bad travel experience

My Top 9 WORST Travel Experiences

Do you ever read about my travel experiences and think, “Blimey, his trips are so smooth and straightforward. How does he do it?”

Let me tell you something: All my trips are FAR from perfect!

And that applies to almost every other travel blogger out there too. We write about how incredibly wonderful our experiences are. And the truth is, yes – they ARE amazing, but as with all great things in life, there is plenty of struggle behind the scenes too.

In all of my personal blog posts documenting my experiences abroad, I try to be honest and write about the shitty stuff that happens as well as the awesome. This is because I want you to understand the reality of traveling from my perspective as a 30-something-year-old deaf guy. It helps to tell my story and makes it unique.

And most importantly, I want you to avoid making the same mistakes that I did, to ensure you make the BEST of your travels.

Planning your trip? Use my favorite resources!

🏨 Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com ✈️ Flights: for the cheapest flights, I use Skyscanner 🚗 Rental Car: I recommend Discover Cars 🛡️ Travel Insurance: for the best deals I rely on SafetyWing

And despite all my bad experiences (including some near-death ones), I wouldn’t change ANYTHING . The good always outweighs the bad, and I have 9+ years worth of the most amazing memories I could ever wish for!

In this post, I have compiled a selection, in no particular order, of some of the worst travel experiences I have ever experienced so far, in just six years of traveling.

Disclaimer: This post in no way criticizes the places these incidents happened. Some of these incidents are common – for example, the bag theft in Vietnam – incidents like these occur all over the world, including in London and New York City. Falling ill in India was my own mistake and could happen in any developing country. And that mosquito bite? I was simply unlucky.

Covering all the bad things that happened to me while traveling over the past decade.

#1. Missing my Flight Home

In 2014 after a visit to Schweinfurt in Germany, I was at Nuremberg Airport, awaiting my flight back home to Birmingham early one morning. However, I was sitting in a cafe and completely lost track of the time.

The boarding gate was making its final call and the staff had called my name out across the tannoy system telling me to make my way to the gate immediately, but unfortunately, that literally fell on deaf ears as I didn’t hear it.

So by the time I got to the gate, it was too late – everyone had already boarded the plane and to my despair, I watched from the gate as the door closed shut on the plane, which meant nobody else could board the plane.

I was shocked and annoyed that I’d missed a flight for the first time. I had to book a new flight, which costed around €200, and it wasn’t scheduled until 24 hours later, so I had to stay in Nuremberg for a night.

At least I took the opportunity to spend a day in the quaint city of Nuremberg. And since this incident, I started making use of Special Assistance for most of my future trips.

I wrote this useful guide on tips and advice for deaf and disabled people thinking about traveling abroad.

#2. Missing my Connecting Flight to India, Twice! (and Lost my Baggage)

I missed another flight in December 2014 when I traveled to India with a stopover at Istanbul Airport. But incredibly, not only did I miss my second leg flight, I was rebooked with a new flight departing 24 hours later only to MISS THAT FLIGHT too!

*Hear me out: unlike my previous missed flight, this one was of no fault of my own.*

Firstly, the flight from Birmingham to Istanbul was delayed by well over an hour due to poor weather, which meant I was almost certainly going to miss the connecting flight in Istanbul. So I informed the staff at Birmingham airport in advance, and they assured me that someone will take care of me as soon as I land in Istanbul, to ensure I get a new flight ticket and be onward with my journey.

So, as predicted, my second flight took off from Istanbul as soon as I landed there, and so I was issued a new ticket. But the next flight wasn’t due until 24 hours later, so they booked me into a hotel for the night. The only problem is, the hotel was quite some distance away, in the city center, so I had to obtain a visa to leave the airport, to get to this hotel.

The following day, the airport bus arrived at my hotel late, and worse still – the traffic was absolutely dreadful. It was total gridlock on the roads, and by the time I arrived at the airport, my flight was about to take off!

I had to explain this ridiculous situation to the staff once again, and nobody could believe what just happened.

So, once again , they issued me with ANOTHER new flight ticket, for a flight taking off – yep, you guessed it – 24 hours later. And so they put me in ANOTHER hotel for the night. BUT, this time, they made sure I was in a hotel right within the airport. So there was no way I was going to miss my flight for the third time.

That wasn’t the end of my troubles though.

When I finally made it to India – my luggage didn’t appear on the carousel. I spent ages waiting at the luggage area while everyone else collected their bags and there was nothing left on the belt, so I had to report to the staff that I’d lost my luggage.

It turns out, my luggage arrived a day earlier than I did. I had to identify my bags in the enormous lost property room, and you can imagine I was relieved when I was finally reunited with my stuff!

#3. Scooter Crash in Goa

On that same trip to India in December 2014 I was in Goa to see in the New Year. Whilst there, my friends and I hired scooters to travel around.

We were riding about an hour north to Anjuna beach, and were slowing down towards one of the crowded roundabouts on the route.

As soon as I stopped, another rider came up too fast behind me on his scooter and crashed into the back of my bike. And as the crash took me by surprise, the impact caused me to tumble over on the left side, as the scooter was a bit heavy.

Luckily though, I walked away from this crash with just a graze on my foot, as I was wearing flip flops (*reminder to self: I should probably get a tetanus jab*).

Did you know: there is a spa just for elephants in India! For more crazy and interesting facts about India, click here.

#4. I once got Electrocuted in Mexico

In the summer of 2014 I had a literal, near-death experience whilst staying in a hostel in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

I went to take a shower one night and it was dark, so I was touching the wall trying to find the light switch. And all of a sudden, there was a bright flash and I felt a burning pain shoot right up to my elbow from my finger.

After the initial shock, I saw the wall and realized I’d just been electrocuted . The switch panel was hanging loose, and there were exposed cables sticking out everywhere!

I reported this to the receptionist who was very calm and casual when I explained what just happened. He then came down to have a look, and all he did was hastily cover up the loose cables with some black gaffer tape!

Seriously though, I had a lucky escape. I guess it was a good thing Mexico’s electricity grid output is weak, as I doubt I’d live to tell the tale if this happened back home from 240-volt sockets!.

Edit: I forgot the name of the hostel, so luckily for them I have saved them the embarrassment of being named and shamed.

Top Advice: Get Travel Insurance

You could say this near-death experience was a wake up call for me to ALWAYS take out travel insurance wherever I travel now.

You might be thinking,  it was just a freak accident what happened to me..

What’s the worst that could happen to you?

Well, you could suffer appendicitis and require emergency surgery. You could easily have your bag or camera stolen (this happened to me). A family relative could fall seriously ill or pass away, and you wouldn’t be able to afford the urgent flight back home.

For my travel cover I always use SafetyWing. They are one of, if not, the BEST insurance providers out there.

SafetyWing Travel insurance: simple & flexible

You can buy and claim online , even after you’ve left home. Travel insurance from SafetyWing is available to people from over 130 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities .

Planning a vacation in the Yucatan? Despite my accident, I had some of the most amazing adventure experiences there. Here’s my 2 Week Yucatan Itinerary Guide.

#5. Delhi Belly In Dehradun

During my second trip to India in January 2015, I came down with the dreaded ‘Delhi Belly’ – an illness that befalls many, but not all, who visit India.

Considering that India is one of the most challenging places a traveler can visit, and, bearing in mind I was living there for six months, a few days in January was the only time I EVER became ill in all my time in India.

It happened after I ate a plate of boiled eggs from a street vendor outside the gym. One evening after a workout with a mate, he suggested we have some chicken broth and eggs to top up on protein. I made the mistake of eating the yolk of five eggs – whereas my mate only ate the egg-whites. Lesson learned.

So that evening at my host’s home, I suddenly began to feel unwell and got hit with a severe case of diarrhea. Yuk!

Luckily, my host’s wife looked after me while I was sick – giving me natural remedies which made me throw up. And two days later, I was feeling much better.

#6. Robbed by a Biker Thief

In January 2018 my partner and I were traveling in south Vietnam, having just seen in the New Year in Ho Chi Minh City. On our last night in the city, my partner’s bag was snatched by a thief on a motorbike.

These incidents happen everywhere, unfortunately, not only in Vietnam. In fact, there are notorious biker thieves that prowl around central London and rob passers-by as they ride on the sidewalks , in broad daylight.

Over in Ho Chi Minh City, it was dark when the incident happened, at around 7pm, and it happened very suddenly, right in the middle of the road as we were crossing it.

We were completely taken by surprise and were overcome with dread when we realized what just happened, yet it was too late to do anything as the biker and the thief sped away into the night.

Naturally, my partner was very upset, as the contents of her bag included her iPhone, some cash, and some ID cards, though thankfully, NOT her passport.

We immediately reported the incident to the police who took a statement, but we realized soon enough, that there was absolutely nothing they could do about incidents like this, in a large city of over 9 million people.

Moreover, my partner’s bag was quite thin and light, with loose leather straps which made it vulnerable to rip, and therefore a very easy target. So we learned our lesson that night: if we have to bring our belongings with us, always keep them in secure and strong, tightly-fitting bum bags that can’t be ripped from us.

Security Tip: Since this incident, every time I go traveling I always wear my Zero Grid Travel Security Belt – a hidden money pouch that’s incredibly useful for stashing away my cash so even the smartest pickpockets don’t stand a chance.It comes with an adjustable, non-metal buckle too. Purchase yours from Amazon

Safety and Security Gear for your Travels:

Below are some more top security travel gear that I would recommend for traveling anywhere in the world – and would not leave the house without these.

Anti-Theft Travel Purse

If you’re after the ultimate theft-proof purse, I highly recommend the Anti-Theft Travel Purse – it consists of five measures of theft prevention including:

• Slash-resistant straps: straps with stainless steel wire inside, protects against grab-and-go thieves
• Slash resistant fabric: the whole bag is made with a slash-resistant mesh barrier inside for extra layers of protection
• Lockdown straps: the strap lock secures bag to a stationary object, protecting against grab-and-go thieves
• Locking compartments: locking zipper pulls that prevent pickpockets from getting into your bag
• RFID blocking pockets: protects against electronic identity theft with RFID blocking card slots and pockets

PacSafe Bag Protector

Another great security option for wherever you travel, the PacSafe bag protector will store all your valuables and secure it to a stationary item in your hotel/airbnb.

Bring a Small Lock

Be sure to bring a small lock for any hostel stays wherever you go, so you can securely store your valuables in the lockers provided.

#7. Missed my Flight (Again!) to Hong Kong

*Why do I keep missing my flights?! To be fair , this incident was also beyond my control. *

In December 2017 I embarked on a flight to Hong Kong via Paris, from Birmingham. The weather at the time was very cold and it was quite icy outside, which had impacted the public travel systems all over the UK and as a result, my train to the airport was delayed and I was pretty late arriving at the airport.

This was the least of my worries though because I soon found that my first-leg flight to Paris was delayed by two hours.

By the time I arrived in Paris around midnight, my connecting flight to Hong Kong had already left, much to the anger and frustration of my fellow flight passengers.

I have been in this situation before (when I missed flights to India) – so I was quite calm and knew that patience was key.

However, I was rather surprised by how furious the other passengers were. These were grown-ups, literally shouting at airport staff, and scrambling to jump in front of everyone else in the queues for new tickets at Paris Charles De Gaulle airport.

I just stood back and watched them make fools of themselves. It was unbelievable. Sometimes, shit happens. Just be PATIENT and relax! Our flight WILL go ahead. We will be put into a hotel for the night. None of this will cost us an extra penny.

There is really no need to take it out on airport staff who aren’t responsible for the actions of mother nature.

#8. My Arm BLEW UP From a Mosquito Bite

Yeah, so this was a bit of a freak accident that resulted in my earning an arm like Popeye’s.

During my second visit to the Yucatan in Mexico, I received numerous Mosquito bites, but that’s nothing new as I got bitten a million times from my first Mexico trip, and actually – almost every tropical place I’ve been to – whether it’s Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, I’ve been bitten by Mosquitos (I mean, who hasn’t?)

Except during this trip, I had this ONE bite on my elbow, which at first, was no different from the other bites, but it turned from a red swollen lump, into a small white bubble.

When I arrived back in the UK, it was still there – a month later. And then one day, I decided to pop it. The fluid in the sac leaked out, so I casually wiped it, and I never thought anything of it, maybe because I didn’t realize it was an old Mosquito bite.

But then, the area around the mark, on my elbow, started to go red again, and it began to swell. And it swelled really fast. I applied some brandy to the area to try and disinfect it, and it was seeping, so I was squeezing more fluid out.

But it got worse. The stinging from the brandy was nothing compared to what came next. The swelling became gradually more painful. In fact, it got to the point where it became so painful I could not even sleep at night – I would literally wake up clutching my arm, writhe around on the floor, and clench my teeth so hard to stop myself from screaming in agony.

The small lump had expanded so much that my entire forearm literally BLEW UP, so it looked just like Popeye’s arm!

I sought medical help soon after and was able to clear up the infection on a round of antibiotics. The doctor told me I was VERY lucky the infection wasn’t higher up my arm, as that could’ve been critical. Instead, it spread downwards due to the swinging motion of my arms from walking, hence the weird Popeye look.

Click here to read how I easily saved over $1000 in just ONE month for my travel funds

#9. I Once Received the WRONG Visa Stamp

I was due to fly back home from India in the summer of 2014 and as I entered the immigration checkpoint at Delhi airport, something odd happened.

The border guard was looking at my passport visa with suspicion and then asked me what date I arrived in India. I explained that I was only here for a week, but still, he was checking my passport photo and visa, with suspicion.

He then called up another guard who arrived and they were talking about my visa (I couldn’t make out what they were saying or what even was wrong). And then they pointed the stamp in my passport, which I received on arrival in India a week earlier.

I didn’t understand what the problem was. But then I took a closer look at the stamp and I read the small date imprint. It says ‘2013’. Shit.

Why on earth did I receive a visa stamp with 2013 on it, when my visit was in August 2014? I was just as dumbfounded as the Indian border guards were.

Yet surprisingly, they ushered me through immigration without another word.

It turns out, they made a mistake by stamping a year-old old visa stamp in my passport when I first arrived! When I checked the stamp again, they appear to have hastily smudged the date out and written, ‘Arrival confirmed on 15-8-2014’.

I was slightly relieved, and was able to board my flight, except I was due to arrive in Moscow for a transfer flight to London. I was seriously hoping this visa doesn’t draw suspicion by the Russian guards in Moscow, as I was seriously beginning to worry they’d throw me into a gulag .

And yep – you guessed it – the Russian immigration guard not only noticed something dodgy with my passport, he actually whipped out his monocular and proceeded to scrutinize my visa for quite a LONG time!

Several moments passed, my heart was racing and sweat began to drip down my face. And I could feel the stare of people behind me in the queue, which made matters worse.

And, AT LONG LAST, I was handed back my passport without a word said. Thank goodness!

So, those are my worst travel experiences so far! I hope this post doesn’t put you off traveling! Have you had any bad experiences abroad?

Further Reading

• How to Find CHEAP Flights (+ FREE Cheatsheet)
• How to Plan a Vacation (+ FREE Travel Checklist)
• How to Quickly Save $1000 for Travel in 1 Month

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Book Your Trip: Top Tips

🏨 Accommodation: I recommend booking.com ✈️ Flights: for the cheapest flights, I use Skyscanner 🚗 Rental Car: I always rely on Discover Cars 🛡️ Travel Insurance: for reliable and trusted cover, I use SafetyWing 🗺️ For all my best travel tips & advice , head over to my Travel Tools

Thank you for reading My Top 9 WORST Travel Experiences

Now you know what to do to avoid these awful situations on your next trip, ensuring it goes smoothly!

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Billy Read is the owner and author of BRB Gone Somewhere Epic, a travel blog that helps travelers discover unique destinations and travel experiences on a budget. With more than 10 years of global travel filled with accidents, Billy aims to help readers avoid making the same mistakes as he did, and make the most of their epic trips.

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Travels Gone Wrong! Worst Travel Experiences By 19 Travelers

Oh Travel, how much we love that word. Many of us live our lives around Travel and the many adventures that unfold during our journeys. However, like two sides of a coin, there are bound to be certain misadventures too that end up as unwanted blips and sometimes even ruin the experience for travelers. We had more than a couple of these mishaps that disrupted our travel plans but there is always so much to learn from each experience. In this post, 19 travel bloggers collaborate to share our worst travel experiences from scams, accidents, racism and more.

Kristin @ Global Travel Escapades : Wallet Stolen in Paris, France

Amidst all the romantic allure, there are  some less glamorous aspects of visiting the French capital  that often go unmentioned. And, unfortunately, I discovered one of these harsh realities the hard way. While I was a teenager studying abroad in Paris, I joined the countless other victims who had their wallets stolen. It occurred in a crowded metro station when someone had casually bumped into me. All my cash, ID cards, and credit cards were gone, effectively leaving me stranded in a foreign country without any money. As someone who was solo traveling abroad for the first time, you can imagine all the tears that ensued. What ended up coming to my rescue were the friendships I had formed with my new schoolmates. They graciously offered to lend me money until I could arrange for a replacement credit card. So, in the end, everything worked out, but this experience definitely serves as a stark reminder to always remain vigilant when exploring new and unfamiliar places!

Marya Sutimi @ BeauTraveler : Getting Sick in Laos

A few weeks before the pandemic in 2020 I was about to have one of my worst travel experiences. I was on my Indochina trip from Vietnam to Cambodia before heading to Laos with plans to return back to Indonesia from Thailand. It wasn’t until I was on the bus from Pakse to Vientiane that I caught a cold that eventually became the highlight of my trip. On my first day in Vientiane, I managed to reach the hotel safely and decided to take a rest as soon as I got there. However, my condition worsened later that day, and I barely had the energy to go out to eat. I realized that I needed to go to see a doctor on the second day when I forced myself to go out to the supermarket nearby. I was too sick to walk back to the hotel and had to take a taxi for the 100 meters between the supermarket and the hotel. I tried communicating my condition with the hotel staff, but they struggled to understand me. After posting about my condition on a Facebook group, I got connected with a Lao girl who accompanied me to the hospital and got my first swab as coronavirus started to take over the news in Southeast Asia. I didn’t feel better the next day so I had no choice but to contact the Indonesian embassy in Vientiane for help. Eventually after the doctor’s suggestion, I had to get into quarantine and stay there for over a week even though my Covid test was negative. That was probably my worst travel experience so far, as I felt so helpless and my health condition didn’t improve until a few days later.

It was my first time  getting sick while traveling , and I couldn’t be more thankful that my embassy helped me during the crisis. Every day, someone from the embassy would drop some nutritious food, including fruits and vegetables to make sure I eat some healthy food to recover. Not only did they ensure that I was taken care of at my hotel during my quarantine, but their staff also regularly communicated with my mom back home to share the updates. I was also thankful that I had my travel insurance then, because the hospital cost in Laos was really expensive. Ever since then, there are two things that I always do whenever I travel overseas: getting travel insurance and saving the embassy number in my destination!

Lisa @ Waves and Cobblestones : Trapped in a restroom in Tel Aviv, Israel

I was traveling solo in Israel on a business trip.  Never one to miss an opportunity to see new places, I took several weekend day trips.  I stopped by the bank to get some cash and figured I’d use the restroom before hitting the road. I hung my purse up on the purse hook, locked the door, used the facilities, and washed my hands.  I unlocked the door and — it wouldn’t open!  I turned the lock this way and that, to no avail. I didn’t know many Hebrew phrases, but I started knocking on the door loudly and calling out ‘ Slicha’,  which roughly means ‘excuse me’.  A female employee came over and told me to turn the lock to the right and to the left. She was joined by a male employee, who gave me the same instructions.  I responded that I had already done that, and he replied ‘No, the  other  lock’.  It turns out what I thought was the purse hook was a second, self-locking, door lock.  Mortified, I hurried out of the bank.

I learned two things from this experience.  Firstly, no matter whether you’re spending a month in France, a  weekend in Barcelona , or taking a business trip to Israel, it’s important to know some basic phrases of the local language.  Secondly, don’t panic when things go sideways, but take a moment to think things through.  I could have saved myself some embarrassment if I’d kept a cooler head and assessed the situation more rationally!

Maartje @ Unieke Vakantieplekjes : Robbed in Tulum, Mexico

During our two-month journey through Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico in January 2020, an unfortunate incident occurred on the second-to-last night of our trip that left us shaken. Our worst travel experience unfolded in the popular  town of Tulum, Mexico, where we had been enjoying the last days of our vacation. In the middle of the night, while we were sound asleep in our hotel room, thieves entered and took many of our belongings. Awakening in Tulum, Mexico, we immediately noticed something amiss. Our phones, resting next to their chargers on the nightstands, were gone. The e-reader, the iPad, and even the backpack containing my camera and all our vacation photos had vanished. Furthermore, my partner’s watch was missing, and his wallet had been snatched. A realization struck – our passports were also in that stolen backpack. The initial reaction was pure panic. The immediate needs of replacing passports, acquiring funds, and booking a new flight overwhelmed us. We soon realized that this process was far from straightforward. The night after the robbery, in our final hotel room of the trip, different emotions surfaced. It was then that I discovered some of my toiletries missing. Presumably, the thief assumed they held jewelry. Sleep eluded us, haunted by the thought that a stranger had stood beside our bed the night before, reaching for my phone just inches from my head. One could hardly predict or prevent a robbery within the confines of a hotel room, especially when doors were securely locked. There was no safe in our room for valuables. We hadn’t been negligent. It was simply a stroke of bad luck that befell us. This was surely one of our worst travel experiences.

Upon returning to the Netherlands, well-intentioned yet insensitive remarks emerged, suggesting we were fortunate to have slept through the incident, that possessions were replaceable, and the thief likely needed the stolen items more than we did. But for me, those items were important. All my vacation memories were lost. The emotional toll was extensive, affecting my sense of security. Seeking help to cope and process became essential.

In retrospect, this experience underscored the unpredictability of travel, regardless of precautions taken. It’s a reminder that emotional reactions to such events are valid, and seeking support is both justified and necessary for healing.

Peta and Jonas @ Exit45 Travels : Accident in Hoi An, Vietnam

We were in the third week of our  adult gap year , visiting Hoi An for the first time when disaster struck. My husband and I were walking around the paddy fields just outside of Hoi An taking photos, when an out of control motorbike rider ran into Jonas. I was walking ahead wondering what was taking him so long, so I started to retrace my steps when I saw a group of people surrounding someone on the ground. I was curious what they were looking at, but didn’t realize it was Jonas until I got closer. My initial reaction was shock, then panic, then my first aid training kicked in. As I talked to him to work out his injuries, locals explained to me what had happened. After looking past the blood and skin off, I immediately realized we needed to get to the hospital as he had a wound on his head, and he said his shoulder and chest were painful. The Vietnamese by-standers hailed a taxi and told the driver to take us to the international hospital. Five minutes later we were in the emergency department with 3 doctors checking his injuries. The staff were absolutely amazing and did not hesitate to start treatment immediately. After several x-rays and scans, we were told he needed surgery to fix his collar bone, he had 7 broken ribs, but most importantly, no head trauma. The English speaking liaison officer then contacted our health insurance provider in Australia, 1Cover, sent the results of the x-rays and scans to them for review, got the necessary paperwork and approval, and he was then whisked off to surgery. Whilst it is an experience we are in no hurry to repeat, we were amazed at the efficiency of both the staff at the hospital and our travel insurance contact. The hospital bent over backwards to assist us over the 6 days he was hospitalized, even to the extent of allowing me to stay and sleep in the unoccupied bed in the same room at the hospital.

One thing we have learnt from this incident is that travel insurance is a MUST for anyone travelling overseas. Not only for the cost of his treatment and hospital stay, and the additional expert medical advice we received from Australia affirming all treatment was the correct.

