Top 10 Worst Travel Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting your passport - or not having at least 6 months validity left. This has happened to more of us than care to admit it.

2. Checking baggage. Most seasoned road warriors will only have carryon luggage - you'll never see them waiting at the carousel.

Getting annoyed with airport security. Unfortunately they hold all the power and occasionally you'll encounter someone who abuses it.

3. Getting frustrated or angry won't help get you through to your gate any faster - in fact, you can end up missing your flight. Under no circumstances mention the word bomb anywhere in the airport.

4. Not checking stopover duration. Getting stuck in an airport for 8 hours isn't much fun and will have you wishing you'd spent the extra few hundred dollars to fly direct. Use something like to visually compare how much agony each flight entails.

5. Drinking too much alcohol on the flight. Airplanes already dehydrate you - drinking will make that worse, stop you from sleeping properly and leave you more susceptible to catching a bug.

6. Leaving your iPad / phone / wallet in the seat pocket in front of you.

7. Missing a meeting because you slept in because of jet lag. Check your alarm clock - know what it sounds like and then put it out of reach so you can't simply turn it off. Also ask for a wake up call as a backup.

8. Missing flights because you misjudged traffic conditions. Ask your hotel concierge about peak traffic hours and if anything special is going on in town. A marathon can cut a city in half - leading to delays of over an hour.

9. Forgetting your reading glasses.

10. Religiously sticking to one airline or network to maximise points/miles. The reality is they are often difficult to redeem and expire quickly yet many road warriors go out of their way to fly on an airline, even when it's more expensive, takes longer and is less convenient.

Bonus 2

1. Not having adequate insurance coverage. You should consider medical, car, flight and belongings.

2. Not having an online backup of all your files. If your laptop gets stolen, the trip won't be a total waste.

Have we missed any of your top 10?

TOURISM

They call me Mr Tourist
And my wife Mrs Tourist
Our son they call Junior Tourist...
If only they know
These are not our real names…

They say our work
Is to travel from place to place
In far away lands,
To see animals and new people
Mountains and rivers
If only they knew that’s only a hobby……

They say we’ve lots of money
To board in top class hotels
And to buy expensive gifts
For our friends and loved ones
If only they knew
It is our life-long savings……….

They claim we benefit more from the visits
We’d like to think they benefit more
From the landing and departure fees
Game park entry fees, etc.
Anyway, why don’t we all agree
That the benefits are all ours?

Sam Mbure

 Antigua and Barbuda


Summary: Officially discovered by Columbus in 1493, these islands had been inhabited as early as 2400 BC. Mostly coral and limestone, making for a low-lying terrain, there are some higher volcanic areas that help to give the islands a varied coastline with many harbors and beaches. The economy relies on tourism, and roughly a third of all visitors are from the US.
City: 84,522
Capital: Saint John's
Time Zone: UTC-4
Population: 68,320
Languages: English
Power: 230 V, 60 Hz, with 110 V near the airport.
Currency: East Caribbean dollar - Currently 1 XCD = 0.3704 USD $
Climate: Antigua and Barbuda have a pleasant tropical climate with little seasonal temperature variation. - Currently 81º, Mostly Cloudy 


Destinations

Saint John's: Saint John's has sights to see just below the surface, and nice hotels in town ranging down to less expensive inns a little further on the outskirts. Among the places to visit are the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Divine at Redcliffe Quay, and the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, which was previously a courthouse built in 1750. Enjoy a walk through St. John's Market on a Saturday morning, get ready for the beach at the Trading Post, and note that cruise ship tourists pack into the Heritage Quay shopping complex.

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Barbuda: Located about 40 kilometers north of Antigua, many tourists leave Barbuda unexplored, that only means that the sights are less crowded. There are caves to explore, along with the great view from Martello Tower, but ecotourists will love to snorkel and admire the coral reefs or walk through the wildlife preserves.

