Factors that can negatively affect your travels

Travelling and exploring the world is an eye and mind opening experience, making us storytellers abundant of stories, both good and bad!

There are numerous influences and factors that can positively affect your travel adventures and, of course, there are also negative ones.

Below are the top factors that can affect your travels and the recommended (obvious and not so obvious) suggestions for what you can do about it.

Let’s be honest – Not every place in this world is great; One place could be amazing to one person but uninteresting to another.

if there are “shit towns and cities” in your home country, chances are some travellers who visit these places could also think that as well – Why couldn’t they?

Sometimes a place, for you, is just uninteresting and has no remarkable sights or attractions – And that’s okay. You don’t have to make an overly exhausting effort to change your own view if you just don’t like it, or worse: Defend your opinion if someone thinks the place is awesome and passive aggressively belittles your opposing view.

Visiting a place and gelling with it – It’s like a great friendship or relationship: It should happen naturally and shouldn’t be forced to make it work.

Go on a free walking tour or listen to an audio walking tour

Free walking city tours are fantastic in giving you a general overview of a city, discover sights and attractions you may not have known about, along with its history that can make a place seem a lot more interesting.

If the place you’re visiting doesn’t have any walking tours available, you can search for an audio tour guide app for the place you are visiting.

Talk to locals

If the attractions or the town or city itself doesn’t interest you, try talking to the local populace who may help you enjoy your time (if they can speak the same language ideally to communicate easily with). There is always someone with an interesting backstory or life and it’s always good to have a local perspective. Who knows – Maybe the local person can tell or show you all the cool hidden things that typical tourists and travellers don’t know about – And it could even change your view about the place!

EAT!

If you can’t find any local people to talk to, tasting the local food is always great! The food could be quite unique to the local place or similar to what you have tasted before but hey – It doesn’t matter as long as the food’s good!

Second time’s the charm

Sometimes going to the same place with better research on things to do or see, or a different season/better weather, visiting for a longer time, and even with company (or different company) can alter your experience of the place substantially.

This is a nice option if you’re on the fence about the place and if you think visiting a second time could change your opinion.

The first time seeing something cool, you’re like “Wow! This is so cool!”

The 347th time seeing the same thing – “Oh okay, cool…”

You can eventually get fatigued and bored of seeing the same kind of old church, lake, historical building, park, museum, and so on.

The more you travel, you are simultaneously seeing more and less; The more you see, the less you see.

There have been so many similar things I have seen, such as churches and historical places, that, over time, blur into one memory that it doesn’t make any particular one stand out anymore.

It’s not to say that the 142nd national botanical garden isn’t amazing; It could have been if it was the first one I saw!

Seek new and different places or environments that can be out of your comfort zone

Maybe it’s time to research and venture off to a different part of the country, region, a new country, and even continent to see or do something new and different.

The world is so geographically and culturally diverse, you’re bound to find numerous unique places and things you haven’t seen or experienced before. Sometimes these places can be considered in your mind too “out of your comfort zone” due to some preconceived notion or uneasiness of the deep unknown and wholly foreign.

But that’s one of the things travelling should do; Challenge you, confront perceptions, crush fears, and push you out of your comfort zone.

You’ll have more diverse and better stories to tell, and just maybe, be a better person for it – For the people you have met, the people you will meet, and for yourself.

Never hiked up to a mountain before? Do it.

Never volunteered for an NGO before? Do it.

Never being hosted by a family in a local village where they don’t have electricity or speak the same language as you? Do it!

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Photos, movies, and guides can stoke expectations, for better, or for worse, especially in retrospect if the place doesn’t live up to them!

Most travel photos you see, especially on social media, are edited obviously to make it look way more picturesque than it really is; They don’t look exactly like they do in real life – That Thailand beach does not look exactly like that nice Instagram photo that is using a Clarendon or a VSCO M5 filter!

Even being fascinated or researching too much can ruin or supplant expectations. When you are too fascinated in a place, you can often romanticise it in your mind, developing expectations how people should act and dress, the atmosphere, lifestyle, what the streets and environment should look like, for example. Quite often, such high expectations can be detrimental to reality.