Victoria @ Guide Your Travel : Stuck in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Komodo National Park is a beautiful area in Indonesia, which you can only explore by boat, unless you’re staying at a hotel in the park . Last summer, we were staying on a traditional Phinisi boat for a few nights to see the pink beaches and untouched nature and everything was going great until our boat’s engine unexpectedly failed. The crew repaired it multiple times but it kept shutting down or when it did work it was very slow. This meant that we couldn’t travel fast enough for the currents and had to wait on a deserted island until the tide went down and it was easier to travel. The entire journey back took around 12 hours at sea instead of 3. While it was a bit stressful in the moment, the experience was still beautiful and we at least got to enjoy the views.

Erica Riley @ Travels With Erica : Hotel Room in Siem Reap, Cambodia

My worst travel experience happened in February 2023 on my first night in Siem Reap.  I was exhausted after a long day of travelling from  Chiang Rai  to Siem Reap and arrived in Cambodia in the evening.  

I went to bed early and around 1am, I suddenly woke up when I heard someone talking.  I quickly realized that there were three men in my hotel room, which was especially scary since I’m a solo female traveler. Adrenaline kicked in, and I stood up on my bed and started screaming.  The three men quickly left my room.  I was too scared to go back to sleep that night and put a chair in front of the door because it only had a simple lock and no deadbolt or chain.  I checked out of the hotel first thing in the morning. Later that day, I received an email from the hotel manager asking why I checked out.  I explained to her what happened, and she said that it was simply an accident.  The men had misplaced their key and told the front desk that their room number was mine.  They had the wrong room number, and, thankfully, weren’t intentionally trying to break into my room or harm me. 

I started travelling with a door lock specifically designed for hotel rooms after that trip.  I’m very lucky that this was just an accident and that I wasn’t hurt, but the experience definitely scared me and made me more safety cautious about hotels.  

Tina @ Veganderlust : Cancelled Flights at Auckland, New Zealand

Have you ever seen a movie where a character is stranded at an airport when all of the flights get cancelled? Well, this is exactly what happened to me on my holiday this year! My friends and I did a van life holiday for three weeks across New Zealand in February 2023, and after our van life experience, we wanted to relax on the beaches of Fiji. At the beginning of our holiday, in Auckland, the weather was already bad. It rained a lot during our time in New Zealand, and it was actually one of the wettest New Zealand summers on record. However, towards the end of our van life holiday, the weather improved. We spent one last sunny  day in Queenstown , in the South Island of New Zealand before we headed back to Auckland by plane. From Auckland, we were supposed to go to Fiji. But because of a cyclone headed towards Auckland, all flights were cancelled. So instead of spending some relaxing days at the beach, we were stuck in a crappy airport hotel for three whole days!

For future trips, I learned the hard way how important it is to check weather forecasts more carefully. It seems silly now, but I didn’t even know there was a cyclone season in New Zealand before I visited. A mistake I won’t make again!

Karen @ Outdoor Adventure Sampler : Medical Emergency in Mexico

My partner and I were in Puerto Morales, Mexico to explore the amazing  outdoor adventures of the Yucatan Peninsula  in January. It was a rainy morning as we exited the hotel to go to breakfast. As I stepped out of the hotel door onto the wet marble entry, I slipped and came crashing down, hitting my head on a stone column. The hotel management was immediately responsive, and in spite of a language gap, helped us call an ambulance for my profusely bleeding head wound. Fortunately, due to my partner’s two years of daily Duolingo Spanish study, we muddled our way through the Mexican health care system to get my head stitched up.

I realized my assumptions about quality of health care in Mexico were way off base. It was one of the most efficient, professional, sparkling clean emergency rooms I’ve ever been in. Plus, the generosity of the Mexican people was evident again when the hotel owner insisted on paying the bill.

Catrina @ 24 Hours Layover : Stopped at customs in New Zealand

One of my worst travel experiences was getting stopped at border control in New Zealand by the sniffer dogs! I was just doing a quick trip over to New Zealand from Australia, and so had packed my handbag in a rush without emptying it first. Both New Zealand and Australia are very strict about what food products are allowed into the country, but when I was asked if I had anything to declare for customs, I said no as I believed I wasn’t carrying anything I needed to declare. Just as I was walking away, the sniffer dog came bouncing towards me and that’s when I instantly remembered. There was a handful of dog biscuits at the bottom of my handbag from when I had walked the dog that I finished  house sitting  that morning!!

I should have declared the dog biscuits but completely forgot they were there, and burst into tears as the drugs squad came towards me. I instantly told them about the dog biscuits and that I honestly forgot they were there. They didn’t look very impressed, but they could see I was very remorseful and that I understood how serious it was. Being a Flight Attendant I thankfully managed to talk my way out of getting fined a huge amount, but what an ordeal! Always always empty out your bags before you pack for your holidays so you know what you’re bringing with you!

Kristine @ Wanderlust Designers : Scammed in Milan, Italy

The first trip I planned by myself was to Milan, Italy, in 2014 with my friend. I knew nothing about  planning trips . I had no idea how much it costs to go somewhere, where to look up what to see and do, – or that there are scams of which you should be aware. And we were on an  extreme  budget. We were two students with barely any money (200 euros for the two of us for a week of travelling!), so we couch-surfed and ate basically only McDonalds and stuff that we had packed (instant noodles, anyone?). So, when we went to the Duomo and the square in the wee hours of the morning, I didn’t expect anything to go wrong – since I didn’t know anything about common tourist scams.

We were taking pictures of the Duomo and the pigeons there, just having fun, when two guys approached us. They said – would you like us to take pictures of you with the pigeons? And then one just took my hand and put some seeds in it, while the other took my friend’s (expensive) camera and started taking photos. After, they just asked us for money. We were confused and just gave them some coins. They said, no, more! Since it was morning in February, there were barely any people on the square beside us. So we gave them like 30 euros just to get the camera back. It was really terrifying. But lesson learnt – read up on common tourist scams when going somewhere.

Melissa @ My Beautiful Passport : Scammed in Panama City

One of my worst travel experiences was when my partner and I were scammed money while waiting at a bus station in Panama. It was early in the morning, and we were waiting at Albrook Mall Bus Station for the first bus out to head to El Valle from Panama City . A man approached us and we started to chat. He told us about how he was an American stationed in Honduras and Panama, and his family was going on a cruise along the Panama Canal and he wanted to surprise them. He needed money to buy his ticket and he would meet us at the airport when we were leaving to pay us back. We were hesitant at first but after a while more chatting with him, his story seemed reasonable so we trusted him and we weren’t hurting on our travel budget, and agreed to lend him $200 USD through PayPal. 

We went on with our trip keeping positive, and only when he didn’t show up at the airport and never tried to contact us via email, we learned he wasn’t honest and we tried to report it to the police but it was too late. We left and learned not to trust everyone even though we wanted to. We no longer give money to help strangers when they give us stories, but we are happy to buy people food to help.

Soumya @ Stories by Soumya : Passport stolen in Venice, Italy

After completing an exciting trip in  Southern Italy , my husband and I had just alighted at the Venice Mestre Train Station. We were eager to get started with the canals and gondolas of Venice. But alas, fate had some other plans for us and we had one of our worst travel experiences! When we got to the city center, I realized I no longer had our passports. I had carefully put them in a wallet and the wallet in my backpack but could no longer find them. We had taken a crowded bus from the train station to the center. So, that was where I guess I had lost them.

There was no way to be sure. So, we followed our trail all the way back to the station and everywhere else we had been, even the toilets. But the passports were nowhere to be found. After hours of searching, we decided to register a police complaint at the station, gathered a copy of it, and headed to the Indian Consulate in Milan where they issued us a temporary, hand-written passport. Since my husband and I were working in the Middle East then, we had to wait a couple more weeks to get our work visas. That meant more embassy visits and much more contact digging.

This was a long, no-end-in-sight process but it made me appreciate life so much more. Eventually, we did not get the work visas (had to come back to India and get them done) but had two extra weeks to spend in Rome. That meant we could see all the hidden gems in and around the Italian capital. Sometimes, things go wrong. But it’s important to go with the flow and enjoy life as it comes.

Corritta Lewis @ It’s A Family Thing : Racism in China

One of our worst travel experiences as a traveler was experiencing severe racism in Beijing, China. In 2019 my family and I were excited for our first big international trip. This time would be different because we were traveling with our nearly five-and-a-half-month-old baby at the time. It was to be his first long haul flight, so we were both nervous and excited for the upcoming adventure. After a perfect flight, and some serious jetlag we started exploring the city. During our time in Beijing many people were fascinated by us, which we expected as two Black women with a Korean baby. Since our son is biracial and as a baby looked very Asian, we knew there would be stares, but had no idea we’d be bombarded for pictures constantly. Although it was a little annoying, it wasn’t a huge deal. We understand people’s curiosity, so we weren’t upset.

We had several fun-filled days of exploration, but in the middle of our trip we experienced some hateful actions. While trying to get a cab with our baby back to the hotel, several cab drivers refused to pick us up from a museum. English isn’t widely spoken in China, but each one of them said “No. You Black. You Black” and proceeded to drive away. The museum was closed, and it was starting to get dark, so after nearly an hour, we finally got in contact with the hotel for them to send a car to pick us up. We shrugged this off as just an unfortunate experience, but the following day we tried to eat at several restaurants, and we were told “our kind” weren’t welcome. It was so demoralizing. We’d never experienced such consistent overt racism. Luckily, we found a family-owned restaurant with the sweetest ladies that embraced us and our little one. They were so welcoming, and even took the time to show us how to make dumplings.

We didn’t allow this experience to run our time in China. It’s been on our bucket list since I was a kid, and having the opportunity to walk on The Great Wall of China was a dream come true. Those moments didn’t define our time in Beijing. The lasting memory of fulfilling a lifelong dream is what comes to mind when we think of our time in China.

Mansoureh @ Travel with Mansoureh : Scammed by Police in Mexico

Travelling through the  Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico , we had an unsettling encounter that left us shaken. While we were driving from Bacalar in the south to Valladolid, we went through the town called Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Just as we were about to exit the town, a police officer on a motorcycle flagged us down, claiming that I had exceeded the speed limit. Yet, I knew with certainty that this wasn’t the case; my speedometer read a mere 28 km/h, and a road sign had clearly indicated a 40 km/h speed limit. Plus, the officer didn’t have any device or proof of my speed. I took out my driving license from my wallet, where I kept my cash. When the officer saw my money, insisted on a staggering fine of 3600 pesos and requested the confiscation of my license for three days, fully aware that we wouldn’t agree to that, so he suggested an alternative: a cash payment directly to him.

I tried to keep 200 pesos, but he saw my money and told me “TODOS”, meaning he wanted every last peso. I watched helplessly as he pocketed 1100 pesos, effectively robbing us. This encounter left me deeply frustrated with myself for allowing this injustice to occur, and I wished I had reacted differently.  It was a hard-learned lesson – never again will I keep my license in my wallet or leave cash in plain sight while driving in Mexico.

Tamara Williams @ My Elated Odyssey : Hit and Run Accident in Berat, Albania

During a trip to Albania, where my friend and I had arrived in  Berat from Tirana , we were so excited to see a new city! Before exploring, we decided to grab something to eat and were soon met with an unfortunate event. As my friend had the right of way crossing the street, a car was not paying attention and hit her! To make matters worse, as witnesses were shocked and gasping, the equally shocked driver did nothing and drove past without checking on my friend. There were better ways to start an adventure in a new place! Thankfully, after a trip to the hospital, my friend was confirmed to only have a bruise on her hip. The local witnesses were also very helpful in lending a hand and ensuring she was okay.

One crucial thing we noted about Albania is that the drivers often ignore the road rules. You must elevate your senses as a driver and a pedestrian in the country. After that ordeal, we ensured that even with a crosswalk, the drivers stopped with no intention of advancing further. This was definitely one of our worst travel experiences but thankfully, we had no further automobile incidents for the rest of our trip!

Bernard Tan : The infamous Thai gem scam

I was approached by a ‘friendly’ Thai guy claiming to have worked as a teacher in Singapore, while navigating myself in Bangkok. He had mentioned that there is a temple that is opened today only and we should visit it. He stopped a tuk-tuk by the road and negotiated the price to 20 Baht. The tuk-tuk brought us to the lucky Buddha temple, at the temple we met some Thais that initiated a chat with us and ask us to head to the Thai export center. While at the Thai export center, we purchased some small blue sapphire, and it cost us about SGD 70 after discount. The gems that we bought were worthless. We also gave the tuk-tuk more than the 20 baht that was expected from us! We were considered lucky, as others have been scammed thousands of dollars but this was definitely one of our worst travel experiences.

Anne Slater-Brooks @ From Miles To Smiles :  Narrowly avoiding a riot in Tunis

The beachfront killings just a few days earlier seem to have angered the police as they systematically chase down pop up stalls, unleashing ferocious blows on those in their way, with no regard for age, sex or circumstance. We see elderly ladies thrown to the ground and trampled in the melee, pregnant women pushed aside and the growing panic of the more vulnerable.

I’m oblivious to my husband’s unease so intent am I on taking everything in, unfamiliar stores, scents of incense, street food and garbage, the occasional glimpse of a whitewashed architectural gem beckoning to me, until suddenly he grabs me and urges me to run in what was one of our worst travel experiences. ‘What?’ ‘Why?’ I shriek to no avail as he drags me away from an oncoming surge of people suddenly heading furiously in our direction. We dash around a corner, flip flops slapping the floor, adrenaline pumping as we fend off bodies jostling us. The panic is electric, as though a stray spark could ignite some unthinkable violence like a scene from Lord of the Rings.

We come to a stop in an oasis of calm where my ashen husband fills me in on events which I completely failed to witness. It seems we narrowly managed to avoid becoming embroiled in a Tunisian riot , gangs throwing bricks at a police cavalcade ahead, and locals of all age and race trying desperately to get away. Shaken we leave to return to the sanctuary of our hotel unharmed but a little more aware of how quickly things can get out of hand!

Read more Anne’s journey and read her precious travel tips at  TravelTheGlobe4Less .  Follow her travels on Facebook   and Twitter

Tamshuk @ That Indian Couple : Debit card cloned, Snakebite and Severe sickness in Thailand

I had set off for my travels in mid-June with a concrete plans and finances for the next 5 months. But today, I am back home in India as I write this post thinking about the mishaps I had in Thailand , especially Bangkok. On my first three days in Bangkok , my debit card got cloned and I lost more than 90% of my money  to an anonymous cash withdrawal with my card details. This I realized on the day I was leaving for Chiang Mai . Till today I am struggling to get any portion of that lost money back from any of the two banks.

Chiang Mai was really nice to me though with some great food at the night markets, lovely friends and those beautiful temples. Oh, I got bit by a snake right when I jumped into the river after a white-water rafting session. The availability of a snakebite kit saved any further “burns” for me. But the final blow came when I made another four day run to Bangkok to get myself a social visa for Indonesia – this, after I had spent a month in Indonesia using the Visa exemption facility. Already having an on and off cold, I landed in Bangkok with plans to fly off to Jakarta after four days. But, as destiny had other plans, I got sick real bad and at the end of day four when I was at the airport to fly off, I was declared “ Not fit to fly ” by the airport medical team. So, there ended my travel plans for now and I flew back to India !! This was definitely one of my worst travel experiences ever.

The purpose of this post is to highlight the fact that not all goes well when we are traveling. Long-term or even usual vacations always have the possibilities of being hit by unfortunate incidents. With the joy of traveling and visiting different places, comes the risk of getting unintentionally involved in bad situations. Having said that, will we stop traveling? Not at all.

42 comments

Oh god!! These kinds of stories are what make people doubt if they should travel. It is good to share them so people know what to be aware of while traveling.

How did they get your debit card details, did you ever figure that out??

Oh my! I read all of these stories and realize that all of our travel mishaps are NO where near as intense as these. WHEW! These are HORRIBLE! 🙁

I think, travels going wrong is a part of traveling and learning and every traveler goes through some mishap. I’ve been through it by not getting my visa, being mugged in turkey and stuff. But this yet doesn’t stop us from traveling. It’s a sad thing that happen to you with your debit card, these scams are so unfortunate.

Oh wow, I’ve heard and met people who fell for the gem scam in Thailand – apparently it’s super common!

Horrible about the violence in Tunisia 🙁

Thanks for sharing these! It is always good to be aware of possible things that can go wrong during one’s travels, especially scams. Tamz, we had a similar experience when we were in Naples, Italy. Instead of our debit card, our credit card was cloned. So many unauthorized purchases! Lucky for us, all charges were reversed on our card. A sincere good luck in getting your money back soon!

Wow that wasn’t the best experience you can hope for when travelling! Fortunately nothing has ever gone too wrong for me while on holidays. Probably the worst one was a stomach bug we caught in Turkey that had us in bed for most of our holidays, but at least it wasn’t anything too serious!

I had similar export scams run on me when I went to India. It happened everywhere I went in the country. Usually it was rugs and stonework. Maybe “scam” is too harsh of a word for what I experienced, as much as “forced factory tour and sales pitch” at the end of every tour.. there was no way around it. The craftsmen were brilliant sales people and really put on the hard sale. I quickly just came up with my narrative (which has the benefit of also being mostly true) that I live out of a backpack, have a strict 1-in-1-out policy on anything I buy and that, no, I do not have a home address where the products can be mailed. They usually moved to argue that I should buy some nice things for the lovely ladies in my life.. I would say that there were none, so then they would suggest to buy my mom a gift, and that is when I would lie and say she was dead (sorry mom!) but that also usually ended the negotiations and I was allowed to leave without having made a purchase.

All these experiences were awful. However, there is a silver lining to the stories as well. Telling them later would be so entertaining. Of course, there is a huge difference between losing most of your money (I am so sorry that it happened to you :(. Hopefully, you might still be able to recover your losses? ) and having a lesson learned from dealing with unscrupulous “guide” in Bangkok.

How terrible. Yes, the incidents go to show how vulnerable sometimes you are and how travel can sometimes go wrong. Thanks for sharing these for these are some learnings for all of us.

These stories make you realise how careful you do need to be whilst travelling but luckily there are more good stories than bad. And even though these things can be traumatic at the time it gives you a story to tell. Safe travels !!

wherever we go ought to be careful because there are bad people around us. do not be too trusting with new people you know.

Every traveler has at least a near miss with some disaster eventually. We should all remember that it happens to all of us, including the scams that make us feel stupid.

Gosh, those are crazy incidents! It is so important to research a destination and plan accordingly, especially if the destination is out of your comfort zone. I am glad you all are okay in the end!

Thank you for sharing a post on a topic that may be harder to talk about! Lots of people only mention when things go right – but it’s just as important to plan for contingencies 🙂

All we tourist want to do is travel and explore. It sucks that the natives are scamming tourist.

Every time I leave for a trip I really hope everything will go well. It would be a real nightmare instead!

These stories are terrible! Having a debit card cloned is my worst nightmare! I don’t know what I’d do if I lost all my money when I was traveling. For me, my worst travel story was getting caught in a city on lock down (Munich) because a shooter was on the loose.

whoa, that can be a scary situation too.

Well, every travellor has to go through something bad during their travels. I am sorry to hear about these but i think that they are experiences. As travel nurtures a person, these mishaps too nurtures them . 🙂

I love learning about travel experiences because when you wander around a city or the world, there’s so much that can happen, and that you don’t expect at all. When you’re encountering misaventrues, on the moment you’re just so pissed, but it’s such good memories! I had many bumps onto my travel journey, but actually, now I cherish them!

OMG I’m sorry that your card was cloned. I think that will be the worst on traveling overseas, or even not travelling… getting it cloned makes me scared.

I had a similar experience in Bangkok. The hotel guys had advised us to take public transport, but we wanted to save time in the process ended up spending more money 🙁

Yes it surely does. I was pickpocketed in Rome and I lost a lot of money. And another time, I was stuck in a stormy sea in the boat and was praying for my life

Yes lesson learned. But what a sad news. This must feel so bad. What a scam!

Travel can be really hard sometimes. We have not really had any major problems or issues until a trip to Mongolia last month. On our last day there we witnessed a car roll over just in front of us and when we got there the man and lady were weeping over their dead baby. A hard thing and yet we had to go on after about an hour when the police an ambulance finally came. Travel is dangerous but probably not more so than if you were home.

Oh that is such a saddening sight to see when you are traveling.

I had some bad experiences too, sadly that’s a possibility every time you travel. We need to be really careful. Story about avoiding riot is Tunis is the scariest one, it’s unbelievable how fast things can get crazy!

This is a side of travel to be kept in mind. I am traveller and this is such an amazing article I must say.

I’m sorry to hear about your travel situation in Bangkok. And that’s the spirit! You don’t let those circumstances discourage you from traveling again. It’s truly inevitable that mishaps happen in traveling. However, these unfortunate circumstances are what shapes us into stronger persons that we didn’t imagine we’ll be. Praise God that I still haven’t encountered those kinds of traveling mishaps, but I’ll learn from your experiences to be extremely vigilant.

I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Traveling has its own pros and cons but most important is be safe and cautious!

Things do not always go as planned. But we need to realistic and cautious at all times.

Scams happen everywhere. Being caught in an unfortunate situation where serious harm could have been incurred happens everywhere. Tam, you could have your card cloned in India too. You get sick in India too. So, yes, go travel again as soon as you are fit!

Mishaps are just… that. Nothing more but lessons learned.

http://www.amazinglifedaily.com #AmazingLifeDaily

As travels can be real exciting and fun, we cant dismiss the fact that it can also cost us big bucks. A number of natives can be real scammer and i really just cant understand why the need to be so dishonest and be such an opportunist.

Great stories from all the bloggers. Travel surely is an adventure which doesn’t always go to plan. While it might not seem so at the time the things that go wrong always give you the best stories to tell. I hope you get your money back.

Things always go wrong when you’re traveling long enough… it’s sad but true, and all we can hope for is that nothing leaves permanent damage, physically or financially! Good luck getting your money back!

OMG I’m so sorry about that. Actually I am scared sending important information through fb, email, viber anything specially online. Specially bank account…. Anywhere right now there’s a lot of scammers! But it’s okay only God can punish them. I’m sure there’s more blessings to come pa in your pocket.

Oh dear I am so sorry to hear about your experience. I would not know how to react if I were in your position I think I would freak out and cry! The cloning and anonymous credit card transactions sound really scary. I hope your feeling a little better now. 🙁

When traveling to another country we need to always be cautious. I’m sorry that happened to you. We’ve had the same experience once in Bangkok when the taxi driver drove us around in circles instead of straight to our destination. We need to always be alert.

Oh no! Those are the reasons why I don’t travel alone! I can be persuaded easily and I’d rather pay than find myself lost

Oh god I am so sorry to hear about your financial situation. How did it happen do you know? I must say I am really cautious when it comes to withdrawing funds checking both the hole where you put the card for any cloning objects and always hiding my pin code. That said I rarely withdraw cash preferring to use my credit card which is then protected by the card insurance. Being bitten by a snake sucks too. I thought I had bad luck travelling as I have had cellulosis, broken collar bone, snapped ACL etc. Hope you get everything sorted soon

Just one of those instances when you become that unfortunate one among a million. The atm machine apparently was rigged to read the card information which was then used to clone the debit card.

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How to Move Forward After a Bad Travel Experience

Unfortunately, not all trips can be dream getaways.  You can plan for unexpected events, but mishaps still happen that can ruin a trip.  Whether it’s a lost luggage fiasco, a car accident, or simply not having the fun you anticipated, a bad trip can leave you feeling disheartened and hesitant to travel again.  However, it’s essential not to let one negative experience overshadow the joy and excitement of exploring new destinations.  In this blog, we’ll discuss strategies to help you bounce back from a bad trip and ensure your future adventures are filled with unforgettable memories.

