Things you wish people explained to you before you went to (insert vacation destination)

[Anonymous]

What do you wish you had known before visiting (insert vacation destination here)?


I wanted to visit the Amalfi Coast but was unaware of the power outages and the way you must fly to Naples then take a train to Sorrento and then take a ferry and hand carry luggage up to some of the hotels. With little children this seems a bit more challenging. The same for Lake Como and the last train out of town. To ensure to time that visit right.

[Anonymous]

We didn’t have any power outages on the Amalfi Coast, you can take a ferry straight from Naples to the Amalfi Coast and if you are thinking of Positano as needing to carry your luggage there are porters at the ferryport who will take care of that for you.

[Anonymous]

That Costa Ricans pride themselves on being helpful and hospitable. When leaving the airport looking for the marriott shuttle and some random guy grabs your bag and tells you to follow him he’s generally try to help, no need to allow your fight or flight to take over.

[Anonymous]

How much you could really, really, really barter and negotiate with the beach vendors on St. Maarten.

[Anonymous]

That monkeys at Siam Reap are not cute and need to be avoided.

That the heat and humidity in Vietnam is so much worse than DC. Wear lightweight clothes.

That umbrellas don't work in Scotland. Bring a hooded rain jacket.

If you are traveling in a country where you can't drink the water, keep your mouth closed in the shower too.

[Anonymous]

Don’t put Spanish moss on your head. It’s full of bugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We didn’t have any power outages on the Amalfi Coast, you can take a ferry straight from Naples to the Amalfi Coast and if you are thinking of Positano as needing to carry your luggage there are porters at the ferryport who will take care of that for you.

Easiest place to stay on the coast is Sorrento, accessible by train. And we had no power outages, there for three days. Took a ferry to see other towns. Definitely harder with little kids and strollers since getting to the ferry in Sorrento involved a huge flight of stairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That monkeys at Siam Reap are not cute and need to be avoided.

That the heat and humidity in Vietnam is so much worse than DC. Wear lightweight clothes.

That umbrellas don't work in Scotland. Bring a hooded rain jacket.

If you are traveling in a country where you can't drink the water, keep your mouth closed in the shower too.

These are good! I bet you have great stories.

[Anonymous]

-Amsterdam: you need to have your physical passport on you to rent a car, at least where we went.

-Don’t shave before going in the Dead Sea

-No clothing or shoes will fit you in Japan if you are bigger than a size small so make sure you pack what you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We didn’t have any power outages on the Amalfi Coast, you can take a ferry straight from Naples to the Amalfi Coast and if you are thinking of Positano as needing to carry your luggage there are porters at the ferryport who will take care of that for you.

Easiest place to stay on the coast is Sorrento, accessible by train. And we had no power outages, there for three days. Took a ferry to see other towns. Definitely harder with little kids and strollers since getting to the ferry in Sorrento involved a huge flight of stairs.

There is an elevator from the town down to the ferry port.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:-Amsterdam: you need to have your physical passport on you to rent a car, at least where we went.

-Don’t shave before going in the Dead Sea

-No clothing or shoes will fit you in Japan if you are bigger than a size small so make sure you pack what you need.

I honeymooned in thailand, arguably my tiniest most gorgeous self after working hard for the wedding, and trying to shop was horrifying. "Sorry, no plus size" and I was like a size 6

[Anonymous]

Amsterdam: watch out for bike lanes they will run you down

[Anonymous]

Most showers in Croatia have individual water heaters with switches that need to be turned "on," and even then, there will only be enough hot water for two very quick showers before the water turns cold.

[Anonymous]

East Africa safari - you are treated like a walking wallet. Especially if they find out you’re American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That monkeys at Siam Reap are not cute and need to be avoided.

That the heat and humidity in Vietnam is so much worse than DC. Wear lightweight clothes.

That umbrellas don't work in Scotland. Bring a hooded rain jacket.

If you are traveling in a country where you can't drink the water, keep your mouth closed in the shower too.

Agree with all of these. Also, in a country where you can’t drink the tap water, you also shouldn’t brush your teeth with the tap water (because you’re lazy/thinking “oh it’s not that much water!”) Same with washing fruit. Do not ask me how I know.