limit your odds of being robbed while you are exploring.
- Don’t eat at chains when traveling. There are numerous wonderful restaurants that are local and have a local flare that there is no need to visit the popular chain restaurant that you can visit when you are back home. Years ago it was difficult to find local places unless you were carrying a travel book such as Fodors, AAA, or Michelin. Today, there is no excuse for not trying local flavors and experiencing local dives.
- Don’t flaunt your jewelry and valuables. Keep your expensive jewelry at home in a safe. Flaunting valuables while traveling is never wise as it only draws unwanted attention.
- Don’t expect it to be like home. You are on vacation and the world offers many wonderful experiences that you will not have at home. You may encounter slow service, unusual customs, or unusual things that won’t be the same as in your community. When you think about it, isn’t the reason you decided to travel because you wanted to experience more than you experience at home?
- Don’t expect the trip to go flawlessly. Something will go wrong when you travel. You can expect flight delays, cancelations, and crowded planes. You will misplace a phone, forget a credit card, have car issues, or find your flights were incorrectly booked. When something goes wrong on vacation you have two choices: 1) Get upset and let it bother you or 2) go with the flow and make the best of the situation. If a connection goes wrong and you end up stuck in a city longer than you expected make it an adventure and not a stressor. You can use the extra time to read, write, or explore. If you get stuck in San Francisco for more hours than you planned grab a taxi and head down town or to see the bridge. Unexpected delays can be hidden gems of memories waiting to happen if you simply grab the moment and make it special.