Not all trips go perfectly. You’re bound to make a few mistakes here and there, and for the most part these mishaps aren’t likely to have a serious impact on your vacation. Certain mistakes, however, can really ruin your trip. Make sure to avoid the following travel errors to make sure your vacation is everything you want it to be:
Being too ambitious
Treating your vacation like a checklist of things to do rather than an opportunity for relaxation is asking for trouble. If you find yourself planning every hour of every day, consider scaling back your agenda and leaving some space for serendipity. You can always save missed attractions for another visit.
Planning straight from the book
Guidebooks are a very valuable tool, but they can’t cover everything. If all the places you visit are listed in the same book that 10,000 other tourists are using, you’re going to have to put up with crowds. Instead, ask locals or other travelers for their opinions on what to see, or just follow your eyes to an interesting building or your nose to a great restaurant.
Not doing your research
If you’re traveling internationally, you need to research passport and visa requirements. Nothing will derail your vacation faster than finding out that even though your passport is valid for two weeks after your return date, the country you’re visiting won’t let you in unless your passport has at least six months left before it expires.
Relying on credit or debit cards and not warning your bank
Using debit cards and credit cards is a good way to get the best exchange rates. However, if you rely on them to pay for things abroad and forget to inform your bank of your travel plans, the bank might block your cards due to “unusual activity.” Always let your financial institution know the dates and locations of your trip before you go.