Have no expectations

The best way to travel is to simply not have any expectations and take every day, every place, every sight and every moment as they come. Places and people are not monolithic nor snapshots frozen in time.

Don’t over-research; Don’t take everything you read or see serious

While it’s important to do your research about a place, don’t over do it to the point you’re not surprised at certain things when you finally arrive; It should be enough to prepare you but leave enough mystery and wandering exploration.

Guides and travel bloggers always have lists of the top “must-see” things to see or do in a place but, honestly, not everything is a must-see or do (it’s such a subjective thing!) so just see them as what they really are – Suggestions and recommendations.

Be your own independent traveller and discover your own unique top things to see and do.

French not-so Great Expectations!

Have you ever been so disappointed with a place that you actually vomited and sought help from your embassy?

Well, that’s what some Japanese tourists did when they visited Paris!

“Paris Syndrome” occurs when a person is on a holiday to Paris and experiences extreme shock at discovering that the city is vastly different from their expectations. Symptoms include acute states of delusion, hallucinations, anxiety, and vomiting! Japanese tourists in particular suffer from this condition, so much that they seek help from their embassy!

Read more

Sometimes while travelling on the road, you will meet local people who are less than friendly.

When I arrived at a Ukrainian airport, I didn’t fill out any prior online paperwork for a Visa on Arrival based on a fellow compatriot’s advice and experience (Bad move – I should have double-checked online!). After arrival, I was lambasted by a wrathful foreign official for not filling out some online paperwork, telling me to “fuck off back to London”. He was rude, angry, and simply a horrible person. I wondered: “Are all Ukrainians like this?!” He eventually helped me in the end but his vulgar attitude and behaviour was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Luckily after this incident at the airport, I met so many kind and wonderful Ukrainian people, such as this guy and his friend taking the time to walk me to this bus station that I didn’t know where it was!

Travel is a series of little moments, moments that can make or break your overall experience. A local’s smile or selfless act of kindness often goes a long way and can become a memorable moment for you.

If someone is rude to you, simply smile and move on – You don’t have time in your short life to waste a second on anger. Understand that while there are some rude and angry people in the world, the world is overwhelmingly full of good and kind-hearted people, always.

Picture this scene:

You’re at this beautiful and historical city by the stunning seaside on a radiant sunshine day with a pristine blue sky. A gentle breeze cools you. The distant sound of soft breaking waves is soothing to your ears and soul. You’re enjoying this moment of serenity, of peace. You’re about to take some amazing photos without any people in it…

Suddenly, a roaring motor noise is heard and a bus FULL of tourists materialise. And another. And another. And another in what seems like a never-ending convoy of buses.

Before you know it, the area is swamped with hordes of middle-aged tourists, bumbling, slow-moving like zombies, kitted out with lanyards with a radio and ear phones, and taking most of the footpath space. There is a tour group leader with a microphone headset holding a red umbrella or giant paddle board leading them.

You quickly take those people-free photos… And now the opportunity is gone!

Any traveller who has visited a popular place can attest seeing such a scene.

I was at Dubrovnik (Croatia) when around 5,000 cruise ship tourists had descended onto old town (This was during the ‘low’ season); There were so many people everywhere – There was no escaping them! Such crowds tend to give me a mild case of Enochlophobia (Fear of crowds). If it wasn’t for the large pervasive tourist crowds, I think I would have enjoyed Dubrovnik a lot more.

Nothing is more irksome than swarms of superficial tourists. A place overrun with tourists can often make it lose its local feel and culture; its soul. It can be especially disheartening when tourists outnumber local people, not to mention exasperating the limited local housing situation where locals cannot afford to rent or unable to rent certain apartments or flats as they are being used as Airbnb short-let accommodation for tourists because they yield better returns for property owners.

Hang on a second – Aren’t I and other travellers the same as tourists as well? Well, yes and no. To me, there is a tacit distinction where “traveller” and “tourist” connote different styles of travelling.