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Beaches: There are over 300 small beaches and coves that make up the coast of Antigua, enough to give you sunburn if you see them all. Among the best are Half Moon Bay, Runaway Bay and Dickenson Bay, all in the same general area of the island. Keep your camera, snorkeling gear, and wallet handy. The views are great, the water is turquoise, and the vendors along Dickenson Bay offer t-shirts, snacks and other items of interest. Tips

Dress Codes: While there typically aren't codes per se, beachwear should be kept to the beach. Some of the nicer restaurants may require pants, jackets, or other smart casual attire.
When To Visit: Most tourists come from mid-December to mid-April, so costs are obviously lower at other times. Summer can get a few degrees warmer than the winter months, so most off-season visitors come during late April to June, and November to mid-December to miss out on any potential tropical storms.
Phrases: English is spoken everywhere, although a few local patois words and phrases slip in. Among them, fig means banana.
Tipping: Check your bill carefully, as a service charge of 10% may already have been added to your bill. If not, and check twice to be sure, standard tipping rules apply for 10% - 15% percent on top of the bill or taxi fare. The taxis have no meters as Antigua has fixed the rates.
Banks: Banks are open for the weekday mornings, but only open Friday afternoons, so keep that in mind if you run short of funds.

 France


Summary: Located in western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK, and bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain, France is mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in the north and west, and the remainder is mountainous, especially the Pyrenees in the south and the Alps in the east. France is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations, with a rich history, fantastic wines, and intriguing culture.
Capital: Paris
Time Zone: DST +0200 UTC
Population: 64,057,792
Languages: French
Power: 230 V, 50 Hz
Currency: Euro - Currently 1 EUR € = 1.3224 USD $
Climate: The climate features generally cool winters and mild summers, but milder winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean coast. France has occasional strong, cold and dry north-to-northwesterly winds known as the Mistral. - Currently 41º, Fog 


DESTINATIONS

Paris: Paris figures as one of the leading cities of the world for its culture, its food, and its attractions, most of which are central to the core and very walkable. Sights scatter the city, most notably the Champs-Élysées, leading from the Arc De Triomphe, to the Louvre, and of course, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the array of stalls, or bouquinistes, along the Seine. Almost every visitor to Paris takes a day trip 20 miles to the west to the Versailles, a huge castle and park with beautiful landscaped gardens.

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Nice: With something to offer everyone, Nice is a popular choice because of the views along the Promenade des Anglais, the main waterfront with beaches that go from sandy to pebbled to stony, and the fact that it is part of the Côte d'Azur and so close to Cannes, Marseilles and Monaco. Among the sights are the churches and squares in the old part of town called Vieux Nice, art galleries like the Musée Matisse and the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, and the cafés and shopping near the waterfront.

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Vineyards: France is the home of the birthplaces of so many household wines and foods that any wine lover should enjoy ticking off their list one at a time the cities of Bordeaux, Chambord, Cognac, Sauternes, Brandy and Champagne. The Loire Valley with its castles and the walled towns like Vézelay in the Burgundy region to the south of Paris are good places to start your journey, and be prepared to tour wineries and see museums on your journey.

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Strasbourg: Sitting so close to the border between France and Germany, Strasbourg has ping-ponged between the two countries, and still draws 3 million tourists every year looking for beauty on the Rhine. The Petit France quarter hides houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, trip over or down the canals, or snack in the Cathedral Plaza and see the elaborate clock of Strasbourg's Notre-Dame Cathedral.

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Lyon: Lyon is the closest large French city to the Alps, and with its history as the capital of Gaul during the time of the Roman Empire, it can offer great sites to see in this both ancient and modern metropolis. Of special note are an ancient, and partially ruined, amphitheater still in use, and the Musee des Beaux-Arts as France's second largest museum, behind the Louvre, which displays items from Monets to mummies. TIPS

Prime Meridian: The Prime Meridian, also known as the "Rose Line", once passed directly through Paris, France. Brass markers bearing the name "Arago" can be found in the streets of Paris that trace this line. The line passes directly through the church of Saint-Sulpice, the Observatory of Paris and the Gardens of the Palace Royal.
Churches: As religion has been a large part of the regional culture for millennia, there are many churches to see.
Dans le Jardin...: Speaking French is an excellent way to break the ice.
When To Visit: Virtually any time of year is good - Skiers in winter can choose the Alps or Pyrenees, sunbathers in summer the east or south west coasts. Shoppers and wine aficionados are welcomed year-round.
Food: France gave birth to foie gras, truffles, Roquefort cheese, café au lait, the croissant, and arguably the best wine in the world.
Phrases: Yes = oui, no = non, please = s'il vous plait, thank you = merci, do you speak English = parlez vous anglais?
Tipping: Tips are regularly included in your restaurant and hotel bills, but it is customary to leave staff a couple of Euro extra.

