Planning for a trip is very enjoyable yet stressful. It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-time traveler or a regular, mistakes can creep into your plans and cause more vexation, frustration, expense, and stress.
Therefore, it is important, as you plan your trip, to note these common mistakes that plague travelers when planning their trips. You wouldn’t want these mistakes to dampen your mood and soil your travel plans.
Having an over-ambitious travel plan
The best alternative is to embrace flexibility. Never hesitate when it is time to switch plans due to bad weather or shortage of money. It is important to note the time and distance it takes from ‘location A’ to ‘location B’. Allocate extra time for eventual delays as well as extra time for rest. Remember, you do not have any obligation to visit every location in your country of destination. If you plan otherwise, you will be disappointed. However, if you are flexible with your plans, you will enjoy your trip even more. So, do not be afraid to explore, wander and be spontaneous!
Overpacking
A rule of thumb is:
pack what you need
pack what you know is useful
desist from packing what you think you will use
Whatever you think you will need can be bought at your destination (most likely at a cheaper rate). Do a critical revaluation of whatever you have and endeavor to trim down the weight of the load a bit more. It is important you do not leave with extra weight.
You should not ‘overpack’ till your luggage is ready to burst. It is understandable that you want to ensure that you are adequately prepared and excessive packing can be tempting but the honestly, traveling with heavy luggage is exceedingly tiresome. So ensure you pack light.
Forgetting the budget and running out of money
No one ever plans for such situation, being financially incapacitated on a trip. In order to avoid that, change your perception on budgeting. It isn’t an embargo on your spending neither is it a restriction. It is a means to enjoy your trip in a more creative and genuine way. Embrace some budget-friendly products and decisions. Follow thy budget religiously and thou shall not go broke.
Not double-checking your documents and bookings for errors
The appropriate thing to do is to double check and cross check all your filings, reservations, and documents for all your bookings: Flights, hotels, accommodations e.t.c. Ensure they are accurate, both the spelling of your name and passport photograph if any. Make sure you confirm your location and the time. This will ensure right schedule.
Not Buying Insurance
Getting a travel insurance gives us additional protection. If you purchase a travel insurance for a few naira notes you will have an advantage of having the feeling of security, in case of emergencies like missing baggage, cancellation of trips, health emergencies and so on.
Not backing up your pictures files and losing them due to theft or virus
After years, your trip will still live in your memory, both your natural and the electronic. Both are precious but the latter is more vivid and has other awesome abilities, including backing up. So, you have to do a regular backup on your flash-drive or any other storage device regularly or store them online on other numerous file-host platforms.
Tempting pickpockets with flashy items
Don’t unknowingly act as a bait for criminals. Be smart and exercise caution with your valuables. You don’t need to display your flashy I-phones, laptops, and cameras for the world to see. As a matter of fact, don’t take them out, if you won’t use them. Use them whenever they are necessary.
Being culturally insensitive
It is impolite to ignore the culture of a particular location, keep an open mind and show genuine respect for the culture and surrounding in which you are sojourning to. It will assist you in adapting well, it will enable you to enjoy the trip more and learn a different culture synergistically.
Not doing your research
Desist from booking whatever is the first thing you find on google search. There’s nothing as sheepish as going on a trip without as much as a research. Make sure you acquire the tiny bit of information on the fun activities to engage in and a nice history of wherever you are visiting. This will increase the chances of you spending quality time in the place.
Also research on the best deals and the most affordable offer. If you cannot make the most from the power of the internet, contact your travel agency for best deals from airlines.
Drinking too much
There is always a tendency to lose oneself in the moment of euphoria. But exercise great composure especially with alcohol. Drink moderately and explore better ways of having fun or relieving stress. Getting drunk put you in a precarious situation, in a dangerous risk of losing your valuables to robbers or getting wounded.
Getting angry in a foreign country
Crappy moments may pop up, and you may feel undeservedly or unfairly treated, but view it as another moment to uniquely gain experience and thrive off it. It is fine if you voice out your annoyance or frustrations, but do not forget that, it is not your home country. Exercise patience and be tolerable.