What Travelers Should Never Do While Traveling at Thanksgiving

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The Don’ts of Thanksgiving Travel

Happy Thanksgiving! Today we’re sharing the “don’ts” of Thanksgiving travel. If you didn’t know, Thanksgiving is the busiest travel week in the United States. With all that traveling, I thought it was time to share my list of things you should not do when it comes to Thanksgiving travel.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #1: Don’t Forget to Pack Your Patience

It’s the busiest travel time of the year, which means crowds everywhere. Ticket counters and departure gates? Full. Security? Long lines. Highways? Full. Parking garages? Full. Shops? Full. Grocery stores? Full. Give yourself a little extra time when traveling somewhere during Thanksgiving week, even if it’s just to the grocery store.

Tip: Try to book the first flight of the day to avoid crowds and cancellations.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #2: Don’t Pack Too Much

If you’re visiting family over Thanksgiving, you don’t need to bring very much. Chances are, you can do laundry during your visit. Don’t check any luggage if you are flying over Thanksgiving week. This will save you from the check-in line, as well as wait time at baggage claim on the other end.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #3: Don’t Wait to Book Thanksgiving Travel

If you plan to travel over Thanksgiving weekend, expect prices to jump as the holiday approaches. Last minute deals will be hard to come by this week. If you know you are traveling over Thanksgiving, make your reservations a few months in advance, and you’ll likely save money on flights and hotels.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #4: Don’t Be Afraid to Travel on Thanksgiving Day

While it’s a very busy week for travel, the best day to fly is actually on Thanksgiving day. Most travelers will have already arrived at their destination, so prices are lower, as are the crowds. Likewise, if you plan your travel for the following Monday, rather than Saturday or Sunday, you’ll likely have better prices and fewer crowds. Travelers can save hundreds of dollars on flights by waiting one more day to fly home.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #5: Don’t Think Thanksgiving Travel Will Be Cheap

As one of the high travel peaks of the year, don’t expect to find deals, and don’t expect to save money. Gas prices may be higher, and flights and hotels will be more expensive. To avoid missed connections, and possible added costs, it may be worth it to pay a bit more for the direct flight if you can.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #6: Don’t Leave Wednesday Afternoon for a Thanksgiving Road Trip

Wednesday afternoon around 3:00 or 4:00 is the busiest time to get on the road for Thanksgiving travel. People tend to leave work a bit early, schools release early and everyone hits the road at the same time. For shorter trips, it’s probably better to leave Thursday morning, when fewer people will be on the road.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #7: Don’t Forget to Gas Up the Car Before Leaving

Make sure to fill up the gas tank and stock up on road snacks before leaving for your Thanksgiving road trip. If you’re in a winter climate, you may run into weather issues, or you might just have trouble finding an open gas station on Thanksgiving day.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #8: Don’t Return on Saturday Afternoon

Again, most people will hit the road to go back home on Saturday afternoon, so if you want to avoid traffic, leave on Saturday morning when everyone else is sleeping late. Traffic will be much lighter,

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #9: Don’t Treat Family Members Like a Taxi

If you are flying to visit family, and have relatives pick you up at the airport, don’t rely on them to drive you around for the whole trip. It’s a good idea to have another mode of transportation in case they have other guests to drive around.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #10: Don’t Be Scared to Take Food Home

Nearly every Thanksgiving tradition involves food, and there are always leftovers. If you are flying, it’s generally OK to bring food with you, as long as it’s not liquid. Just think about how delicate the food you are transporting will be, and whether it can stand up to being squished into your luggage.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #11: Don’t Try to Fly With Gravy or Sauces

Thanksgiving foods that are liquid fall under the same three-ounce rule as everything else at the TSA checkpoint, so if you want to bring your special gravy to Thanksgiving, you’ll have to make it once you arrive.

Thanksgiving Travel Don’t #12: Don’t Forget to Be Thankful

There are so many things to be thankful for this year. We are especially grateful to our fans for getting us to 100 million YouTube views! We want to thank those fans and fellow travelers for following our journey!

Five Things Tourists Love & Hate about Visiting The USA

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about travel to USA! I love to be a tourist in my own country and explore all the unique places to travel in the US. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your USA trip.

Hate #1: US Sales Tax

When you are shopping or dining out in most countries, the price you see is the price you pay. But that’s not the case in the US. Every state has a sales tax that is added on to the price of the item. When you go to McDonald’s and order off the “dollar” menu, you end up paying $1.06 or whatever the tax rate is where you are. Tax can add anywhere from 5% to 20% on top of the price listed.

Love #1: Prices in the US

Overall, the US is pretty cheap to visit. Hotels, restaurants, and even shopping are very affordable in the States. Of course, you can spend more on luxury hotels and fine dining, but if you are traveling on a budget, you will have plenty of options when you travel to the USA.

usa tourism must knows
Fun USA travel spots

US Hotels Explained for Tourists

Hate #2: US Restaurants

When you go out to a sit-down restaurant in the US, the final amount you pay is often much higher than the menu prices. First, you have the sales tax we already mentioned, and then there is the gratuity. While tipping does happen in other countries, the expectations are much higher in the US. You should plan to tip between 15% and 20%. 15% is generally considered the minimum amount to tip for restaurant or bar service.