Reflect on the Experience

After experiencing a travel mishap, it’s natural to feel frustrated or disappointed.  Take some time to reflect on what went wrong and why. Was it within your control, or was it an unforeseen circumstance? Understanding the factors that contributed to the bad experience can help you avoid similar situations in the future.  Additionally, reflecting on the positives of the trip, no matter how small, can provide perspective and remind you that not everything was lost.

Seek Support

Don’t hesitate to lean on friends, family, or fellow travelers for support.  Talking about your experience with others who understand can be cathartic and help alleviate feelings of isolation or disappointment.  Sharing stories of resilience and overcoming challenges can also provide inspiration and motivation for future adventures.  If your travel mishap was the result of someone else’s negligence, like a car accident or slip and fall, seeking the help of a qualified injury lawyer can help victim’s put that part of their life behind them according to the Fresno personal injury lawyer at Roberts & Spiegel .   Remember, you’re not alone, and seeking support can help you move forward with confidence.

Focus on the Lessons Learned

Every setback is an opportunity for growth. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, focus on the lessons learned from your bad trip.  Did you discover the importance of travel insurance ? Or perhaps you realized the value of packing essentials in your carry-on? Use these insights to refine your travel planning process and mitigate risks for future trips.  By turning setbacks into learning experiences, you’ll become a more savvy and prepared traveler.

Plan Your Next Adventure

Don’t let one bad trip deter you from exploring the world. Instead, use it as motivation to plan your next adventure.  Research destinations that align with your interests and preferences, and consider incorporating activities or experiences that you missed out on during your previous trip.  By channeling your energy into planning for the future, you’ll shift your focus from the past and reignite your excitement for travel.

Take Care of Yourself

It’s important to prioritize self-care in the aftermath of a bad trip.  Give yourself permission to rest and recharge, both physically and emotionally.  Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s spending time outdoors, practicing mindfulness, or indulging in your favorite hobbies.  Taking care of yourself will help you regain your confidence and enthusiasm for travel.

Don’t Let a Bad Trip Hold You Back

A bad trip can be a challenging experience, but it doesn’t have to define your future travels.  By reflecting on the experience, seeking support, focusing on the lessons learned, planning your next adventure, and prioritizing self-care, you can move forward with confidence and resilience.  Remember, every journey has its ups and downs, but it’s how we respond to setbacks that truly defines our travel experiences.  So dust off your suitcase, embrace the lessons learned, and embark on your next adventure.

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Why are my worst travel experiences also my favorites? I asked a psychologist

The perfect trip may be hassle-free but the lack of drama rarely makes a good story. And for Tayla Gentle, it’s carnivorous fish and food poisoning that sticks in her mind. But why? She asks a psychologist why we’re hard-wired towards ‘negativity bias’.

Ask for my most controversial opinion and this is what I’ll tell you: there’s nothing more tedious—or forgettable—than a trip that goes perfectly to plan. Call me contrary, but I like my travel experiences served ‘bad’, peppered with challenge, and accompanied by a side of mishap.

But why do some of us favor our worst trips? That’s a good question; one that psychologists and philosophers alike have been pondering for centuries. Is it masochistic to find joy in discomfort? Is it odd to crave the exhilaration of misadventure? Is it strange to delight in disaster?

Or is it simply human?

The benchmark for what constitutes a ‘bad trip’ is entirely subjective. For some, lost luggage might be enough to ruin a holiday. For others, a trip is only considered ‘awry’ when it involves hallucinations in the Amazon or losing an arm in the desert .

One time, when swimming the blue-green rivers of Laos’ Si Phan Don archipelago, I had a terrifyingly close encounter with a carnivorous fish. The fish—a slippery cousin of the piranha—darted between my legs before taking a chunk out of a German backpacker’s big toe. Sure, it was a bloody, slightly traumatizing mess, but the incident remains my most loved, and frequently-told-over-drinks, travel anecdote (though I’m not sure how my German friend feels about it all).

RELATED: How to make friends on “America’s loneliest road

From a philosophical standpoint, Alain de Botton reckons the point of travel —especially challenging experiences like a piranha massacre—is transformation. According to Alain, travel helps us in our “inner evolution”; moving our personal narrative forward and pushing us to develop qualities like resilience and creativity. And a cool head under gory conditions.

Similarly, Buddhism teaches us that suffering (whether it’s fear, grief or the pain of losing half a toe to a foreign fish) is not only an inescapable part of human existence but it can open us up to new, enlightened states of being .

Psychology, however, is less rooted in the existential and more concerned with what is happening neurologically and physiologically when we experience ‘a worst trip ever’. According to Megan Sinclair, a provisional psychologist specializing in trauma, the reason some of us love ‘bad’ travel can be attributed to how we create and store memories.

“ When we experience a negative event , we often ruminate on it, which strengthens the neural pathways in our brains,” she says. “The more we think about it, the stronger the neural connection grows, and the easier it is to retrieve our memories.”

“In fact,” Megan continues, “our amygdala—which is basically our emotional processing center—uses two thirds of its neurons for negative experiences and only a third for positive ones.”

So if you remember a bad batch of Cambodian carbonara more clearly, and more tenderly, than witnessing the sunrise over Angkor Wat—now you know why. Your neural pathways are designed that way.

But does that mean we’re hardwired for negativity?

In a sense, yes. And it’s thanks to something called ‘the negativity bias’. The negativity bias refers to the way we learn from and use negative experiences more than positive ones—which explains why my brain associates Timor Leste with one bout of dengue fever rather than three weeks of tropical paradise.

The negativity bias is an evolutionary hangover. Back in the day, early humans would need to remember which plant was poisonous and where predators hunted in order to survive. But as modern humans, we continue to hold onto our worst experiences because negative events make deeper impressions on our brains.

“Positive emotions signal to our bodies that we are safe, and we almost go into autopilot when processing these events,” says Megan. “Whereas negative events require a lot more thought, and are processed on a much deeper level.”

But brain processing aside, why do some of us enjoy challenging travel?

Travel is not, as we’ve established, always fun and games. In fact, sometimes it can literally hurt. Take hiking for example: Every year, thousands of trekkers throw themselves at Sagamartha (Mount Everest), and every year, thousands of trekkers are airlifted off the mountain.

RELATED: The hike that’s perfect for people who don’t like hiking

Sure, the landscapes are a drawcard. I cried watching the sunset above Namche Bazaar and felt closer to god-or-whatever looking out across the Patagonian steppe. But my favorite hiking experiences always involve wild weather, lost gear or vomiting on the hoofs of a Himalayan yak (true story).

So is it masochistic to enjoy such extreme experiences? Megan doesn’t think so. She reckons our human inclination to enjoy risk-taking is thanks to a little chemical called dopamine—a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. “When we accomplish something or engage in risk-taking, we get a release of dopamine in our brains, which can lead to a euphoric feeling,” she explains.

This dopamine ‘reward’ can also become quite addictive. From eating comfort food to drinking alcohol, there are a heap of ways humans chase a dopamine hit. It just so happens that many of us find it atop a mountain. According to Megan, “there’s actually a rise in our dopamine threshold in adolescence” which is why we see experimentation and risky behaviours increase around this time.

Which makes me wonder: If some of our life-long friendships are formed during adolescence, does that mean we bond best through risky experiences?

A few years ago, I joined a video crew on a journey deep into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. What was meant to be an Attenborough-esque gorilla experience was thrown into total chaos when our guide accidentally macheted a jungle hive and we were swarmed by angry African wasps.

It was pandemonium on an almost comedic level—the guides screamed, the gorillas ran, the wasps stung. And yet in the aftermath I found myself, alongside the rest of the crew, delighting in the mayhem like some destructive Greek god.

According to Megan (and this study ) a sense of comradery after disaster is totally normal. In fact, sharing an intense event with other people actually results in stronger emotional bonds. Which explains why we make buddies so fast and fall in love so hard when we travel.

“Negative experiences are more revealing to our character, and sharing these experiences signals to others that we trust them enough to be vulnerable,” Megan explains. “If we have experienced trauma in the presence of someone else, sharing that experience may help normalize some of the feelings that arise and make us feel validated.”

And at the end of the day, that’s the beauty of a ‘bad’ trip—it can unite and excite, challenge and transform, frustrate and inspire. “Some of our greatest lessons in life come from enduring negative experiences… we learn where our limits and boundaries lie, so we can grow as individuals,” says Megan.

So maybe my most controversial opinion isn’t that controversial at all. If we subscribe to the psychology, we’re all hardwired to benefit, enjoy and grow from ‘bad’ travel. The worse the trip, the greater the growth; bigger the impact; and stronger the bonds.

Or at the very least, the better the story to tell down the pub.

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Tayla Gentle is the Managing Editor of Adventure.com. She's an award-winning writer and video producer specializing in responsible adventure travel.

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Highlights and Low-lights: My Best and Worst Travel Experiences in 2021

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From my many travel experiences in 2021, some stick out more than others — for bad and for good. In this post, let’s take a look back at the best and the worst of traveling this year.

My Best Travel Experiences of 2021

I spent 141 nights in hotels in 2021 , and some of those hotels were really awesome. However, my absolute favorite hotel of the year goes to the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort. In my review , I said it may be my new favorite hotel. That still stands. I loved that hotel.

Cabo Verde is an island nation off the west coast of Africa and is connected to not only western African nations but also several countries in Europe, so flights aren’t too difficult.

Best New Place 

Among the places I visited for the first time in 2021, it’s not even close. Banff National Park and the surrounding area in Canada is just as good as the pictures make it look. My wife and I rented an RV for a few days and loved the experience. Definitely hope to do this again some day.

Best Flight

My favorite flight isn’t even close. I loved flying with Finnair from Helsinki to New York on their A350. You can read my gushing review here . The crew? Awesome. Experience? Phenomenal. Food? Stupendous.

Best Experience

I crossed off a few bucket list items this year, but one stands out above others. It’s the item I had to cancel twice previously, and it was also high on my wife’s list. We took a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, Turkey , and it was everything we dreamed it would be. Probably even better than that.

My Worst Travel Experiences of 2021

Worst hotel.

Hands-down, the worst hotel crossed off all the boxes: rude staff, terrible breakfast, uncomfortable bed, and bad wifi. The only thing it didn’t have was bugs…thankfully. This dubious award for my worst hotel in 2021 goes to the Hotel Imperio in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Don’t stay there.

Worst New Place 

I guess “worst” is unfair, but “just wasn’t for me” could be more fitting. I just didn’t enjoy Niamey, the capital of Niger. It was unbelievably hot, there’s not much to see or do here as a tourist, and it’s one of those places where you feel like “I’ve seen everything” after half a day. Even TripAdvisor doesn’t have much for Niamey . 2 days there was more than sufficient. It just wasn’t for me.

Worst Flight

This is an easy one. My flight into Zambia. I had the window seat, a mom on the aisle, and a small baby in the middle seat between us. That baby cried for the entire 4 hours and then vomited (a lot!) on my shoes when we were coming in for the landing. Ew. This made it into my “worst of the month” for September , and I think it qualifies as the worst of the year, also.

Worst Experience

Nothing tops spending a few days in a hospital in a foreign country where you wonder if you’re dying, plus there’s a language barrier. I got malaria in Tanzania back in January , and this was definitely my worst experience of 2021–travel or otherwise.

Final Thoughts

I had some high highs and low lows this year. These are the best and the worst of my travel experiences from 2021 — flights, places visited, hotels, and experiences.

What are your best and worst travel experiences from 2021? Let me know!

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How was Guinea-Bissau? I was very interested in going there. (Apologies if I missed a trip report about it.)

Audrey – it was just OK. Not amazing. I’ve heard that if you get out of Bissau and see nature it can be more interesting. I will note that if you don’t speak Portuguese it could be a really, really frustrating visit. Even speaking fluent Portuguese, the creole-Portuguese they spoke in Bissau was often difficult for me.

Overall, seems like a pretty crappy year for you, especially getting malaria and going to an African hospital. Hope you got good treatment and are fully recovered and won’t have any relapses. Here’s to a better year next year with no hospitalizations!

Robert – The year only went up from, since that was in early January 2021. I wound up having some awesome highlights in the year–more good than bad.

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The Sole Speaks

10 of My Worst Travel Experiences

Living through a pandemic as a single woman with strained familial relationships has demanded a lot of strength. The last few days, I have been reminding myself of all the terrible times I have had to face by myself in the past. These experiences, though horrid, did make me a stronger being and in times like these I draw strength from knowing that this badass Manisha who handled these 10 of my worst travel experiences in unknown lands, resides within me. I can summon her when need arises.

I have listed 10 of my worst travel experiences below, not to discourage you from traveling, but to remind everyone who needs to hear this that this too shall pass. When we are not left with any other choice, we have to be stronger than we know ourselves to be.

Often times, in such situations people say ‘It’s for the best’, so I have added that to give readers an idea how I view those experiences now.

1. Forgot my phone in a Toilet Booth at Chennai Airport

I was returning from my first international trip (Sri Lanka, 2015) and was severely sleep-deprived. I was waiting for my connecting flight at the airport and decided to take a nap for a few hours. I woke up past the beginning of boarding time and rushed to the toilet only to discover my periods had started. It was around 5 am, everything was quiet and empty but my mind was racing.

I rushed out as soon as I could and immediately heard, ‘This is final call for Ms. Manisha Singh’. Needless to say, I ran out and was rushed to the plane. This was happening 20 minutes before the departure time. Almost like a trigger, the moment I sat down, I realised I didn’t have my phone on me. I had forgotten it in the toilet booth.

I informed the staff to check if someone could fetch it for me. The airport was fairly empty, I believed my phone would still be where I left it. The staff told me they will inform the ground duty and get it sent to my destination.

At my transit airport (Hyderabad), not one person from the airline crew (Spicejet) knew what I was talking about and seemed fairly indifferent to the whole thing. But a person from another airline (Indigo) was very helpful, called the ground duty staff, called my phone which was ringing then. He told me the procedures at the airport that prepared me to handle the situation at Mumbai airport.

What did I do to fix the situation: I spent a few hours at Mumbai airport only to realise the crew hadn’t spoken to anyone or done anything about it. I sought help from other airport staff and no phone had been submitted to the lost and found. Later, someone started disconnecting the call on my phone, and a few hours later, it was turned off.

I wrote to the airlines later, but it didn’t amount to anything.

Lessons learnt: My contacts are now synced with google and so are my photos.

I don’t trust what the airlines staff (I believe they are as clueless as anyone else)

Most of my travels are now via Indigo airlines

Was it for the best: Nope, I could have used the phone for a few month months. There was nothing good that came out of it.

2. Stranded without a Hostel at 11 pm in Argentina

I was hitchhiking in Argentina. It was summers which meant sun set fairly late. My last ride dropped me near the bus stand and from there I had about 5 km to walk to the nearest landmark. Along the way, I stopped at a hostel to see if I was headed in the right direction. I had the address but my offline maps couldn’t exactly find the hostel. A guy at the hostel was headed in that direction and offered to drop me. I didn’t see any harm so I waited the 15 minutes he was going to take to pack up. around 9:30 he dropped me at the beginning of the street. I thanked him and started walking uphill. All the houses/hotels had gate locks so I couldn’t walk into a property to seek directions. I walked all the way up, couldn’t find the hostel, I stopped at a patch which was pitch dark, too afraid, I walked down believing I missed it along the way. Nothing. So, I walked back up all the way including the patch with no lights. Nothing again, there were no houses there either, just wilderness. Too afraid and tired (I had my backpack and daypack on me), I turned around, also tried a different smaller lane along, tried buzzing a house who cut the call after telling me they didn’t know where my hostel was. I reached back at the beginning of this road for the third time. It was well past 11 pm, I was afraid, along the way some dogs had started barking at me, one caught on to my trousers, and I just wanted to get away from the whole thing.

What did I do to fix the situation: I saw a couple in distance reaching for their car, I rushed to seek help. They didn’t know anything about my hostel but seeing me distressed they just took me under their wings. After a failed attempt at reaching the owners of the hostel, they called another friend of theirs and dropped me there. Needless to say, I was and am extremely grateful to them.

Lessons learnt: I swore to never reach a new place that late in the evening. At times I didn’t have a choice with the bus schedules but for those situations, I was better prepared.

I also switched to a different app (maps.me) that had much better offline data than google maps. This helped me with directions in new places.

Was it for the best: Yes, It’s because I didn’t find the hostel that next day I called the lady who had given me a ride to the town. She had invited me to her farm which turned out to be one of favourite memories from the trip. It’s exactly what I romanticised doing on my travels, cherry picking, making jams, sitting on the green grass with dogs.

3. A government Bus left with my luggage on board

I was headed from Hampi to Gokarna on an overnight government bus which was packed. At around 6 am the bus took a halt at a bus stand. I checked with the conductor regarding how long would it stay and I was told 10 minutes. So, I quickly ran out to use the washroom. I got back 5 minutes later, got on the bus and see my bag was missing and wait, there were other people sitting in my seat. I was confused, I asked the men on my seat regarding my bag and it was then that I understood that this was not the bus I was traveling in. That bus had left.

What did I do to fix the situation:

Panic-stricken me got out, approached the two policemen nearby who were extremely helpful. They made some calls, spoke to others, and first got me on a bus, traveled on the bus for a bit then explained to me that the conductor and driver will help me further. And, like they had some along the way, this bus overtook my original bus and they both stopped for me to be able to board the bus.

My bag was where I had left it, intact.

Lessons learnt: I travel with a fanny pack now so I always have my most important things on me like cash, ID proofs, phone, etc. (This is not something I would do in a country where robberies are common though)

Was it for the best: Ummm, I don’t know. It was just an adventure. I didn’t lose anything so that’s good.

4. Denied boarding my flight to Cuba

I was all prepared for my month-long trip to Cuba which means I had my currency changed to Euros, spoke to a guest house in Havana, read everything I could on how to travel there, and even had a travel friend I was going to meet up with on day 1. Cuba has no wifi and I don’t take local Sim cards so I was preparing for a month of no internet.

I had met a traveler traveling on an Indian passport who flew to Cuba from Cancun (Mexico) a few weeks ago. He was issued a tourist card based on his Valid US Visa on the Indian passport. my situation was the same but I still wanted to be certain so I went to the airlines’ office on the west coast (3 days before my flight) where I was informed that there’s going to be no issue getting the tourist card in Cancun. So, I took their work, flew to Cancun from where I was going to fly out to Cuba in less than 40 hours. I went to the airlines’ office to get a tourist card to avoid last-minute hassle and of course, it’s never easy on an Indian passport. The man behind the counter looked at the list and told me that he couldn’t issue Indian passport holders a tourist card. Rules had changed recently and the only way for me to travel to Cuba was to get a Visa. Getting a visa meant going to Mexico City, waiting for 5 days, and submitting a gazillion documents, none of it I was ready to do anymore. I was tired of trying to go to Cuba and being misinformed (I had a similar experience in Colombia but my fights weren’t booked then).

What did I do to fix the situation: I dropped my plans of going to Cuba, got my flight rescheduled (which costs nearly as much as booking a new flight), and decided to go back to Colombia from Mexico city after 2 months. This time I decided to spend in Belize and Guatemala. Countries I hadn’t been to and had chosen not to visit the only coz I was quickly running out of money.

Lessons learnt: Don’t trust the staff of airline companies unless you have things on paper. I also learned that there are no wrong answers in travel, I would have enjoyed going to Cuba but I also greatly enjoyed my time in Belize and Guatemala and met some incredible people along the journey.

Emotionally, I wasn’t affected in the least bit but I lost money that I was low on already.

Was it for the best: Yes, I instead got to go to Belize and Guatemala, two stunning countries, I hiked an active volcano something that I wanted to do since the very beginning of my trip. I’m sure Cuba would have been good too but that’s the thing, there are no wrong answers in travel.

5. Denied entry into Guatemala at the border

I was going to live on a boat for a few days, excitedly I took the bus from Belize to Guatemala border. Guatemala was also going to be last new country on the year-long adventure in South America. I exited Belize, paid my exit fee of $20, changed leftover currency to Guatemalan quetzal, and walked towards to the Guatemala border.

The short queue had me at the counter quickly, but only to be told that I couldn’t enter. India apparently was a type 3 country and on this passport a valid US visa made no difference to the entry into Guatemala. But I had done my research, I had read on the website, other people’s experiences and everywhere the information was same, Indian passport holders with a valid US Visa could enter Guatemala Visa-free. I tried convincing him to see the website, speak to a senior, or another colleague but nothing worked. So, I walked out, sat on the pavement and realized I was truly in ‘no man’s land’. I did not have a local SIM card from either Belize or Guatemala, there was no wifi, I didn’t know anyone in either of the countries except my host in Belize and my to-be host in Guatemala but I anyway couldn’t reach anyone.

What did I do to fix the situation: I asked an official where was the nearest Guatemalan embassy and was told in the town I had crossed while coming to the border. I sprung into action, walked back to the border, requested the person who had purchased my currency if he would give it back (he did), spoke. spoke to the officials at Belize border and requested them to let me in, took a shared cab to the town and landed at the Guatemalan embassy.

After a good waiting period, a gentleman came out and explained that I was indeed right, I don’t need a Visa for Guatemala with my Valid US Visa. The staff was very kind but I was afraid if I was turned a second time I wouldn’t have money to reach here and the office would probably be closed. I requested them to give me some official document that I can show at the border. The man obliged and gave me a piece of white paper with his signature and something scribbled in Spanish. They also called the border to clear things.

I hitchhiked my way back, exited the border (I had earlier requested them. to not charge me an exit fee again, they did not), joined the international queue at the Guatemalan border and my passport was stamped by. the same man without a word. It was at that moment I realized that none of it was about the rules, he was seeking a bribe.

Lessons learnt: On an Indian passport, be prepared for anything.

Was it for the best: It didn’t change much except that I lost some money but the time I had in plenty anyway. I didn’t get to stay on the boat but I took a different route that allowed me to go to a waterfall (Semic Champey) that was stunning.

6. Being stalked by a stranger in Colombia

Colombia clearly didn’t vibe with me. I had taken a bus that dropped me around the second-hand market lane, the only stop near my hostel. I started walking the few blocks to my hostel and noticed many shops were closed (It was weekly off). Since experiencing another worst travel experience (mentioned later in the post), I had gotten into the habit of watching my back often (literally). I cut a corner and a few feet later, turned around and my eyes met a man’s directly. And I instantly knew it was trouble. I was in a fairly busy block but after this, there was a near isolated section before I reached a central area. I stopped a little further at a stall and wasted time buying something, by this time the man had reached me and of course, didn’t go ahead. Instead, he went to the right and stood by a wall. I had nowhere to go, he was waiting for me to leave and he wasn’t being coy about it. All the shops in the building were closed, so I couldn’t go anywhere.

What did I do to fix the situation: I did what I had to, confronted him, in my broken Spanish but he didn’t flinch. He looked at me with his blank eyes. and then I saw some bikes coming towards me with police men. I started jumping in the middle of the road and spread my arms to stop one. The officer, didn’t bother checking this guy who casually walked away when I started yelling in Spanish that he’s been following me. I didn’t let the officer leave though and made him accompany me to the center from where I walked to the hostel by myself.

It had angered me not because I was in a vulnerable position, I had nothing on me then. I had already lost my phone and camera. I was angry because I had lost my valuables in that very city and someone wanted to rob me again!! I didn’t want another Colombian to rob even a pencil from me again.

Lessons learnt: No matter how rude it feels to turn around and look strangers in the eye, continue to do so.

Was it for the best: Nope, just made me more angry towards the country.

