TravelPerch

Save yourself time, money and hassles by finding out some of the most common mistakes travellers make.

1)  Not Taking a Carry-On
Taking a carry-on bag onboard a flight has saved the day on multiple trips I’ve taken.  One time, my checked luggage missed the flight home and my bag wasn’t going to be delivered until late the following day. But, because I had my essentials in the carry-on, it wasn’t a problem. If you’re cruising, it’s not uncommon for your bags to be delivered to your cabin several hours after you’ve boarded. So if you’re sailing somewhere tropical, pop your bathing suit into your carry-on so you can cool off after boarding. And it’s really handy having these items within easy access en route:

• Valuables
• Key documents
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Prescriptions
• Snacks
• Water
• Earphones (so you don’t have to pay for another set onboard)
• Things to do on the airplane

2)  Not Trying to Blend in with the Locals
If you want to reduce your chances of being a target of theft on the road, focus on keeping a low profile. While it can be challenging to blend in when you’re blonde or tall and travelling in Asia, you can still leave the impression that you live there. Find out what people in the places you’ll be visiting typically wear by flipping through the major newspapers of your destination (either on-line or possibly at the library), reading guidebooks or visiting a forum such as the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree. Some globetrotters make it a habit of visiting a market soon after their arrival and buying local clothes. Here are some more tips:

• Wear neutral colors.
• Wear conservative clothes and hats that don’t have logos or symbols on them.
• Don’t wear or put your country’s flag on your luggage.
• Keep your camera, guidebook, maps and anything else that screams, “Tourist!” out of sight too.

3)  Wearing a Fanny Pack
This is a surefire way to stand out. Young groups of children (particularly common in parts of Europe) forced to pickpocket are trained to distract travellers wearing fanny packs while one of the kids steals the contents. Invest in a waist money belt (not the neck money belt whose straps are easily visible and therefore tip off thieves). Wear clothes with lots of (preferably deep or hidden) pockets that have button or Velcro closures. Women: Buy a no-frills purse whose strap crosses your chest and drapes near your hip. Because this type of purse has a front flap with clasp and zippers, it’s not easy to access the inside. Men: Keep your wallet in your front pocket. If you prefer to wear a knapsack, wear it across your chest while going through crowded areas such as markets or train stations where pickpockets often lurk.

4)  Travelling During Peak Season
If you can, don’t travel during peak season – especially mid June to early September when families, teachers and university students are on vacation. Not only are prices usually sky-high, but accommodation can be hard to come by, crowds and heat can be unbearable (depending on where you visit), and line-ups for tourist attractions (especially in Europe) and restaurants mean a lot of wasted vacation time.

5)  Travelling Without Food or Water
Not only will you save money by toting along some healthy snacks such as granola bars and dried fruit, but going hungry or thirsty on the road can result in low energy, irritability and other nasties. It’s especially important that you stay hydrated as this helps to fortify your immune system. And drinking plenty of water makes you feel so much better! Depending on where you visit, you may need to be extra careful that you drink only bottled water (not even ice) with lids that have unbroken seals.

6)  Spending Too Much Money
Invest some time to learn how to save money on airfare, accommodation, car rentals, tourist attractions, dining, cruising, etc. and you will keep hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in your wallet. Go on-line, read blogs, travel magazines, books or take a class.

7)  Not Doing Enough Research
Take every opportunity you can to learn about where you’re visiting so that you can fully enjoy and better understand it. Study the language and maps. Watch DVDs, read books and blogs, and talk with people who have been to your destination. Find out about the history, food, customs, religion, arts and architecture.  And thoroughly research your accommodation so that you don’t wind up in a dive. If you’ll be cruising on a mega ship, getting to know the layout of the behemoth beforehand will save you mega time and frustration on board.

8)  Packing Too Much Stuff
I’ve never heard anyone lament after a trip that they wished they’d packed more. Take the “lug” out of “luggage” by challenging yourself to take the smallest bag you can and see how little you actually need. The excellent on-line resource, onebag.com is a good place to start for tips and inspiration. Pick up a few compression bags to help maximize space. Do laundry on the road, keep a tight reign on how many pairs of shoes you take, take multi-purpose items such as bandanas, and expect to buy toiletries and other essentials on the road.