Extremely Bad Travel Advice: What I Tried So You Don’t Have To

Ah, travel advice. Everyone has an opinion, and trust me, not all of them are good. You’ve heard the classic tips: “Buy travel insurance” and “Don’t drink the tap water.” Really, who needs those when you can listen to the voice in your head telling you to dive straight into your local adventure blindfolded? Well, as someone who's made a career out of travel misadventures, I'm here to share some of the truly awful advice I’ve tried—so you don’t have to! Buckle up and grab your passport; it’s about to get bumpy!

Melissa Ridge

5/3/20253 min read

Bad Advice #1: “You Don’t Need a Plan—Just Wing It!”


Picture this: I’m in a foreign country, no map, and my Wi-Fi has magically disappeared. “I don’t need a plan,” I confidently told myself. Turns out, “winging it” in Prague when you only speak English is just a fancy way to get lost for three hours. As I wandered down increasingly dodgy alleys, I was convinced I’d ended up in some dystopian movie set instead of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.


Lesson Learned: Planning doesn’t mean you can't be spontaneous! Check out a few options like `[Trip Packages](https://trip.tp.st/LGkRYPEA)` and sketch a rough itinerary; it’ll save you from impromptu scavenger hunts!









Bad Advice #2: “Just Stay at Anyone’s Couch—No Need to Research!”


Ah yes, the old “couch surfing is for everyone” tip. Sure, that sounds nice until you're camped out on someone’s smelly couch next to their collection of taxidermied animals. Spoiler alert: not all couch surfers respect personal space, hygiene, or the concept of maintaining a quiet nighttime environment.


Lesson Learned: A good night’s sleep is invaluable. Invest in a cozy hotel or an Airbnb that fits your vibe, or check out `[local rental options](https://localrent.tp.st/BWSEer3z)` for a more tailored experience.


Bad Advice #3: “Eat Street Food—It’s Always Safe!”


Ah, street food. It’s delicious, it’s authentic, and some days, it’s a ticking time bomb for your intestines. You’ll never forget the time you decided to go all in on questionable meat skewers after two days of safe dining. Let’s just say my bathroom and I had a very close relationship for the next week.


Lesson Learned: Enjoying local cuisine is amazing, but maybe stick to recommendations from locals or sites like `[Tiqets](https://tiqets.tp.st/h8P2EGQI)` that can help you pinpoint trustworthy options without getting food poisoning.










Bad Advice #4: “No Need for Insurance—YOLO!”


My personal favorite, because nothing screams 'adventure' like breaking a leg in a land far away! Spoiler: having to negotiate with hospital staff in a foreign language while suffering from a broken bone is not the dream you think it would be. Pro tip: some of the best `[travel insurance](https://visitorscoverage.tp.st/YjSIozxi)` out there can help you avoid the awkward "uhh, do you take my health insurance?" chat overseas.


Bad Advice #5: “Skip the Apps—Just Ask Strangers for Directions”


Not even making this one up. The joys of trying to ask a stranger for help when language differences come into play is like playing charades without the other person agreeing to play. I think I ended up asking a pigeon for directions one day after trying, and failing, on the human front.


Lesson Learned: Download offline maps or access transfer options like `[KiwiTaxi](https://kiwitaxi.tp.st/cI2Zkn9s)` to make your travels easier and keep your sanity intact!


Wrapping Up: Travel Wisely, Friends!


So there you have it—my embarrassing trials of what not to do when traveling. Consider this your travel advice cautionary tale, ensuring you steer clear of the pitfalls that nearly sunk me on my adventures. For more wisdom (trustworthy this time, I promise), don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter!


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And remember, no matter what online research tells you, always prioritize a bit of planning, a pinch of safety, and a dash of sanity over all those questionable tips. Happy travels, and may your adventures be infinitely more enjoyable than mine have been! 🚀


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