Toll Highways: As through much of Europe, there are two kinds of roads that travel the countryside: direct, toll highways, and winding but free roadways. Keep a supply of change and bills handy, as small stretches can cost 1-3 Euro and large ticketed sections can cost upwards of 20 Euro.

NAIJATRAVELERS: United Arab Emirates Summary: Located in the ...

NAIJATRAVELERS:

 United Arab Emirates


Summary: Located in the ...:   United Arab Emirates Summary:  Located in the Middle East between Saudia Arabia and Oman and jutting into the Persian Gulf and the G...

 Egypt


Summary: Egypt is in northeastern Africa and bordered by the Mediterranean and Red Seas, Israel, Libya and Sudan, and is a large desert plateau split by the Nile delta and valley. Its location helping to position it as a major political power in the Middle East, Egypt was first unified around 3200 BC and touched by the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs, and strengthened as a nation after completing the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt has an economy based on agriculture, tourism and shipping tariffs with growth through natural gas exports.
Capital: Cairo
Time Zone: UTC+2 (DST)
Population: 81,713,520
Languages: Arabic, English, French
Power: 220V, 50 Hz
Currency: Egyptian Pound - Currently 1 EGP = 0.1654 USD $
Climate: Egypt has primarily a desert climate with hot and dry summers, from June to August, and moderate winters, from December to February. - Currently 62º, Sunny 


Destinations

Cairo: Named Umm al-Dunya, or Mother of the World, Cairo is the home to the most recognizable forms in the Pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of town, and sits against the famous Nile river. Visit the colorful and memorable neighborhoods of the Sayyida Zeinab, with the huge bazaar area Khan el-Khalili, and the City of the Dead, where ancient tombs lie near houses, and then head downtown for the Egyptian Museum and Tahrir Square, the city’s center.

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Alexandria : The country’s second largest city, Alexandria is a port city with a strong European flavor, with statues, columns and palaces buried in the water off the coast, making a unique mix of ancient architecture next to modern cafes. See the Greco-Roman Museum, one of the best in the region, the seaside fort that marked the location of the ancient Lighthouse of Pharos built by Ptolemy I and II, or make your way 75 miles to the west to the quiet beaches near Sidi Abdel Rahman.

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Aswan : Aswan has a more African flair and was built on the caravan routes between the Arabs and Africans, near where Lake Nassar drains into the Nile. Spend your time at the Nubia Museum, with exhibits from Pharaonic, Roman and previous geologic ages, the temple of Abu Simbel, commissioned by Ramses II, or just shop for glassware, brassworks and pottery in the bazaars.

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Luxor: A long 400 miles south of Cairo lies Luxor, the site of the ancient city of Thebes, across the Nile from the west bank home to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Whether images of King Tutankhamen’s lost tomb, the mortuary temple of Ramses III, or the massive temple complex of Karnak attract you, it is a humbling and awe inspiring place to visit, especially when you consider that many of these buildings were built around 1200 BC or earlier. Tips

Local Customs: Egypt is a conservative society, and has a strong Muslim community. Show respect for the local ways of life, and receive graciously what is offered – Egyptians are also proud of their hospitality. Locals tolerate less conservative dress, however, it’s easy to spot the tourists that way – dress in pants, ankle-length skirts, and cover shoulders to the elbow.
Cash and Carry: Exchange bureaus and banking facilities are both widely available, and credit cards and traveller’s checks are accepted in most places, making shopping very easy here. Note that bargaining is almost considered a national sport, so be prepared by knowing the value of what you are buying.
Zoom Zoom: It has been said that the local drivers use the force when zooming around the city, with lane markers only loosely followed and intersections approaching a game of chicken. Take a taxi, read a book, and do your best not to pay attention and you'll find your stomach easing.
When To Visit: As the summer months are quite hot, most travelers prefer to visit during the more temperate winter months. Coming between the two seasons, March to late May and September to late November, can help you to miss most of the tourist rush.
Food: Egypt cuisine is strongly influenced by Middle Eastern foods, with common dishes including flat breads with pastes like hummus, made with chickpea and garlic, and fuul, made with fava beans and garlic, and ta’meya, or falafel, chickpea balls that get deep-fried.
Phrases: Yes = Na’am, no = la’a, hello = marhaba, please = min fadlak, thanks = shukran, peace be with you (a common greeting) = assalamu alaikum, and with you be peace (the common reply to the above) = walaikum assalam
Tipping: Tipping, or baksheesh, is commonplace and standardized for almost any service offered. Check your bill to see if a service charge has been added – if it hasn’t, add 10% to 15% to your total. And if it has, add an extra 5% for good service.