Love #2: Diversity in the United States

The United States has always been and continues to be, a melting pot of cultures. Each region of the US has a unique culture, from Southern hospitality to New England charm. And then there are other cultures mixed in, especially in larger cities like Chicago, which has huge populations of Mexicans, Polish, Indian and others, with lively neighborhoods serving up amazing cuisines. With 50 states to visit, you’ll find interesting cultures and traditions in each.

Hate #3: Public Transportation in the US

Outside of major cities, there really is no public transportation in the United States. Smaller cities often have just a few bus lines and no train system to speak of at all. Amtrak is the train system, but the routes aren’t always convenient. If you plan to visit the US without driving, you’ll really need to stick to some of the larger cities along the Eastern seaboard, as the train options are better around New York, Boston, and Washington DC.

Love #3: People in the US

Americans are really great. When traveling abroad, a lot of people seem to think that Americans are superficial or fake because they are so friendly. A more reserved culture is suspicious of this friendliness, but it’s actually genuine. When we ask “how are you?” we actually mean it, and when we smile, it’s sincere. When I have lived abroad, I miss the people of the U.S. more than anything else. Of course, this varies by region, but for the most part, you will find most Americans to be very helpful.

Hate #4: Great Distances Between Attractions

The United States is huge and there are often vast distances between the things you want to see. Things are a little more concentrated in New England and the northeast, but if you are visiting the Southwest, the Midwest or the West Coast, expect a lot of long driving days between attractions. People think they can visit New York, Miami, and Los Angeles all in one trip because you’re not leaving the country, so it can’t be so bad. In reality, that is over 6,500 kilometers. The best thing to do is to focus on one region for each time you visit the United States.

Love #4: U.S. Cities and Small Towns

There are so many cool cities and towns to visit in the United States. Chicago is one of the best cities in the world, with big-city culture in a very easy to get around town. Each large city of the U.S. is unique and interesting, which makes it hard to decide where to go in the U.S. Apart from the big cities, small towns are really the heart of America. Take a road trip along Route 66 and visit all different kinds of towns.

Five Things You Will Love & Hate About New Orleans

Hate #5: Driving is a Necessity

Unlike traveling through Europe, having a rental car in the US is pretty much a necessity. Due to lack of public transportation and the great distances in the States, having a car is the best way to see the country, unless you are visiting the East Coast or Chicago, where public transportation is decent. This does add to your expenses for the trip. Not only will you have to pay for a rental car, but you’ll have to think about fuel, parking, tolls, and insurance.

Love #5: American Landscapes

There are so many unique and diverse landscapes across the country. There are the deserts of the Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, the Smoky Mountains, the Great Lakes, the Great Plains, the swamps and bayous of the South. There are so many different environments to explore throughout the United States beyond the amazing cities and towns.

The US is such an amazing and diverse country that everyone should try to visit at least once. With so many places to visit in the US, it can be hard to narrow down an itinerary for your USA trip. The “hates” are all really just things to avoid, rather than a reason not to travel to the USA. Want more tips for planning your USA vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

Five Things Travelers Love & Hate about Visiting Boston

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Boston, Massachusetts! I love Boston and am always excited when I get to come back here for a visit. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Boston vacation.

Hate #1: Fake History in Boston

There are tons of historic things to see in Boston, but a lot of history has been exploited in the name of tourism. Places like Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall are historic buildings that look cool from the outside, but inside it’s basically a mall food court. Then there’s the “Cheers” bar, which is a replica of the original. There are a lot of “replica” destinations in Boston and it gets old after a while.

Eight Don’ts of Visiting Boston

Love #1: Historic Sights in Boston

While there’s a lot of “fake” history in Boston, there’s so much real history that you can’t help but be amazed. One of the most popular Boston tourist attractions is the Freedom Trail, which is a self-guided walking tour of the best historic sights in Boston. You get to see Paul Revere’s house, several historic government buildings, churches, and graveyards. The “real” history in Boston far outweighs the “fake” history.

boston travel
Got to love Boston

Hate #2: Boston Winters

If you visit Boston in the winter, you’ve been warned. The winters in Boston are terrible. They don’t just get snow in Boston, they get tons of snow at a time. When it’s not snowing, it’s still freezing cold and windy and just overall unpleasant. Any other time of year is perfect for visiting Boston, but I don’t recommend winter.

Love #2: Getting Around Boston

While Boston is a huge city with lots of diverse neighborhoods, the majority of Boston tourist attractions are very centrally located in a compact area. This makes it easy to see a lot of Boston in a short time. Fortunately, it’s very easy (and preferable) to visit Boston without a car. If you want to go outside of the city center, the “T” system is affordable and easy to use.

