We all have bad travel habits, myself included but I’m always trying to better myself and my travel experience. To do that one needs to evaluate and eliminate and what better time than a new year to shake off old habits?
Over Packing!
Rising baggage fees should be enough to make you stop, but if it isn’t, just think about lifting that heavy bag, not having enough room for purchases and taking up too much space.
Waiting For Friends:
Too often I speak to people who missed a trip because they were waiting on a friend to go with them. Sign up for that trip and go it alone or sign up for a group trip if you prefer to be with others.
Listening To False Experts And Negative Nellies:
You may know some of these people – the ones who make statements like; that’s too expensive, it’s not safe over there or I heard…! ‘Misguided advice can do more harm than good and those who wouldn’t travel or can’t travel often don’t want you to either. It’s usually best to get the proper and correct information from an expert and never let someone get in the way of your joy.
Being Cheap:
I’m not talking about being frugal or budget conscience. I’m talking about being penny wise and pound foolish. When you focus on the nickels and dimes, you miss the essence of travel. Create a realistic budget and leave room for enjoying the destination.
Not Having A Budget:
You certainly don’t want to come back home to a debt you can’t pay or have a hard time paying back. Living within your means applies to traveling too. Make a plan, a budget, save and splurge when and where you can.
Taking Too Many Photos:
Coming from me, this may sound hypocritical but what I’m saying here is, how many photos of one statue or buildings you won’t recall the name of do you need? Also, don’t get so focused on taking that photo that you miss precious moments.
Taking Too Few Photos:
I know I just said to stop taking too many photos, but you will regret not getting certain ones or not preserving memories. So while you don’t want to take twenty photos of a statue, you will be happy about the photos of people you meet, fun times and activities. The point here is to capture the memories and special moments.
Being Unprepared For Airport Security:
There’s just no reason or excuse for this anymore. Even if you don’t travel regularly, you should have heard about airport security by now. Shoes come off, Laptops out, Toiletries 3.4 ounces or less, etc.. When in doubt visit www.tsa.gov.
Not Embracing The Culture:
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James A. Michener
Not Learning Some Of The Language Before You Go:
A little bit goes a long way. People respect that you are trying and see this as a gesture of you respecting them.
OVER PACKING!
Yes, this is on the list twice because it’s that egregious. Professionally, I take groups around the world and excessive luggage is always a costly problem. “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money” – Susan Heller
Let’s move into the new year with new habits or at least the ones not on this list and make our future travels spectacular!