Security and Travel: Be cautious while traveling, although the tourist friendly areas are well protected, still it’s best to keep a low profile, don’t travel at night, steer away from demonstrations, and avoid the Sinai Peninsula, as there are border delays and crossings to contend with.

 United Arab Emirates


Summary: Located in the Middle East between Saudia Arabia and Oman and jutting into the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, often referred to as the UAE, were born in 1971 when several Trucial States that had truces with Britain signed in 1820 and pulled under Britain’s protection in 1892 unified in a federation to unify their governments and economies, with seven emirates now combined. Although the area is mostly flat with barren coastal plains and a large sandy desert leading into mountains in the east, the economy quickly grew because of the natural gas and oil reserves, open market economy and moderate foreign policy bringing the standard of living in line with larger Western European countries.
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Time Zone: UTC + 4
Population: 4,621,399
Languages: Arabic, Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Power: 220 V, 50 Hz
Currency: Emirati Dirham - Currently 1 AED = 0.2723 USD $
Climate: The United Arab Emirates have mostly a hot desert climate, with cooler conditions in the eastern mountains. - Currently 82º, Sunny 


Destinations

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is the capital and has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world and many massive gleaming buildings in the city center. While fishing, sailing and waterskiing are all popular and great in the waters off the coast, the annual Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival held in early March brings more bargains for the shopper, the Corniche is great for a walk as this park has several large fountains and nice landscaping, and the Al-Hosn Palace, known as the White Fort, dates from the late 19th century and has a great courtyard.

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Dubai: Dubai is second largest of the emirates, and as it is made of a combination of the older souks, or markets specializing in different items, and newer skyscrapers and malls, it makes for a unique combination that has brought Dubai into the headlines as a tourist destination. You will find some of the best scuba diving off the coast, bargain shopping during Dubai’s Shopping Festival, where luxury items go on sale every February or March, and huge exhibitions at the Dubai World Trade Center.

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Sharjah : Although Sharjah is the third largest emirate, it is known as the cultural center of the UAE, and has several attractions to occupy travellers. In addition to the museums, like the Sharjah Natural History Museum with its large parkland and petting zoo or the Heritage Museum comprising of several smaller museums to illuminate visitors on UEA culture and history , you can also find sights like the largest mosque in the UEA, the King Faisal Mosque with its twin minarets, the Culture Center, with displays on the history of the emirates, and the golden dome at the Souq Al Majarra or the large palladium at the Central Souq, the Souq Al Markasi. Tips

Banking: Banks are open every morning, except for Fridays and Sundays, and you can exchange for dirham either in a bank or in some of the many hotels. Credit cards and traveller's checks are accepted in most places.
Shopping: The UAE has very low to no duty and a wide range of importers helping the country to serve many of the Eastern European countries as the cheap shopping destination.
When To Visit: Most tourists visit the UAE during winter, between November and April, when the weather is more moderate and quite comfortable. During Ramadan, much of the country closes down as the faithful fast from sunrise to sunset, so avoid eating and smoking in public to make others feel comfortable.
Food: Like other Middle Eastern nations, the UAE offers unleavened breads like khobz eaten with pastes like houmus, made with chickpea and garlic, and fuul, made with fava beans and garlic, with other popular foods including shwarma, spiced and barbecued lamb, and felafel, chickpea balls that get deep-fried. Alcohol, where available in nicer restaurants and bars, can be quite expensive.
Phrases: Yes = Na’am, no = la’a, hello = marhaba, please = min fadlak, thanks = shukran, peace be with you (a common greeting) = assalamu alaikum, and with you be peace (the common reply to the above) = walaikum assalam
Tipping: Service charges are typically included in your bill, and no additional gratuity in required in these cases, however, when it hasn’t, leave an extra 10% with the person that helped you.


Local Customs: The UAE are a more conservative Muslim country that is observant of the laws of Islam. More conservative dress implies covering your upper arms and your legs as low as you are comfortable. Don’t take pictures of military facilities, ask permission before taking pictures of locals, and feel free to drink in restaurants, but don’t drink on the street or drink and drive