Four travel tips you should ignore

Four travel tips you should ignore

The travel tips and tricks you should avoid at all costs.

When it comes to eating, sleeping and trekking abroad, there are some rules you stick to, and then a few you don’t. It’s time to break these rules and get friendly with the world.

ADVICE: Don’t eat the local food

WHY YOU SHOULD IGNORE IT

Enjoying exotic cuisines is a huge part of the travel experience. Avoiding local food, especially in well-known food meccas like Southeast Asia or South America, means seriously short-changing your tastebuds.

BETTER OPTION

Feel free to indulge. Head to stalls with big crowds, a high turnover of fresh food and lots of local. Choose dishes cooked to order, rather than pre-prepared.

ADVICE: Don’t worry about booking ahead

WHY YOU SHOULD IGNORE IT

Three words: time, money, stress.

BETTER OPTION

Okay, being all zen and breezy about your holiday can sometimes work during low season but fortune favours the prepared when it comes to high season. And if you’re prepared you won’t have to waste precious time during your holiday faffing around trying to organise flights, accommodation and activities.

Taking advantage of early bird specials for events, hotel packages and air travel sales months ahead can also ensure the best rates.

Cover yourself for last-minute cancellations or delayed flights with travel insurance.

ADVICE: Don’t talk to strangers

WHY YOU SHOULD IGNORE IT

Chatting to strangers, especially locals, is the best way to get to know a different culture. Why deny yourself this opportunity?

BETTER ADVICE

Be safe but don’t let fear of the unknown dilute your experience. Of course, use your judgment – banter is best in well-populated public areas such as at your motel or around a busy street stall.

ADVICE: Keep all your cash and cards together in a money bag.

WHY YOU SHOULD IGNORE IT

Reaching into your money belt for cash not only screams out for attention but they are easy to steal. And let’s face it, as far as fashion goes they are pretty daggy.

BETTER OPTION

1Cover Travel Insurance’s Kelly Herbert suggests spreading cash and cards around. “It’s smart to always keep extra cash and back-up cards stashed away separately from your main supply,” she says.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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