7. Discovering the last currency note gone on a Bus in Guatemala

I was on a chicken bus headed for the highway. From the highway I had to take a few more buses to reach Mexico border. It was my last day in Guatemala and I was headed back to Mexico. As the conductor approached, I dug into my wallet to get my last currency note, a 100 quetzals (~USD 13). I scrambled through my wallet but it was not there, I checked my backup wallet, not there, I checked my daypack pocket where I put away coins, not there. The conductor was standing looking at me probably wondering when will I stop with the act.

I asked him, ‘cuanto cuesta?’ (how much), I scrambled through my wallet and I had the exact change for ticket price so at least I was not going to be asked to leave midway which was also middle of a fairly empty route.

I knew the currency was gone, I had put it in my wallet only 2 days while preparing for a volcano hike. I had very cautiously spent money so I didn’t have to withdraw cash before leaving. Withdrawing cash drew a fee of around 50 quetzals. I felt saddened thinking who could have taken it, could it have been one of the locals when I left my backpack in the tent and went to see the sunrise? Could it be my hosts from last evening? Could it be the guy I shared a bus ride with? All options saddened me.

What did I do to fix the situation: Once on the highway I decided to hitchhike the 130 odd kilometers to Mexico border. I had Mexican currency left to get me through there before I could find a cash machine.

But hitchhiking in Guatemala is a bad idea. Nobody stopped for quite some time and eventually the car that did stop had 4 men inside. I was wondering how to decline the ride when a guy popped out and said ‘we’ll give you a ride but we’d like to discuss bible with you’. It turned out to be one of the most educating car rides on my trip. It was not just because we discussed the bible but we also spoke about each other’s lives and it was in this ride that I found words for my quest. ‘Don’t seek happiness, it’s temporary. Seek peace, it’s permanent. I truly believe in this and live by it.

Lessons learnt: No leaving cash behind, ever.

Was it for the best: Yes, that ride I hitched is a very important event in my life.

8. Finding myself on a Snow Hike Without Crampons

I was in Nepal during late 2018, the trekking season had just ended so I had given up on hiking the Annapurna base camp that year. I especially gave up the idea when I met a guy on my second day in Pokhara who entered the dormitory with such strong stench, he looked battered quite literally, and sought a soap from me. After his shower when we could talk, I learned he had just returned from the Annapurna circuit. That was a no for me.

In my second hostel stay, a few days later, I met another couple who had just returned from the Annapurna base camp and looked like they had returned from a stroll around the lake. They encouraged me to go for it if I wanted to. I met a few other people who said the same.

A few days later, I was hiking the Annapurna base camp by myself.

Towards the end of day 2 I did meet two super nice guys who continue to be my really good friends. I tagged along with and we continued hiking together. On day3, it started raining midway so we cut short our walking hours, it snowed afterwards. On day 4, we saw snow here and there but it kept getting thicker. It was evident I was not prepared for the weather but I was told I could rent crampons in the next village. So I marched on (mostly with the help of my friends) and before I knew it, I was beyond the point of return by myself. I would have needed help to cross certain difficult points.

There were no crampons at the next camp, which meant, I could stay back at this place and wait for my friends to return next day so I could hike back with them or I could continue pushing forward. I was so close to the top, I decided to continue walking plus I felt a lot more comfortable being with my friends than being holes up in a room alone.

The terrain kept getting worse (except the last stretch), we got caught in a blizzard that hampered the visibility but we reached with no injuries. On my way back, I couldn’t wait to leave the snow so we hiked until late evening to a base location with no snow.

What did I do to fix the situation: I took advice from the locals and put the largest pair of socks I had in my backpack and wore it over my hiking shoes. This is supposed to be better than crampons and I did find it extremely useful.

Lessons learnt: Nothing in the mighty Himalayas should be taken lightly.

Was it for the best: I didn’t die, so it’s okay.

9. Being Stalked in India

I am not being precise in the heading because unfortunately, it has happened more than once. I don’t wish to undermine the issue but in my personal experience, a lot of times it’s harmless.

The two times when I felt trapped and threatened was –

• I was walking the ghats of Varanasi (the steps near the holy river Ganga), I paused to get something from my bag when I noticed a man walk past me slowly and looking at me then looking back at me and a few steps later he stopped too. I didn’t think much of it but a few meters ahead noticed he was walking behind me (I was walking very slowly so it was unusual that we had the same distance between us as earlier). I stopped on purpose this time, and unashamed as he was of following me, he stopped too but a few steps ahead of me. This continued one more time. The third time I sat overlooking the Ganga though. I was afraid even sitting there because I had to turn around take some 50 odd steps, cross a few dark corners to reach my guest house. It wasn’t far once I climbed those steps but I am a slow climber and I feared being cornered along the way. One option was to go back and take a longer route that was busier. I sat there evaluating my options when I noticed two tourists walking up the steps. I quickly got up and went past them but continued walking in front of them. Once on top, I ran to my guest house. I had turned around from the steps to assess the situation, he was still sitting on the ghat but was not looking at the Ganga, instead, he had turned around and was looking at me.
• The scariest experience I had of someone following me has unfortunately been in one of my favorite destinations – Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu . I was walking in a quiet lane, looking at old buildings. I was working on a project back then that required me to assess properties as potential hostels. So, I would often walk into buildings, speak to the caretakers and inquire about the owners. On such a visit, I was walking around the property but I could barely communicate with the caretaker. I continued checking out the nursery and see if I could gather any details on the availability of the property. Soon the caretaker called me to explain her son was here and he could answer my questions. As soon as I met him, I was afraid. his pupils were dilated and he looked deadpan at me. He said nothing, just stared at me. He was another friend on a bike, I tried to look at him and talk but the caretaker’s son would just not look away. I wanted to run away but I pretended to be all calm and just waited for them to leave. I left soon afterward, at the next property I met a dog who stuck around while I was walking in the vicinity. I took a turn at a road that connects to the lake which is generally busy but this stretch was empty, another turn and I saw the man with dead eyes again. He was standing on the side of the road and continued staring at me. I was scared, really scared. I didn’t know what to do so, I had to pretend to be composed. I pretended like the dog was mine and took an about-turn because I knew I could seek help quicker on that road. But the moment I cut the corner, I rushed and entered the first building, a guest house run by the church. I ran in, make small talk with some guests I saw. When I turned around (I was at an elevation), I saw the man walking on the road I had taken. He had started following me. As a reflection, I ducked and continued sitting on the floor, hidden from the road for some time. The problem with this was, I didn’t know which way he went. There were three roads I could take from there and all of them were fairly isolated.

What did I do to fix the situation: I stayed hidden for a 20-30 minutes and then chose a path that took me to a busier section quickest and I ran through this stretch.

Lessons learnt: Always have a taxi driver’s number handy, in case you need a pick up from such situations.

Was it for the best: Absolutely not. Nobody needs such an experience in life.

10. Being Mugged at Knifepoint in Colombia

This hopefully remains one of my worst travel experiences because worse than this would be too much to handle. I was hiking back from this very popular tourist destination named – Montseratte in the capital city of Bogota. I was accompanied by my local host (a young woman), and it was about 4:30 pm (which means broad daylight). In fact, the reason we were rushing back was so we could make it back to her house while there was still daylight left. 10 minutes from the trail end (which joins a fairly busy road), three masked men jumped from behind a bulging boulder. In no time there was a man in front of me holding a machete to my throat and a man behind me. On my left, I saw another man with a machete chasing my host who was screaming and running backward.

They took my entire daypack (which had my camera, phone, passport, and both my debit cards, among other things that I had carefully picked 6 months ago for this trip of a lifetime). They also took my host’s sling bag which had her iPhone and her identity card.

What did I do to fix the situation: There were many things I had to fix in this situation starting from getting a new passport but the most difficult task was to access my money. The Indian banks I had accounts with had no presence in Latin America, they would not mail me the card either. It was a complicated task and a stressful 2 weeks.

After the robbery, I was left with less than $30 that was in my main backpack. I didn’t know how long I had to go on the $30 so I stopped taking dinner. I would cook lunch with just onion, tomato, garlic, and spaghetti.

I knew it was going to be an arduous few weeks, so the first thing I did was to find an alternate stay arrangement. I didn’t want my hosts to take the brunt of my situation. I knocked on hostel doors in the tourist town to find volunteer work. After nearly losing hope, and breaking down in tears in the middle of a street, I did find reception work in a backpackers hostel.

Two months later, I left Colombia for Mexico with a new passport, new US Visa, money transferred to my travel card, no camera, no phone (so no way to see the time or take pictures), but a great deal of determination to continue traveling.

Lessons learnt: I still struggle with this. I haven’t been able to make sense of that experience at all. Why did it happen, why did it happen to me, and what did I learn from it? I was already being as safe as I could. A few things that I experienced after the incident were:

• The incident, unfortunately, made me slightly indifferent towards the poor, the addicts, the whole glaring economic disparity esp. in Colombia.
• It reinforced the idea to never let the guard down. I was trying to book my exit tickets a day before the incident and had accidentally put my backup card in my daypack after that.
• I learned that locals don’t always know best. I was recommended that place by both my previous hosts and none knew of the situation there.

Experiencing and fixing a situation like that by myself definitely prepared me for everything. Like Cheryl Strayed would say, I felt like a total “hardass motherfucking Amazonian queen”.

Was it for the best: NO. I was never able to buy a camera again (I had bought it when I had a job), now I’m always somehow in survival mode. Trauma from that experience haunted me for months and it permanently changed my interaction with strangers.

I hope sharing these 10 worst travel experiences of mine which required me to go back to those unpleasant moments, helps someone find their strength back.

10 thoughts on “10 of My Worst Travel Experiences”

all seems to be a spooky/ thrilling scenes from a movie, more power to you 🙂

Yes, quite dramatic when I look back but we all have it in us to endure what seems unimaginable. And i’m sure many people are experiencing that right now with Covid.

Hmmm… well covid is a more of like a organised catastrophe , like we know its coming yet we let it come

From leadership point of view and large group behaviour but on an individual level, that’s not everyone’s truth. I got a really bad case of Covid last September while following everything I was supposed to (Staying home, going out once a week to get groceries, mask, sanitize, etc.)

Hmmm i get it 🙂 hope you are well now

yes, I am. I was a long hauler so my symptoms (esp. social anxiety and loss of smell) persisted for months.

Yea , many of my friends experienced the same .

Bad incidents somehow do ruin your travel experience, I’m glad you found ways to get out of these although I’m sure it must not have been easy.

Yes, for sure. We are only human, many of these incidents hurt how I interact with strangers and the trust I put in them. But except the robbery in Colombia, every other incident led to only short-term discomfort.

Well said, Manisha

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MY NEGATIVE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

At the end of the article you have a list of 10 most negative experiences on my travels, but before that – only a few sentences about the fear of these bad events happening, why its unnecessary, and how I worked my way around it.

Before I went on my first trip, there were two major obstacles in my head – fear and lack of money.

I knew that the problem of lack of money can be solved using a variety of alternative ways to travel , but the fear of going into the unknown was just too big. Due to my friends and family, and my own vivid imagination – my head was full of negative thoughts and scary predictions about some terrible things that could happen to me along the way. Driving in random cars, sleeping beside the road and in the homes of strangers, terrorists, kidnappers, organ smugglers…I dreaded the thought of me wandering through this dangerous world.

The first way I tried to approach the problem was – to go with friends. It is much easier when you’re not alone, right? (Not necessarily. Link to an article: To travel alone or with someone? )

But, as it usually happens when you are making plans with friends – they gave up. At the last minute they quit because the lack of money, exams, parents, partners – but I think they too were troubled by the same thoughts as me, about all the terrible things that can happen to you while on the road.

I gave up on my friends, and came up with three simple steps that allowed me to get rid of my fear.

STEP ONE – DON’T THINK

It may sound banal, but not-thinking changed everything. To this day, I always tell people that courage wasn’t the thing that pushed me to travel, but pure thoughtlessness .

Fear can be useful when it comes to the survival instinct, when it, having learned from experience , can alert you to upcoming situations that would be desirable to avoid. No one denies that.

But the problem is when fear begins to shove its nose where it doesn’t belong – in those things that it never experienced. This fear becomes redundant, unnecessary, harmful.

Think about your life, and how many times you did not opt ​​for something exciting because you were afraid, because you did not know what will the result of your move be? How many times have you regretted the fact that you did not just try?

I have decided on this tactic with my travel thoughts – not to think about the negatives that may come along the way.

The logic was clear – if I wanted to do a certain action, the path to it may be A (imbued with the fear of the consequences) or B (without thinking about the possible consequences). Once the action is worked out, I’ll see what the consequences are, and realize that the option A was unnecessary because either the fear was unjustified, or something negative actually happened, but I experienced the negativity twice – once before the act itself, once after it. If I chose option B, I realized that either I wasn’t supposed to be afraid of anything, or something negative did happen – but only once.

Simple mathematics – either way, its not worth being afraid.

So I stopped thinking about the negative aspects of travel, and just started traveling.

STEP TWO – EXPERIENCING

After mastering the first step of not-thinking, it was time to gather experience. It was time to start traveling.

And so I did, step by step.

My first trip. First solo journey. First CouchSurfing . First hitchhiking . First long trip. First trip outside of Europe. First round-the-world trip .

And at the very beginning I was already convinced that not-thinking was the right way. Because, mostly positive things happened to me on the road, and when some negative events took place – I accepted, experienced, and learned something from them.

Of course, all the time I used logic and common sense to avoid any potential dangers – I was trying not to wander around dodgy areas after sunset, follow strangers and listen to their too-good-to-be-true stories, avoided the war-affected areas, etc.

A couple of times I broke my own rules, but I got out without a scar and some cool life experiences that will serve well while drinking a beer with my friends or while sitting on the bench in old age.

STEP THREE – REALIZING THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF

Nobody says nothing negative will happen while traveling. In fact, it is a matter of time when it will. And how do you deal with it, and what do you learn from it.

But thats not just with travel, but with life in general. If you stay on your current job, in your current city, in your current relationship – questions is not when will something bad happen, but when.

If you stay or leave – there is no guarantee. Life does not come with a guarantee. But all of us have a choice do we want to live life aware that guarantee does not exist, or we will be in constant hope that the guarantee would fall from heaven, and that we will be able to live a risk-free life.

Because, as the famous quote says – Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than by the things you did do .

AND FINALLY…

…theory and positive thoughts aside, this is my top 10 negative experiences from the road, from the moment I started to travel:

10. Ratko Mladic on the rear-view mirror

First hitchhiking ever, to Sofia and back, I was picked up on the border by an old man, and the first thing that I saw was a picture of Ratko Mladic, Serbian war criminal, on his rear-view mirror. As a Croat, the feeling was not nice at all, and I prepared some sad story of how I am from a mixed marriage, the father died in the war, stuff like that. Luckily, the old man was not that talkative, I even fell asleep for couple of minutes.

9. Hitchhiking in Peru

It was a quite average hitchhiking episode in many ways, except for the fact that the driver went to overtake a truck on a hill, over double full lines. Only the amazing reaction from an oncoming driver saved our lives.

8. Stitches in India

The beautiful beach on the west coast of India, phenomenal people who have been willing to show me the magic of surfing, ideal weather conditions – everything was overshadowed by my clumsiness, drop of the board, blunt hit and a deep cut on my head. I ended up in (the cleanest) Indian hospital, and got one wonderful souvenir, which does not take place in my backpack.

7. Border of Iran and Pakistan

Problems with the visa which resulted in a three-day stay on the border of Iran and Pakistan, hanging out with the police and army, and eventually sleeping in the dental laboratory with opium smokers…

6. Crossing the Indian Ocean

Although it might not be considered as a negative experience, 45 days of sailing from Australia to Africa was the most difficult task on my travels. The four of us in the 13-meter sailboat, isolated from the rest of the world.

5. Hitchhiking in Herzegovina

There’s not much to talk about except – two young guys with dilated pupils in some fast Audi, and the wildest ride ever over Herzegovinian curvy roads.

4. Wild dogs and night marathon to Machu Picchu village

The plot of the story sounds like a bad horror movie – two young people have decided to walk 30 kilometers on the train track leading to the village of Machu Picchu. No lights, no camping gear, without any plan other than relying on luck and the hospitality of the Peruvians.

3. Robbery in Lima

In six years of traveling, I was robbed once – in Lima, a few days after arrival and meeting with Maria. They stole my laptop and camera, but the worst thing was that I lost a little faith in people. For just couple of days, but still…

2. Illness in Varanasi

Two months after starting my trip around the world and a few short illnesses in Iran and Pakistan, came the worst – food poisoning and two days of isolation in a mouldy hotel in Varanasi.

1. On my doorstep

I had just returned from one of my first travels around Europe, was at a friend’s place in the city center, and then boarded a train to my parents’ house. Incidentally, a football match Dinamo – Hajduk had just finished, and as I was wearing a white T-shirt and entered the train towards south, several boys, Dinamo fans, concluded that I was a Hajduk fan, and they rushed into the train and wanted to kick me in the head with their feet.

They missed, and soon ran away, but this unpleasant scene in my own city, taught me that home can be even more dangerous than being in a foreign land.

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The Lows Behind My Top 5 Travel Experiences

October 26, 2015 by Silvia 45 Comments

5 Ways Travel Will Change Your Life

Why Every Woman Should Travel Solo At Least Once

Buy A Plane Ticket and Begin Your Life

I could go on with this list, but I think you get the point. They’re the articles that pop up in our newsfeed and have us sighing with wanderlust, the articles that give us the drive and courage to take the plunge into travel, and the articles that we repost to show our friends and family that, see, we’re not crazy, we will be fine, and our lives are awesome!

But they’re also the articles that can make us doubt ourselves during those times when travel  isn’t so fun, life changing, or exciting. The low times. When we wonder… are we doing it wrong?

Yesterday I received the 753rd (or maybe just the third) email from a person telling me that reading blogs like mine inspired them to travel, but now that they’re on their big adventure they’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, and then guilty for those feelings because it means they’re not making the most of their travel time.

You know who else feels guilty? Me, for ever suggesting that travel is only ups without any downs.

While I do sometimes write about bad travel experiences , I usually try to remain positive about my experiences because the last thing I want to do is discourage someone from traveling. But the truth is, there are always lows, and I think that’s perfectly fine.

Especially when traveling long-term, it’s normal to go through periods where you’re not as excited or energetic, or just aren’t enjoying a place as much as usual, but that doesn’t mean that you’re not getting anything out of your travels.

But what’s more, I experienced low points even during my all-time best travel experiences. These are things that I quickly forgot in retrospect because overall my time was so amazing, but maybe it’s good to sometimes be reminded of the bad because chances are, if you’re going to have a truly life changing experience, something about it is going to be difficult.

Anyone who’s ever read my blog is probably sick of me going on about Iran – I just can’t shut up about how much I loved my time there! Funny then how I’ve had no problem shutting up about the fact that smack dab in the middle of my Best Trip Ever I canceled my plans to go to Yazd and instead booked a night in a hotel room in Tehran to unwind.

I was sad to miss out on Yazd, but I knew that two straight weeks of Couchsurfing and socializing would be too much for this introvert . I needed 24 hours by myself to gather my thoughts and recharge, even if that meant “wasting” a precious day of my visa.

Central Asia

Another trip that I annoyingly bring up again and again, Central Asia quickly became my favorite region in the world to travel through. I tell everyone that they need to go (especially to Kyrygzstan and Tajikistan !), and it’s number one on my list of places I want to return.

I seem to have forgotten that while on this amazing backpacking trip I fought with the two girls I was traveling with nearly every day. Three can be a tough number to travel in and as the only Russian speaker in our group, I felt constantly overwhelmed by having to do all the communication. I think either Danielle or I cried just about every day we were in Tajikistan – a country that I now list among my top three places I’ve ever visited.

I remember responding with skepticism when Sasha told me that we would probably forget all the fighting when looking back on our time in Central Asia, but it turns out she was right!

Lake Baikal

It’s difficult to describe the feeling of standing on the frozen surface of the deepest lake in the world. The water was crystal clear, meaning I could see deep into the lake – something that had my legs wobbling just a bit (a lot).

Visiting Lake Baikal was definitely one of my top travel experiences, but I wasn’t sure I could include it here because there weren’t any lows. I asked Dan and he agreed that nothing bad happened there, “Well, except for the fact that you couldn’t breathe.”

Oh right, I was deathly ill at Lake Baikal! In fact, I left with a cough that would plague me for the rest of my month in Russia, yet now when I look back on that trip all I remember is that Russia was amazing.

Shaky from the view or because I’m about to faint?

It’s no secret that I adore the Balkans, and Albania might just be my favorite place there. But in between lying on the beach and swimming in the Albanian Riviera’s gorgeous turquoise waters there’s a chance you would have found me sobbing into my  burek .

The truth is, I was freaking out over Dan and my five month backpacking trip coming to an end. I was nervous about trying to start a “normal” life in Norway , worried that Dan wouldn’t even like Norway, and, well, just plain scared. They say travel changes you, but change can be scary! Backpacking felt familiar and safe, so even though I knew it was time for something new, a huge part of me was dreading the change.

The Norwegian Mountains

Every time you hear me go on about an amazing trip into the Norwegian mountains – which is going to be often, because I do love the mountains here – you can be sure that what I’m not mentioning is that I was also horribly carsick. I don’t do well with winding mountain roads, and for some reason Norway’s seem to be the worst for me. But it’s a pain I’ll go through for those views!

Basically what I’m trying to say is, sometimes travel sucks or I just have to indulge and be super lazy for a day or two, but that doesn’t mean I should have stayed home!

How do you deal with low points during your travels?

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October 26, 2015 at 3:31 pm

i never ever got carsick in my entire life until i moved to norway. i couldnt go anywhere in the west without a bit of carsickness. oslo area was fine, but the west had such notoriously windy and small roads and i always had to sit up front and roll the window down or id get ill!

i totally feel you on the iran bit. i can only couchsurf for one night or two max before needing a hostel/hotel/somewhere else just to get away from it all. there have been so many times ive even been in a hostel and people invite me out and i say i have some work to finish in a cafe or somewhere just to be by myself. im the worst social traveler sometimes. and other times im the best. it is really strange but im glad you can sympathize <3

hope all is well in norge!

Silvia says

October 30, 2015 at 4:14 pm

Seriously, Norwegian roads destroy me every time! And I have definitely used that same excuse to avoid hanging out with people, haha. Sometimes I just need some time alone!

October 26, 2015 at 3:33 pm

Sometimes you just got to take the lows with the highs. Its never going to be none stop amazing! What I’ve found is that no matter how bad the travel experience is you will never regret doing it! No-one ever regrets travelling, and sometimes its the worst experiences that make for the best stories.

October 30, 2015 at 4:15 pm

It’s so true! I think travel lows can be really disconcerting if you haven’t traveled much before, but you soon come to learn that there are always going to be low points.

Kaelene @ Unlocking Kiki says

October 26, 2015 at 4:32 pm

It really is so true, you only ever hear the positive stories of travel and when it doesn’t go that way on your trip you feel like you are doing something wrong. And being sick when traveling, it really is just no fun, but something I always forget about when reminiscing later on.

October 30, 2015 at 4:26 pm

Right? My friend and I were reminiscing about how fun it was to stay in a yurt in Mongolia and about five minutes into our conversation we remember that, oh hey, we were actually soooo sick the entire time we were there! Haha it’s funny how we forget things like that.

Isabel says

October 26, 2015 at 5:23 pm

Oh wow, thank you for your honesty! Yesterday I was actually thinking that sometimes our best of times come with our worst of times too. Looking back, I wouldn’t change them for a thing. Because now I realized that I became happier, and stronger too. Really, I love this!

