4 BIG MISTAKES OF THE AMATEUR TRAVELLER

The following travel article was written by Shanda Stefanson of DailyTakeoff.com. I found it very helpful and befitting to share on my web log. Enjoy!

Being Under Prepared
Imagine spending thousands of dollars on a flight to France, renting a car and driving to the seaside village where you have chosen to spend your winter get-away, only to get there and find that all the hotels, restaurants and sights are closed for the season. At least there will be no police around to arrest you for sleeping in your car! This is, of course, an extreme example, but being under prepared can kill a trip.

Do some research, have at least a vague idea of where and when you want to go, or you may spend your whole trip wondering what to do next. In high season, booking accommodation in advance is a must or you will find yourself spending the night in the train station with your luggage. While there is something to be said for the spontaneous road trip or the where-the-wind-takes-us last minute adventure, if you've spent months looking forward to something and a month's wages getting there, it's a good idea to spend some time planning it.

Treating Schedule as Master
While it's crucial to have a plan for any trip, it is also very important to be flexible and willing to stray from the plan. Trains get missed, connecting flights leave without you, interesting travellers introduce themselves in hostels, and poof, your schedule is no longer valid. No plan should be so rigid that you can't allow for the crazy twists that make travel fun. If your schedule is that rigid, you will waste all your energy stressing over putting it into action and forget to look up at the pyramids or Big Ben. Also, don't try to pack too much into your days. Leave time for espresso breaks, a glass of wine or haggling with shop owners over that gorgeous hand-made bracelet. If you try to do too much you will burn out, and the whole trip will seem a blur when you get home.

Picking the Wrong Travel Buddy
Not all good friends make good travel partners. The best trip in the world can be ruined if the person you are with drives you crazy. While you may be the most compatible people in the real world, travel brings out different things in different people and can be a recipe for stress and fighting. Have you ever watched the happy couples on The Amazing Race slowly grow to hate each other?

Before you agree to travel with someone, make sure you have the same trip in mind. If you want to spend your month in Europe in museums and art galleries and your friend wants to hike the Alps and see soccer matches, maybe you should consider someone else. If you're dead set on doing it together, make sure you schedule time for things that will fit both of your interests or agree to go your separate ways sometimes.

If you find yourself in a situation where even your best intentions and planning have gone wrong and you feel you can't stand another minute with the person, don't. Your friendship and your trip will thank you. Finish the rest of the trip alone and you'll have a great time telling your stories when you meet again for your flight home.

Being Too Trusting
I'm from small-town Saskatchewan. I trust everyone. Or, I used to. Travel has taken that tendency out of me. While it's not necessary to assume that every person who talks to you intends to murder you, it is a good idea to keep a cautious eye on everyone, especially in really touristy areas. If you're lucky, the worst that will happen is that you'll have to pay $300 for two cups of tea (happened to a friend of mine) or end up with a fake Gucci that you paid nearly the price of a real one for.

Worst case scenario is much scarier. Tourists disappear all the time. Never get so drunk that you need someone to take care of you. If you get lost, find a taxi, especially at night. The cost of a taxi ride is nothing compared to the cost of being robbed, or worse, if you should stumble into the wrong area of an unfamiliar city. Keep your head on straight and trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, get out of the situation.

Heed this advice
With a little common sense and planning, any trip can be a great one. Don't hang on to the romantic idea that travel is easy. Every day is a challenge when you're in a strange place, especially if you don't speak the language. But with a little moxie and a sense of adventure, you can take those challenges and turn them into positive experiences, and have some great stories to tell when you get home.

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