10 Brutally Honest Truths About World Travel

[@awaytogether]

What’s your unpopular travel opinion? P.S. Don't judge the Philippines based on my story. It was mostly a timing issue. Beautiful place and we made great friends.

[@craigavery8213]

I will skip any tourist site if I find an empty street instead.

[@JohnDoe-sr1dd]

The US State Department Travel Advisory List - it's of middling value at best. I've been to several Level 3 countries that were perfectly fine for those using common sense - do your research in advance, don't go out late at night alone, use a local guide. I've yet to find a good alternative to the State Department List.

[@JaneTaubman]

@@JohnDoe-sr1dd Try the UKs Foreign Office Travel site.

[@maruskaehrensdorfer]

People who assume that everyone can just travel light are ignorant and ableist (look up what ableist means) and annoy me to no end. They're just lucky that they don't need to travel with more stuff. My medical needs mean that I have a lot of orthopedic and other medical items which I have to pack. I have to pack for all sorts of weather conditions, since my body can't regulate temperature and I'm both heat and cold intolerant. I also need to carry a lot of medication with me, so a huge suitcase will barely cover everything that I need to pack and bring with me on a trip. Also, if there's a lovely beach with a lovely warm ocean to swim in; that's where you will find me spending most of my time, since swimming in warm water is my happy place. I've spent times in hotels with incredible spa and wellness centres and not left the hotel because the spa facilities were so awesome and it refreshed and revived me and relieved my chronic pain.

[@maruskaehrensdorfer]

Another unpopular travel opinion: American tourists are incredibly annoying. I'm so happy that I'm not American and I get along with locals wherever I visit much better than Americans do. It also helps that I speak more than one language and that I can easily pick up words and phrases in the local language (or practice before I go) because I have a good ear for languages. It still boggles my mind that most Americans can only speak one language. In my country, everyone is bilingual or speak three or more languages (South Africa).

[@leewilliams5341]

If you expect world travel to be like home, perhaps you should stay home.

[@jryan9547]

exactly.

[@AnnaiStockholm-tz8xe]

so true!

[@athlon9394]

True, but it's also nice to have a home-like place when in a foreign land. That's one reason I like cruise travel, I can go back to the ship... There's also been times when I've found an American owned bar or restaurant in a foreign country, and it's been nice. Still, I understand the video, which is basically telling us to not be an "ugly American", and I agree with that too.

[@judyjrasmussen339]

@@athlon9394 don’t think I would like limiting my time to “shore excursions” in midst of many tourists all ashore @ the same time. Been to St Thomas twice for a week each & I appreciated staying in one place, plus getting into local restaurants uncrowded. But to me, the local cuisine is half the fun of travel ( not buffets)!

[@ladymoon425]

@@leewilliams5341 so true. Travelers must be flexible & able to adapt.

[@jaunt3603]

1. Locals are not the same as the government. 2. There's a backpacker subculture to traveler/tourist. They're mostly smellier and wear those balloon pants with too many bracelets. 3. Anyone can travel. You just have to prioritize it. It doesn't have to break the bank either. I met a family of four from South Korea in a hostel in Cape town. They had two small children with them and spoke close to no English. They made it work. 4. Your travel memories will be worth more than any of your material possessions.

[@MarkEGilman]

@@jaunt3603 I remember my time in Guatemala I learned to make sure whatever van I took wasn’t full of backpackers. Learned that one the hard way.

[@maruskaehrensdorfer]

Anyone can travel? Please tell that to the millions of starving and homeless and displaced and severely disabled people in the world who are in that position through no fault of their own (natural disasters, famine, war, debilitating illnesses/disabilities etc.) Holy f**, you're naive. FYI: locals in certain countries HATE foreign travellers/tourists (backpacker or not) and for good reason. I stand with the locals. OMG my brain hurts when I read what people have to say. 🤣🙈

[@jaunt3603]

@maruskaehrensdorfer I would grab a dictionary and look up the word figurative.

[@maruskaehrensdorfer]

@@jaunt3603 no, you did NOT specify it like that. You LITERALLY said that ANYONE can travel. With my legal background, HOW you phrase your words are very important when I read what you have to say. And with my legal training, I have learned that I have to qualify my statements and word them correctly. So I would grab a textbook on the textual and contextual meanings of words if I were you. 😉

[@jaunt3603]

@@maruskaehrensdorfer I would work on reading comprehension, context and reading in between the lines. But for a moment think about someone who has some sort of disability or headwind to traveling and gets motivated to overcome roadblocks and live out their dream. Virtue signaling in KZbin comments wont help the people you pretend to care about.

[@christineshields1714]

All valid points. I learned a long time ago that people really don't want to know much about our trip or see pictures from our trips. Unless they ask questions, I try not to share more than they are willing to take in. Another point, not all people enjoy or want to travel. That's okay too.

[@Randilynn66]

I actually love to hear about my friends travels. I love to hear about what other people like to do, where they like to eat, etc. I guess that is why I love watching travel videos.

[@ritaboucher1374]

Agreed. I can learn so much from other people's experiences.

[@mallorygraf8574]

Me too! I absolutely love about hearing about other people travelling stories. But I'm also the type loves looking at other people photo albums (remember those?)😅

[@worldschooltravel]

One of the reasons we started making travel videos was because we like that too, but all of our friends and family couldn't have cared less. They even pretended to like our videos but then forgot we even had a channel 😂

[@lactran7475]

I do as well. Some stories inspire me to plan my next trip.