October 30, 2015 at 4:27 pm

I think that’s really true – you can’t have a truly amazing experience without something about it being hard.

Charlie Beatty says

October 26, 2015 at 8:13 pm

I totally forgot all the bad things that happened on my backpacking trip! At the time, it always seems like the worst, but it’s true that those memories fade when you think of the overall picture. Also, your header pic is gorgeous!

October 30, 2015 at 4:16 pm

Right? It’s funny how we forget the bad parts, but I guess it just means that those low points really don’t matter!

Danielle says

October 26, 2015 at 9:17 pm

This is so true! The things we blog about and post on Facebook are always the highlights, but traveling is just like the rest of life: there are going to be lows along with the highs. For me that’s true of my “Eurotrip” last year with my sister. The trip was amazing, but in Amsterdam I was in pain on and off, and by the time we were even halfway through our four week trip I missed my boyfriend like crazy!

Reading about all the places you’ve been makes me really want to break out of my comfortable European travel environment. I’ve traveled quite a bit but it’s always been in developed countries in western Europe, and that really needs to change. I would love to go to Russia and Central Asia, and also to Australia. Some day…

October 30, 2015 at 4:17 pm

I always want to encourage people to travel so I shy away from writing about low points, but I realized that sometimes it’s good to hear that that’s normal. You should definitely go to Russia and Central Asia – two of my favorite places ever! I mean, Australis is cool too, haha.

Diana Maria says

October 27, 2015 at 4:27 pm

I’m so glad you wrote this post! I couldn’t agree more. It’s very easy to look back at a trip and remember the best memories and to downplay the difficult times but I’ve experienced this too! While backpacking Europe this past summer I experienced my first burnout in Italy after four weeks of travel. I felt so guilty for not wanting to see any more but also knew that I could come back and truly enjoy Italy on a different scale. Lovely post!

Diana xo | http://mylovelierdays.com

October 30, 2015 at 4:18 pm

I think it’s very telling that we forget our travel lows, as it shows that it really doesn’t matter at all if you have some difficult times, but at the same time it’s good to remember them sometimes so you don’t feel that guilt when it happens again!

Jennifer says

October 27, 2015 at 4:55 pm

It’s funny, I started long term travelling in early 2000’s (eek, I’m old!) Back then ‘blogs’ weren’t really a thing and there wasn’t nearly as much information as there is now. I had no idea what to expect, or perhaps more accurately, I expected travel to be challenging. There were amazing and difficult times and they were all part of the package.

Things are so different now – not just with travel, but with everything in life. Blogs (and the Internet in general) have definitely raised everyone’s expectations. It’s great that you’re sharing this side of things because it’s normal and part of the whole ‘change your life’ thing that comes with travelling. It’s the tears and the challenges that teach and enrich your life.

Thanks for sharing!

October 30, 2015 at 4:19 pm

It is something that makes me a little wary of being so involved in blogging and social media – those mediums really do paint an unrealistic view of life, and I hate to think that someone would feel bad about their travels because it doesn’t seem as exciting or glamorous as it does on blogs.

October 28, 2015 at 5:08 am

Sooo well written! And it sums up all the feelings I’ve had myself – and also have had lately when we’ve faced to many problems that needed to be solved before we could move on in our travels.

October 30, 2015 at 4:20 pm

Travel can be really hard! But worth it, for sure 🙂

Meghan says

October 29, 2015 at 2:38 am

This is such a wonderful post. Thank you for your honesty – not only with regards to your omissions – but on the topic of not feeling enthusiastic about a place or about traveling in general at certain times. I have on a number of occasions completely sidestepped the fact that I didn’t really enjoy or even like the place or that I wasn’t feeling well or I was going through a tired period etc. because I didn’t want to be negative. I also didn’t want to sound ungrateful because of the amazing opportunity I have to live my dream. But each time I felt slightly dishonest so really, thank you for this amazing post, and thank you for making me feel less guilty about the not-so-awesome parts.

October 30, 2015 at 4:21 pm

It is a tough line to walk – we want to remember the highlights and be grateful for our opportunities, but at the same time you don’t want to pretend that travel is easier and more glamorous than it is. It’s a touch thing about blogging, I guess.

Van (@snowintromso) says

October 29, 2015 at 8:58 pm

Travel can definitely turn into a nightmare, especially when you get sick abroad or things you paid a whole lot of money for just don’t turn out as expected. These are the things we can’t plan or foresee so I guess that’s why travel can also be scary sometimes. But you should always remember to appreciate the good days because they always make up for the bad ones!

October 30, 2015 at 4:24 pm

It’s so true – the good days always seem to make all those bad things worth it in the end 🙂 At least hopefully, ha.

Hanne Hellvik says

October 30, 2015 at 12:04 pm

Great article! I love when others also admit that there are two sides of travel, and also point out the not so great ones. I have experience many of them as well. And getting sick is the worst! I am from Norway, and I can understand you got carsick! I remember ones I got really sick in Nigeria. We had no toliet, and everytime I had to go to it, like every five min, I had to first to out and get water and carry it in to spill down. It was a nightmare with fever and everything. But still I am happy I went trough it – I am so happy to have toilet and running water now. And when I am sick when out travel it is never as bad anymore thinking about that experience.

October 30, 2015 at 4:25 pm

It’s true – dealing with tough situations abroad definitely makes you appreciate the comforts of home! And it makes for a more unique experience.

Lauren Lalicon says

November 2, 2015 at 6:17 pm

Wow, it’s great to hear the other side of traveling! You summed up my feelings about my own trip abroad so well! I studied abroad in Taiwan for five months, and while in retrospect, I miss the country so very much, I had a hard time getting used to the culture, so I was constantly in a state of guilt and anxiety, which made me angry, which made me feel like I couldn’t appreciate my time there as much. I agree, there’s an influx of articles on the internet that practically inject wanderlust into your bloodstream. It’s great to see an article that gives a more realistic approach to traveling!

November 5, 2015 at 9:04 pm

That sounds so much like my time in Japan! I felt very guilty and anxious, and sometimes sooo angry, haha.

Mary B says

November 2, 2015 at 7:58 pm

Life has ups and downs, boring days and exciting ones – and that doesn’t go away when you’re traveling. The highs are higher, and sometimes the lows are lower, and some days you start crying in the post office in Tbilisi because something that should be so simple is made ridiculously hard by cultural/language barriers.

Thanks for sharing about the lows, but in a non-negative way! It’s easy in the moment to write an angry post about how much you hate a place and no one should ever go there because this taxi driver ripped you off or a hostel owner was a creep. This retrospective is a great way to acknowledge that the traveling life is no more perfect than the real one – but also that the good memories outweigh the bad and make it worth the effort!

November 5, 2015 at 9:13 pm

I have cried in SO many public places while on my travels, ha. But you’re right – at least the highs are higher too!

Audrey says

November 4, 2015 at 12:24 pm

Thanks for your honestly with this post! When I am having a bad time traveling, I think about what I would rather being doing. And, well, the answer is using traveling! It helps me relativize a bad moment, day, week and accept that regardless of where we are, there will be ups and downs.

November 5, 2015 at 9:43 pm

That’s so true – even on the worst days I would rather be traveling, haha.

Victoria@ The British Berliner says

November 6, 2015 at 7:28 am

‘Love your post Silvia! It’s perfectly normal to feel jaded, sad, down or plain old fed up! Why not? It just shows that we’re human!

Whenever I do a long term travel journey, I pretty much fall sick. Every single time! When I went to Vietnam, I picked up a cold on the Areoflot Russian plane (air-conditioning) and I could never shake it off! I was in Vietnam for 30 days and I floated between fever, shivering, coughing, sore throats and feeling like hell. I was on a travel-around-Vietnam-and then-off-to-Bangkok jaunt and I certaintly didn’t want to go to a hospital there so I had aspirin for breakfast, lunch and dinner! When I returned to Berlin, I went to my own doctor who described me as “a silly girl” for not going to a doctor sooner and was on bedrest for a week!

I still had a great time though!

November 12, 2015 at 8:33 pm

It sounds like you need to take better care of yourself on the road – stop all you’re partying, Victoria! lol

November 13, 2015 at 6:48 am

YOLO! Life is too short LOL!

November 15, 2015 at 3:16 pm

Patricia says

November 6, 2015 at 10:47 pm

It’s so easy to forget all the bad things, however bad they were. I have this problem (or is it a good thing?) too. This summer in Greenland, I’ve been constantly cold, skin on my fingers was peeling off because my skin is not adapted to cold, I constantly had a running nose, I hate cold wind, but would I go back next summer? Sure, because I mostly remember the beautiful landscape, arctic foxes and all the other good things 🙂

November 8, 2015 at 1:15 pm

Thank you so much for writing such a sincere post. I am studying abroad right now in Paris, and the only thing I ever see on the internet and on pinterst is only positives about traveling. I was having a rough past two weeks with (yes it actually does happen) culture shock. Before I studied abroad people would talk about culture shock and how I might experience that, and I just brushed it off thinking “of course! I’m in a different country but I’ll totally be alright, I can handle it”. And turns out it was much harder than I thought, but that doesn’t mean I would ever regret studying abroad. Thank you so much for your post.

Richelle says

December 13, 2015 at 2:54 pm

I totally get this! One of my all-time favorite travel days was in Koh Rong, Cambodia where we hiked across the island to Long Beach that had white sand so soft and fine it crunched like snow! The water was absolutely beautiful, and we watched one of the most stunning sunsets of my life, and then hopped on a boat to swim with sparkling plankton! However, that was also the day I stepped on a sea urchin which led to me getting minor surgery and blood poisoning!!! In that case, I wrote a post about the sea urchin situation, and then when I wrote about Koh Rong and how much I loved that day, I made sure to mention the sea urchin situation and link to it. Sometimes your best days and your best trips also have major downsides, but in your mind you forget about it.

December 14, 2015 at 7:19 pm

Whoa, that sounds like a nightmare – it says a lot about the joys of travel that it still managed to be one of your favorite travel days! But that is how it seems to go 🙂

Zascha says

February 12, 2016 at 10:12 am

You are so right. Travel isn’t always rainbows and unicorns. There are bad times as well and I definitely think it’s important to focus on the bad sides occasionally. As long as we remember the awesome moments the best! 😀

February 17, 2016 at 11:16 am

Exactly! At least it’s worth it in the end 🙂

May 6, 2016 at 12:34 pm

I’m late to the party, but this post was really fun to read! As a speaker of terrible-but-useful-in-an-emergency level Russian, I did alright in Central Asia (LOVED Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). But I cannot imagine traveling in that region with other people relying on me to plan and communicate everything. In fact I would have killed my travel companions by the end of it under those circumstances. I think it’s totally fair to leave that stuff out of your posts because it feels like personal drama at the time of writing, but I really like hearing about the kinds of relationship dynamics backpackers go through.

Lake Baikal has been on my bucket list forever and ever– Amazing photo!

FeetDoTravel says

May 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm

It’s true – it’s so easy to blog about the good parts because you don’t want to sound negative or put anyone off travelling but the fact is, there are always some lows – it’s just how you deal with it and how you rise from it. When I re-read my journal from my first couple of months backpacking through Africa when I was young, I wonder why I ever travelled again and I recall thinking at the time that I wouldn’t! Thankfully the wanderlust gene in me is too strong and I took what I could from the bad to make me a stronger traveller. Embrace the bad, laugh it off (later though, it took me years to do that when I was robbed in Thailand!) but at the end of the day, ALL travelling experiences will grow you as a person 🙂 Thanks for this post, I will endeavour to always add the not-so-good on my blogs in the future to try and give a more “rounded” account of my time 🙂

Myrissa says

January 11, 2017 at 6:46 pm

This comment is a little late to the party, as I just found your blog, but I am so glad you wrote this. As someone who travels a bit I’ve definately had those days where I just need to catch up with myself or is just freezing cold or I miss speaking to other people in my own language and I sort of give up and “waste” a day in a hotel or reading or watching videos. No one likes to talk about the difficult side of travel life because most of it is so terrifuc. But it’s nice to know that I’m not alone when the bad days hit.

November 24, 2017 at 11:28 am

great post with amazing prrof of lowest budget travel. i think if you travelled nepal that may be listed in this rank 😉 . thank for sharing!

Melissa says

May 2, 2020 at 3:01 pm

“How do you deal with low points during your travels?”

What i’d say to anybody on this is ‘don’t try too hard’. Some of my strongest and best travel memories have been of just hanging out and soaking up the atmosphere. Sit on a sunny step, have a drink under a tree at an outdoor cafe, watch the flames in a log fire, loiter at hot springs…. Just be there and be open to other people too because conversations make great memories. You don’t need to try too hard with this either. Just do things like make eye contact, smile, comment about something, move a little so people can sit next to you or whatever seems right at the time. As regards tourist attractions, only go to ones that you feel interested in and if there are a lot of those choose one per day. Doing a long list of things you “should” do will not make great travel memories and your list and video coverage of these things will bore your friends and family to death if they dutifully put up with watching them. I do say though, get off your hostel bed and switch off your phone, get out of the internet cafe, and go just about anyplace else and your travel experience will already become more worthwhile.

If you lighten up there will be fewer travel lows but there will be some. I think of them as part of the experience. Every silver lining has a cloud.

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• 4 big vacation regrets — and how to avoid them

Travel Troubleshooter

Flying a budget airline. Staying at a bad hotel. Traveling with the wrong people.

Vacation regrets — you may have a few for the summer of 2024. More than a few, actually.

I do. I didn’t plan in advance and I way overpaid for my airfare. (Spending $630 for a one-way ticket from Berlin to Stockholm, Sweden? Come on, Scandinavian Airlines System!) I should have spent more time in Europe, even though it was overcrowded. I should have complained less and eaten more German bread.

“Americans get so little vacation time,” says Kimberly Davis, a travel adviser . “But this summer, they have so many regrets.”

The most common one is the result of reflexively running through a “must do” list during the summer because you’re afraid of missing out on something. And in the process, you miss out on everything, “because you’re just running through a list,” says Davis.

Now, with summer ending, it’s a good time to take inventory of all our vacation regrets. Because there are future trips to plan — the upcoming holiday travel season, spring break and the summer of 2025. You don’t want to repeat any of these errors, right?

But what are these regrets? They fit neatly into three categories. 

Travelers are sorry they choose the wrong airline, cruise line or hotel

Sometimes, you can’t know what will happen. For example, who could have known about the Delta Air Lines meltdown after the massive CrowdStrike software glitch? But some disasters are predictable. All those people trying to save a little money by choosing the cheapest flights or hotels — yeah, those were probably preventable.

Alex Wong, a consultant and writer, booked a ticket on a budget carrier that had zero customer service. His flight from Shanghai to Seoul was canceled because of bad weather, and the airline simply went silent. 

“It was just endless torture waiting around,” he recalls. At one point, passengers started crowding around the gate, and they began screaming at the hapless agent. Wong says he learned an important lesson — don’t cut corners when you’re flying.

He’s hardly alone. This summer, I’ve heard from countless travelers who reserved a room at a hotel with horrible customer service or a vacation rental with none at all. People! You get what you pay for.

Another vacation regret: Poor planning

Because time is at such a premium, many people tried to plan ambitious itineraries that left little room for error.

“Absolutely the No. 1 regret my clients are having this summer is not allowing extra time with connections on international flights,” says Heather Herbert, a travel adviser with Heather Concierge Travel.

She says in two of the cases, her client had a close connection from a domestic airport for an international flight, and weather delays resulted in massive delays. 

“In one case, a mad sprint to the international terminal resulted in finding the cabin door closed. The captain, ultimately, did reopen the door in an act of great mercy,” she recalls.

Here’s a related regret: Stuffing your itinerary with so many activities that you can’t enjoy any of them. I got so tired of running from one appointment to another that I’ve started limiting my activities to just one per day. That’s right, one activity — preferably in the morning — and then the rest of the day to explore the destination on my own.

Here’s the biggest vacation regret of them all

But there’s one vacation regret that towers over all of the others, and it’s the missed opportunity.

Andrew Harper was working on a story about the best wine bars in Venice when he stumbled upon the legendary Cantina do Mori.

“Torn between stopping for a glass of wine and continuing on with my plan of gallery-hopping, I decided to return later — only to find that it was closed and wouldn’t reopen until after I flew home,” says Harper, who edits the Hideaway Report. “It was a good reminder to leave room in an itinerary for serendipitous discoveries.”

How many more summers do you have?

When I started my career as a consumer advocate, I met many readers who had spent their entire lives working and saving up to travel after they retired. Then they booked a dream cruise or a safari, only to suffer a debilitating illness just before leaving (that’s why there’s travel insurance). And then they realized they would never travel.

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“The biggest regret is not taking a vacation while you have the opportunity, health, mobility and time,” says Mitch Krayton, a professional travel adviser in Aurora, Colo.

It doesn’t take long for the barriers to pile up — a bad back, an unfavorable exchange rate, trouble getting around. I know what that feels like. I broke my pelvis in two places a few years ago in Switzerland, and a part of me just wanted to be at home sipping hot chocolate. Instead, I rested for a few weeks in Barcelona and then flew to the Antarctic. 

Krayton is right; you only live once.

I guarantee you’ll regret the trip not taken. And the older you get, the more those regrets pile up until you are at the end of your life and you have a long list of trips not taken. Don’t let that be your regret.

Elliott’s tips on how to avoid vacation regrets

You don’t have to break any bones or get a serious health care diagnosis to avoid a bad vacation decision. Here are some strategies for avoiding a regret-free getaway:

Get professional help. Problems like overplanning, booking the wrong airline or missing an important attraction are avoidable with the guidance of a pro. Consult a travel adviser, travel coach or a well-traveled friend before you start planning your next vacation.

Travel with the ones you love. But make sure the ones you love want to travel. There’s absolutely no point in dragging your grandkids on a museum tour of Milan if they’d rather go to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. (Believe me, I’ve done this. It’s a recipe for disaster.)

Don’t wait. Stop putting off your vacation and go. I can’t remember the last time I met someone who regretted traveling. But I’ve met plenty of people who were sorry they didn’t travel.

The best way to handle vacation regret is a do-over. In just a few months, planning season starts for next summer’s vacations, so why not get started now?

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Plan Your Trip

What To Do When You’re Having A Bad Trip

Published: December 6, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Katharina Castellon

• Sustainability

Introduction

A trip can be an exciting and memorable experience, filled with adventure, new discoveries, and cherished memories. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you find yourself having a bad trip. Whether it’s a vacation, a business trip, or any other kind of travel, a bad trip can be overwhelming and distressing.

Understanding what constitutes a bad trip is essential. It can encompass a wide range of negative experiences, such as missed flights or transportation delays, lost luggage, poor accommodation, illness or injury, and even unexpected events or emergencies. These circumstances can put a damper on your trip and significantly impact your mood and overall enjoyment.

While it’s perfectly normal to feel disappointed or frustrated when things go wrong during your trip, it’s essential to have strategies in place to cope with these challenges. By preparing yourself mentally and having a plan to navigate through the difficulties, you can turn a bad trip into a learning experience and still salvage some positive moments.

In this article, we’ll explore various coping strategies and practical tips to help you deal with a bad trip effectively. Whether you’re currently experiencing a rough patch on your journey or looking to be prepared for future travel mishaps, these techniques can provide you with the tools to regain control and make the most of your trip.

Understanding a Bad Trip

A bad trip can be a subjective experience, as it varies from person to person. For some, it may be a series of unfortunate events that dampen the overall enjoyment of the trip. For others, it could be a significant incident or unexpected circumstances that turn the entire trip into a negative experience.

One common factor in understanding a bad trip is the emotional impact it has on the individual. It can lead to feelings of frustration, disappointment, stress, anxiety, anger, or even sadness. These emotions can make it challenging to navigate through the trip and find enjoyment in the midst of adversity.

Bad trips can occur due to a variety of reasons. It could be external factors such as weather disruptions, transportation mishaps, or unexpected changes in plans. Personal factors like illness, fatigue, or conflicts with travel companions can also contribute to a negative experience.

It’s important to note that a bad trip doesn’t have to ruin your entire experience. Although it may be tempting to fixate on the negative aspects, focusing on finding solutions and opportunities for growth can help turn things around.

Moreover, understanding that setbacks and challenges are inevitable during travel can help prepare you mentally for potential difficulties and decrease the impact they have on your overall enjoyment.

By recognizing and acknowledging that a bad trip is a temporary hurdle and not a reflection of your entire travel experience, you can approach it with a more positive mindset and seek ways to make the best out of an undesirable situation.

In the following sections, we’ll explore various coping strategies that can help you navigate through a bad trip and regain control over your travel experience.

Coping Strategies

When faced with a bad trip, it’s important to have coping strategies in place to help you navigate through the challenging moments and regain a sense of control. These strategies can help alleviate stress, manage emotions, and allow you to make the most out of your travel experience. Here are some effective coping strategies to consider:

• Stay Calm and Take Deep Breaths: When faced with unexpected circumstances, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and calm your mind. Deep breathing can help reduce anxiety and allow you to think more clearly about the situation.
• Accept the Situation: Accept that things may not go as planned and that setbacks are a normal part of travel. By accepting the situation, you can shift your focus towards finding solutions rather than dwelling on the negative aspects.
• Adjust Your Expectations: Sometimes, a change of plans can lead to new and unexpected experiences. Look for alternative activities or destinations that can still provide enjoyment, even if they weren’t part of your original itinerary.
• Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises to help ground yourself and stay present in the moment. This can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being during a difficult trip.
• Seek Support: Reach out to a trusted friend or family member who can provide a listening ear or helpful advice. Sometimes, venting your frustrations or talking through the situation can provide emotional relief and a fresh perspective.
• Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care: Give yourself permission to take breaks and engage in self-care activities. This can include taking a walk, finding a quiet spot to relax, or treating yourself to a massage or spa treatment. Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being is crucial when dealing with a challenging trip.
• Find Humor in the Situation: Sometimes, finding humor in the midst of a challenging situation can help lighten the mood. Laughing at the absurdity or finding the silver lining can provide a much-needed perspective shift.
• Learn from the Experience: Use the setbacks and challenges as learning opportunities. Reflect on what went wrong and how you can prevent similar situations in the future. This can help you become a more resilient and prepared traveler.

Create a Calm and Safe Environment

When dealing with a bad trip, one of the first steps you can take is to create a calm and safe environment for yourself. By establishing a sense of security, you can better manage stress and regain control over your travel experience. Here are some tips to help you create a calm and safe environment:

• Find a Quiet Space: If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, find a quiet spot where you can take a break and gather your thoughts. This could be a park, a peaceful corner of a café, or even your hotel room. Taking a few moments to breathe and collect yourself can make a significant difference in how you feel.
• Remove Yourself from Stressful Situations: If possible, remove yourself from the source of stress. For example, if a crowded tourist attraction is causing you anxiety, consider exploring less crowded areas or adjusting your itinerary to avoid peak hours. Remember, it’s okay to modify your plans to prioritize your well-being.
• Secure Your Belongings: Feeling safe includes ensuring the security of your belongings. Keep your valuables locked away or with you at all times, especially in crowded areas. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to fully enjoy your surroundings without worry.
• Use Technology for Safety: Take advantage of technology to enhance your safety. Share your travel plans with a trusted friend or family member and keep them updated regularly. Utilize GPS tracking apps or safety apps that enable you to notify contacts in case of an emergency.
• Research the Local Area: Prior to your trip, research the local area to familiarize yourself with any potential safety concerns. Be aware of common scams or areas to avoid, and take necessary precautions to protect yourself. This knowledge will help you feel more secure and prepared.
• Carry Emergency Contact Information: Have a list of emergency contact numbers readily available, including local authorities, your embassy or consulate, and your travel insurance provider. This is important in case of any unforeseen emergencies or incidents.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off or unsafe, trust your instincts. It’s better to err on the side of caution and remove yourself from a situation that doesn’t feel right. Your safety and well-being should always take precedence.
• Practice Good Hygiene: Maintaining good hygiene practices can contribute to your sense of well-being. Wash your hands frequently, carry hand sanitizer, and be mindful of your personal hygiene to prevent illness and ensure your comfort.