A traveller is someone who is more interested beyond the superficiality; A traveller is not only interested in the sights of a place but also tries to fulfill their curiosity about its people, culture, and history. A traveller is open to staying at local hostels and being hosted by local people.

Tourists, on the other hand, simply visiting a place see some sights, take a lot of photos and selfies, do a bit of shopping and eating at tourist traps, and then leave – They are not there for culture or anything in-depth. They stay mainly at hotels and their experience is more ‘sanitised’.

Travellers may walk among tourists but they are not one of them.

Go off the beaten trail; Seek new non-touristy places

Most tourist groups tend to stick to central areas of a city so venturing around the outskirts of a place is great to see beyond the typical tourist hotspots.

Since not many tourist groups venture on the great outdoors, activities like hiking are perfect opportunities to get away from crowds while also re-connecting with nature.

Be bold by going to a different town largely unmentioned by travel websites and bloggers, towns that are still largely untouched by tourists, where most of the restaurant signage is in the local language, not English.

Play a tourist drinking game

I’m mostly joking about this but you can make a fun drinking game about tourists while sitting outside a bar or restaurant. Think about it:

See a tourist group leader holding up an umbrella leading a group: Take one sip.

See a tourist using an iPad or tablet to take a photo: Take two sips.

See a tourist couple wearing matching track suits : Take a shot!

Nothing dampens your visit and experience of a place quite like horrible rainy weather that leaves you drenched where your socks become wet and every step is an irritating wet slog, ruining what could have been a nice views and beautiful walks around the city had it been a stunning sunny day.

Sometimes the opposite can be true when the sunny weather is scorching, making being outside rather unbearable!

Art Gallery and museum time

Whatever place you’re in, there are always some kind of art gallery, museum or historical building to admire and learn more about the local history (Of course, some may require paid admission). There are also other indoor activities you can potentially see or do as well, such as theatre, dance or art performances, local cinema, food tours, and cooking classes.

EAT!

Food is great in any kind of weather – Gelato on a rainy day? Why the hell not?! A rainy or overly hot day can give you a chance to have some downtime at a good local cafe with an aromatic coffee with a good book in hand or an opportunity to do further travel research.

Despite your best efforts (or lack of) in researching and booking what you thought would be decent accommodation turned out to be crap accommodation.

It could be one major reason or multiple reasons that your accommodation is bad, reasons such as uncomfortable room, neighbourhood so noisy you can’t sleep well, lack of amenities, unclean bathroom, or the place being completely different to what was advertised.

I stayed at a hostel in Stockholm and I loathed it. This hostel felt more like a hotel, hollow in personality and devoid of atmosphere. It didn’t have a kitchen either much to my ire. I had to PAY to store my luggage as well (I had stayed at numerous hostels where I had never had to pay to store my luggage). Combined with the awful rainy weather with blustering winds, my experience of Stockholm was not an enjoyable one, being memorable for the wrong reasons.

Seek new accommodation

If your accommodation has a refundable booking policy (probably in part, not the full amount), make use of it to get as much money as you can and use it to find a better place.

If your accommodation is that bad that you don’t even care about its non-refundable booking policy, then by all means go ahead with finding new accommodation.

Do some thorough research online before booking the new place (Reading past guest reviews are important!).

Provide some constructive criticism

If your accommodation host doesn’t know what’s wrong then he or she can’t fix the issue affecting you (and future guests). Be assertive and firm (and not aggressive) about what’s wrong with the accommodation and maybe they can address the issue straight away or soon for you.

Don’t make the same mistake again

Sometimes there is nothing you can do about the accommodation as it has already been already booked and paid for (with a no refunds policy), and it’s not worth spending extra money for new accommodation, especially if it’s only for a few short days where you would be spending most of your days outside.

Just think of the situation as a learning experience; Learn from it so you don’t make the same mistake again.

Sometimes, due to time or procrastination, you arrive at a place with no idea of what to do or see, or anything about the place at all!

Sometimes, it’s not about information about the place – It can do with your lack of proper equipment, clothes, or even visa paperwork!