Hate #3: Driving & Parking in Boston

Boston has existed for nearly 400 years, so the city pre-dates cars by a couple of hundred years. This means that Boston is not on a grid system like more modern cities, so driving is frustrating. There are a lot of one-way streets and dead ends; even with GPS, driving in Boston is confusing and frustrating. Affordable parking does not exist in Boston, but even trying to find any parking is a nearly impossible task. It’s best not to have a car at all on your Boston vacation.

Love #3: Boston Sightseeing

Besides all the great historic sights, there are many other fun things to do in Boston. There are zoos, aquariums, parks, museums, and sports teams. Fenway Stadium, home of the Boston Red Sox, is one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in the country. You can ride the swan boats at the Boston Public Garden, or take a cruise on the Boston Harbor.

Hate #4: Boston Jaywalking

Bostonians take jaywalking to the next level. If you are a driver in Boston, be on high alert at all times. If you are a pedestrian, don’t just blindly follow someone else who steps out into the street.

Love #4: Boston is Safe & Kid Friendly

For a city of this size, Boston is very safe. Of course, there are bad neighborhoods to avoid, but as a tourist, I’ve not had to worry about my safety while sightseeing in Boston. You don’t hear much about pickpockets or traveler scams like you do in other large cities. If you are visiting Boston with kids, it’s very family-friendly. There are tons of fun activities for the whole family, including the Boston Children’s Museum.

Safety Tips for Travel in the USA

boston common
Thumbs up from Mark for Boston

Hate #5: Cobblestone Streets of Boston

Sure, the cobblestone streets add to the historic feel and look of Boston, but after a few hours of walking on cobblestones, your feet will begin to hate them. Most Boston activities involve a lot of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. If you have ankle or foot problems, you’ll need to be extra careful when you are walking around.

Love #5: Eating & Drinking in Boston

Boston has some fantastic restaurants and bars, and the food is fantastic. Clam chowder and lobster rolls are two local specialties that you have to have in Boston. The North End has amazing Italian food. Boston cream pie and Sam Adams beer are other local specialties to try when you are in Boston.

Boston is such a cool city with so many things to see in Boston. The “hates” are all really just things to avoid, rather than a reason not to take a Boston vacation. Want more tips for planning your USA vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

Five Things You Will Love & Hate on a Portugal Vacation

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Portugal! I lived in Portugal for several years, and it’s one of my favorite countries in Europe. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Portugal vacation.

Love #1: Prices in Portugal

Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in Europe to visit. It’s not just affordable, it’s cheap. Whether it’s shopping, eating or accommodation in Portugal, your money goes a long way. If you have been traveling around Europe and you come from a country like Germany, you’ll have sticker shock in Portugal because it’s so cheap. For what you’d spend on one night in a London hotel, you can get three nights in a Portugal hotel.

Hate #1: Eating in Portugal

This isn’t a complaint about the food in Portugal, but about the time when meals are eaten. If you are used to eating a late lunch or an early dinner, you may be frustrated with trying to go out to eat in Portugal. From about 3:00 to after 7:00, most restaurants are closed. You can get snacks and fast food, but if you want a proper meal, then remember that lunch is served from about 12:30-3:00 and dinner starts around 7:00 or 7:30.

Love #2: Food & Wine in Portugal

Portugal has amazing food and wine. When it comes to wine, there’s red, white and even green wine, all of which are really good. Port wine originates in Porto, so you definitely have to give that a try when you visit Portugal. Not only is the wine in Portugal delicious, but it’s also cheap! The food is also fantastic. Wherever you go in Portugal, make sure you ask your server what the local specialty is so you can try different foods in Portugal.

Hate #2: Restaurant Antipasto

When you sit down at a restaurant, the server will often place bread, cheese, butter, olives, and other types of antipasto on the table. You would assume since they automatically bring it to your table that it is complimentary. But it’s not! They will actually charge you for the bread and other items, individually. It can even add up to more than your meal if you partake of everything they bring you! If you don’t want them, you can refuse it or ask them to take it away.

Ten Things That Will Shock You in Portugal

Love #3: Portuguese Locals

Despite the poor service standards, the people in Portugal are really nice. They are so helpful about giving tips on where to eat, what to see and pretty much anything you want to know about Portugal. The people are just amazing; after living in Portugal for several years, I made some really fantastic life-long friends from Portugal.

Hate #3: Drug Dealers

This mostly applies to Lisbon, but since most people visit Lisbon, I include it here. It seems that nearly everywhere you go in Lisbon, some guy will be pestering you to buy hashish or cocaine or other drugs. It’s a well-known problem and even the locals are bothered by it. They don’t profile, either. They’ll approach parents with young children, seniors traveling, just about anyone. Just keep walking and don’t engage with them. Don’t bother telling the cops, though, as they couldn’t care less.

Love #4: English is Widely Spoken

Most people in Portugal speak English, which is perfect for travelers who don’t speak Portuguese. The younger people in Portugal tend to speak English really well, so there’s rarely an issue with language barriers in Portugal. If you want to learn a bit of Portuguese, we have videos for that!

