How to Avoid Travel Disappointment: Lessons from America’s 2023 Regrets
Have you ever stood in a 3-hour line at a popular tourist spot? Or miss out on a local festival because you didn’t know it was happening? Travel disappointments like this happen to all of us, and they’re more common than you could even imagine. Unfortunately, we often carry them in our memory even after the vacations. After all, vacation isn’t just a casual escape. It’s a cherished break from the real world for which we save money and precious leave days.
Photography startup surveyed diverse participants nationwide to dissect all the worst travel regrets. Let’s dive in to finally learn from other people’s mistakes, not our own!
Study’s Key Findings
A whopping 70% of our participants regret not taking enough vacation time – but often, it’s not our fault! The average American only gets 14 days off work annually. Also, many of us kick ourselves for not planning earlier – 70% for not booking flights or accommodation in advance and facing limited options and 68% for failing to make reservations for popular attractions and restaurants. Yep, procrastination still holds its throne. On the other side, about 67% wished they’d dipped their toes more into the local cuisine rather than sticking to the tastes they know.
Money matters, too. Roughly 69% said they felt some trips pinched their wallets more than expected. Looking back, there’s been a shift. Five years ago, a lot of us regretted not taking enough photos. Now? 65% wish they were less focused on social media and not missing out on genuine experiences.
So, what can we do about all of that?
Lesson 1: Planning Ahead
The early bird gets the worm! In travel, it’s not just a wise saying – it’s a golden rule. There are so many planning advantages. It doesn’t mean you only get some peace of mind when securing flight tickets and hotel bookings. With timely research, you can guarantee spots in all niche experiences or tours, often with limited slots. Cooking class in Le Cordon Bleu Paris? The ones offered in English usually fill up months ahead. Same with hiking passes to El Caminito del Rey in Spain. Waiting too long might mean waving your dreams goodbye!
This way, you can avoid the notorious price hikes with last-minute bookings. You don’t want to see them skyrocketing because you’re only one-eyeing that deal. Planning keeps your wallet happier and your heart lighter.
By starting early, you can thoroughly research your destinations. And I wholeheartedly recommend doing that! It’s good to be aware of local events or seasonal activities. And let’s remember the curveballs. Is rain ruining your beach day? No worries, because you’ve got a backup indoor activity!
Lesson 2: Double-checking Travel Documentation
Don’t be like 45% of our responders – sort out your paperwork, then check it. Three times, just to be sure. Always, and I mean always, ensure every tiny detail in your documents matches your actual details. A misspelled name or tiny error in the date can send you on a different adventure. Not the pleasant one. I remember paying a hefty fee just for fixing a small typo in my surname, just because I noticed it one day before my flight!
Then, there is this whole visa thing. Different countries have various visa stipulations based on nationality. Sometimes, it can be an easy visa on arrival, but sometimes, you must go to the embassy or mail your passport. And often, you need to take a visa photo – of course, you guessed it – one that fits the specific requirements.
Speaking of passports – do yourself a favor and check the expiry date. It’s good that it’s not expired, but sometimes it might not be enough. Some countries can be pretty particular, wanting your passport valid for at least six more months.
And if you’re traveling with kids without the other parent, you might need some extra paperwork. Like a notarized permission. It sounds official because it is. But sometimes, it’s better to make that effort rather than explaining that you’re not kidnapping your child, just taking it for vacation.
Lesson 3: Managing Expectations
Don’t roll your eyes, but I must write that – it’s not always sunshine and rainbows (or sunsets and croissants). Don’t look at the perfect pictures on Instagram and judge yourself if your trip looks different. These snapshots are just a fraction of someone’s journey, not the whole story. And those ‘candid moments’ usually take a lot of work to look like that. Photography (or making Instagram Reels) can be fun, and it’s good to have some palm tree shots to look at during the winter months. But being too focused on it won’t do you any good.
Ask yourself: “Why do I really go there?” Whether seeking adventure, finding peace, or just tasting as many local dishes as humanly possible, keep your primary purpose in mind. All travels have ups and downs. Sometimes tiny, sometimes a bit bigger. These hiccups can make the best stories.