Jump online or talk to locals for advice

The obvious solution is going online and researching things to see and do! Alternatively, you can speak to local staff of your accommodation (if you’re staying at a hostel, for example) for things to see and do, and even hidden cool things that most tourists don’t know about.

Visit the Tourist Information Centre

Tourist Information centres can be a great starting point in discovering main sights and attractions, cultural information, along with providing vital important details on transport links.

You’ll always find travel gear locally

With the exception of small villages, you will find always find a shop to buy appropriate gear and clothing you are missing. Go online or ask locals for finding the best shops for what you need.

There’s nothing quite like giving your nerves a work-out than getting completely lost in a foreign country, especially when you need to be at an airport or bus station at a certain time, or being lost in the middle of nowhere with no mobile coverage! It can be stressful and panic-inducing.

Preparation is key here to minimise the chances of getting lost.

Be prepared and download offline navigational map apps

Downloading the appropriate map apps, especially one that allows for offline navigation, on your smartphone before travelling is essential.

Having the appropriate gear for survival is important if you’re trekking through the countryside.

Of course, if you are already lost and don’t have the appropriate apps and gear to help you, this advice is of no help, so I would highly recommend the next best thing…

Seek help from locals and other travellers

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from local people, even if they don’t speak English. They can guide you on your smartphone or on a physical map, or even give you a ride (if you feel safe and comfortable about it). If you meet other fellow travellers, ask for their help as well; They will no doubt help you as well, being a fellow traveller.

It’s terrible if you’ve lost important valuables for travelling, such as your smartphone, camera, laptop or your entire backpack!

it is upsetting to arrive at an airport and seeing your luggage is not in the luggage carousel after everyone else in your flight has collected theirs.

While it’s easier said than done, the main thing is not to stress out; Keep calm. Stressing won’t help your situation.

Talk to hospitality staff

If you have lost your valuable at the hostel or place you are staying at, or even cafe or restaurant you last went to, speak with the staff or host in case someone has handed in the item.

Contact the airline company

If the airline has misplaced your checked luggage, approach their service counter or call them to explain that your luggage is not at your destination, Explain to them all the necessary details and answer all questions so they can investigate and hopefully find out where the luggage has been misplaced and get it back to you as soon as they can.

Contact your foreign embassy or consulate

If you have lost something like a passport, contact your embassy immediately so they know your invaluable passport has been stolen and cancel its validity. You will obviously need to arrange a new passport to replace it.

Contact your bank and travel insurance provider

If you have lost your bank or credit cards, disable their use via online banking or call your bank quickly to prevent their use by unauthorised people. If you need a new card, let the bank know, along with the appropriate address to send the new card to.

Get in touch with your travel insurance company and explain the situation regarding your misplaced (or stolen) valuables or luggage so they can help you according to your insurance cover.

Sickness or injury always suck, especially if you’re travelling in a foreign country unfamiliar with the health system.

What you can do about your ailment greatly depends on the severity. A mild cold is vastly different to a broken arm caused by a scooter crash!

Go to a pharmacy

If the medicine in your first aid kit isn’t helping you feel better over time, going to the pharmacy to seek help and medicine is a must. It’s always good to download the Google Translate app on your smartphone (if you haven’t already) so you can communicate with pharmacy staff if you both don’t speak a common language. It’s even better if you know a local who can help you and speak on your behalf.

Rest and wait

Most of the time, the best thing is just to rest and wait; Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated.

Seek medical help and call your travel insurance

If shit hits the fan where your well-being and health is in danger, go to the local hospital or medical centre. Your one and only life isn’t worth delaying help for (or cheaping out on!). Always contact your travel insurance company (when possible) so they are aware of what’s happening so any medical expenses are covered according to the insurance cover you have. Make sure to contact family or friends back home so they know what’s happening with you.

If you don’t have travel insurance, prepare for a hefty medical bill!

It is completely horrendous to be a victim of crime, travelling or not. The severity will always differ, from being pick-pocketed to being robbed at gunpoint, but the feeling of being grossly violated stays constant. This is why it is so important to have travel insurance – NEVER travel without travel insurance!