Seven Tips for Learning a Foreign Language

Hate #4: Portugal Drivers

Whether you are driving or just trying to cross the street, you will quickly come to hate Portugal drivers. It seems like they are out to kill anyone who gets in their way. Whether it’s in the city or out in the country, Portuguese drivers are always in a hurry for some reason. Portugal has one of the highest mortality rates in Europe for driving accidents.

Love #5: Portugal Sightseeing

There are so many amazing things to see in Portugal. Porto has a bridge built by Gustave Eiffel, of the Eiffel Tower. There are ruins, history, castles, beaches and so many cool things to do in Portugal. From the beaches of the Algarve to some of the best cities to visit in Portugal, this country is full of great things to see and do.

Hate #5: Service in Portugal

If you are used to attentive service in the UK or the US, you will notice very quickly that Portugal’s service standards are very different. This applies to shops and in restaurants. The service seems worse at the chain restaurants as it’s very impersonal. Smaller, family-run shops and restaurants tend to have better service.

Portugal is a fantastic country and a really great place for exploring beaches and cities, as well as amazing food and wine. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on, rather than a reason not to visit Portugal. Want more tips for planning your Europe vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

Five Things Travelers Love & Hate about Visiting the Southwest USA

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the American Southwest! The Southwest states include Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, and Colorado. It’s a beautiful region of the United States that is well worth coming to. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit the Southwest USA.

Hate #1: Sand Everywhere

Even though not all of the Southwest is desert, you will end up with sand and dust everywhere. In your car, your suitcase and on your clothes. This is not the trip to bring your brand new white tennis shoes, or they may end up dyed red from the dirt in the Southwest.

Love #1: Southwest Weather

The weather in the Southwest is pretty perfect, especially in winter when the rest of the country is cold and snowy. You’ll have sunny, warm days and crisp, cool nights. There’s a reason so many people retire to the Southwest. Even in the summertime, there are areas of the southwest at higher elevations that are not too hot to visit.

Hate #2: Extreme Temperatures

Although the weather in the southwest is generally great, there are huge temperature shifts every day, from hot to cold. You end up having to pack more clothing because you need warm weather clothes for the daytime and a few extra layers for nighttime. A typical day will see about a 30-degree temperature swing, whether it’s from 50 to 80-degrees, or from 80-degrees to 110-degrees, depending on when you visit.

Love #2: Southwest Landscapes

The landscapes of the Southwest states are incredibly unique and breathtaking. There are so many neat places to visit in the American Southwest. National Parks like Bryce Canyon, Zion, Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park, and more! Then there are state parks and unique destinations like Sedona, Arizona. Monument Valley is another iconic Southwest destination. The Southwest attracts a lot of outdoor adventure travelers because of all the amazing opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature.

Hate #3: The Snowbirds

Many retirees spend their summers up north and then converge on the southwest for the winter. The joke in Arizona is that you know it’s autumn when the license plates start to change colors. Most of the cities aren’t built as seasonal tourist destinations, so restaurants, grocery stores, and other places can get overwhelmed during the snowbird season. Finding accommodation can also be a challenge, especially if you want an apartment rental or long-term stay.

Love #3: Native American Culture

Native Americans lived in the Southwest long before the Europeans arrived and started to move west. The Native American culture remains strong in the Southwest, and there are so many interesting places where you can learn more. There are many spots to visit the historic settlements at places like Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon. You can sample Native American food in several places, and experience the culture through pow-wows that are open to the public. There are also some really great museums in the southwest that are dedicated to preserving Native American culture and history.

Hate #4: Long Drives

Yes, there’s something fun about the open road, but the distances between attractions of the Southwest states are huge. Many travelers tend to over-plan their itineraries to include too many Southwest destinations and end up spending most of their vacation behind the wheel of a car. Given the long stretches of desolate roads, it’s always a good idea to fill up your gas tank when you are leaving a town because you don’t know where the next gas station will be. It’s also a good idea to have an actual map with you, as you may frequently be out of cell phone range.

Top Ten Road Trip Essentials

Love #4: Southwest Food

The food in the southwest is amazing and diverse. Native American foods include fry bread (with sweet or savory toppings) and lamb stew. New Mexico is known for tamales, green chiles and hatch chiles, while Arizona has some of the best Sonoran Mexican food you can find. Make sure you try a Sonoran hot dog if you visit Tucson!

Hate #5: Leaving the Southwest

One of the worst parts of visiting the Southwest is having to leave and go back home, especially in the winter! As you can see, we really had to stretch to find five things to hate about these Southwest vacation destinations!

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Love #5: Desert Views

This is one of the least populated areas of the United States, which means there are still wide open vistas with nothing to see but scenery. From canyons, forests, rivers and unique plants like the saguaro cactus, the Southwest is a very diverse environment. And the night skies are some of the best in the world. You won’t believe how many stars you can see!

Overall, the Southwest is a really fantastic place to visit, with iconic scenery, great culture, history, and food. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason to avoid Southwest USA travel. Want more tips for planning a US vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

5 Things You Will Love & Hate about Visiting Croatia

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Croatia! It’s a beautiful country that is well worth checking out.  As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit Croatia.

