Three Holiday Mistakes to Avoid

Taking a holiday is supposed to be all about relaxation. Freedom from worries, stress, financial concerns, paperwork, and all the other minutiae of daily life—this is why we go on vacation. Unfortunately, there are common pitfalls that can have the opposite effect. Here are three unfortunate choices that can drastically affect your experience for the worse:

1. Failing to Research
You’re independent, free-spirited, and spontaneous—that’s great! Until, that is, you reach the dusty border town where you hope to cross into Burma on a visa on arrival, and discover that the only way to enter the country is by applying for a visa in advance and flying directly into Yangon. While it’s great to have a wide range of flexibility in your travel plans and be open to shifting your plans, it is important to be aware of logistical details that may not be as simple as you expect. Visa regulations, over-booked tickets, closed border crossings, strikes and protests, inclement weather, and other factors can crop up without much warning, and it pays to do your research ahead of time. Other travelers are generally your best resource, whether you meet them in person or on busy travel forums like Thorn Tree or TripAdvisor.

2. Signing up for a Timeshare
It seems like a dream come true: your own house, with all of the comforts and conveniences it has to offer, located on a tropical beach. You only have to pay a little bit each year, and it’s always there waiting for you. If that sounds too good to be true to you, you’re probably right. Hidden fees, maintenance payment, black-out dates, difficulty in transferring dates or properties, and other small print details can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Once you’ve signed the contract, it can be notoriously difficult to get out of the agreement. If you need help transferring a timeshare out of your name, try a service like Right Choice Transfer to make the process easier. They will help you through the legal process in a professional and friendly way that will let you get back to enjoying holidays without the looming commitment hanging over your head.

3. Traveling with the Wrong People
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to this topic, but it’s important for you to make the right choice for yourself. For some, the idea of traveling solo is too daunting to consider. But how to choose who to go with? Keep in mind that while traveling is fun, it can at times be intense and stressful. You may lack modern comforts, have unexpected strains on your budget, and experience extreme cases of culture shock. Can your princess of a college roommate handle that? Can your easily-angered father? Will you and your boyfriend come home wanting to never see each other again? The people you travel with will have an immense impact on your holiday, and it’s important to consider questions like these. Make sure you’re on the same page, or have outlooks and communication styles that complement each other.

Whether you’re backpacking around the world for months or lounging on a beach for your two weeks annual vacation, there are definitely pitfalls to avoid. Plan ahead, don’t make expensive commitments with fine print, and consider who you’re traveling with, and you’ll thank yourself later. Good luck, and enjoy!