5 Common Regrets for the First time Traveler

Hi, my name is Rob Meyer and am the author of a new budget travel blog called Go Budget Travel. Nick graciously offered to feature me as a guest blogger on his site, so I am here today to share my insight on the topic of international travel.

I have been traveling and living abroad for close to 3 years now, and would like to share 5 common regrets first-time travelers have after making their first trip abroad. By hearing these regrets you should be able to pick up a few tips on what to take into account for your first travel abroad experience!

5 Common regrets of the first time traveler:

1.Traveling too quickly: This is one that I hear A LOT! For many first timers, their eyes are often bigger than their energy levels! Very often travelers try to schedule some outrageous itinerary where they visit 5 countries in 7 days, or something crazy like that. Not only is this an exhausting and unnecessarily expensive way to travel, but it doesn’t allow the traveler to actually get involved in and really learn about one place, one culture, one way of life, which are arguably the most rewarding aspects of travel.

2. Trying to do too much: Going along with number 1, you DO NOT have to spend every second of every day “doing something”. Take time to relax at a roadside café, or to talk to the locals. Stroll through a local market, or go get lost. You won’t develop an understanding for the places you visit if you are constantly racing from one site to the next. Take the time to relax and let yourself be immersed by your surroundings.

3. Spending too much time in internet cafés and hanging around the hostel: Internet cafés and hostels are traveler black holes, that we all get sucked into occasionally! However, try to limit the amount of time you spend in them, after all you did not come abroad to spend all your time emailing friends or watching movies in the hostel.

4. Not getting more involved in local life: One of the most rewarding and enlightening things a traveler can do is go out and get involved in the local life. Many first-timers are a little apprehensive of getting involved at first, as it takes you out of your comfort zone, forces you to try new things, and will sometimes make a fool out of you, but getting involved in the local way of life is BY FAR the best way to really learn about a culture. Take salsa lessons in South America, or participate in native ceremonies in Africa, go to the local dances, or just ride the bus and eat in local eateries. Meet locals and try new things, and don’t worry about making a fool of yourself. The enlightenment you will feel from truly “experiencing” another culture will far outweigh a little short-term embarrassment.

5. Not having more adventures: Your most memorable moments won’t be the time you spend in museums or at tourist traps, it will be the adventures you have in-between. Get outside your comfort zone, and free up some time in your itinerary, to go out exploring. Try bungy jumping, white-water rafting, go to lesser known sites, be mindful of safety, but take the opportunity to add some escapades and antics to your trip, you’ll never forget them!