Love #1: Natural Beauty in Croatia

Most of Croatia is comprised of coastline. The main coastline is over 1,100 miles long, and then there are the islands of Croatia, with an additional 2,500 miles of coastline. There are tons of amazing beaches, albeit stone beaches, but Croatia beaches are beautiful nonetheless. If you don’t like the beach, just head inland to explore lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and mountains.

Hate #1: Getting to Croatia

Getting to Croatia is pretty easy in July and August, but if you want to visit Croatia in the off-season, it’s challenging. There are ferries that go from Venice to Croatia year-round, but the selection of flights decreases greatly in the offseason. It’s still possible to fly to Croatia, but the frequency of flights is reduced and therefore more expensive. Low-cost carriers tend to really focus on the busy season only, which is summer. 

Love #2: Villages of Croatia

Croatia has so many great villages to explore. From Dubrovnik in the south to Pula and Rovinj in the north, there are just tons of quaint villages in Croatia. In addition to natural beauty, there are also really interesting Roman ruins and history in Croatia. The seaside towns are especially fun to visit, and you can easily fill an entire vacation just exploring the small towns of Croatia.

Hate #2: Getting Around Croatia

Once you figure out how to get to Croatia, getting around the country is another frustration. It seems like just about every bus trip takes 11 hours in Croatia. Croatia is basically a long, narrow country so traveling within Croatia often involves great distances, even though the country doesn’t seem very large. It can take as long as 12 hours to go from Dubrovnik to Zagreb. Because the bus system in Croatia is pretty slow, we recommend getting your own car for travel within the country.

Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Europe

Love #3: Food in Croatia

The seafood in Croatia is about as fresh as it gets and is always delicious. If you don’t like fish, the meat in Croatia is pretty great also! Popular dishes in Croatia include surf and turf combinations and the food is also very affordable. You can also get some pretty good Italian dishes in Croatia as well. Wherever you go, be sure to ask your server what the local specialty is and give it a shot. This way, you can sample different foods from different regions of Croatia.

Hate #3: Summer Tourist Crowds

Most travelers take their Croatia vacation in July and August when the weather is ideal for beaches and island hopping in Croatia. With so many beautiful outdoor things to do in Croatia, summer is really popular. The small towns of Croatia get super crowded and become overflowing with travelers. The best time to visit Croatia would be June or September when the weather is still nice, but the tourist crowds are much smaller.

Love #4: Prices in Croatia

Croatia is a very affordable Mediterranean destination. I won’t say it’s cheap, but the prices in Croatia are very reasonable. A huge seafood dinner in Croatia is about half the price of what you would pay in Italy. Accommodation in Croatia is also very reasonable; we had a nice apartment in Rovinj for just 50 Euros per night.

10 Best Affordable Cities in Europe

Hate #4: Summer Heat

In the middle of summer when everyone is visiting, it also happens to be the hottest time of year in Croatia. It’s not just hot, it’s unbearably hot. It’s important to remember your sunblock and stay hydrated. Fortunately, there are a lot of water activities where you can cool off. However, this is another great reason to visit in the shoulder season as you might have a smaller chance of heatstroke!

Love #5: Croatia Tourism

The tourist infrastructure in Croatia is really great. While traveling between towns in Croatia can be a bit difficult, but once you are in a town, they are really easy to get around. There are a lot of English speakers, so language barriers are not an issue. There are tons of tours you can join, from bike tours to kayaking tours. Each little town seems to have its own schedule of cultural events and celebrations. The locals are generally very friendly and helpful, which really makes it easy to travel around Croatia.

Hate #5: Currency in Croatia

Croatia is still on its own currency, the Croatian Kuna. If you are traveling around Mediterranean Europe and have gotten used to using Euros for everything, you’ll have to exchange your Euros and learn a new exchange rate. Overall, Croatia is pretty affordable, but just remember you’re not looking at Euros anymore when you are out shopping.

Croatia is a fantastic country and they really have a great infrastructure for tourists. I highly recommend visiting Croatia; the “hates” are really just little things to have a heads up on, rather than a reason not to visit Croatia. Want more tips for planning your Croatia vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

5 Things Tourists Love & Hate about Visiting New York City

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit New York City! New York is one of my favorite cities in the world with so many cool places to visit in New York City. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit New York City.

Hate #1: New York Aroma

The whole city doesn’t stink, but every once in a while, as you walk around New York, you’ll get a very pungent whiff of something rather unpleasant wafting up from the ground. It’s super random, but you’ll know it when you cross paths. It’s pretty funny when you see someone else walk through it.

Love #1: Wandering New York Streets

The moment you emerge from the train station onto the streets of New York is unforgettable. The best thing to do on your New York vacation is just to wander the city streets, enjoy the crazy bustling atmosphere, see how locals go about their day and enjoy some cheap street food. Roaming various neighborhoods is one of my favorite NYC activities.

