Five Mistakes Weekend Travelers Make
Greetings from Lisbon, Portugal! Today we’re sharing five of the most common mistakes that weekend travelers make when they go abroad. This is to help you make the most of your weekend trip. Most of us don’t get months off to roam around world, so sometimes we have to settle for just a weekend to see the best of what a city has to offer.
Weekend Traveler Mistake #1: Not Doing Enough Research
With limited time, you really want to do a lot of research before your trip. You need to know what sites to see, what to eat, where to go, etc. If you try to figure it out when you arrive, you’ll spend precious travel time doing research that you could have done at home. Make sure you know about the weather, any holidays that could affect your trip.
Read: 10 Best Cheap Weekend Destinations in Europe
Weekend Traveler Mistake #2: Packing Too Much
This is probably the biggest mistake we see. If you’re traveling for a weekend, you don’t need a huge suitcase! For just a couple days, you should be able to get by with a backpack or carryon suitcase. Not only will you travel lighter and faster, you won’t have to wait around at baggage claim with everyone else. You can hit the streets and start your trip right away.
Weekend Traveler Mistake #3: Sleeping Late
It’s tempting to sleep late when you’re on vacation. However, a lot of tourist sites close at 5pm, so if you don’t get out of your hotel until noon, you don’t have much time to see anything. Catch up on your sleep on the plane, and try to get up early to see as much as you can in your weekend travel.
Weekend Traveler Mistake #4: Not Asking for Help
Whether it’s friends who have been to the destination you’re visiting, or the concierge at your hotel, make sure you are asking for help. Ask them what you should see, what to do on your weekend trip, where to go and what to eat. Concierges and tourism offices everywhere in the world are very helpful, and they can help you narrow down all of the sites and attractions to fit your weekend trip.
Weekend Traveler Mistake #5 Not Prioritizing Your Weekend
You have to know before you arrive what are the top two to three things you must see on your trip. If you go to a town and you don’t prioritize, you might run out of time with other sites before you get to see the top attractions.
Read: What to Know BEFORE You Visit Paris