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

[Anonymous]

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

My tiny DD (5’ 93 pounds with a 22” waist) really wants to take a Korea/Japan trip just for shopping. She imagines a heaven like place where alllll the clothes come in her size and she has choices, instead of combing through everything in a store to find the two things that sort of fit her.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had insider tips on how to have fun in Madrid. I have been a lot of places, including multiple trips to many European capitals. Madrid was one of our biggest duds in a lifetime of travel.

I also would have chosen off-resort restaurants in Bali more carefully. I got "Bali Belly" which is probably the same thing as "Montezuma's Revenge".

[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

My tiny DD (5’ 93 pounds with a 22” waist) really wants to take a Korea/Japan trip just for shopping. She imagines a heaven like place where alllll the clothes come in her size and she has choices, instead of combing through everything in a store to find the two things that sort of fit her.

Try ordering from Uniqlo in the US.

[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.

That third one is true in China also!

[Anonymous]

When going to Europe, check the news the week or so leading up to your trip, to see if any strikes or protests will be going on. This can completely shut down airports, buses and trains, as well as local streets.

[Anonymous]

Always pack a change of clothes in your carry on.

Don’t use the electric kettles in hotel rooms (people boil their undergarments in them 🤢).

Don’t eat salads in places where the drinking water isn’t safe.

Wear compression socks for long flights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had insider tips on how to have fun in Madrid. I have been a lot of places, including multiple trips to many European capitals. Madrid was one of our biggest duds in a lifetime of travel.

I also would have chosen off-resort restaurants in Bali more carefully. I got "Bali Belly" which is probably the same thing as "Montezuma's Revenge".

The Bali issue is not about choosing restaurants carefully. In any place that does not have safe tap water, you can only eat cooked found (no salads), and fresh fruit IF you peeled it yourself (like a banana or orange). No water or ice cubes (and remember that iced tea and lemonade are made from water!).

If you had visited a travel clinic before your trip, they would have helped you navigate this issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish someone said the Grand Canyon is not kid friendly and pretty dangerous and it’s not that impressive in my opinion. I loved the arches at Utah but something about our Grabd Canyon trip was a bust.

Dangerous, how so? Thanks!

NP- A misstep on a trail and you are dead. You sit on a ledge and lose balance? You could be dead. It is a very dangerous place for small kids, you could not let a 2yo out of your sight for 2 seconds without them being at risk near the rim. I have vertigo so stayed on the paved biked trail and went viewpoint to viewpoint that way. I disagree about it not being impressive though, it is breathtaking, but the hiking is inherently dangerous.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/scott-sims-death-hiking-grand-canyon_n_668537d1e4b0971108c19730

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish someone said the Grand Canyon is not kid friendly and pretty dangerous and it’s not that impressive in my opinion. I loved the arches at Utah but something about our Grabd Canyon trip was a bust.

Dangerous, how so? Thanks!

A lot of open spots young children could fall. I would say 10 years old is the youngest in my opinion to visit. We brought a 5 year old and it was a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do a quick google search about toilets where you're going. I remember getting toilet paper like wax paper in some countries, holes in the floor with places for your feet in others, and then in Greece the plumbing wouldn't support any flushed tp, so it went in a trash can. Not sure if this has changed, but it would be nice to know ahead of time and always carry tissues if you are a woman.

Yes, this is what I was going to say. At least the old towns/hotels where we stayed in Crete did not allow you to flush toilet paper. But they also didn’t have bidets! It was the worst of both worlds!

I didn't understand this. Sure, I get that giant wads of toilet paper can clog a toilet. But a small amount of soggy tp seems just as mushy as anything else that might naturally get flushed...

[Anonymous]

I have only been to Canada and Mexico. When I went to Mexico the first morning I was there, went to the hotel restaurant, ate an excellent breakfast and then sat there for almost a half hour waiting for the check. I had no idea they won't just bring it - you have to ask for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish someone said the Grand Canyon is not kid friendly and pretty dangerous and it’s not that impressive in my opinion. I loved the arches at Utah but something about our Grabd Canyon trip was a bust.

Dangerous, how so? Thanks!

NP- A misstep on a trail and you are dead. You sit on a ledge and lose balance? You could be dead. It is a very dangerous place for small kids, you could not let a 2yo out of your sight for 2 seconds without them being at risk near the rim. I have vertigo so stayed on the paved biked trail and went viewpoint to viewpoint that way. I disagree about it not being impressive though, it is breathtaking, but the hiking is inherently dangerous.

I think the issue is that people are for some reason expecting the largest canyon in the country (world?) to be inherently safe. I wouldn't say mountains and cliffs are any more or less dangerous than walking on the sidewalk next to a busy street. You have to watch your 2 yo at all times. You don't let them go to the edge. It's common sense, not something I would think would need to be explained (like the title of the thread). I'm not surprised someone with vertigo didn't want to walk right up to the edge of a giant cliff.

[Anonymous]

El Salvador -- everyone must pay USD $12 cash for a "tourist card" to get through customs. Don't forget to bring American dollars or you are stuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish someone said the Grand Canyon is not kid friendly and pretty dangerous and it’s not that impressive in my opinion. I loved the arches at Utah but something about our Grabd Canyon trip was a bust.

Dangerous, how so? Thanks!

Imagine getting out of the car and being at the top of a mountain.
Everything is flat because you are at the top, but if you walk straight there is a huge cliff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:El Salvador -- everyone must pay USD $12 cash for a "tourist card" to get through customs. Don't forget to bring American dollars or you are stuck.

I seem to remember this in Guatemala too.