By implementing these strategies, you can create an environment that promotes calmness and instills a sense of safety, allowing you to better manage the challenges of a bad trip and make the most of your travel experience.

Deep Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

When faced with a bad trip, it’s common to experience feelings of stress, anxiety, and tension. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques can be powerful tools to help you calm your mind and body, allowing you to better navigate through the challenging moments. Here are some techniques to try:

• Diaphragmatic Breathing: Also known as belly breathing, diaphragmatic breathing involves taking slow, deep breaths, filling your belly and lower lungs with air. Breathe in slowly through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise. Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your abdomen deflate. Repeat this deep breathing pattern several times until you start to feel a sense of calm.
• Guided Imagery: Visualize yourself in a peaceful and serene environment, such as a beautiful beach or a tranquil forest. Close your eyes and immerse yourself in the details of this mental image, focusing on the sounds, smells, and sensations. This technique can help shift your focus away from the negative aspects of your trip and foster a sense of relaxation.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Start by tensing and then releasing each muscle group in your body, one at a time. Begin with your toes, gradually working your way up to your head. As you tense each muscle group, hold for a few seconds, and then release, allowing the tension to melt away. This technique helps release physical tension and promotes overall relaxation.
• Meditation: Find a quiet space, sit comfortably, and focus on your breath or a specific mantra. Allow your thoughts to come and go without judgment or attachment. Meditation can help quiet the mind, reduce stress, and promote a sense of inner calm. There are various guided meditation apps or videos available that can assist you in your practice.
• Progressive Relaxation: Starting from your toes and moving upwards, systematically tense and release each muscle group in your body. This technique helps increase body awareness and promotes a sense of deep relaxation.
• Aromatherapy: Certain scents, such as lavender or chamomile, are known to have calming effects. Carry a small vial of essential oil or use a roll-on fragrance to inhale when you feel stressed or anxious. The scent can help promote relaxation and a sense of calm.
• Yoga or Stretching: Engaging in gentle yoga poses or stretching exercises can help release physical tension and provide a sense of calm. Focus on slow and deliberate movements while paying attention to your breath, allowing both your mind and body to unwind.

Experiment with these techniques and find what works best for you. Incorporating deep breathing and relaxation techniques into your routine can provide a much-needed break from the stress and tension of a bad trip, allowing you to approach challenges with more clarity and composure.

Distract Yourself with Positive Activities

When facing a bad trip, finding ways to distract yourself with positive activities can be an effective coping strategy. Engaging in enjoyable and uplifting activities can help shift your focus away from the negative aspects of your trip and provide a much-needed mental break. Here are some ideas for positive activities to help distract yourself:

• Explore the Local Area: Take some time to explore your surroundings and discover hidden gems. Visit local markets, museums, or parks, and immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of your destination.
• Sample Local Cuisine: Treat yourself to a culinary adventure by trying out local dishes and specialties. Whether it’s street food or fine dining, exploring the local flavors can be an exciting and enjoyable experience.
• Engage in Physical Activities: Exercise can be a fantastic way to release stress and boost your mood. Take a hike, swim in the ocean, go for a bike ride, or participate in any physical activity that you enjoy. Not only will it distract you from the negative aspects of your trip, but it will also promote your overall well-being.
• Indulge in Self-Care: Treat yourself to some self-care activities that make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Take a long bath, get a massage, or pamper yourself with a spa day. These activities can help you relax and improve your mood.
• Engage in Creative Outlets: If you have a creative side, channel your energy into activities such as painting, drawing, writing, or photography. These outlets can provide a sense of escape and allow you to express yourself in a positive and fulfilling way.
• Listen to Music or Podcasts: Create a playlist of your favorite songs or tune in to an interesting podcast. Music and podcasts can transport you to a different mental space and help you relax and unwind.
• Watch a Movie or TV Show: Find comfort in the familiar or indulge in a new movie or TV show. It can provide temporary escapism and take your mind off the negative aspects of your trip.
• Read a Book or Magazine: Dive into a captivating book or catch up on your favorite magazine. Reading can transport you to different worlds and immerse you in new perspectives and stories.
• Practice Mindful Activities: Engage in mindful activities that bring you joy and promote relaxation. This could include gardening, journaling, coloring, or practicing mindfulness exercises. These activities can help calm your mind and provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Remember, the key is to find activities that genuinely bring you joy and provide a positive distraction. By focusing on these activities, you can shift your mindset and make the most out of your travel experience, even in the midst of a bad trip.

Connect with a Trusted Friend or Professional

During a bad trip, seeking support from a trusted friend or professional can provide valuable emotional support and guidance. Sharing your experiences, frustrations, and concerns with someone who understands and empathizes can help alleviate stress and provide a fresh perspective. Here are a few options to consider when connecting with others:

• Reach out to a Friend or Family Member: Contact someone you trust and feel comfortable confiding in. Share your experiences and feelings about your trip, and lean on their support and advice. Sometimes, simply venting to someone who understands can provide immense relief and comfort.
• Utilize Online Communities: Connect with others who may have gone through similar experiences by joining online travel communities or forums. These communities offer an opportunity to share your story, seek advice, and gain insights from fellow travelers who may have faced similar challenges.
• Consult a Travel Professional: If the challenges you’re facing during your trip are beyond your ability to manage, consider reaching out to a travel agent or tour operator. They have experience and knowledge of the industry and can provide guidance and assistance in navigating through the difficulties you’re facing.
• Seek Support from Local Authorities: If you find yourself in an emergency situation or need help with a specific issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to local authorities or authorities specific to your circumstances. They can provide assistance, resources, and support in resolving your situation.
• Consider Speaking to a Therapist or Counselor: If your bad trip experience has significantly affected your mental well-being and you’re struggling to cope, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor can be beneficial. They can provide a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss your feelings and emotions, as well as help you develop effective coping strategies.

Connecting with a trusted friend, family member, or professional allows you to share your burden, gain perspective, and explore potential solutions. Remember, you don’t have to face the challenges of a bad trip alone, and seeking support is a sign of strength and resilience.

Use Grounding Techniques

When faced with the overwhelming emotions and challenges of a bad trip, grounding techniques can be incredibly helpful in bringing you back to the present moment and regaining a sense of stability. Grounding techniques involve using your senses to anchor yourself in the here and now, redirecting your focus away from distressing thoughts or circumstances. Here are some grounding techniques to consider:

• Focus on Your Breath: Take a few deep breaths, paying close attention to the sensation of the air entering and leaving your body. This simple act of mindful breathing can help center your thoughts and calm your nervous system.
• Engage Your Senses: Take notice of your surroundings and engage your senses. Focus on the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures that you can observe in the present moment. This sensory awareness can help redirect your attention away from negative thoughts.
• Use Grounding Objects: Carry a small object that you find comforting or grounding, such as a smooth stone, a meaningful trinket, or a favorite photo. Holding or touching this object can serve as a physical reminder of stability and security.
• Describe Your Environment: Verbally describe your surroundings in detail. Pay attention to colors, shapes, textures, and other sensory details. This verbalization helps anchor your mind in the present moment and provides a sense of grounding.
• Engage in Physical Contact: If you feel comfortable, engage in physical contact with your surroundings. This could include feeling the texture of the ground beneath your feet, touching a tree or a wall, or even holding onto a comfort object. The tactile sensations can help you connect with the present moment.
• Counting or Naming Objects: Choose a category, such as types of plants or items of a particular color, and count or name as many items in that category as you can find in your current surroundings. This cognitive task helps refocus your mind on the external environment.
• Grounding Meditation: Practice a specific grounding meditation tailored to your needs. This could involve visualizing roots growing from your feet into the ground, feeling connected and anchored to the earth. Guided grounding meditations can be found online or through meditation apps.
• Engage in Physical Movement: Take a walk, stretch, or participate in gentle exercise to connect with your body and shift your focus away from distressing thoughts. Physical movement can help release tension and promote a sense of grounding.

Experiment with various grounding techniques to find what works best for you. Remember, grounding techniques are tools that you can use whenever you feel overwhelmed or disconnected from the present moment during a bad trip. By grounding yourself, you can regain a sense of control and stability, making it easier to navigate through the challenges you may encounter.

Avoid Triggers and Negative Influences

When facing a bad trip, it’s important to be proactive in avoiding triggers and negative influences that can worsen your experience. By identifying and minimizing these factors, you can create a more positive and enjoyable travel environment. Here are some strategies to help you avoid triggers and negative influences:

• Social Media Detox: Limit your exposure to social media platforms that may be filled with idealized or exaggerated travel experiences. Comparing your own trip to others can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction or disappointment. Instead, focus on being present and appreciating your own unique journey.
• Adjust Your Media Consumption: Be mindful of the types of media you consume during your trip. Avoid news outlets or shows that may focus on negative or distressing content, as it can heighten anxiety or worry. Instead, choose media that is uplifting, entertaining, or informative.
• Set Boundaries with Negative Travel Companions: If you are traveling with someone who has a negative influence on your trip, establish clear boundaries and communicate your needs. It’s important to prioritize your well-being and seek a positive travel experience. If necessary, consider spending some time exploring on your own.
• Manage Your Expectations: Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment and frustration during a trip. Be mindful of setting realistic expectations for your travel experience and embrace the possibility of unexpected twists and turns. Flexibility and adaptability can help you navigate through challenging situations more effectively.
• Avoid Overloading Your Itinerary: Trying to squeeze too many activities or destinations into a short period can lead to stress and exhaustion. Pace yourself and allow for downtime to rest and recharge. Allocate time for relaxation and spontaneous exploration to maintain a balanced and enjoyable trip.
• Stay Away from Negative Thought Patterns: Negative thoughts can quickly spiral and affect your overall trip experience. Practice self-awareness and challenge negative thoughts with more positive and realistic perspectives. Engage in mindfulness techniques to bring your focus back to the present moment.
• Limit Alcohol and Substance Use: Excessive alcohol or substance use can impair judgment and lead to risky or regretful decisions. Moderate your consumption and be mindful of how these substances may impact your perception and behavior during your trip.
• Seek Out Positive Experiences: Actively seek out experiences that bring you joy and positivity. Look for activities or attractions that align with your interests and values. Engaging in activities that you genuinely enjoy can outweigh any negative experiences and leave you with lasting, positive memories.

By being mindful of triggers and negative influences, you can create a more supportive and enjoyable trip experience. Remember, you have control over the choices you make and the environment you create, which can greatly influence how you navigate through a bad trip.

Practice Self-Care and Self-Compassion

During a bad trip, practicing self-care and self-compassion is vital to maintain your overall well-being and resilience. Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally can help you navigate through the challenges and restore a sense of balance. Here are some key aspects of self-care and self-compassion to consider:

• Prioritize Rest and Sleep: Traveling can be exhausting, and lack of sleep can exacerbate negative emotions and stress. Make sure you prioritize getting enough rest and quality sleep during your trip. Establish a regular sleep routine and create a relaxing environment to promote a good night’s sleep.
• Eat Nutritious Meals: Nourish your body with healthy and balanced meals. Fueling yourself with nutritious food can provide you with the energy and stamina to face the challenges of a bad trip. Try to incorporate local cuisine and flavors into your meals, adding to the overall enjoyment of your travel experience.
• Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to fatigue and negatively impact your mood. Carry a reusable water bottle and make a conscious effort to drink enough water throughout the day. Hydration is essential for your well-being, especially during travel.
• Engage in Relaxation Activities: Dedicate time each day for activities that help you relax and unwind. This could be practicing yoga, taking a bath, reading a book, or simply sitting in nature. Find activities that bring you joy and help you recharge.
• Be Mindful of Your Emotions: Allow yourself to acknowledge and process your emotions without judgment. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions during a bad trip. Practice self-compassion by offering yourself kindness and understanding. Validate your emotions and remind yourself that it’s okay to feel the way you do.
• Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Engage in mindfulness techniques and meditation to cultivate a sense of presence and inner peace. These practices can help you detach from negative thoughts, reduce stress, and increase your overall well-being.
• Engage in Activities That Bring You Joy: Identify activities that bring you joy and incorporate them into your itinerary. Whether it’s indulging in your hobbies, exploring nature, or simply engaging in quality leisure time, prioritizing activities that bring you happiness can uplift your mood and improve your overall trip experience.
• Set Boundaries and say ‘no’: Be cognizant of your own needs and limitations. Learn to set boundaries and say ‘no’ to things that may overwhelm or drain your energy. Your well-being is paramount, so prioritize activities and engagements that are truly meaningful to you.
• Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a gratitude mindset by acknowledging the positive aspects of your trip, no matter how small. Each day, take a moment to reflect and express gratitude for the experiences, people, and moments that have brought you joy and positivity.

By practicing self-care and self-compassion, you are demonstrating kindness and nurturing toward yourself. Remember, taking care of your well-being is not selfish but essential for your ability to cope with the challenges of a bad trip and make the most out of your travel experience.

Seeking Professional Help

When dealing with a bad trip, it’s important to recognize when professional help may be necessary. Sometimes, the challenges and emotional impact of a difficult travel experience may require the guidance and support of a trained professional. Here are some situations where seeking professional help can be beneficial:

• Persistent and Intense Emotional Distress: If you find yourself overwhelmed by intense and persistent negative emotions like anxiety, depression, or trauma, it may be valuable to seek the help of a therapist or counselor. They can provide you with tools and techniques to navigate through these emotions and develop effective coping strategies.
• Difficulty Coping with Everyday Life Post-Trip: If your bad trip experience continues to impact your daily life long after the trip has ended, it may indicate a need for professional support. A therapist can help you process the event, manage any lingering emotional challenges, and regain stability and well-being in your day-to-day life.
• Pre-existing Mental Health Conditions: Individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions may be more susceptible to the negative impact of a bad trip. If you already have a diagnosed condition, seeking support from a mental health professional can provide guidance specific to your needs and help prevent any exacerbation of symptoms.
• Inability to Cope Effectively: If you find it difficult to cope with the challenges of a bad trip on your own, professional help can offer you a safe space to express your feelings and concerns. A therapist can assist you in developing personalized strategies and techniques to address your specific needs.
• Impact on Relationships: If your bad trip has strained your relationships with loved ones or travel companions, seeking couples or family therapy can help improve communication and aid in the resolution of conflicts. These professionals can provide guidance to restore harmony and understanding within relationships.
• Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed: If you find yourself feeling stuck and unable to move forward from your bad trip experience, professional assistance can provide valuable insights and guidance. They can help you process emotions, gain clarity, and develop a plan for moving forward.

Remember, seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a proactive step towards taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. A trained therapist or counselor can provide you with the support, guidance, and tools necessary to navigate through the challenges of a bad trip and ensure that you emerge from the experience stronger and more resilient.

Experiencing a bad trip can be distressing and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to define your entire travel experience. By implementing various coping strategies and practicing self-care, you can navigate through the challenges and salvage positive moments from your trip. Understanding the nature of a bad trip, creating a calm and safe environment, and connecting with trusted individuals can provide the support needed to overcome difficulties.

Engaging in relaxation techniques, distracting yourself with positive activities, and avoiding triggers and negative influences can help shift your focus towards a more enjoyable journey. Additionally, practicing self-compassion, seeking professional help when necessary, and learning from the experience can contribute to your personal growth and resilience.

Remember, a bad trip is a temporary setback, and it’s important to maintain perspective. Embrace the unexpected, find gratitude in the small moments, and acknowledge that even challenging experiences can lead to valuable lessons and personal growth.

When faced with a bad trip, remember that you have the resilience and strength within you to overcome obstacles and make the most out of any situation. With a proactive mindset and the right tools, you can transform a difficult travel experience into one that is filled with resilience, personal growth, and cherished memories.

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Bad Vacations: Three Factors that Can Negatively Influence Your Experience (and How to Avoid Them)

I’ve enjoyed looking at this photo I took from the top of a tower in La Rochelle, France, because the weather was so cold and windy I couldn’t enjoy the view while standing there. July 5, 2021.

I write often about my experiences and impressions of the places I’ve traveled and the things I experienced while there.

Each time I return from travel and think through my impressions and the angles and subjects for my articles based on the trip, I find it a delicate task.

In assessing a place or an experience, I try to parse out the aspects of an experience that may have unfairly influenced my impressions, including weather, mood, or my exact place of stay. If someone else visited the region and had different variables in these key categories, would they have a different impression?

After all, these three factors can unfairly bias anyone’s impressions and experiences of a vacation or travel moment.

We can’t control for these variables in all cases, yet we can take them into some level of account when planning. Read on for more detail on how each of these factors can affect your experience and my recommendations for how you can plan around them as much as possible.

Think through the Weather Factor

Note: You’ll note a cold-and-damp theme here. Because I don’t like cold and damp.

When we visited La Rochelle, France, one mid-July, the normally warm and sunny coastal town where people reportedly rent bikes to ride between islands and beaches was windy enough to dry out my contacts, gray enough to make anyone depressed, and miserably cold.

We had a good meal along one harbor or another, yet I can’t remember the name or location of the restaurant because I was focused on staying warm and dry. I’ve enjoyed looking at the photos and the videos I took on our visit, only because I can’t feel the cold and wind in the photos and the place looks better than I remember it feeling. (I didn’t even want to leave the hotel while there, I found it so miserable.)

A harbor in La Rochelle, France. Don’t see any people? Look kind of depressing? No wonder. For our entire visit the weather stayed cold, rainy, and windy. July 5, 2021.

Perhaps I should give La Rochelle another visit sometime, but I won’t put it at the top of my list for upcoming vacations. Visiting a place twice rarely makes sense, with so many places to go in this amazing world of ours.

However, Lyon in France is a large city relatively near to our home base in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Arnaud has a close family friend who lives there. We’ve visited Lyon twice (so far).

Of note regarding the weather-factor effect: While I enjoyed our trip to Lyon for my birthday, during which we took several walking tours, December comes in cold and damp in Lyon. I appreciated the city, yet I didn’t really enjoy it until we went back eighteen months later, in summer. (Even in a July rainstorm, I found the city positively charming on that go-around—an entirely different sentiment than plain appreciation.)

Another example? Let’s discuss Ghent, in Belgium. Even in the chill of early February (and while suffering from a head cold), I adored Ghent. However, you’ll find it nearly impossible to make unhappy someone who loves medieval and early Renaissance European history in one of the most important European cities during that time. (A once-in-a-lifetime Jan Van Eyck exhibit taking place during the trip didn’t hurt, either.)

Yet Arnaud didn’t love Ghent as much as I did, even if he appreciated the art exhibit more than he’d expected. He has since several times said he won’t go back to Belgium without warmer clothes.

Recommendations: Do your best to travel to places when you’ll have a likelihood of ideal weather, based on researching normal weather patterns in the region. And always have a few ideas in mind for things to do and to see when the weather doesn’t cooperate with your mental picture—as you can’t always avoid experiencing a weird cold front in July in a summer-vacation hotspot (as we had in La Rochelle).

Carefully Consider Your Location or Base of Stay in the Region

Everyone I talk to loves the Luberon region of Provence in France. Famous writers and authors have even penned entire series of books about living there. (I’m looking at you, Peter Mayle.)

However, the Luberon didn’t charm me.

Blame our choice of Menerbes as a base of stay. The tiny town went to sleep a long time ago and had little to offer. Or toss the fault to the AirBNB we chose, which had nothing comfortable on which to sit or rest, even to sleep: The apartment had only hard surfaces, including the mattress, and little by way of comfortable outdoor furniture to lounge or eat (and no view via which to admire the Provence countryside).

Given that the attraction of the area is, well, the landscape and enjoying it, our choice of AirBNB killed my Luberon experience.

The view from the dirt outside the place we stayed in Menerbes, in the Luberon, France. A nice landscape, but we would have had to sit in the dirt to look at it. August 25, 2019.

In Florence, Italy, we stayed in an AirBNB on a very busy street with reverberating scooters zipping by all night that was far enough away from anything of value (i.e., restaurants, bakeries, groceries) or of interest (i.e., all the major things to see) that we didn’t get a single good night of sleep and couldn’t go back to the apartment easily during the day without chopping a chunk out of our limited time in the city—not to mention the hike we needed to take anytime we wanted food or supplies for the place.

Final example: We would have liked our visit to the Bordeaux region of France a lot more if we hadn’t stayed in the city of Bordeaux. The city has a lot less charm and attraction than the smaller towns in the wine-growing countryside, which would have made for a more charming and relaxed vacation.

Recommendations: Yes, a hotel or a rental apartment with a high level of comfort or in a well-placed area will cost you more. However, paying more (if you can afford it) will give you an immeasurably better experience. As most of us only visit places once, it makes sense to set up everything for success as best we can. When it comes to cities and tourist areas, look for central locations near major areas of interest and with easy access to necessities such as cafés, groceries, and pharmacies. If you want to relax in the countryside, the place where you choose to stay needs a comfy setup. For, you know, relaxing. Keep in mind what you plan to do on your trip and find a place to stay that accommodates your ideas and that has the conveniences and amenities you need to make the trip successful.

Changing Your Location Doesn’t Change Your Emotional State (Usually)

A while back, the U.S. sketch show “Saturday Night Live” featured a fantastic—and fantastically on point—skit with Adam Sandler as a tour operator for Italian vacations. If you haven’t seen it, you should:

It’s true: Just being somewhere else won’t suddenly change the fundamental “you” of you and can’t miraculously erase whatever you’re going through psychologically or emotionally at that moment.

For my planned solo trip to Belize, a friend suffering a major heartbreak and needing a change of scenery asked to join me at the last minute. During the go-go-go adventure portion of the trip in the jungle, she held together okay. However, when we transitioned to the laze-on-the-beach portion of the trip, she was an emotional wreck and couldn’t enjoy the experience (and made it less than ideal for me, too).

Similarly, I’ve had two occasions—one with a friend and another with a romantic partner—where conflicts in our relationship deeply affected the vacation.

My memories of Glacier National Park will forever be colored by a shouting match on one hiking trail followed a few days later by my telling my friend over a plate of sweet-potato fries that I’d leave on the next flight if she kept up her behavior. As for the romantic trip that didn’t turn out to be romantic, that’s another story.

In short, while you will still be the same you while on vacation, your relationship (friendship or otherwise) will still be your relationship while on vacation, too.

Recommendations: You’ll do better to sort your emotional and psychological baggage before you spend time and money on travel. However, based on my experience with my heartbroken friend, if you feel you must get away from home amidst major emotional upheaval, plan to stay as active as possible; the initial stages of grief, trauma, or stress may not be the time to sit alone with your thoughts on the beach for too long, for example.

Take Time for Travel Contemplation

We easily make snap judgements about everything we encounter (including people). Though theories indicate that quick assessments can help us survive in the wild and can help reduce the cognitive load of constant contemplation, giving us more thinking space for higher level processes, deciding whether we liked a travel experience doesn’t count as an extreme circumstance that requires rapid appraisal.

When it comes to reviewing most travel experiences, you have time for contemplation.

And so, before you decide whether to put a destination in the “good” or “bad” bucket—and especially before you recommend it to others or tell them to stay away—try your best to parse out the extenuating circumstances to develop the clearest eyed view possible.

And if you can avoid or change these three factors that can highly influence your own travel experience, do so.

In hindsight, do you have a spot you’d like to revisit in a different season, different mood, or different base of stay?

