people make mistakes when they stay
Travel is resuming after a protracted pandemic silence, but for those with serious financial or health concerns, it may not be possible to travel at this time. Enter travel.
Stays offer a restorative, affordable alternative to expensive vacations. They also provide an opportunity to explore your hometown outside the grind of your daily routine. But not everyone takes full advantage of this opportunity. We asked travel experts to share some of the wrong moves they have seen people do while on migration.
From failing to unplug to missing a local discount, here are 11 mistakes people often make during a stay—and some advice for avoiding these errors during your own “travel.”
local rates reduction
“Don’t forget to ask about local discounts for hotels and attractions. Some hotels, spas and attractions offer special rates for local travelers. When booking your hotel or experience, ask for local discounts.” Jessica Van Dopp DeJesus, travel media expert and blogger at The Dining Traveler
not unplugging from your regular life
“The city can be too close if you’re having trouble detaching from life around you. Sometimes the energy suckers we use to escape work, family, or other obligations are our proximity. as a sign that we are available on an ‘as needed’ basis. Don’t waste your stay budget by getting frustrated Set your limits by turning off email and pressing ‘Ignore’. Airplane mode is your friend !” I Olivia Christine Perez, O. Christine . I am travel blogger
“One mistake is not planning properly for work coverage because you’ll have computer access, so you never really take breaks. Prepare your team in advance to be completely out of the office.” , then turn off your work computer and delete email/slack from your phone. You’re the only one who can do this for you, so take control of your time and follow the guidelines you set. I Stephanie Huston, Entrepreneur and Travel Blogger, Stephanie Explores the World
last minute booking
IOne of the benefits of stays is that they don’t require a lot of planning, and you can essentially just pick up and go. But many people make the mistake of leaving their booking at the last minute and then missing out on the experience, whether it’s the hotel you want to stay or bucket list restaurant reservations. Just because planning a stay is easy doesn’t mean you should leave your planning to the last minute. Meg Gerard, Co-Founder of Solo Female Travelers
“Right now, with home travel coming back, accommodations are more popular than ever! I know a lot of us love to wing it, but you won’t like it very much when it arrives and you have nowhere to sleep!” I Alyssa Ramos, blogger at My Life as a Travel Movie
Avoid Guided Tours
“Since people are migrating to their own city, they often make the mistake of not going on guided tours – because they assume they already know their city and its attractions. In fact, an expert local guide will guide them Can introduce you to niche and underground places in your backyard. Consider joining a special tour, such as a guided birding tour in the park, or a wine experience at a local vineyard. What you discover through the eyes of another local, You might be amazed at that!” I La Carmina, travel blogger and TV host
weekend stay
“Don’t book on the weekend. Avoid the rush of weekend travelers and book your stay during the week. Not only will your hotel be less crowded but you can get reservations at your favorite restaurants on Wednesdays instead of Saturdays. I van dope de jesus
stickers to your comfort zone
“One of the biggest mistakes people make when staying put is to stick with the ideal and not step out of their comfort zone. If you’re staying in your local city, take this opportunity to discover hidden gems in your area. Join a local Facebook group or search on Pinterest. Go beyond the first page of Google search. Take a unique deep dive into what your city really has to offer. Maybe it’s an award-winning restaurant you’ve never heard of. A lesser known swimming hole. One hidden gem. Try a little and push yourself out of your comfort zone. You don’t need to travel far to find something epic, new and unique!” I Victoria Yours, travel blogger at Florida Trippers
“One of the biggest mistakes people make when they stay is not exploring beyond what they know. Many people cling to areas and establishments they are familiar with, whether on vacation, or after school. Time is supposed to ‘pause.’ The local tourism board or chamber of commerce is an excellent source of information in this area.” I Eric Prince, travel blogger at Minority Nomad
failed to pack properly
“Having lived in my small country of Singapore for about 10+ stays a year, I have learned a few tricks of the trade, as well as some recent trends in the hospitality business. More and more hotels are ramping up their conservation practices. As such, some hotels no longer provide one-time use toiletries such as toothbrushes and toothpaste. Don’t make the same mistake as I did by assuming that hotels will provide everything. Packing a set of toothbrushes and toothpaste takes no room and will save you a ton of trouble calling room service only to embarrassingly request one of them. ” I Isabel Leong is a travel blogger at Bell Around the World
Leaving Classic Tourist Spots
“Many people think that tourists need to avoid doing the obvious things they do. Which [avoid them] Being a tourist in your own city or state can be a lot of fun. So pretend you’re not a native New Yorker and go upstairs to the Empire State Building. Or forget that you grew up in Boston and do the Freedom Trail. These things are popular with tourists for good reason; They are fun things to do. If you’re going to stay, do it right and get here like any other tourist.” Claire Summers, travel blogger at Claire’s Itchy Feet
not preparing your home
“If you are staying at home, prepare your home to be in living condition. Since you don’t need to pack a suitcase and you’re not spending money on flights, decorate your home with your favorite indulgences—whether that means buying flowers, stocking up on your favorite wine, or a cleaner before your stay. to schedule.” houston
assuming everyone has the same goals
“One of the biggest mistakes we make with stays is not setting expectations. It’s easy to end girls’ travel, date-cations, or time with the kids and feel like everyone’s on a different page. Some people want to relax – enjoy the pool and spa – and others want to play tourist in their own town. Stephanie B., travel blogger and founder of Buena
Not researching your ‘destination’
“I believe the biggest mistake of staying is not discovering the destination as you would for an international trip. Sure, you’ll live closer to home, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing new to discover. Not a thing! It’s interesting that we often overlook tourism activities near our home. For example, I often find that tourists visiting my hometown do more than I’ve seen and done there So, for a stay, I think it’s fun to pretend to be a tourist coming from afar, because it sure has some things to turn on. It’s a great way to do the local ‘cheesy tourist thing’ There’s also a chance you’ve always avoided, but which could actually turn out to be great. (You can always pretend to do it ironically.) Pauses can actually be like cultural trips, at least if You can approach acquaintances with new eyes! Marek Braun, travel blogger at Indie Traveler
Quotes have been condensed and edited for clarity.