Hate #2: Noise and Crowds

New York is one of the most visited cities in the world. There are an estimated eight million people living in and around New York, then add in another 60 million visitors per year, and you can see why it’s the city that never sleeps. It’s noisy, it’s crowded and it’s sometimes just insane. It can be really hard to find peace and quiet in New York and a New York vacation is not a relaxing one.

12 Things That Will Shock You in NYC

Love #2: New York Sightseeing

New York is full of so many iconic sights, from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building and so many more. Even flying in and seeing the skyline from above is such a treat! There are so many cool places to visit in New York City, but they can really add up, so you need to do your research and prioritize what you want to see. Rockefeller Center has a great observation deck and of course, there are tons of great museums in New York, too. No matter what kind of culture you are interested in: art, history, nature, science, music, or theater, you will find it in New York!

Hate #3: The New York Subway Experience

If you want to get around New York quickly, the subway is the best way to go about it. It’s faster and cheaper than taxis or Ubers, but it’s always an interesting experience. From bizarre people to unsettling smells or just being so crowded that you have no personal space, you either love or hate the New York subways. If smashing up against a bunch of other random strangers on a moving train sounds like a nightmare to you, then try to avoid rush hour on the subway.

Love #3: New York-isms

If you’ve watched any TV show that is based in New York, you probably already know a bit about the iconic side of New York. Whether it’s visiting Greenwich Village where Friends took place or the Upper East Side where Gossip Girl happened, walking around New York is almost like a stroll down memory lane. It’s featured in so many TV shows and movies that it feels familiar. Of course, you have to have a slice of New York pizza, watch the street performers in Times Square and if you are so inclined, take a jog through Central Park.

Hate #4: The New York Sidewalk Experience

The sidewalks of New York are busy and crowded. Probably half of the people are just locals trying to get to work, and they’ll be in a hurry. If you are a tourist who is meandering down the street, stopping to take pictures, you’re going to get run over and bumped into. Make sure you step off the to the side before stopping completely.

Love #4: New York Diversity

New York is THE original melting pot of the United States. There is so much diversity and multi-culturalism in New York City, that it’s a really cool experience to visit. You can hear dozens of different languages being spoken around the city, and experience so many different cultures and cuisines. If you have more than a few days in New York, make sure you get out and explore some of the other boroughs and neighborhoods and maybe try a new cuisine while you’re there.

Hate #5: Finding a Public Toilet in New York

It is really hard to find public restrooms in New York, and the ones that are open to the public are not nice. Make sure you use the bathroom at your hotel and then at any business or restaurant you stop at throughout the day. If you have kids or use the restroom a lot throughout the day, download one of the apps that can help you find good public restrooms in New York.

Love #5: New Yorkers

Seriously, New Yorkers are the best! Yeah, they have a harsh reputation for being rude jerks, but that’s just the surface. Yes, they do get annoyed with tourists stopping in the middle of the street to take photos, but you would too. They’re just in a hurry all the time because it’s a huge city with a lot of traffic and many people have to commute quite a ways to be able to afford to live in New York. In reality, if you need help, a New Yorker won’t hesitate to help you out. We’ve even had a local walk us to our destination to make sure we got there OK.

15 Don’ts of Visiting New York

New York is such a great city and I love coming back because there are so many things to do in New York. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on, rather than a reason not to visit New York. Want more tips for planning your USA vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

5 Things You Will Love & Hate about Visiting Bratislava

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Bratislava, Slovakia! It’s a great little city to visit in Eastern Europe. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when visiting Bratislava, Slovakia.

Love #1: Bratislava Old Town

Bratislava is like Budapest shrank down to a manageable size. The city center and the Old Town area is very compact with a lot of beautiful buildings. You can literally walk everywhere to reach the best things to do in Bratislava. If you tire of walking, there is decent public transportation, but it really is a very compact city. Don’t miss a visit to Bratislava Castle, just keep walking uphill from Old Town until you reach it!

Hate #1: Bratislava Hotels

Generally, Eastern European cities are very affordable, but the Bratislava hotels are pretty pricy in relation to other comparable cities. Of course, you want to stay near the Old Town area and it’s not a huge town so the good hotels book up quickly. If you do book far enough in advance, you may be able to find some deals, but don’t expect super cheap accommodation. You can expect to pay about the same as you would for a hotel in Budapest or Vienna.

How to Save Money While Traveling

Love #2: Transportation Connections

With so many great connections, it’s easy to visit Bratislava on a day trip from Vienna or Budapest, or base yourself in Bratislava and take day trips from here. There are about 30 trains each day from Vienna to Bratislava, and it takes less than one hour. There are FlixBus connections very frequently as well. Budapest is about two and a half hours from Bratislava by train, which makes for a long but very doable day trip.

Hate #2: Bratislava Train Station

Many people visit Bratislava on a day trip from Vienna or Budapest because it’s a small area that’s easily explored in a day. However, if you arrive by train, the area around the Bratislava train station can be a bit sketchy. You’ll likely see a lot of homeless people and beggars hanging around. You’re not in any real danger, but you may feel a bit uncomfortable.