Don’t be naive in thinking just because you’re in a country with a safe reputation doesn’t make you immune from being a victim of crime.

It doesn’t matter where you are from, where you are going to, male or female, travelling alone or in a pair or group, you must always stay vigilant at all times.

Prevent crime in the first place

Prevention is essential to obviously stop the crime from occurring in the first place, before it happens. Of course, this advice is of little comfort if the crime has already taken place.

It is important to…

Contact the local police authority

As soon as the crime has happened, go to the local police station. Have someone accompany you (especially someone local to help) if you need some support. If you have travel insurance and want to lodge a claim for a major issue covered by your insurance policy, you may need a police report reference so make sure you have this.

Bear in mind that every country handles criminal reports differently, especially when it comes to tourists. Some may not care about your issue unfortunately or are too corrupt to care. As frustrating as it may sound, sometimes the local police may not be able (or willing) to help you.

Contact your bank and travel insurance provider

If you have had your bank or credit cards stolen, disable their use via online banking or call your bank immediately to prevent their use by the criminals. If you need a new card, let the bank know, along with the appropriate address to send the new card to.

Your situation can be stressful but hopefully your travel insurance company will make the situation more tolerable. Contact your travel insurance company and explain the situation. Your travel insurance provider may ask for further details including a police report reference number so have that ready if they ask for it.

This can be especially true for solo travellers, especially introverted ones.

Being alone while travelling is hard but it can be downright awful if you’re travelling with someone who makes you feel alone (But that’s a separate issue).

Travelling constantly from to place to place, it can be hard to maintain any kind of constant friendship or social connection. People become friends or acquaintances for a brief moment – Next, they’re on their way somewhere else. Hellos and goodbyes can be equally hard as each other.

If you’re feeling lonely, there will always be other travellers who feel the same way or in the same situation so it’s never hard to strike up a conversation or friendship, how matter how fleeting the connection might be. You just need to make the effort, no matter how introverted or tired you are. Travel is a catalyst for personal change, to promote inner growth to displace your old self.

Stay at hostels

Hostels are fantastic places to meet lots of diverse people from different countries!

Talk to other travellers in your dorm

If you’re staying at a hostel in a multi-bed dorm, try and strike up a conversation with a fellow dorm-mate. A simple hello can lead to a thousand possibilities! It could result in a local travel buddy, a travel companion, a potential host, or romance!

Even talking to someone while they make their dinner in the kitchen is a good place to strike up a conversation while cooking or over dinner.

Participate in social activities

If the place you are staying has social activities or events, definitely get among them. It’s a great icebreaker to meet people, especially if food and drinks are involved!

Even in local areas, there will be obviously local people to meet.

Summary

There are numerous factors that can negatively affect your travel adventures but there is always something you can do about it.

• Uninteresting attractions: Go on a free walking tour, interact with locals, Eat!
  
• Fatigue of same-same (and not different): Seek new places that are out of your comfort zone.
• Expectations from yourself, movies and guides: Have no expectations and don’t over-research.
  
• Locals: There are always more nice and kind locals you can meet and hang out with!
  
• Other tourists: Get off the beaten trail and seek new non-touristy places.
• Weather: Spend time at museums, art galleries, cinemas, and local eateries.
  
• Bad accommodation: Seek new accommodation or provide feedback to the host.
  
• Being ill-prepared: Research online, speak to locals, or visit the local tourism information centre.
  
• Being completely lost: Seek help from locals and other travellers.
  
• Losing important valuables or luggage: Speak to airline staff, your embassy, or travel insurance provider.
• Sickness or injury: Go to a pharmacy to get medicine and rest, or go to the hospital if you’re in pain.
  
• Crime: Contact the local police and your travel insurance provider.
  

That is all the top factors that can affect your travels. Hopefully the suggestions helping to overcome the negative things that you may face.

Know of anything else that could affect your travels, especially in a negative way? What did you do about it? What did you do to resolve it?

Let other travellers and myself know!