Inspiring Travel Tips & Tales From Around the Globe
I had a scavenger hunt via my newsletter. I asked readers to share their travel tips about select destinations, that were a part of the hunt —covering everything from airport dining to cultural nuances. Below, you’ll find each tip organized by location or topic.
All quotes are included exactly as they were shared (verbatim). Enjoy, and happy travels!
Africa
Ethiopia
- Ethiopia is a great place to visit. Despite massive poverty, the locals are friendly and honest. Be prepared for Addis’ altitude!
- Wear light neutral colors like khaki or light grey to avoid being bitten by the Tsetse fly. Tsetse flies are attracted to black, blue and vibrant colors, so wearing dark or vibrant colors will increase your chances of being bitten.
- Don’t forget to plan travel vaccines ahead of time: Even common diseases like Yellow Fever and Malaria have readily available vaccines to greatly reduce risk.
- Take a self-drive through Krueger National Park; no need to pay for a safari!
Asia
NRT (Japan)
- Get a Japan Rail Pass for unlimited travel including the Bullet Train; experience traditional Japanese accommodation by staying in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese Inn) which features tatami flooring and futon bedding, take off your shoes before entering homes, ryokans, and certain temples.
- Being respectful of Japanese culture goes a long way with the residents: Even drinking while walking on a public sidewalk immediately labels you as an unaware tourist in lieu of stopping alongside one of the ubiquitous vending machine spaces.
- Eat as much street food as possible. It is excellent, provided you make sure it is sanitarily handled and prepared.
- Take the trains everywhere!
- Take Trader Joe’s bags as giveaways. You do not tip in Japan, but ‘presents’ are always accepted. There are NO TJ’s in Japan, but they just love the 99c bags… stock up.
Europe
- The observation deck at Schiphol (AMS) is a great old-school viewing spot for avgeeks.
- Always be ready for adventure!!!
- In Barcelona, take a group paella cooking class. It’s a wonderful experience cooking and sharing a common meal as well experiencing local culture.
- Eat the plat du jour at any French brasserie. It is always the best.
- Carry coins (1 euro) for bathroom breaks.
- See a play or musical in London
- Two Tips… download google maps for the city you’re visiting and buy a set of language translator earbuds to work with your cell phone 🙂
Istanbul, Turkey of course 🙂
- wearing well broken in comfortable shoes
North America
Atlanta, GA USA
- Never have a short connecting time
- Try “One Flew South” for a great meal at ATL
DEN, CO (USA)
- The more contemporary outdoor decks in Denver (DEN) are also very comfortable and fun places.
New York City
- Concerts at Carnegie Hall.
- For the best high-level view of New York, go to the Top of the Rock – not the Empire State Building. After all, the Empire State Building is one of the places you want to see while you are there – and you can’t see it when you are on top of it!
- Walking along the High Line is a wonderful and unexpected urban experience; it also connects various neighborhoods in a different way. Don’t forget to grab a dirty water dog while you’re out and about!
- Don’t smile – the locals will think you’re weird
- Take the 3 hour boat tour and see a play on Broadway!
- New York, New York of course. Manhattan Island!!!
Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador
- (No specific comment provided, but it’s a legendary spot for aviation history!)
Latin America
Machu Picchu, Peru
Peru
- Certain areas in Peru can be unsafe, so stick to populated streets & plazas & avoid being alone in deserted areas. Always beware of your surroundings and keep your valuables in a hidden travel bag or backpack. Stay safe.
- If you are affected by altitude, go to Cuzco at least 24 hours early. It is at around 12,000ft and the lack of oxygen affects everyone. Cuzco is very cute and worth the time.
- Take the time to do some stargazing while in the lower parts of South America — even with just naked eyes. Seeing the Southern Cross and the Milky Way from the southern hemisphere is a notably different experience than the northern hemisphere.
- The best time for Southern South America is November; the temperatures are great, and the weather is calmest.
Middle East
Dubai Eye
Dubai, UAE
- Don’t drink the water; drink the tea! It is a part of Middle Eastern culture
- Seek out the Indian restaurants where the labor force go to eat. It is the real thing.
- The SkyView Bar in the Burj Al Arab Hotel (the canoe shaped building) is well worth a visit — IF you can get a reservation and are willing to bend your credit card a little.
- I respect Middle Eastern’s religious customs, and as a woman, I dress appropriately conservative – no shorts, low cut or sleeveless dresses, etc.
Oceania & Airlines
New Zealand
- Bring your sunscreen!!!
- Don’t miss Queenstown! It is a gem… and surrounded by more natural beauty than most people will ever see in their lifetimes.
- Many people are intimidated by time changes of over twelve hours. Remember that your body doesn’t care if it’s Tuesday or Wednesday, but only if it’s lunchtime or bedtime: Just think of an eighteen hour change as six hours instead — unless you’re scheduling a meeting!
- The home of the friendliest people on earth
Quantas………..the only way to travel to OZ!
(Technically “Qantas,” but the sentiment stands!)
Tropical Escapes
- Seychelles / The Seychelles – Paradise !! A slow, tropical lifestyle
- We’ve always loved St. Martin, not only for Maho Beach but primarily for the dual Dutch and French cultures.
- Fiji!
- Belize is my go-to tropical destination. Beaches and mayan ruins make for a perfect mix of exploration and relaxation.
- It has to be a tropical destination? That leaves out Antarctica… I would say another trip to the Maldives
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, plenty of mosquito repellent, & beware of strong currents when swimming.
Virgin Atlantic
- Give yourself plenty of time and if traveling NR be happy with any seat
- If you have an Amex Platinum or Centurion card or other qualifying airline cards you can relax in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses & enjoy healthy food & drinks. They also have showers & lie-flat lounge beds if needed.
- Pass travel is always easiest on your own airline. Next best is an airline within your own airline’s alliance as connections are likely to be simpler.
- Very friendly and efficient crews
General Travel
- bring your own food!!!
Final Thoughts
These tips, shared by a diverse group of travelers, highlight both the practical side of travel (bring your own food, watch out for altitude) and the cultural side (dress modestly in Dubai, respect local norms in Japan). There’s a wealth of advice here—pick and choose what resonates with your travel style, and don’t forget to keep an open mind.
Have a tip of your own or a story to share? Drop me a note or leave a comment below—I’m always on the lookout for more golden nuggets of travel wisdom. Until next time, happy exploring!