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6 Most Common Travel Mistakes To Avoid
I always enjoy receiving colorful travel infographics and helpful travel related information, to pass on to you here on my blog. I received one in my email inbox, outlining a few of the …
🤔 Biggest Travel Mistakes 🤔
people make when traveling. A few interesting tips I thought would be worthwhile passing on to you.
International Travel Mistakes To Avoid # 1
Failing To Check The Expiry Date On Your Passport
This is perhaps one of the most common mistakes people make, when getting ready to go on vacation. They forget to check the expiry date on their passport and/or, on any other necessary documents required such as a; travel Tourist Visa for example.
In most cases, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the period of your extended stay, in the country you will be visiting.
Unfortunately, this has happened to friends of ours a few seasons ago. They were all set to head out for a 2 week tropical vacation, only to discover when they arrived at the airport to check in, their passports had expired 3 months previously.
What a horrible way to ruin a long awaited vacation!
* Check the expiry dates on all your necessary documents, well in advance of your travel date.*
What We Should {NOT Do} When Travelling # 2
NOT Purchasing Travel Insurance
I’ve said this time and time again, if you can afford to travel, you can afford travel insurance. Be sure to check out my previous articles here on; travel medical insurance. They can be found at …
Cheapest Insurance Not Always Best
and … Travel Insurance Coverage Tips
to learn the ins and outs of purchasing insurance for your protection.
Don’t ever think nothing will ever happen to you or your family when traveling. It’s always when you least expect it, that something will happen.
Years ago, I almost broke my neck wave boarding, while on vacation in the Dominican Republic. Without travel medical insurance and should I have been hospitalized, it could have cost me thousands of dollars a day, out of my own pocket.
* In many countries, if you can’t prove you have insurance or the money to cover your bills, they won’t even admit you to hospital or even just to receive medical treatment.
Biggest Travel Problems # 3
Overpacking or Packing Incorrectly
I continue to be amazed by the amount people 🧳 pack for a typical two week vacation. I’ve seen people check 🧳 multiple bags along with carry-on for their vacation.
The old saying goes among experts;
“Only pack what you are – Sure to Wear, and then still remove half from your luggage.”
It’s ok to wear your travel wear more than once when traveling.:) Most hotels and destinations do offer clothes 🧺 washing for your convenience. My son and I traveled throughout {India and Vietnam} a few seasons ago, and had no trouble getting our clothes washed wherever we were.
Why have to lug around heavy luggage filled with clothing, when there’s no need to. Especially when airlines have strict weight rules, and extra charges for overweight & extra baggage!
What NOT To Do As A Tourist # 4
Failing To Mix With The Locals
This is something that really 🤔 puzzles me as well, when traveling.
Isn’t part of the whole travel experience to new exciting destinations around the world, include meeting and mix with the locals and experience their culture
Don’t be afraid to approach locals and start a conversation with them. You will be amazed at what you can learn and discover, by mixing and interacting with locals.
We’ve discovered over the years of travel, that it most cases locals are eager to talk with foreigners, and to learn more about where you’re from.
Worst Travel Mistakes # 5
Failing To Notify Credit Card / Debit Card Institutions
Not a huge problem any more, but if you’re going to be away for extended periods of time, it’s a good practice to notify your financial institutions. You certainly don’t want your credit or debit cards blocked while away,
especially when you’re trying to access cash from an ATM.
Recently, I was told by one credit card company and to my surprise, it was no longer necessary to notify them.
I guess unless there is some very unusual activity taking place with your card, they won’t block them anymore.
Should they for some reason become blocked, you can always call their toll free customer service number found on the back of the cards.
How {NOT} To Travel # 6
Not Sampling The Local Cuisine
This is one of the things I absolutely love to do, when traveling to new destinations. We thoroughly enjoy taking Walking Food Tours as much as we can. It’s a great way to experience the local cuisine and culture.
Taking a guided food tour is the safest and most enjoyable way, to sample some of the local dishes. Many of the most popular eating establishments attended by locals in the area, that you would be hard-pressed to find on your own.
Check out one of my walking food tours I enjoyed in Hong Kong, and see why you shouldn’t miss out on one of the great things to do when traveling. My post and photos of this tour can be seen here at …
Hello Hong Kong Food Tours
There are many more mistakes and what people don’t think of when traveling. These are just a few tips and suggestions, to keep in mind when planning your next vacation.
In one final note and something I see all too often when traveling abroad. It’s those people who do not respect the local culture and beliefs of the people whose country, they are guests in. Always be respectful and adhere to their local customs and rules when traveling to new foreign destinations around the world.
Please – Don’t Be Rude!!
A great part of travel, is too experience the local culture and customs. One should never make comparisons and expect everything to be just the same, as at home. I often wonder why these people who do compare and complain, travel in the first place. 🤔
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Did You Know …
“Science Has Proven That Taking A Vacation Can Lower Your Risk Of Heart Disease.”
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