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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you rent a car on the French side of Geneva airport, it probably won’t come with the Swiss highway vignette- and you’ll soon be stopped because you’ll be on a Swiss highway without said vignette. If you’re lucky, you’ll get away without a fine once you buy the vignette.

You can finally buy the vignette online!

https://via.admin.ch/shop/dashboard

Before that you had to stop at the little office on the Swiss side of the border, or go to a Swiss post office (that's what we did in Geneva, the border crossing post was closed)- an annoying way to start your trip if you have to do it. Glad it can be done online now, but will have to wait until you get the car because you understandably need the license plate. But if cars are super expensive on the Swiss side of GVA, renting on the French side can often be a lot cheaper (like $500/week), so worth a bit of hassle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For some unknown reason, most showers over baths in France don't have a door or curtain. I don't know what they enjoy water spraying all over the floor.

Also, there are no washcloths in Europe in general.

There are washcloths in Europe; you can buy them in department stores, linen shops, even supermarkets. But you won’t find them in your hotel or cottage rental, because they are considered a more personal item, like a toothbrush or hairbrush, so they are not supplied. I like the washcloth mitts in France and always buy some to bring home.

That's interesting. Some hotels I've been to in Europe (maybe a third of them) have had washcloths, some a surplus of them. But Japanese hotels all provide toothbrushes, washcloths (actually long nylon towels), other toiletry items and usually pajamas.

[Anonymous]

Ice is a commodity in many places ie ice water. The rest of the world isn't as into ice water like the US The tradition of receiving a glass of water with meals is just a very US based thing. Going to China Japan Europe S America - you will sometimes see it but many times esp in local joints - you won't. It's just not a given.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ice is a commodity in many places ie ice water. The rest of the world isn't as into ice water like the US The tradition of receiving a glass of water with meals is just a very US based thing. Going to China Japan Europe S America - you will sometimes see it but many times esp in local joints - you won't. It's just not a given.

I’ve been traveling around Japan for the past four weeks and happy to report that ice is readily available everywhere and water served (with ice if requested) in all restaurants. As ice lovers DD and I were very happy to see that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Wow that’s awful!

I am size 2-4, and was waved away in Thailand with "NO BIG SIZES!"

[Anonymous]

I wore size LL (that's large large) in Japan at 115 lbs.
For those asking about the hole in the ground toilets, you probably won't run into them unless you're hiking. They were at Nippara limestone caves and at more remote parks. The water to wash your hands is always freezing no matter where you are. Finally if you go to the bath, you are not supposed to let your towel touch the water for hygiene reasons even though the water is practically boiling. I got yelled at by obaasan.

[Anonymous]

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

Noted

[Anonymous]

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

That’s most European cities with well established bike infrastructure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

That’s most European cities with well established bike infrastructure.

In Paris they have those, but they also have motorcycles zooming through lanes on highways, on regular streets, left and right. It's incredibly unsafe. That really shocked me as I spend a lot of time in France but other smaller cities and never ever saw that behavior before. I have no idea how people don't get hit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For some unknown reason, most showers over baths in France don't have a door or curtain. I don't know what they enjoy water spraying all over the floor.

Also, there are no washcloths in Europe in general.

Yup, I bring my own washcloths.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you're well packed w/ toiletries & over the counter meds you might need in The Maldives.

My friend paid $50 for a six oz tube of sunscreen because she wanted to save money on baggage fees and thought she'd "buy it there."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For some unknown reason, most showers over baths in France don't have a door or curtain. I don't know what they enjoy water spraying all over the floor.

Also, there are no washcloths in Europe in general.

Yup, I bring my own washcloths.

Uh oh don't open this can of worms

[Anonymous]

We spent four todays at Sequoia National park and 2 at Kings Canyon NP. Wish we had flipped it. I liked the trees, but Sequoia was a bit overrated to me and Kings Canyon was gorgeous.

For calibration I think Rocky Mountain National Park or Acadia are my favorite and spouse loved Glacier NP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For some unknown reason, most showers over baths in France don't have a door or curtain. I don't know what they enjoy water spraying all over the floor.

Also, there are no washcloths in Europe in general.

Yup, I bring my own washcloths.

Uh oh don't open this can of worms

Yeah, I’m surprised nobody’s asked if PP takes burgundy washcloths…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU EVER EAT REEF FISH IN THE CARIBBEAN.

This could save you many, maaaaany years of pain and suffering.

What is reef fish? Where is it sold? Never heard of it and I’ve been to the islands. And what kind of all cap letters years of suffering would be saved? Please explain?

Did you have years of reef fish poisoning?

NP, but I googled after reading this thread and it's a legitimate problem that I've never heard of. It's like food poisoning, but with the added benefit of long term neurological and joint problems.

This is a great thread, but one of my main takeaways is that I don’t want to go to any tropical islands since I won’t be able to eat fruit, salads, drinks other than pre-bottled, and fish!