Lets face it, travelling can cost a hefty amount of money and you want to put your time abroad to good use. You dont want to be worrying about what you should and shouldnt do during your time away, which is why weve put together this handy list of 10 things NOT to do on holiday. So, no matter where youre travelling to, youll know how to avoid the obvious and treacherous tourist clichés.
1. Abuse local customs
It might be an obvious one, but before you travel anywhere: learn about the local customs. Granted, it may well be acceptable to go streaking where you live, but more often than not many other places will not appreciate that sort of crassness. So brush up on the local customs! For instance, if youre travelling to Dubai remember to dress conservatively.
Or, if you find yourself in Beijing, do not cry offence when you see people spitting in the street many Chinese people consider it hygienic.
2. Contract tropical diseases from local animals
Whilst kittens and puppies are abundantly adorable, the last thing you want to contract on your holiday is rabies, or some other tropical disease. Many animals you will encounter abroad are wild and unkempt, meaning they could be potentially ridden with disease. Resist their cute, fluffy ways and youll be much better off for it.
3. Dont keep your clothes on
Although you might enjoy seeing yourself naked, not everyone else will feel the same way. You dont want to strip down in Abu Dhabi, where men and women dress and behave conservatively, nor do you want to go parading in your birthday suit around many parts of Indonesia, where nudity is illegal. So embrace the tan lines and keep your kit on.
4. Drink the tap water
Drinking foreign tap water can lead to some serious illnesses, including violent stomach bugs and dysentery, so its probably not worth risking. Many countries do not process their water, meaning all sorts of nasty bacteria and fungi can infect those who drink it. The locals have had years to acclimatise to their water you havent. Stick to bottled!
5. Dont prepare
Although in some instances winging it is advised, you should still account for potential problems during your travels. There are various ways you can safeguard yourself on holiday, such as ensuring you have suitable travel insurance and gluing your passport onto your person so you never lose it. These things may seem obvious, but its the obvious things that you end up leaving behind on your bedside cabinet.
6. Fall for tourist traps
Wanting to sightsee is all well and good, but dont fall for the tourist traps which lurk behind every souvenir shop. From the Pyramids to the Taj Mahal, you will be bombarded by dozens of people wanting you to buy this, and buy that. Resist the urge to buy a miniature version of whatever landmark youve just visited, and dont be afraid to wander off the beaten track if it means avoiding the typical tourist traps.
7. Destroy the local fauna and flora
What screams appreciation more than touching, tampering and trampling the local plant and wildlife? Although a particular flower may look pretty, it doesnt mean you should pick it; many foreign plants are endangered and mustnt be meddled with. The same goes for the local lizards, snakes and spiders but why would you want to touch those anyway?
8. Travel heavily
Between you and me, we both know youre not going to wear half of whats in your suitcase on holiday so dont pack it. Just pack the essentials and leave plenty of space for the abundance of clothes, ornaments and other trinkets youll doubtlessly want to bring back when you go on holiday.
9. Only eat in hotels
Nearly every hotelier will tell you the same thing when you arrive: dont eat in any of the local restaurants. Just eat in your hotel, where youll be charged an extortionate amount of money for sub-standard food and drink. Be brave and eat where the locals eat; live how the locals live, and youll truly be able to say you experienced the heart and soul of your destination.
10. Dont bother to learn the local language
If you want to get along with the locals, youre going to have to learn a few new phrases. Dont just limit yourself to please, thank you and chips. Learn how to say how are you today?, where do you like to go? and wheres good to eat?
Not only will the locals nearly faint from shock, but theyll reward you with local secrets that youd probably have never uncovered otherwise.
Matthew Coe is Online Marketing Manager for Wanderforth.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
I’ve used the concierge at many a hotel for food recommendations (asking for the most “local” place to eat at).
You’re right – some concierges do try to trap you within the hotel itself, or send you to ‘partner’ restaurants. But the top notch places that value their patrons actually do try to help you.
Found out a lovely off the beaten path restaurant in Bangkok thanks to the concierge at The Peninsula.
Some great advice and reminders.
Our worst, almost disaster was the whole family getting in a women only carriage on the metro in Egypt!
My husband and sons changed carriage at the next stop and we got away with just a few giggles from the other passengers!!
Should point 3 not read “KEEP your clothes on”?
Some good tips and advice here though. I’d agree with the learn the language tip, I was in Sardinia earlier this year and the locals did not speak very much English, at times communicating was very hard!
No, Jack… the list is things NOT to do on holiday, so there’s a double negative going on here. “Don’t NOT keep your clothes on” >> “Do keep your clothes on”
I agree, lots of vacation travelers find it too much trouble to try and learn more than a couple phrases in the local language. Learning just a few more can really transform your trip and make you feel more connected with the things around you. Nice article
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Good guide.
Would like to point out though regarding #9.
I’ve used the concierge at many a hotel for food recommendations (asking for the most “local” place to eat at).
You’re right – some concierges do try to trap you within the hotel itself, or send you to ‘partner’ restaurants. But the top notch places that value their patrons actually do try to help you.
Found out a lovely off the beaten path restaurant in Bangkok thanks to the concierge at The Peninsula.
Some great advice and reminders.
Our worst, almost disaster was the whole family getting in a women only carriage on the metro in Egypt!
My husband and sons changed carriage at the next stop and we got away with just a few giggles from the other passengers!!
Should point 3 not read “KEEP your clothes on”?
Some good tips and advice here though. I’d agree with the learn the language tip, I was in Sardinia earlier this year and the locals did not speak very much English, at times communicating was very hard!
No, Jack… the list is things NOT to do on holiday, so there’s a double negative going on here. “Don’t NOT keep your clothes on” >> “Do keep your clothes on”
I agree, lots of vacation travelers find it too much trouble to try and learn more than a couple phrases in the local language. Learning just a few more can really transform your trip and make you feel more connected with the things around you. Nice article