Love #3: Food in Bratislava

If you’re from the Midwest US like I am, you’ll feel right at home with the food in Bratislava. It’s all about hearty, comfort food here. Slovakian cuisine is very heavy on the pork, dumplings, and schnitzel, which is especially great if you are visiting during the cold winter months. And the food in Bratislava is very affordable; even the higher-end restaurants in Bratislava are not expensive. Austrians make the trip over frequently to eat so well for such a good price.

Hate #3: Public Restrooms

As you travel around Bratislava, if you need to use a restroom, you’ll need to go into a bar or cafe and purchase something. There really aren’t many public restrooms to be found, and the ones you do find are usually pretty gross. So, it’s best to just use the restrooms in the businesses you are visiting.

Love #4: Outdoor Attractions

Slovakians love nature, and there is a lot of natural beauty in and around Bratislava. The Danube River runs right through here, so you can take a stroll along the river or a boat cruise on the river. Less than ten kilometers away, you can explore the grounds of Devin Castle. Zlaté Piesky is a lake right in town with beaches and tourist facilities. You can also stroll the grounds of Bratislava Castle which looms over Bratislava Old Town.

Hate #4: Language Difficulties

The younger people in Bratislava mostly speak some English, but it’s not as widely spoken amongst the older residents. So, you may find yourself in situations where you have communication difficulties as Slovakian is not likely a language you will understand. If you can learn just a few words like please, thank you, hello, and goodbye, it will help a bit. The people are helpful, just know you might have to do some mime action to communicate with the locals.

Seven Tips for Learning a Foreign Language

Love #5: Bratislava Nightlife

Bratislava has a great nightlife scene. There are bars and nightclubs all over the city center, including a few “party barges” that are popular along the Danube River. It’s a really fun city to go out in, partly because it’s so compact and you can easily spend the evening hopping from bar to bar. The prices are also good, so you won’t go broke buying too many beers.

Hate #5: Bratislava Weather

Specifically, the wind in Bratislava is crazy. The city sits out in the open, with no mountains nearby to buffer any winds, and it can be really intense. Make sure you pack a warm layer and if you have a windbreaker you can wear, it will help!

Bratislava is a beautiful capital city that’s a very nice size for exploring on foot. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit Bratislava. Want more tips for planning a European vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

Five Things You Will Love & Hate About Visiting Europe

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Europe! This post is really for those of you thinking about taking your first Europe trip and wondering what to expect when you travel around Europe9. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when visiting Europe.

Love #1: European Destinations & Sights

There are so many cool European destinations and landmarks to check out. Whether it’s the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, Westminster Abbey, Oktoberfest, the Berlin Wall, or any one of hundreds of castles, touring Europe is like walking through history books. It’s such a cool experience to see something in person that you’ve read about or seen on TV.

Hate #1: Accessibility in Europe

If you have any challenges with mobility, it can be difficult to travel around Europe. This applies to wheelchairs, strollers or even if you just have difficulty navigating stairs or uneven surfaces. While the United States has strict ADA regulations, that’s not the case in Europe. Castles and historic buildings may not have any elevators, and many hotels involve narrow staircases as well. It’s not impossible to visit Europe with mobility challenges, it just requires a bit more research before you go. 

Disabled Travel in Europe

Love #2: Public Transportation in Europe

Public transportation in Europe is amazing. You really don’t need to rent a car if you don’t want to. There are buses and trains that go to some of the smallest towns you can imagine, which makes it really easy to travel around Europe. There are even several low-cost carriers that often have airfares that are cheaper than a train ticket. Between low-cost airfares, trains and buses, you can easily travel around Europe.

Hate #2: Cash is King

In the US, we are used to paying for everything with credit cards. In many European countries, cash is still king. Hotels and many restaurants will accept credit cards, but this will depend on where you are. The smaller the town, or the smaller businesses, will not take credit cards, so you always want to make sure you have some local currency on hand. This means you also need to have your PIN number so you can get cash out from an ATM.

Travel Money Tips: Exchanging Money Abroad

Love #3: Wide Use of English

Many Americans are self-conscious about not speaking the local language when traveling. It’s always good to learn a few key phrases of the local language, but so many people around the world speak English. As a traveler, you will rarely have an issue finding English speakers in Europe. Most younger Europeans have learned English in school, and anyone working in the tourism industry will know basic English.

Hate #3: Toilets in Europe

Yes, this is a totally American thing to complain about, but some of the toilets in Europe are less than desirable. In some places, the “bathroom” is actually just a hole in the ground. In many places, there is a lack of facilities at all, and when you do find a public restroom, there may not be any toilet paper, so always carry a bit of your own. At the other end of the spectrum, there are pay toilets. You’ll see these a lot in train stations in places like Germany and Switzerland. You need coins to enter the bathroom, but these are usually much cleaner and nicer to use than the free ones.

Love #4: Tasting the “Real” Europe

You may have your favorite Italian or French restaurant back home, but traveling to Europe means getting to experience authentic local cuisine. You get to find out what schnitzel is really supposed to taste like, or why German beer really is that much better in Germany. You will have a whole new appreciation for the diversity of European cuisines.

