21 Travel Hacks From This TikTok Account Will Help You Cope With Tourist Traps and Mistakes on Your Next European Trip
Check out these common travel mistakes and make sure to avoid them while visiting these European countries.
Pretty much everybody loves to travel, and if you are anything like me, you live for a good travel trip. Traveling is all about exploring the unknown and experiencing new things, but in order to enjoy a trip, some planning must be involved.
I am sure each of us has made some common travel mistakes that caused headaches or even ruined entire trips. However, all of that can be avoided with some preparation.
Trip planning can be tiresome and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be all bad. The good news for those who don’t like to plan trips by themselves is that some amazing people can help you out.
Dr. Salman Khan, educator and founder of Khan Academy, emphasizes, “Effective planning is crucial for a successful trip, as it allows travelers to maximize their experiences and minimize stress.”
Dr. Khan's insights remind us that preparation can lead to a more enriching travel experience. Whether it’s your first trip or you are an experienced traveler, this list of common mistakes will help you ace your next European adventure. Check out the following list, and don’t forget to take notes, folks!
Arielle Mulgrew, a Social Media Manager at EF Ultimate Break.
EF Ultimate Break#1 Iceland - Drinking Water
If you visit Iceland, don’t waste your money on bottled water. Anywhere you go, you can fill up your refillable bottle.
Daniel Orth#2 Paris, France - Don’t Forget to Greet a Shopkeeper
Salut, Bonjour, et au revoir.
Herry Lawford
#3 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Don’t Take Pictures in The Red Light District
This can get you in trouble with security.
☻☺
#4 Paris, France - Ask for the Bill at the Restaurant
You will never receive the bill unless you ask for it, so don’t be shy.
Jim Rhodes
#5 Italy - Try the Local Wine
Try the house wine wherever you are in Italy.
Tony Asleson
#6 Italy - The Word 'Latte' Refers to Milk
So, next time you visit Italy, don’t say 'latte' when ordering a cup of coffee.
Marina Shemesh
#7 Italy - Say NO to Strangers Giving You a ‘Free’ Gift
This is a common tourist trap where someone approaches you and ties a ‘free’ bracelet around your hand, only to later demand money. If this happens to you, just say no and avoid them.
Nenad Stojkovic
#8 Italy - Learn Some Italian
It is always a great way to connect with the locals, and if you happen to know some Italian, we guarantee they will be friendlier 100%.
Curran Kelleher
#9 London, UK - In the Tube, Stand on the Right Side of the Escalator
When they are in a hurry, Londoners use the left side for walking. The left side is the fast lane—avoid making this common mistake.
NH53
#10 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Get Familiar with the Difference Between Café and Coffee Shop
Café is for drinking; a coffee shop is for… well, for something legal in Amsterdam, but not in the rest of the world.
Wohnstuben-Café
#11 Italy - Pay Attention When Ordering Ice Cream
When ordering gelato in Italy, always opt for the one that doesn’t look piled up. All the fluffiness means that there’s a lot of air in it.
RubyGoes
#12 Pretty Much Everywhere - Check Out the Places Where Locals Eat
It is always a good idea to ask a local to recommend a good place to eat.
Larry Lamsa
#13 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Don’t Walk on Bike Lanes
This is a hard no. You may get run over.
Design for Health
#14 Greece – No Flushing Toilet Paper on the Greek Islands
Their sewage pipes easily clog. Instead, use the little bins near the toilet.
Darren Foreman
#15 Greece - Bring Comfortable Footwear
Given that many streets are cobblestone, dirt, or lightly paved, bringing the wrong shoes can be a bad idea.
Amy the Nurse
#16 Pretty Much Everywhere - Avoid Currency Exchange at the Airport
They usually offer very poor exchange rates. It is always better to look for an ATM.
vxla
#17 London, UK - Try Something Other Than Fish and Chips
Don’t get me wrong; they are great, but London has so much more to offer.
Chris
#18 Greek Islands - Travel as Light as Possible
Don’t overpack. You can easily end up walking a lot with your luggage.
jessicahtam
#19 Pretty Much Everywhere - Check How Late Public Transportation Stays Open
Avoid this rookie mistake.
Rad Blondie
#20 Paris, France - Street Food is Delicious
Get to know Paris from a different angle. Paris is not just about the restaurants and cafés you see in the movies.
satemkemet
#21 London, UK - Carefully Choose Your Jokes
Jokes about the American Revolution are a no-no.
Bowy Gavid Bowie Chan
Traveling should not be about meticulous planning but rather about embracing the incredible experiences that await. As Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a renowned happiness researcher, states, "The best moments in life are often unplanned and spontaneous." So, let go of the stress and indulge in the joy of exploration.
We hope you find these travel tips helpful, and if you have more, feel free to share them with us in the comment section. For more travel insights, check out Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar.
