Take these travel tips with a large grain of salt

AUSTRALIANS travel a lot, but that doesn’t mean we’re good at it. Here are some common tips that are absolute rubbish.

Aussies travel a lot, but that doesn’t mean we’re good at it. Here’s what not to do.

“TREAT yourself, you’re on holiday!”

Everyone who’s gone on a trip, be it somewhere local like Byron Bay or somewhere foreign like Paris, has undoubtedly heard this advice at some stage.

Let’s debunk it right now: it’s rubbish.

The fact that you’re on holiday is already a massive treat — and just because it’s different to your regular routine doesn’t mean you shouldn’t play by the rules.

Recent statistics from CommBank show Australian travellers spend, on average, seven months planning an overseas holiday and only one hour or less budgeting.

In fact, we’re so careless that nearly half of us don’t bother setting a budget at all.

“Big deal,” you think. “I’m a competent adult. I can control myself.”

Well, the thing is, you probably can’t.

According to finder.com.au, 41 per cent of Australians came home from holidays in credit card debt, with an estimated $7.5 billion racked up — that’s about $2705 each.

Worryingly, close to half of them failed to pay it back within a month of coming home, which means they’re casually lining the pockets of the big banks due to frequent interest payments. One in 10 took a full year to get back on track.

Budget or not, that’s a pretty significant expense you didn’t see coming.

And OK, spending $120 on a one-off skydive don’t break the bank. No-one will judge you if you tuck into your third — or fourth — ice-cream of the day.

However, deciding you suddenly deserve a day in a five-star day spa is stupid. A spur-of-the-moment day trip to a neighbouring country is equally ridiculous.

Hiring a Mustang convertible simply because you feel you couldn’t possibly get the most out of your holiday without it means you should rethink your strategy.

The biggest offender, however, is the “I’m on holiday” shopping blowout.

According to the finder.com.au analysts, more than one in three people can’t help but pull out the plastic and make it rain.

So no, don’t “treat yourself”. Pay for flights, pay for accommodation, don’t be afraid to enjoy a nice lunch with a glass of wine, but don’t be ridiculous.

Prague is lovely, but if you’re going to Germany, go to Germany. Less is more.

Another terrible piece of travel advice is to “try and see as much as possible”.

Something about Europe, in particular, makes people lose their minds. Coming from Australia, it seems amazing that your can cross international borders by car, and that an entire country might fight into a space the size of Tasmania.

Everything is so ridiculously close and accessible. Sure, you started in Germany, but that borders the Czech Republic, so how about a trip to Prague? Oh, Austria’s nearby, and you may as well visit Switzerland while you’re in the neighbourhood.

However, as a general rule, less is more.

Squeezing too much into your itinerary often means spending more time on transport than exploring your destination, spending more money on flights and hotels, and spending more time stressing about missing your connections.

Not to mention the increased stress and exhaustion.

The good folks at Smarter Travel recommend making a wishlist of your must-see spots, and mapping out your days realistically. Obviously, this involves significantly more research and planning prior to departure, but it means you can relax and enjoy the experience.

It is supposed to be a holiday, after all.

Why would you turn your back on a culture as vibrant and fascinating as the Balinese?

One of the worst pieces of advice is to “stay away from strangers”.

You can probably hear your mother’s voice in your head telling you not to talk to people you don’t know, and avoid eye contact if they approach you.

Sure, we’ve all heard horror stories of people being pick-pocketed on the streets of Barcelona, mugged in Colombia, and scammed in Phuket.

But what’s the point of going to America and not meeting any Americans? What’s the point of going to Bali if you don’t chat to the Balinese? Why would you go to Rome without meeting any Romans?

For the most part, the majority of people in the world are good, honest and hardworking individuals just trying to go about their lives.

A few months ago, Australian traveller Suzie Greig told news.com.au the most amazing thing about travelling to Iran as a solo woman was being welcomed into homes, invited to picnics, and showered with Iranian hospitality.

Going to a place and relaxing by the beach with a cool drink is one thing. Going to a place and snapping a few generic photos of landmarks is another.

Neither compare to the rewarding experience of going to a place, engaging with the local people and actually learning about their culture.

What’s the point, otherwise? You’ll find cheaper cocktails at your local bar, and better pictures on Google Images, and save yourself a heck of a lot on flights.

Originally published as Take these travel tips with a large grain of salt