Bad travel experiences and how to graciously deal with the disappointment

When your holiday plans don’t work out, it may leave you with bad travel experiences. But how do you graciously deal with travel disappointments and still have a good time?

We’ve all been there! You’ve spent hours researching your next holiday destination and meticulously put together the perfect itinerary from where to stay, to things to do and restaurants to dine in. All are listed in the must-see section of your spreadsheet.

You’ve been really looking forward to this holiday. It will be the perfect escape you desperately need. That Chanel bag you said no to so you can say yes to more luxe to your experience is going to be worth it!

Then you arrived at the destination and your heart sank. The dreamy white sand beach you were dying to dig your feet into was covered in seaweed. That nicer hotel wasn’t as luxe as you expected. Tourist hotspots were overcrowded with tourists. And the list goes on. Does this sound familiar to you?

We can all agree that we’ve all had bad travel experiences and holidays that have not lived up to our expectations. A and I went to Sorrento over the summer holiday and I’m even exaggerating when I say everything that could go wrong went wrong! Think food poisoning on the first night and by the time I got better, we were rained in with thunderstorms and blowing a gale.

It was disappointing but hey ho, such as life. We still managed to have a great time and fun experience! The lesson here is learning to deal with disappointments in a gracious, kind and ladylike manner. In this post, we are delving into 5 ways you can adopt to help overcome travel disappointments and turn bad travel experiences into unforgettable memories and unique stories.

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5 ways to graciously deal with bad travel experiences

I have now been to 38 countries and I’ve definitely had my fair share of disappointing experiences! I’ve really had to learn the hard way when dealing with travelling disappointments so that it doesn’t ruin my holiday.

In summary, boils down to a mindset shift and seeing things from a new perspective (you can apply these to any disappointments in life, not just to travelling):

• Transform your mindset from ‘entitled’ to gratefulness
• Manage your expectations
• See the beauty in the imperfections (I really struggled with this one!)
• Have a plan but be flexible
• Be kind to yourself and others

You will find the details for each of them further down below.

What can go wrong while travelling

First, let’s look at what are some of the common things that can go wrong while travelling which can cause bad travel experiences.

I have been to nearly 40 countries and 80+ cities, so I personally experienced them all. In fact, on our most recent holiday in Sorrento during summer, we’ve encountered all of them!

The number one cause of travel disappointments is setting unrealistic expectations

Having unrealistic expectations is one of the biggest causes of disappointment, in particular travel expectations. In this digital age, there is a plethora of amazing travel content all over the internet and social media enticing you to travel. Not to mention thousands of picture-perfect travel photos on Instagram! Naturally, you’d develop high expectations for your holidays before you even get to your destination. It’s not hard to romanticise your holiday experiences and sometimes with unrealistic expectations.

Inevitable weather issues impacting your plan

The best plans in the world cannot escape our unpredictable weather. From rainstorms to heatwaves. It is inevitable that our travel plans will be disrupted by sudden weather changes. When we went to Sorrento, we had two whole days of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. That’s 2 out of 5 days of our trip! In the next section, we’ll discuss how you can still make the most of your holidays despite the uncertain weather conditions.

The worst case of bad travel experiences is getting sick

Getting sick is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to you when travelling. This could be because you’ve not acclimatised to the local conditions or just catching the cold and flu due to sudden changes in temperature. I am normally pretty resilient when it comes to getting sick on my travels and generally have a pretty strong stomach. But I still managed to get food poisoning in Sorrento! Luckily it didn’t ruin the whole trip.

The dreaded accommodation problems

Have you ever been so excited about checking in to the accommodation only to be less than your expectation? From overcrowded hotels to uncomfortably damp Airbnbs. These things happen and it’s hard to detect them from the photos on the internet. When we were in Sicily last year we stayed in a nice-looking boutique hotel that was so damp, that broke out in rashes!! I will share how I dealt with that awkward situation whilst giving grace and dignity to the hotel owner.

5 ways to turn travel mishaps into valuable life lessons and memorable experiences

I have experienced all of the above disappointments in my travels (and life) over the years. Every setback is a lesson about kindness and resilience. With every experience, I gained a bit more wisdom and tenacity to manage my frustrations and not let them impact the rest of my holidays. It hasn’t always been easy but once I changed my mindset and saw things from a new perspective, it became really easy to deal with disappointments.

Because the truth is, we’ll never be rid of disappointments in life so we need to figure out a way to co-exist in the most comfortable way possible. We prevent our plans from being derailed. It’s inevitable. But we can change how we react to the situation. Do we want to be that angry and resentful person or calm, and collected with the ability to handle it with maturity, grace and kindness?

What does it mean to act gracious and ladylike?

Before we get into the tips on how to deal with travel disappointments graciously, let’s first look at what it means to act gracious and ladylike.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary , graciously means “pleasantly and politely”; and ladylike means “graceful, polite and behaving in a way that is thought to be socially acceptable for a woman”. Basically, it means to behave in a kind, polite and courteous manner towards others in all circumstances, just like a classy Lady. It involves showing empathy and understanding towards others, even when faced with adversity and disappointment, without being rude.

This is just a brief summary to highlight some core gracious behaviours of the Modern Lady. If you want to learn more on this topic, I have another blog post for you here . In this post, we are talking about the most essential qualities of a classy Lady .

Now, without further ado, let’s get into it.

1. Changing from an entitled mindset to a gratitude mindset

This may be contentious but I want you to change from having an ‘entitled’ mindset to a gratitude mindset. And I don’t mean this in an obnoxious or spoilt princess kind of way. But sometimes when you know you’ve worked hard to earn the privilege to travel or stay in a 5-star hotel, it can create a sense of entitlement and you come to ‘expect’ everything to be perfect with 5-star services. Of course, you are entitled to have a good time and deserve great service. But it’s not guaranteed, many things are out of our control.

When things don’t turn out exactly as planned, we will feel disappointed, upset and frustrated. If you have an entitled mindset, your frustrations can come across as obnoxious, princessy and rude without realising it. When you’re in the zone, it is impossible to be gracious and ladylike.

Having a grateful mindset, your attitude towards the situation will be completely different. It will help you to focus on the positive aspects of the trip and see the silver lining rather than dwelling on the negatives. That way, you will be able to remain calm and handle the situation with grace and poise.

When we were in Sorrento…

We were stuck in our hotel for a couple of days due to thunderstorms and heavy rain. This also meant we had to cancel our plan to visit Capri Island. It was disappointing of course. But I was grateful that we had moved into the nicer hotel by then.

Our room came with two beautiful balconies. The rain meant I was able to enjoy the balconies more than I could otherwise. It allowed me to relax with a book and watch people in the street running for cover, and feeling grateful that wasn’t me. Sure, it wasn’t part of our plans but I took it as the universe is telling me that I need to slow down and I was really thankful for that because as soon as we came home, life got hectic again!

A great way to cultivate a grateful mindset is to keep a gratitude journal. I love this beautiful Five Minute Journal from Intelligent Change which I’ve previously shared here. I’ve found a couple of more budget-friendly options that are equally nice below.

2. Manage your expectations

As I mentioned above, having unrealistic expectations is one of the biggest causes of travel disappointments. So it’s important you manage your expectations… realistically!

Let’s face it by the time you arrived at your destination, you would’ve seen most photos and read every blog post about the place. In a world full of wonderful influencers and travel bloggers, who are getting paid or incentivised (e.g. free stays) to promote, they will obviously showcase the best parts to entice you to book the trip. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that! But just know that these picture-perfect photos and exclusive experiences are often orchestrated, staged or photoshopped. It’s not all real. Have you seen those Instagram vs. Reality posts on Instagram?

NB: I promise you, my photos are all real as I don’t know how to use Photoshop! 🙂

The best way to manage this is first to be realistic and reasonable with your expectations. For example, if you see an empty photo in front of the Trevi Fountain, know that it was likely captured at the crack of dawn. So don’t expect to arrive at midday and have the place yourself. Or travelling during off-peak when there are fewer crowds like our Sicily holiday, we had most of the tourist attractions to ourselves any time of the day, which was blissful!

3. See the beauty in the imperfections

Being the perfectionist that I am, I really struggled with this one! Everything had to be perfect. I used to get really upset they didn’t turn out perfectly as planned. However, the beauty of growing up is that you also gain wisdom (not just wrinkles ;)) and I’ve learnt to see beauty in the little things in life. Even when things don’t turn out perfect, it’s okay. I’ve learned to see the silver lining behind adversities and disappointments. Silver linings are a beautiful thing.

If you go searching for issues and imperfections, you will always find them. I used to look for reasons why things weren’t perfect!! Now I try to find beauty in all the little things in life. Keeping a gratitude journal has really helped me with this journey.

Too many people in my photos? It’s okay. It gives the vibe of us people-watching. Our nice hotel was next to a wedding reception with blasting music spilling into our room at night. It’s okay, we can dance to music on our balcony reminiscing about the night of our wedding. Yes, that happened to us in Sorrento!

Perfect or imperfect is merely a perspective. When you shift your mindset to focus on the positives, then you will see beauty and joy in all circumstances, even when things aren’t perfect.

4. Have a plan but be flexible

I am all for planning and goal setting. But there’s a say in Chinese, 计划赶不上变化 (ji4 hua4 gan1 bu2 shang4 bian4 hua4), meaning plans cannot catch up to change, metaphorically. This saying change is inevitable and it is fast-coming before we can plan for it. Therefore, we need to be flexible with our plans and have the mindset to adapt them to the new environment, circumstances and surroundings.

Not to mention, your goals and plans are meant to be kept alive. You should be constantly evaluating them against your current situation. Because life happens. And you just need to adapt. What was once important to you may no longer be as important now.

I know we’re talking about travel plans here. But the same principle applies. Plan for the macro in advance and keep the micro plans closer to the event to allow for flexibility. For example, I am currently planning for our trip to South Korea. I create a high-level travel itinerary before we travel such as 4 days in Seoul, 3 days in Busan and 2 days in Jeju Island. This macro plan enables me to organise the logistics such as transport, accommodation etc. in advance. For the micro plan, I’d create a list of things I want to do at each destination where I can slot them in closer to the day. This allows me to flex according to the situation when the time comes. I also encourage you to travel with a ‘there’s always next time’ mindset. This means if you missed out on a location, then it’s okay, you have a reason to come back next time. This way you will be less impacted when things don’t go to plan.

5. Be kind to others and yourself

Last but not by no means least, be kind to others and yourself. No one is deliberately trying to ruin your day or ensure you have a bad travel experience. When faced with adversity or things haven’t lived up to your expectations, it’s nobody’s fault. These things just happen. Don’t take it out on your other half or travel companions and definitely definitely do not take it out on the service providers or staff. Be kind and give them grace. Chances are, they probably already feel bad about the situation and trying to handle it to the best of their ability.

Remember a true Lady doesn’t not embarrass people or make them feel less off. She always acts and speaks in a kind and gracious manner. She is understanding and tries to make the most of the situation. They also don’t blame themselves for these setbacks.

There you have it Ladies. These are my 5 ways to deal with bad travel experiences. Do they resonate with you? Do you have other ways to deal with travel disappointments that I’ve not covered here? Feel free to share your tips in the comment section below. Let us learn together!

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What a great article and wise advice! Having things go wrong with what you hope or expect reminds me of a well-known Mike Tyson saying (which I may be misquoting) everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the face. Even if not literally!

Absolutely!! Hence it’s important to be flexible and resilient with your plans so you can easily bounce back and rebase yourself. Thanks Simon, appreciate you stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. X

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Our Worst Travel Experiences (and Why We Still Love Traveling)

9 of the worst travel experiences from 10 years on the road!

We’ve all had bad travel experiences. You may not believe me, but being a full-time traveler does have its downsides. It’s not all amazing sunsets, exotic beaches, sampling exotic and yummy food, and lie-ins every day. There are tough times. It gets very tiring (despite all those lie-ins). You are highly likely to get food poisoning at least once from all that exotic and yummy food, and sometimes, those exotic beaches hide scary marine creatures like nurse sharks and stingrays.

But you know what, for me a full year of travelling even with those minor hardships is 10 times better than a year of working 9-5.

So here’s the ugly truth about travelling – a list of 9 of the worst travel experiences that happened to us while on the road. 

Our Worst Travel Experiences

1. when our halong bay trip fell through.

We booked an overnight cruise on one of the junk boats that famously cruise through the magnificent Halong Bay . We spent days deciding on the best boat for us, we walked to probably every travel shop in Hanoi and asked lots of questions and when we finally decided on ‘the one’ we started to get really really excited. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime things that you base your whole South East Asia trip around.

So, we set off that morning full of excitement and wonder. But alas, a massive storm was about to hit the bay. In the end, we only got to spend 3 hours on the boat. A massive disappointment.

2. The bus journey from hell 

The bus journey in question was from Hue to Hanoi in Vietnam and took a whopping 17 hours in total (5 hours longer than we expected). Oh, and there was also an overflowing, stinky toilet and lots of noisy locals on board.

I struggled to relax, too, due to the freezing cold aircon and blaring pop music through the speakers.

Pretty much hell for 17 hours, okay, maybe 16.5 (I think I managed to fall asleep for 30 minutes).

3. The time I got food poisoning in El Salvador

I don’t know how I got it – probably undercooked chicken like everyone else. But we were staying at a really remote Turtle Sanctuary/ hotel, and there were no pharmacies nearby, so I just had to ride out the constant vomiting in a sweltering room with no air-con. Other than this little blip, we loved our time in El Salvador . 

4. When we couldn’t find an operating cash machine on Livingston Island

And so had only $7 USD to our name for a full day and night. We were certainly hungry leaving on the boat the next morning.

5. When we spent the night in a murder-scene-type hotel room in Guatemala City

It smelled like urine and had an unbelievably creepy vibe. I’m pretty sure it was filled with drug lords and hookers. Amusing if we were in another part of the world, but not so funny when staying in one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Thankfully we were literally there for 10 hours before we had to catch a long bus the next morning. Here’s what we recommend doing in Guatemala .

#6   When we had bed bugs in Dalat, Vietnam

Imagine happily lying on your hotel bed after a long day of sightseeing when you suddenly start feeling really itchy. Then imagine, lifting off the  bed sheets and the mattress protector to find lots of teeny-tiny bed bugs. I may have let out a scream or two or three.  Thankfully the hotel allowed us to change rooms asap. I’m itchy now just thinking about it.

7. The nightmare boat ride from Gili Air to mainland Bali

We both managed to catch a 24-hour vomiting bug on the island. Plus it was really stormy that morning, which made our already weak stomachs even worse. It took two hours longer than we were told. And it was jam-packed, I think I was squashed into a two-seater with three other people.

8. The time my debit card would not work anywhere in San Salvador

No money = big problem. Plus, all the banks were closed for annual holidays. Thankfully the American owner of our hostel was very understanding about us not paying our bill on time. In fact, we couldn’t pay our bill until three days later.

9. The time I got hit by a moped in Hanoi

If you’ve ever visited South East Asia and, in particular, the Vietnamese city of Hanoi, you will know that crossing the road there is a death wish in itself. Needless to say it was only a matter of time before I got hit. It was only a little clip on the back of my legs. But it was still pretty scary and painful and I pouted for the rest of the night, Paul was sick to death of me.

Despite this, we are very lucky to live the life we do

Looking back at this list now, I realize how incredibly lucky we were compared to some of the other travel horror stories we’ve heard along the way. And to be honest, I think my travel stories would have been a lot worse were it not for my very sensible other half, or ‘street smart’ as he likes to call himself.

My advice to avoid any dangerous encounters is simple – don’t be stupid. I know a lot of my friends and family were worried about us traveling through El Salvador, but as long as you use common sense and don’t go looking for trouble, then trouble won’t find you.

In short, take a risk with a life of travel!

So, my question to you is are you willing to risk your stable 9-5 job for a year on the road, are you willing to risk months away from family and loved ones, are you willing to risk putting yourself in many situations outside of your comfort zone? And then guys there’s the most dangerous risk of all the risk of not spending your life doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.

Hope you enjoyed reading (and hopefully laughing) about our 9 worst travel experiences. I’d love to hear your bad travel experiences in the comments below.

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Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by snaphappytravel

9 thoughts on “ Our Worst Travel Experiences (and Why We Still Love Traveling) ”

Oh those bus rides across Vietnam. The sleeper seats are not built for non-asian men.. thankfully there wasn’t any music for those 17 hours

I got sick while in india. It was awful so totally get how you felt there. Ended up in hospital for 2 days too. Eek.

It is definitely not what social media shows usually – only smiles and happy sunsets. But it is good that you can laugh it off and continue your happy travels and most importantly that you are together in whatever happens.

I got itchy just by reading your terrifying bed bugs story, this is one of my biggest fears when booking a room, haha. It’s good that you can laugh about the bad experiences, they make up great stories afterwards 🙂

Bed bugs and getting sick seem the worst. Oh and staying a murder scene type hotel….nooo thank you. But you got some great stories out of it.

We’re only part time travelers, but had some bad travel experiences as well. Love that people tell about them so others can see that it’s not all about beautiful beaches, sun chairs, cocktail drinks etc, but they are all experiences you probably wouldn’t been without in the end. Makes good stories though 😛 Bed bugs sounds like a nightmare… ugh! Hope you didn’t get any in your bag traveling with you guys.

each of these experience is more familiar than I want it them to be. Look on the bright side: spending time in a murder hotel room makes for easy role playing and pretending you’re a hit man or drug dealer. Unless you actually are one of those, then it’s criminal business as usual..

Vietnam “moped” traffic and sleeping buses! So familiar!

Bed bugs……yikes! This is such a fun list… the ‘bad’ experiences often make great stories later, don’t they. But reading about bed bugs makes me feel itchy, too! LOL!

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Bad Travel Experiences Are Part Of The Journey

Vestiges of the days of empire evident in dilapidated buildings in Kolkata.

Travel isn’t always easy. My adventures include good and bad travel experiences, adding to the richness of my life and giving me wonderful stories to tell.

Bad travel experiences can be just as much a part of your adventure as pleasant beaches, wonderful food and positive cultural exchanges. Sickness, misunderstanding local customs and dealing with devious taxi drivers and touts are part of life on the road for many intrepid travelers.

Sickness Can Ruin Any Overseas Travel

I’m sorry to say that I’ve had my share of sickness while traveling. Severe stomach problems, in particular, have plagued me over the years.

I undertook my first overseas trip back in 1988. While crossing the border from Tibet into Nepal I caught a severe case of giardia.

Huge rains had fallen and significant parts of the Chinese constructed Friendship Highway between Lhasa and Kathmandu had been washed away on the Nepalese side of the border.

With cars and private buses no longer an option my travel companions and I had no choice but to huff it overland, often up and down muddy hillsides and across fields, towards Kathmandu.

The first night of this unwanted extension to my travel plans was spent in a tiny guesthouse at the bottom of a massive waterfall.

It was very basic accomodation in a local’s house. You might call it rustic, even romantic. But, despite my exhaustion, the roaring waterfall kept me awake most of the night.

The next morning we were up and off with no idea of how much farther we’d have to walk before we’d be able to pick up transport to the capital, Kathmandu.

We continued to slog on. It was a hard but interesting hike as we passed local farmland with marijuanna growing wild by the side of the road.

I remember stopping in a village with a guy from Kathmandu for lunch. The food was little more than watery slop and I wish I’d never taken his advice and eaten there.

Later that day the condition of the road began to improve and, eventually, we were able to grab a few seats on a local bus and make our way onto Kathmandu.

I really enjoyed the capital. Having catered to hippies and backpackers for decades Kathmandu was well set up for bottom end travels like me.

I remember a brilliant German bakery, a wonderful English language bookshop and one really excellent restaurant with a sign in the window that proudly proclaimed the following:

“Salads and vegetables are washed in a solution of iodine, for your protection.”

I’d brought a lot of medication with me from Australia. Unfortunately I wasn’t aware of giardia and none of the medications I tried worked.

I tried antibiotics, which temporarily stopped the diarrhea but, as a consequence, caused constipation for the duration of the course.

After about five days the medication would run out and the diarrhea would return. After another five days I’d start another course of antibiotics with the same side effects.

This cycle continued on for around six weeks until I arrived in Srinagar in Kashmir.

I ran into a Swedish army doctor who was stationed there as part of a United Nations observation force. He correctly diagnosed the disease and gave me what I needed: Flagyl.

Fortunately the medication worked a treat, killing the bug and I began to recover.

Mother and baby boy welcome me to the spectacular Hongcun village, China.

Getting Stoned In Chengdu, China

No, I’m not talking about a drug-induced night on the town. That’s not my idea of a good time.

I’m talking about being stoned, biblical style, by an angry mob. And it happened to me in the ancient city of Chengdu in southwest China back in 1988.

The crowd turned on me after I committed the unforgivable crime of walking along a busy city promenade, hand in hand with a Chinese girl.

We were about the same age and had become close during my stay. Mind you the relationship was completely innocent. I was the perfect gentleman only kissing her once, and that was on the forehead.

But, back in 1988, westerners were not a common sight in China. Investment from western countries was eagerly sought after and tourists participating in heavily controlled group tours funneled cash into the local economy.

But intrepid backpackers, eager to explore the countryside and interact with local folk, were not to be trusted.

That’s not to say I didn’t make great friends on my first trip to China. I did and I’ve been shown incredible kindness which is one of the reasons I’ve chosen to return to China, again and again, over the years.

But you know how it is with foreigners from a different culture and ethnicity becoming friendly with local girls.

Anyway, we were chased down a backstreet until we ran into a dead end. The crowd caught up, stones were picked up and pelted at us.

Apparently some pretty choice insults and curses were also flung in our direction, not that I could understand most of them.

However being referred to as a wide eyed foreign devil was, by that stage of the trip, a term with which I’d become familiar.

Fortunately a distant voice was heard calling out a warning and the crowd dissipated, probably thinking the police were on their way.

Sculpture, carved from snow, at SnowWorld on Sun Island in Harbin, China.

Beware Of Harbin's Taxi Drivers

The above photo was made at around -20C while on a walk outside Harbin in far northeast China.

My wonderful visit to this large, cosmopolitan Chinese city could easily have gone off the rails. It's one of the worst cities I've yet visited for downright fraud. And I'm referring to the town's infamous taxi drivers.

However, that was not my experience when visiting several of Harbin's major tourist attractions like SnowWorld or the Harbin Ice Festival.

I couldn't have been treated better, particularly by the young and friendly staff at SnowWorld. They were wonderful: kind, patient and super positive.

But back to the taxi drivers.

Getting from the airport to my hotel took around two hours longer than it should have and involved a tag team of four separate cabs and two hotels, other than the one in which I was booked to stay.

Let's just say the tripod came out and was aired in a rather freewheeling manner before I was taken to the right hotel.

This is not who I am but, as they say, desperate times call for desperate measures.

“ You can’t buy goodwill. You have to earn it. ”

Needless to say your own experience with the taxi drivers of Harbin may have been totally different to my own. I hope it was and perhaps things have changed since my visit.

All I know is that you can't buy goodwill, you have to earn it and a city’s reputation can be damaged by a single negative interaction.

Needless to say, in this era of online content creation and social media, that negativity can be broadcast far and wide.

I sincerely hope that local leaders have joined with law enforcement and cracked down on the forms of abuse folks like me have suffered from the Taxi drivers of Harbin.

Frozen water forming channels in the snow at Snow World in Harbin.

On another day I had enormous trouble getting back to my hotel from SnowWorld, one of Harbin’s premier attractions, on the edge of town.

I walked some distance to reach a large bunch of taxis, all parked together. It's the kind of place where you have to barter to set a price, prior to embarking on your trip.

None of the drivers seemed all that interested in me until one of them, a woman, approached me with considerable swagger.

