4 most common travel mistakes (avoid these on your next trip!)
Could you be making one of these common travel mistakes when planning your trip? When it comes to traveling, not all methods are equal. In fact, there are some instances when traveling the “wrong” way can make or break a vacation, and when you have a limited amount of days to take your vacation, you want to make the most of your time. That's why travel planning is the key element to any great trip!
In the decade I’ve spent traveling the world and living abroad, I’ve noticed there are certain ways in which people travel that prevents them from experiencing the real magic, culture, and charm of a destination.
How are travelers holding themselves back from soul nourishing, incredible vacations? What are people getting wrong about traveling? With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of what not to do on your next trip.
1. You pack your itinerary with nonstop things to see & do
To me, the perfect vacation is all about balance. Travel mistake #1: nonstop rushing. I’ve seen people try to visit three major cities in under 7 days, and I don’t find that type of travel appealing at all. The conscious traveler isn’t zooming through places just to say they’ve been there, done that. Take a breath, allow yourself to arrive, my friend. It’s about quality, not quantity.
This doesn’t mean you have to sit in your hotel room in between museum visits. The “Being” part can look different for each person. When visiting Madrid, for example, you could spend the morning in the famous Prado museum and later have an afternoon picnic in the nearby Retiro Park to rest your legs. Doesn’t that sound lovely?
2.You go to ALL the popular tourist spots
“Aren’t there things worth seeing at tourist attractions? Shouldn’t I plan my trip around visiting these places?” you ask with a furrowed brow. I don’t recommend it! I respond with overwhelming passion in my eyes.
There’s a reason why Barcelona is getting fed up with tourism. The tourist attractions are crowded, expensive, and only skim the surface of what the true cultural experience Spain has to offer. If you’re dying to see Gaudi’s work, choose one of the less visited places like Casa Batlló, which is also absolutely stunning.
On a similar note, if the restaurant menu says “Tourist” anywhere on it, you’re being overcharged and the food won’t be very good. I usually feel slightly out of place when I’m in a really good authentic Spanish restaurant. This is a good thing!
3.You don’t plan enough.
On the opposite end of over planning is not planning enough. How does this play out in the wonderful world of travel? Well, picture this…you’re in Spain and want to experience traveling with spontaneity, so you decide not to book anything in advance. Exciting, right?
An example of spontaneity gone wrong:
First, you realize that all the tickets are 3 x the cost they’d be if you bought them a couple months ago. Regardless, you reluctantly pay for the ticket. Once you’re in Sevilla, you get to a highly rated restaurant in the main plaza some friends recommended to you. Unfortunately, it just so happens that there’s a festival going on throughout the city on this particular day.
FYI, Spain has many festivals throughout the year, and Sevilla is home to la Feria in April. You see that the restaurant is too packed, so you spend the afternoon searching for a great restaurant. Finally, you settle on one that’s near your hotel. Rookie travel mistake!
Having a foundation for your trip is always a safe bet. Avoid this travel mistake by adding in some free afternoons or mornings here and there. That way you allow spaciousness for spontaneous adventures and aimless wandering!
4. You don’t read up on the cultures, traditions, and history of where you’re going.
The conscious traveler is someone who brings awareness, curiosity, and care around how they enter a place.
With research or pre-trip learning, these adventures can be heightened with context around the country’s cultures and history.
For instance, did you know?
- There are more than 5 languages spoken in Spain today.
- Southern Spain is largely influenced by Africa due to their people ruling the continent for more than 800 years.
- In Spain’s northeast region, Galicia, you’ll find a very Irish vibe, with bagpipes and farmers and lots of rain. Pretty much the opposite of your idea of Spain, I’d imagine!
Thanks for reading! With these tips, you can avoid these travel mistakes and have an incredible trip.
Visit the About page if you’re interested in learning more about Lotus Compass. While you’re here, check out what it means to be a Conscious Traveler.