15 Things I Regret Most While Traveling—I've Experienced 7 of Them, What About You?

Travel always brings us surprises.

Those unexpected beautiful sceneries,

Those endless stories,

All stay with us forever along the river of life.

But travel isn't always perfect.

Occasionally, there are little shocks.

These 15 things I regret most while traveling—

How many have you experienced?

When women travel, they pack as if they want to stuff their entire home into the suitcase. It seems that without enough luggage, they feel insecure, afraid that in an unfamiliar city they'll lack this or that, feeling anxious with no solution.

But during the trip, you're bound to buy some things. The return trip becomes a nightmare—your suitcase can't fit it all, overweight luggage costs extra for check-in, and you might even need to buy another suitcase to hold everything.

Better to travel light on the way out and come back fully loaded.

Choosing a red-eye flight

Usually, airlines offer discounts on late-night tickets. To save money, you opt for a night flight, but you might miss the stunning views of the earth from ten thousand meters above.

Moreover, because of the early departure, you sleep poorly on the plane all night. Arriving at your destination, often in the morning, you feel exhausted. Once you reach the hotel, all you want is to lie down and sleep.

In this way, a whole day is spent sleeping, and you've paid an extra night's hotel fee. It's better to choose a convenient flight and take it easy.

Encountering an airline that rough-handles luggage

When flying, almost everyone has this feeling: as you watch your luggage being taken away, you silently pray, 'Please don't drop it.'

But when you see your suitcase again, either a wheel is missing or the handle is loose. If the contents are still intact, you consider yourself lucky.

This kind of bad luck that hits you right after landing can really dampen your mood. For valuables, if possible, remember to carry them on board and take good care of them yourself.

Wearing unsuitable shoes

'High heels look great in photos, sneakers are comfortable for walking—which pair should I wear?'

In reality, if your shoes are uncomfortable, you won't even want to take photos; all you'll want is to go back to the hotel.

Uncomfortable shoes can really affect your trip and even change your travel plans.

My suggestion: if your suitcase has room, bring two pairs and choose according to your daily plan. If space is tight, bring one pair of comfortable, versatile shoes that go with any outfit.

Visiting crowded, overpriced attractions

Who hasn't encountered attractions that you regret not visiting, but regret even more after visiting?

You try not to miss any famous attractions, but once inside, all you see are crowds, not any beautiful scenery—and the tickets are ridiculously expensive.

Traveling only to famous places isn't really travel; it's just tourism.

Many cities hide lesser-known spots with stunning scenery and no crowds. Visiting such a place once can make you fall in love with it. To find them, you need to do some homework before you go.

Forgetting to check documents before departure

Is there anything more frustrating than realizing after departure that you didn't bring all your documents?

ID card, passport, student ID... Forgetting them means you can't take trains or high-speed rail domestically, and it's even worse abroad.

If you lose your documents and your visa is about to expire, that deep sense of helplessness can completely ruin your trip.

Before leaving, remember the principle: 'ID, phone, keys, wallet'—that is, identity card (passport), mobile phone, keys, and wallet.

Also, before departure, store scans in your email—they can be crucial in an emergency.

Rushing from one scenic spot to another, taking tourist photos and posting them on social media,

But forgetting to truly feel the city's charm.

Deep travel—talking to locals, experiencing different lifestyles, seeing unseen beauty—that's the real meaning of travel.

When you visit a city, you might not have a chance to return for a long time. So when you encounter this unfamiliar city, get to know it seriously.

Buying too many souvenirs

Many domestic attractions sell almost identical trinkets from Yiwu. When buying abroad, you might find 'Made in China' labels.

Actually, if you find a souvenir with special meaning, it's fine to buy it, but don't buy too many.

Because when you get home, you'll find nowhere to put them, and they don't match your home decor, so they end up gathering dust in a corner.

Eating near tourist attractions

Restaurants near scenic spots are usually slightly more expensive. If it's just a little pricier, that's acceptable, but what's worse is bad food and unhygienic conditions.

If you eat unclean food while traveling, you might get diarrhea or even food poisoning.

Try not to eat near tourist spots. Choose clean and hygienic places, and bring some stomach medication.

Not tightening various bottles and jars

When you open your checked suitcase and find that your cosmetics have leaked all over your clothes, it's maddening.

Though not a big deal, it seriously affects your mood.

Before departure, tighten all bottles and jars. It's best to bring only travel-sized samples enough for a few days. Alternatively, put them in plastic bags and wrap them in clothes before checking.

Using a camera to record beautiful scenery is great, but if you only focus on taking photos and forget to appreciate with your eyes, it's not worth it.

If it's just for photos to look at later, you can find plenty of beautiful scenery online. When you're actually there, use your eyes more and feel with your heart.

Photos are a frozen art, but memories are indelible beauty.

Over-relying on travel guides

Before departing, it's good to check online guides and maps—how to play, what to eat.

But if you rely too much on guides, you become fixated on visiting that specific attraction or finding that particular shop. Perhaps a spontaneous, carefree trip is more comfortable and enjoyable.

Stumbling upon a small shop from a guide unexpectedly—that little joy doubles the happiness of travel.

When traveling abroad, a must-consider is mobile data and calls.

If you forget to activate international roaming or rent a portable Wi-Fi before departure, you're in trouble.

Before boarding, activate an international data package or rent Wi-Fi at the airport. If you think ahead, you can also buy a local SIM card online. You'll need data in many places abroad—don't forget.

Many people don't buy travel insurance, but this is really money you shouldn't save.

Flight delays, various delays, disputes, emergencies... just one of these can show you the necessity of insurance.

Protect your trip with insurance—after all, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Inconvenient hotel location

When booking a hotel, make sure it's close to the city center or attractions.

In an unfamiliar city, you don't know the public transport, and taxis are expensive. If you stay far away, the taxi fare alone could pay for another night's hotel.

Also, staying in a better hotel helps you rest better after a tiring journey, giving you more energy to explore the world's beauty.

These are also the most precious memories of travel.

When you talk about them later,

You'll still smile with joy.

I've experienced 7 of these 15 things. What about you?