Hate #4: European Beds

After a day of exploring a new city, you’ll be ready to crash and get a good nights’ sleep, but the beds in Europe tend to suck. Most of the time a “double” bed is just two twins pushed together, so there’s always a crack in the middle. If you’re on your honeymoon or planning a romantic getaway, beware of the beds that split apart!

Love #5: European People

Everywhere you go in Europe, you will meet friendly locals who are excited that you’ve chosen their city or country to visit. This is especially true if you visit some more off the beaten path places in Europe. There’s a national pride amongst Europeans, and they love sharing their history and their culture with travelers.

Hate #5: Service in Europe

Americans are used to over-attentive service in the United States because servers are not paid minimum wage and they rely on tips for their income. That’s not the case in Europe, so they don’t go out of their way to attend to your needs. Don’t think of it as bad service, it’s just how things are in Europe. Many of the cultures in Europe are also much more reserved than Americans, so they don’t like to be bothered constantly by a server during the meal.

Visiting a new country, or traveling abroad for the first time can be scary. That’s why I like to give both sides of travel, not just the positives. We love Europe, so the “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit Europe. Want more tips for planning a European vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

Five Things You Will Love & Hate About Eastern Europe Travel

Posted on by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Eastern Europe! Although there are differing opinions on what constitutes Eastern Europe, I consider Eastern Europe to be the countries of the former Warsaw pact. Regardless, it’s a great region with countries like Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and many more. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on an Eastern Europe trip.

Love #1: Local Pride

When you visit the countries of Eastern Europe, you will notice that everyone is proud of where they are from. They are proud of their country, the region, and their city. Many of them will have an impressive knowledge of local history and will gladly share it with visitors.

Hate #1: Eastern Europe Accommodation

While Eastern Europe is generally very affordable, when it comes to choosing accommodation, you’re going to want to spring for a more expensive option. They don’t have good mid-range hotel options in Eastern Europe like they do in Germany or Austria. In many cities, there aren’t a lot of options between a hostel and a Four Seasons. If you can afford to splurge on your Eastern Europe vacation, pay for the nicer accommodation.

Love #2: Natural Beauty

The natural beauty of Eastern Europe is impressive and diverse. It’s a very mountainous, and therefore scenic, region with outdoor adventures to be had in Romania, Poland, Slovakia and elsewhere. Then there are the mountain lakes and of course beaches, and the islands of Estonia. If you love to be outdoors, Eastern Europe is the perfect destination for you.

Hate #2: Train Connections

With so many places to see in Eastern Europe, it’s frustrating that there aren’t more fast train connections. If you’ve traveled a lot in Western Europe, you know how easy it is to get around, but Eastern Europe does not have the fast trains, so it can take a long time to travel between cities. There are also fewer trains, so you have to be more careful about planning out your Eastern Europe itinerary.

Five Things You Will Love & Hate About Train Travel in Europe

Love #3: Hidden Gems

It seems like everyone goes to Paris, London, Rome or Amsterdam. How many people do you know who visit Bratislava? These aren’t the destinations you see in movies or advertisements and as a result, they aren’t crawling with American tourists…yet. There are tons of hidden gems throughout Eastern Europe that will really make you feel like you’ve discovered something unique and off the beaten path. Having so many options can make finalizing your Eastern Europe itinerary a difficult task!

Hate #3: Service in Eastern Europe

The service in Eastern Europe is not great. Sometimes it seems that they try, but you don’t get attentive service or even professional service in most places. Sometimes it even feels like they don’t want your money and that they are doing you a favor by serving you.

Love #4: Communist History

These countries were under Communist rule for about 50 years, and you can still see the remnants of that. It’s a very different look from the rest of Europe, and that’s part of what makes Eastern Europe unique. In Bratislava, there’s a beautiful 9th-century castle overlooking the “UFO” modernist bridge and a huge Communist block of buildings. It’s a very sharp contrast, which you’ll see all over Eastern Europe.

Hate #4: Public Restrooms

Finding and using a public restroom in Eastern Europe is not a pleasant experience. First of all, they are hard to find and once you do find one, they are often pretty disgusting. I always keep a few coins on hand so I can buy a coffee somewhere and use their restroom rather than dealing with the public restrooms in Eastern Europe.

Love #5: Eastern Europe Cuisine

You can eat really well for really cheap in Eastern Europe. The food is very hearty and filling with lots of pork and potatoes. It’s really tasty comfort food and it’s very affordable. Although accommodation in Eastern Europe is expensive, eating out is not expensive.

Hate #5: Tourist Rip-Offs

The most common way you will be ripped off in Eastern Europe is by taxi drivers. If you don’t speak the local language, it’s very easy for them to rip you off. The best way to avoid being ripped off by a taxi is to have your hotel book something for you ahead of time.

How to Avoid Travel Scams & Rip-Offs

Eastern Europe is a really interesting and diverse destination with many neat things to see and do. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason to avoid Eastern Europe travel. Want more tips for planning a European vacation? Check out these other blog posts: