Latest Articles on Rookie Mistakes

10 Things You Should Never, Ever Do in the Maldives

Jumeirah Vittaveli For many, the Maldives is a dream destination. Clear turquoise waters, stunning islands, soft-sand beaches, and the far-flung location are all huge draws. Its dreamy overwater bungalows, incredible snorkeling opportunities, tropical temperatures, and picture-perfect sunsets only add to the appeal. Flights from the U.S. clock in at over 20 hours, and the cost…

10 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Aruba Vacation

Beach at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino You may think if you’ve been one to Caribbean island, you’ve been to them all. But that’s definitely not the case when it comes to Aruba. This Dutch Caribbean island is so close to South America that you can see Venezuela on clear days. Aruba offers a…

10 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in Bali

Bali is one of the world’s most popular destinations — and with good reason. Jungle-clad mountains, beautiful beaches, and a thriving ancient Hindu culture combine with warm temperatures, wild nightclubs, and yoga retreats for an epic vacation. However, there are several mistakes you can make that can either ruin your trip or prevent you from…

11 Things You Should Never Do in Chiang Mai

Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai/Oyster Things you should always do in Chiang Mai: visit dazzling temples, indulge in delicious local food, and stock up on gorgeous artisanal crafts. Things you should never do in Chiang Mai: Well, keep reading. Ahead are some of the most common mistakes to make in this ancient city in northern Thailand…

10 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in Vietnam

Tell your friends and family that you’re visiting Vietnam and you’ll get a variety of responses that range from shock to envy. The country’s complicated history does its fair share of creating both mystery and misconceptions, only some of which are rooted in truth. Today, Vietnam is loaded with cosmopolitan cities, deep Buddhist culture, an…

8 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in the Amalfi Coast

View from Hotel Poseidon/Oyster You’ve likely seen those postcard-worthy pictures of the Amalfi Coast, featuring cliffside villages with colorful houses and umbrella-lined beaches. The 34-mile-long coast starts in Positano and winds to Vietri sul Mare, encompassing beautiful vistas, luxe hotels, historic cathedrals, and world-class restaurants. We suggest running, not walking, to book your getaway to…

7 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in London

Westminster/Oyster London can seem like a deceptively easy trip abroad. After all, there’s no language barrier or major culture shock. Our ongoing media exchange with Great Britain — all of those BBC shows and James Bond movies — means England’s capital has a familiar, cozy feeling for most Americans. But don’t be fooled. Newbies coming…

12 Things You Should Never Do in Italy

Venice, Italy/Oyster Italy has rightfully earned its place among the must-visit destinations in Europe — and the world. The pizza, pasta, and gelato here are legendary, the museums house some of the most famous works of art, and the country’s history is chock-full of fascinating stories. With so much of Italy popping up in history…

12 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in Mexico City

Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City/Oyster When it comes to exploring Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities, there are a lot of ways you can ruin a trip. However, while the densely populated capital of Mexico can be intimidating for a number of reasons, it’s actually far more user-friendly than you might imagine.…

6 Things You Should Never Do in Paris

Visiting Paris can be daunting for faux-pas-conscious travelers, particularly as Parisians have a reputation for being quick to judge foreigners who don’t follow local conventions of dress and behavior. While this reputation might be a bit extreme, there are a few rookie mistakes to avoid in Paris. Here are six of them.