Without a common language she used gestures to assure me that she knew where I was going and was more than capable of getting me there.

She proceeded to lead me over to her car from where she immediately made a call. After that we sat, without moving, for around ten minutes.

Needless to say I was getting suspicious and, with the ambient temperature decidedly frigid, I gestured to her to get a wriggle on.

After making another call she proceeded to turn the ignition on, release the handbrake and drive me around the car park, without getting out of first gear.

Clearly she couldn't drive and it was apparent that she was minding the car for the actual driver. Perhaps she was a tout. I knew not, but what I did know was that I was getting nowhere fast.

I was becoming frustrated. It was -20 degrees Celsius and I had to get back to my hotel as there were onward travel arrangements I needed to organize.

What’s more I needed a break and the opportunity to recharge my camera’s batteries before heading out for a night photography session at temperatures around -30 degrees Celsius.

After considerable agitation on my behalf we took off once again.

I was relieved when we left the carpark, but not for long as, still in first gear, my driver took me on a tour of nearby side streets so as to avoid the highway into town.

After about another five minutes of this nonsense I opened both back doors of the taxi causing her to stop.

I then got out of the cab and walked off to find my own way back into town. It was a considerable distance but I was prepared to try my luck.

I also hoped that I might be able to bluff this pretend taxi driver into taking action that would result in getting me where I actually needed to go. 

Composition explored in a stand of trees in the snow near Harbin.

Bad Travel Experiences Happen, But Photography Calms My Mind

While on this little walk I felt the need to keep calm. I took action the best way I know how.

Out came the camera and a few quick pics were made, without the driver noticing, that contrasted the smooth and textured areas of snow with the lines evident in the stand of trees you see above.

Not a great photo, but a good way to calm my mind, remind myself why I'd come to this remote (yet highly populated) part of the world and clear my head so as to be better able to resolve the situation.

Getting out of the cab and going for a walk did enough to unsettle and embarrass my driver to finally act.

Remember this is Asia and a loss of face can be deeply unsettling for the person involved.

I heard her make another call and it was obvious she was pushing hard to get the matter resolved.

A few minutes later another taxi arrived and I was taken directly back to my hotel, albeit considerably later than I should have been.

What a relief!

Neon lit ice sculptures at night at Ice World in Harbin, China.

Despite The Dramas, Winter In Harbin Is Most Beautiful At Night

When I went out later that evening I organized a driver and car with my hotel. And I paid extra to ensure that he stayed there as long as I did.

I had a blast, no pun intended, wandering around in -30 Degree Celsius conditions making photos such as the one directly above.

I wore a balaclava to protect my face from the biting cold and wrapped my camera in a fleece beanie which I also used, quite frequently, to wipe newly formed ice off the camera.

The beanie kept my camera warm and, after a three hour photography session, there was still plenty of juice in the battery.

At closing time I headed back out into the carpark to see my driver, huddled with other drivers around a 44 gallon drum in which a fire had been made.

He got me back to my hotel directly and without incident, so I tipped him generously. Boy did I love that guy.

It had been a big day and I decided I wanted a treat. I walked across the road to a local convenience store and asked for an ice cream.

The shopkeeper pointed to the door.

I thought he'd misunderstood me, but then I realized that, in this climate, there's no need for a freezer.

Boxes of ice cream were laid out on the footpath in front of the shop’s front window. I grabbed a couple, paid the shopkeeper and headed back to my hotel.

It was a fun, sweet and somewhat bizarre way to finish an eventful day.

Exterior view of St. Sophia Cathedral during winter in Harbin, China.

A Better Way to See Harbin

I now have a good working knowledge of Harbin and it's amazing winter attractions. It’s a beautiful city that offers fantastic opportunities for great photography.

However, like probably any other city, there are people and circumstances that, where ever possible, are best avoided.

If I do return to Harbin I’II spend the money and organize a driver/guide for my entire stay. The time and stress saved would make this money well spent.

I told my story about the difficulties I’d had to a kindly waitress at a local restaurant. I was blown away when she offered to act as my guide, free of charge, for the last day of my stay.

It was a fun and mutually beneficial relationship. She got to practice her English while I received assistance getting around town from a local.

I was determined to pay her, but she was even more determined to refuse. I did the next best thing which was to ensure we went to a nice restaurant for lunch.

I also made some photos of her motivated by the idea that they’d become a nice keepsake which, I hoped, she’d share with her family and her boyfriend.

Despite It’s Problems Harbin Is Still Worth the trip

I hope one day you’ll find you own way to Harbin for the fabulous Ice and Snow Festival. If you’re on a tour everything should be looked after for you.

If you’re visiting Harbin as an independent traveler I’d advise pre-booking your accommodation and making arrangements for a car or hotel minibus to take you to and from the airport.

Likewise, consider hiring a car through your hotel to get you to various locations around the city without too much trouble.

Harbin is a beautiful city. It’s actually quite European looking, being once a part of Russia. Its winter attractions, particularly SnowWorld and IceWorld, provide the enthusiastic photographer with many great opportunities for photos.

Other than the taxi drivers, I had very agreeable interactions with local folk. That’s why I’d very much like to return.

So long as local travel arrangements are well organized I can’t see why your own trip to Harbin wouldn’t end up just as much fun as my own.

Tourists outside the spectacular Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.

Beware Of Con Artists In Paris

I remember my first day in Paris and how much I enjoyed the walk down to the Arc de Triomphe. It was a warm, sunny day and a pleasant change from the Melbourne winter I’d left behind.

Fortunately I'd done some reading and was well prepared for the range of tricks pulled by con artists, whom I'd  been told were gypsies, along my route to the Arc de Triomphe trying to elicit money from unsuspecting tourists.

There was the donate to the Albanian Orphaned Children's Fund, which I otherwise would have gladly donated to, and the " is this your watch I've just found on the street " scam.

Before you known it the watch is handed to you for inspection and, almost immediately after it’s placed into your hands, another person comes forward and claims you must have stolen their watch.

You are then hassled for money to prevent the matter from escalating into violence.

Keeping my camera gear safely packed away I just kept moving while laughing them off.

They knew I was on to them and was not going to be drawn into the scam and so, somewhat sheepishly, these particular lads let me pass.

I had four such interactions over about a 1 km (0.62 mile) walk with the final one only around 100 meters away from the Arc de Triomphe.

My Computer Broke: Almost The Worst Experience For a Travel Photographer

My visit to Paris was the beginning of a huge adventure that included Iceland, Greenland, Austria, Russia and Belgium.

The trip promised and delivered some pretty amazing experiences, but I'd had a very hectic year and, frankly, I was exhausted before even leaving Australia.

My traveling companion had encouraged me to purchase a Premium Economy seat on the first and longer leg of our journey to Paris.

The idea of a relaxed flight between Sydney and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was attractive and, as the price was particularly affordable, I shelled out the bucks.

I really was looking forward to kicking back on the flight and sleeping. It would have been great, particularly as the second leg of the journey involved a cramped and crowded economy class onward flight, during the middle of the night, to Paris.

But that’s not the way it worked out because my laptop failed on the morning I was leaving Australia. I took it into the Apple store in Sydney but, given the tight timeline, they said they couldn’t help.

Back in the day I owned a large range of film based cameras and had to carry and manage dozens of rolls of medium format and 35 mm film on my travels. On one trip I even took a 4“x5” flat field folding camera with dark slides and individually sheets of film.

Keeping film cool, in often hot and humid environments, was a constant challenge.

I’d also whip out my Kodak business card to help ensure that my precious films weren’t subjected to multiple doses of radiation from x-ray machines while passing through security checks as I traveled from country to country.

When all’s going well digital is just so much easier.

You’re given immediate feedback on your images to help ensure great results.

Images are recorded and stored onto tiny, large capacity memory cards.

It’s relatively simple to create and update multiple copies of your files while on the road.

However, the god of technology can be fickle. When you’re traveling to remote parts of the planet and your laptop breaks down you’re in strife. And that was certainly my experience.

Fortunately, while I usually travel alone, on this particular trip I had a travel companion for the first part of my journey. I’m happy to report that, after a lot of work, he fixed my broken computer during our flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi.

Incredible! And I’II never forgot it.

After that scare my laptop continued to function well for a number of years until, after upgrading, I gave to one of my nephews.

Conclusion: Travel Is What You Make Of It

The key to a great travel adventure is what you make of your experiences. And I think that’s particularly important for the bad ones.

Travel, like life, is all about the reframing of how we experience the people, places and events in which we find ourselves immersed.

Of course we want these experiences to be positive. But, when they’re not, I do what I can to turn them around.

Sometimes all it takes is a smile or a friendly gesture. Other times a more positive and compassionate mindset is required.

Over the years I’ve learned that we have tremendous power to influence the way we perceive the world around us and, as a result, change our reality from one moment to the next.

Lots of travel has taught me to adapt to local environments and cultures and to remain as open minded as possible. This approach allows me to make the most of the experiences that come my way.

Of course I’m not always successful and, as is sometimes the case when I’m pestered by a tout or someone’s trying to rip me off, I’ve learned it’s best to remove myself from that experience.

I’II then proceed to do what needs to be done to put that experience behind me and continue to go about my day in a positive and creative frame of mind.

I don’t always forget bad travel experiences, but there’s rarely any negative emotions associated with how I remember them longer term.

At the end of the day my primary reason for traveling is to create and share beautiful, life affirming photos of the people and places beyond my normal everyday experience.

To do that I need to take responsibility for my own mindset and make the best of each and every situation I find myself in.

Glenn Guy, Travel Photography Guru

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Bad Airline Experience? These Companies Can Help

Solve passenger-related problems with Resolver, AirHelp, ClaimAir, and more

The worst has happened: you’ve had a bad experience on your flight. Your flight was canceled or delayed , your luggage was lost, a crew member was rude, you had a bad encounter with a fellow passenger, or there was an issue with booking your ticket .

No matter what the issue, all airlines have a contract of carriage and contact information for those wishing to complain. But sometimes it can be hard to get your issue resolved. Below are five companies that are here to help.

Courtesy of AirHelp

In April 2011, the U.S. Department of Transportation created rules designed to protect and compensate travelers for issues including requiring airlines to reimburse passengers for bag fees if their bags are lost, provide consumers involuntarily bumped from flights more compensation, requiring airlines to disclose hidden fees and expanded prohibitions on U.S. airlines operating domestic flights from allowing an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours. 

But many travelers don’t know that they can be financially compensated for these issues, and those who do don’t want to go through the hassle to get it. Those who want to use AirHelp to chase down their compensation are asked five questions to see if they're eligible. If yes, the company will pursue a claim in exchange for 25 percent of the value of a successfully received claim.

Courtesy of Resolver

This UK-based company offers free information to travelers to help them with their airline-related issues. It offers guides in simple language that outline your consumer rights in every type of issue. Travelers can use a range of flexible email templates that are easily adaptable to specific needs.

There's a function where the website can automatically keep a record of all correspondence regarding a complaint. Users can create an online case file and upload important documents including photos, tickets, copies of receipts, or external emails.

And if you're not satisfied with the initial response from the airline you've filed a complaint with, Resolver has an escalation process that lets you know when you can raise your complaint to the next level of seniority and, ultimately, to an ombudsman or regulator, where appropriate.

Most travelers don’t know that depending on the situation, they may be entitled to compensation when a flight is delayed or canceled, you're bumped from a flight, or your luggage is lost.

And even those who know may not want to go through an airline’s long process to get the money they deserve, ClaimAir can help by submitting a claim to airlines for a flat fee of $25 or a success fee of 25 percent of the total compensation.

For $25, it will write a letter that fits your situation. But for the 25 percent, the company will take care of all communication with the airline. And a bonus? ClaimAir only gets paid if it wins.

Blue Ribbon Bags

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Did an airline lose your bag? Are you frustrated with the process to get it back? New York City-based  Blue Ribbon Bags  is making the process easier. Travelers pay $5 for $1,000 in insurance per bag. They can also pay $7.50 for $1,500 in coverage or $10 for $2,000 in coverage.

Once luggage has been lost, travelers must file a claim with the airlines, then Blue Ribbon. After receiving a file reference number, call Blue Ribbon or file online, and they take it from there. If your bag is still lost after four days, the company sends a check via FedEx. And if the airline finds the bag on the fifth day, the traveler can still keep the money.

Hans Bjurling / Getty Images

This global company helps air passengers to get compensation for airline issues. It uses data entered by travelers to see if they're entitled to compensation and, if so, how much they can expect. It automatically generates a claim letter with all the required details.

If a claim is successful, Refund.me keeps 25 percent of the compensation received. It works with claims valued up to $670. And the company doesn't get paid if a claim is denied.

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His Deaf Friends Had Bad Travel Experiences, So He Did Something About It

Two decades ago, terry giansanti created the deaf-owned, deaf-led international tour company hands on travel; 350 tours later, he talks about what’s changed and what still needs to..

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Hands On Travel leads tours in 60 countries, including Croatia.

Imagine being a deaf American who has traveled to the Leaning Tower of Pisa only to be told you can’t enter without a hearing person present. Consider how humiliating and patronizing and stressful this could feel. Unfortunately, several deaf and hard of hearing Americans traveling abroad have reported encountering such barriers, borne out of inaccessible environments, and cultural biases about what deaf and hard of hearing people can and can’t do safely.

Terry Giansanti, founder of the deaf-owned tour operator Hands On Travel (formerly called Hands On Italia), is trying to make deaf travel less friction filled. Since 2002, his company has organized more than 350 tours for small groups as well as private trips, led by local deaf guides in more than 60 countries with more than 4,000 deaf customers whose primary language is American Sign Language.

Giansanti was inspired to start Hands On Travel when he was living in Italy more than two decades ago. After graduating from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. (the world’s only bilingual ASL–English university), he moved to Rome to work at the 2001 Deaflympics. And when fellow deaf American friends complained of negative travel experiences during the games, he had an idea of how to do better.

I spoke to Giansanti in September 2024, while he was leading a group tour of the Balkans—Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro, and Macedonia—with 15 deaf Americans. It was evening in darkened Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, on his end, and a sunny afternoon in northern Virginia on mine.

Why did you decide to leave behind America for Rome? And where in the U.S. are you from, exactly?

I was born and raised in Maryland and grew up in Greenbelt, mostly. I have Italian roots from my grandfather’s side. While in college, I went backpacking across Europe twice, and it aroused an interest in me to experience living in Europe after graduation. So I took the jump. Expected to stay a couple years, but that turned into 25 years (and counting).

What’s Hands On Travel’s origin story?

During the 2001 Deaflympics in Italy, many of my friends came to visit Rome. As an American living in Rome, I wanted them to enjoy the city and be impressed with what it had to offer. Unfortunately, some mentioned their bad experiences during their time in Rome and when I asked them to explain—they gave reasons that made me reply, “Oh no, you should have done this, not that” and so forth.

It made me realize that there was a lack of accessible information for deaf people at that time and inspired me to set up a business in order to provide that access and knowledge to them in direct communication, given that ASL is my mother language and also the mother language of almost all of our participants.

Can you give an example of a bad experience a friend shared with you?

It was a long time ago but it was mostly about going to the wrong place to eat, staying at the wrong location, missing some important sights, going to the wrong area, that kind of stuff.

Recently a deaf American influencer’s post went viral when she was denied entry into the Leaning Tower of Pisa without a hearing person accompanying her. Has that been your experience? How do you handle such issues?

Deaf people face stereotyping, discrimination, and oppression in many places all over the world, in addition to lack of clarity and communication. It can be stressful and embarrassing.

Since they have paid money to travel, it is our job to act as a sponge in these situations, to remove that unpleasant friction from their shoulders and take it onto our shoulders. That way, they don’t have to experience negative energy while traveling. It still happens because it’s impossible to 100 percent filter out, but our goal is to reduce that percentage down as much as humanly possible.

How would you describe the state of deaf travel today? What is it like to be a deaf traveler in 2024, and how is it different from previous years?

Things have improved a lot since we first started in 2002. Part of it is obviously thanks to technology. In 2002, we didn’t even have smartphones. There is more access to information nowadays so it is somewhat easier for deaf people to travel independently equipped with tools they need to have a successful trip.

Travel involves lots of variables outside of people’s control, so it requires adaptability and thinking outside of the box.

What do you mean by somewhat easier?

It’s not 100 percent easy, never will be. Travel cannot be 100 percent easy for anybody—not only deaf people; that’s just not possible. Travel involves lots of variables outside of people’s control, so it requires adaptability and thinking outside of the box. For deaf people, it’s even harder due to the lack of visual cues or visual communication in many popular tourist destinations.

What would you like to see change to make it easier for deaf people to travel?

America needs to establish a national disability ID card that every disabled person can get in order to “prove” their disability. [ Ed. note: Some countries, such as India , Israel , and Japan , have national disability identification cards. Also, the European Union (EU) is close to adopting a disability card that would apply to all member states within the EU .] Deafness in particular is not a very visual disability. Worldwide, in order to get reduced or free admission to tourist attractions they often request ID card as proof of disability, and that’s something Americans don’t yet have. That would make things a lot easier for deaf people in many places worldwide.

Many deaf people are also starving for more resources to help them plan their travel abroad. Deaf-friendly destinations. Deaf-friendly experiences. Local deaf guides. Deaf social events. Deaf-centered sights.

Many deaf people are also starving for more resources to help them plan their travel abroad. Deaf-friendly destinations. Deaf-friendly experiences. Local deaf guides.

What makes your company unique from other deaf-owned tour operators?

First, I believe that we are the first American deaf-owned and deaf-run tour operator that operates, organizes, designs, and runs our own tours with full communication access, small group sizes, and unique travel experiences.

Now, there are more deaf-owned tour operators in the field, which is a good thing because it ensures that deaf people are empowering each other in the travel industry, which is a huge industry worldwide nowadays.

But we feel that we’ve proven over 22 years in business that we continue to be at the forefront of the deaf-owned tour operator industry due to our accumulated experience, customer service, and unique offerings. And that, with us, people know what they’re getting from their investment into their travel, which is our full effort, energy, and attention to them in small group sizes, which ensures everybody stays involved.

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Why bad trips can make for great stories

Disastrous journeys tend to be transformative and more memorable than perfect ones—and actually make us happier.

Good trips come and go. Bad trips are forever. There is nothing more forgettable than a journey that goes exactly to plan. That’s why I’ll take a bad trip over a good one any day, a seemingly twisted doctrine that says a lot about human nature, the way we remember—and why we travel in the first place.

The label “bad trip” covers a lot of ground. Some trips skew only slightly: a missed connection, a rained-out parade. Other trips careen so wildly off track they make headlines. The awfulness of the 1910 Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica , recounted beautifully in Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s The Worst Journey in the World , turned this debacle into a classic of adventure literature. A trip needn’t involve subzero temperatures to qualify as bad. Travel long enough and eventually all travelers experience their own “worst journey in the world.”

There’s a reason the words “travel” and “travail” share a common root.

The test of travel

For the past few decades, social scientists have poked and prodded our psyches, searching for the secrets to happy people, and happy places . One consistent finding: We’re not very good at predicting what will and will not make us happy. We think amassing more stuff will do the trick, yet studies consistently find it is experiences, not material possessions—doing, not having—that yield the greatest contentment.

Travelers might assume a perfectly smooth journey will boost our happiness. Experience suggests a few bumps in the road make the journey memorable.

Bad trips love company. Nothing tests the sturdiness of an old relationship, or cements a new one, like a journey gone awry. Eric Weiner , Author

I think the real reason we travel is to stretch ourselves, test   ourselves, and unearth abilities we didn’t know we had. We travel to travail. Bad trips supply the narrative arc for our hero’s journey, that ancient archetype elucidated by Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, among others. The steps are always the same. Step one: Hero embarks on adventure. Step two: Hero is tested. Step three: Hero passes test. Step four: Hero returns home transformed. Over the centuries, travelers from Marco Polo to Ibn Battuta to Gertrude Bell have fine-tuned the hero’s journey.

Everyone’s notion of a bad trip is a bit different. For American author and journalist Martha Gellhorn, nothing was worse than a boring trip and nothing more boring than a cruise. (“It bores me to even think of such a trip.”) In 1944 she found herself on a kind of un-cruise, crossing the Atlantic aboard a Norwegian dynamite ship. The ship’s hold was loaded with high explosives. The food was terrible, the drinks nonexistent, the crew humorless. There were no lifeboats. When the ship reached Liverpool safely, she was relieved but also oddly wistful. She had enjoyed her bad trip. “If the choice was between a cruise ship and a dynamite ship, I’d have no trouble choosing.”

( These travel books document the worst trips in the world. )

Then there are those stubbornly optimistic travelers, like British author Jan Morris , who “made a professional specialty of the happy journey.” No hardship or setback could dent her cheerfulness. To prove her point, she once suggested a thought experiment. What if the various mishaps she endured over a lifetime of travel were to converge on a single journey? What if she were to find herself “robbed of my passport and plane ticket, my luggage having already been lost in flight, while suffering from extreme diarrhea during a high summer heat wave and a severe water shortage, while the local electricity supply and telephone service have been cut off because of political disturbances.”

Terrible trip, right? No, says Morris. “Why, I would have said to myself, how lucky I am it isn’t raining.” For her, a bad trip is the exception that proves the rule, the bump in the road that renders the smooth stretches more enjoyable.

Friends and memories

Bad trips love company. Nothing tests the sturdiness of an old relationship, or cements a new one, like a journey gone awry.

It also explains why The Worst Journey in the World makes for such compelling, oddly uplifting reading. The author, an assistant zoologist way out of his depth, recounts in excruciating detail how he and two fellow explorers embarked on a quixotic search for emperor penguin eggs. Cherry, as the young man was known, describes an almost unimaginable ordeal: meager rations, brutal cold (temperatures dipped to minus 77 degrees), and unrelenting darkness. Yet the men never lost hope, or their warm camaraderie.

Bad trips reveal much about the workings of human memory. We typically think of memory as a kind of photograph or digital record we retrieve at will. In fact, memory is much more fluid, and complex, than that. We don’t retrieve memories so much as form them, construct them, a cognitive edifice that bends and flexes over time.

( Here’s why planning a trip can help your mental health .)

Negative events make deeper impressions than positive ones, research shows. It’s called the “negativity bias,” and from an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense. In order to survive, it was more important that early humans recalled the location of the lion den, rather than that beautiful rock formation.

The negativity bias, though, is counterbalanced by another psychological force: the “fading affect bias.” Simply put, over time, we forget the bad stuff and remember the good. And, as a recent study found, focusing on the context of a negative event diminishes its corrosive effects. Researchers placed 19 participants in a brain scan, then showed them a series of disturbing photographs superimposed upon a neutral background. When asked to shift their focus to the neutral background, they rated the photographs as less negative and retained fewer detailed memories. Our psyches shed negative memories and preserve positive ones, a tendency that grows more pronounced as we age.

Memory is more than mere cognition. Our emotions play a large role. What we are feeling during an event determines how likely we are to recall it, and in how much detail, research shows. Heightened emotions lead to heightened memories.

Our retelling of a travel tale changes over time. That big fish you caught gets just a bit bigger in each version. Remarkably, at least one study found that these revised stories lead to revised memory . You don’t merely tell incredulous friends that the fish you caught “was the size of a small car,” you believe it. You remember it that way.

( Why travel should be considered an essential human activity .)

All this research lays bare an essential truth about travel: It is not only a physical and cognitive activity but also a creative one. More important than a full itinerary is a rich imagination, for it’s not the journey that is memorable; the remembering makes it so.

In other words, your trip, good or bad, doesn’t end when you return home. In a very real sense, it has only begun.

Eric Weiner is a former foreign correspondent for NPR and the author, most recently, of The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers . Follow him on Twitter .

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