The same goes for budgeting. Only because a friend of a friend, in 2007, went backpacking through Thailand on $10 a day doesn’t mean you can (or should). His idea of a good meal is instant noodles; he doesn’t mind eating them daily. Set that budget realistically and give it a bit of wiggle room. It’s always better to be pleasantly surprised.
Lesson 4: Experiencing Local Culture
Around 60% of Americans who took our survey regret not learning about the destination’s history, not remembering some basic phrases of the local language, and not researching local customs and etiquette. So, I wouldn’t say homework on destination’s past is a 100% must-do (not like one on travel documentation), but it will enrich your travel experience. When you know the ‘why’ behind all the old structures or understand the events that shaped the community, you see things differently – everything makes much more sense.
Learning to say ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ or ‘Where’s the restroom?’ in the local language can make a huge difference. Locals appreciate when you make that tiny effort and try to communicate with them in their language instead of expecting everyone to know English. A little goes a long way – I never met with such kindness and warmness as when greeting everyone around me with my horrible pronunciation of Thai.
Oh, Thailand. This country immediately brings me to my last point – the food. I always feel like I haven’t visited a place until I tried some local dishes! The flavors, the stories behind age-old recipes, and the traditions hidden in them. Dive into the local eateries and skip that global fast-food chain.
Lesson 5: Quality Over Quantity
Are you rushing through activities and ticking boxes on your travel list? I know that feeling too well. It’s just so tempting to squeeze in as many destinations or activities as possible, take a great photo in every spot, and try everything listed in that “Top 30 dishes you must try in Italy”. It’s a genuine FOMO. That one under number 27 may be your favorite one. The true heaven in mouth, the holy grail of all foodies.
Try to hold yourself a bit. You might sit at a local café in Italy, sipping on an espresso and chatting with the barista about his grandma’s secret tiramisu recipe. Still, it most likely won’t happen to you if you plan to sprint through five European cities in seven days. And think about what you’ll remember in 3 years – that chat or the extensive list of all the buildings and museums you’ve seen. There’s magic in slowing down. You have richer tales to tell when you opt for a quality travel experience over merely counting destinations.
Remember that almost 59% of Americans regret overplanning and rushing through activities. Avoiding that, you’ll save some money, avoid the frantic rush, and Mother Earth gives you a nod of approval.
Lesson 6: Getting Insurance
With every exciting story, there’s always the potential for unexpected plot twists, so get that insurance. No, it’s not a scam. Think of it as a safety net – you hope you won’t need it, but you’ll be glad it’s there if you do. There are medical emergencies, a wrong bite of street food, or a clumsy trip on ancient cobblestones.
Instead of paying for fancy cocktails, you’re facing a hefty bill in a foreign country. With insurance, it’s more of an inconvenience than a catastrophe, and your insurance company will guide you through all of that, often even providing translation services (or an English-speaking doctor). And it’s not just about health misfortunes. Have you lost your luggage? There’s coverage for that. Did the trip get canceled because of a storm? Check. Insurance has your back even with legal troubles or having to fly home urgently.
Yes, it’s another expense, but it’s a small price for significant peace of mind. Considering all the protection – it’s worth it. And let’s be honest; it’s just a drop in the ocean of all travel costs. With so many options, you can find something that fits your budget and travel style.
Safe Travels, Smart Explorer
As you prepare for your next adventure, I urge you to keep these lessons close to your heart. Maybe even stick this article in your back pocket or share it with a buddy gearing up for a journey.
So, what about you? Do you have any travel tales or lessons you’ve learned? Send them my way! After all, the road ahead is long, but we can conquer the world with some preparation.
Safe travels! 🌍👣
_____________________________________________________
Aleksandra Staromiejska is a travel, food, and wellness passionate who has visited 50+ countries on four continents. She is a Travel Leader for the adventurous travel company Solisci Adventure Club and the Digital PR Specialist at a startup dealing with biometric photography. After spending a few months in Thailand and climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, she is getting ready for another adventure – spending four months in Argentina and Chile.