[@martinusv7433]

​@@worldschooltravel That's called envy 🫣

[@janethunt4037]

"Nobody back home cares about your trip." YOU NAILED IT!!!!!! I've learned that for most people, I need a one liner that summarizes my trip. For example, "We had a great time in Paris, and then explored some beautiful chateaus in the Loire Valley and saw Mont Saint Michel." Maybe someone will follow up with specific questions after that, but probably not.

[@JasonTaylor-po5xc]

Depends. Anyone considering a similar trip will be more interested - mainly wanting tips on what to see (or skip). Beyond that, no one will care as much as you do about your travels. If no one was interested, Travel channels wouldn't exist.

[@clarkie5]

Mont Saint Michel looks really, really cool. i don't have a follow up question. 😀

[@johnwinter6061]

Or maybe some photos - like the naked bike run in London? LOL. Got some!

[@martinusv7433]

That expression "nobody cares" is a typical defense mechanism that helps people to deal with ENVY. When someone uses that expression, they virtually ALWAYS care, and it makes them upset.

[@johnwinter6061]

@@martinusv7433 I care! About your belief in absolute truths about human nature. Sorry to tell you but they don't exist. The fact that people believe in them does not fill me with envy. It fills me with sadness.

[@ibcybermon]

Great insights. After living overseas for years I have come to the realization that very few people really want to hear about it in great detail. Keeping it to a sound bite of 30 sec is about all they want to hear.

[@edtravelbug]

Spot on and funny story on this - several years ago I got back from a Hungary/Ukraine/Turkey trip and was SOOOOOO excited to share it with my best friends and their wives. I invited them over for Wine/Food and a sit-out back by the fire.......I probably got to tell them 2 minutes about my trip and the remaining hour we discussed everything about their dogs and dog poop issues. I am in complete peace the whole time, but In the back of my mind, I am screaming internally, wondering how in the heck do these people want to talk about dog poop when I just went to Blue Mosque in Istanbul - LOL.

[@LuxAndLove123]

I totally agree! If they don’t ask, I don’t talk about it.

[@atejani6994]

Very true. I'm usually excited to share stories about my trips/adventures but notice most people aren't that interested, although I'm always eager to hear other's stories. I'm not sure if its because travel is a luxury in many circles due to the high cost, so it can be seen as bragging. Now I simply don't share unless people ask.

[@shereehardrath3486]

@@edtravelbug You nailed it. Side bar here-I lived in a place where I used to find sea glass. I became insanely passionate about it. When friends came over I'd pull out my sea glass collection and pretty soon I'd notice their eyes glazing over like deer in the headlights. Hahahahaha. Needless to say I don't share my sea glass adventures any more.

[@gif24gt60]

So right

[@DonnitaParker]

"Things didn't go as planned" almost always equals a great and memorable story.

[@thomasquigley7040]

Type 2 fun!!!

[@meier127]

Adveristy always makes the best stories. Just think of movies.

[@jamesr1703]

Yep. Venice 2007. I booked a convent. Clean and cheap, only thing was the curfew. Got carried away and poof it was past curfew and we were locked out. We still laugh about that experience and how fun it was seeing Venice at night.

[@ladymoon425]

@@DonnitaParker that phrase is always a lead into an exciting adventure. Thats a vacation stories worth hearing.

[@jayonebullet]

People who follow you care about your trips .. you inspire them to travel, you inspire them to do better, you're just inspiring everybody. I have followers telling me ''thank you for sharing it's almost like i traveled with you''. I wish youtube could still show the thumb down count !!!!!

[@mgreen9092]

More likely they just do it out of habit or obligation. People have too much going on in their own lives to care too much about about what we have going on in some foreign country..

[@jayonebullet]

@@mgreen9092 habit? obligation? loll ya okay

[@ms.rivera7898]

I agree, it is inspiring. Pictures are worth a thousand words.

[@paulkoza8652]

It depends upon the person. I have a few close friends who want me to fill them in on my trip on a daily basis. Others don't give a damn. The trick is distinguishing between the two.

[@2cute2021]

I love the 10 truths you shared and I completely agree. Usually people are being polite when they ask about your travels. Don’t bore them with every detail; just share a few funny stories and keep it moving.

[@maruskaehrensdorfer]

I have experienced the opposite. I know plenty people who LOVE travelling and who have a great sense of adventure and who want to know every detail of my trips and ask endless questions about it and love looking at the pictures. They esp love it if I bring them a souvenir/present from my travels. So YES, there ARE people who DO care about your travels and are excited on your behalf and also a bit envious, but they travel themselves, so they have their own travel stories and pictures to share.

[@martybuck]

Agree. If you think otherwise you might be missing social cues

[@NexStageChannel]

@@martybuck Not necessarily. Not everybody is a great story teller and able to create the experience for others. It's the difference between watching somebody's home movies are going to the cinema. A mediocre story told by a master story teller can be enthralling. A great story told by someone who is not a story teller can be boring. And there is an art to being a story teller!

[@snowangelnc]

@@NexStageChannel You are right. One thing I do is ask myself, if I read about this in a book, would I be interested? I remember picking up a travel book at the library that a woman wrote about her trip to Tibet, because that's the kind of stuff I enjoy reading. This particular one however didn't work. She talked about arriving at the airport and collecting the luggage, then meeting up with the guide. Then there was the drive through Lhasa, and her arrival at the hotel. She gave a description of her lovely hotel room, then went down to dinner where she described what everybody ordered and declared it to be delicious. From there she went back to the room and had a good night's sleep. The next morning we had a description of what everyone had for breakfast. At this point I was so bored that I stopped reading. There are some writers that think the solution is to talk about all of the disasters that happened instead. Nobody wants to hear your travel stories unless something terrible happens after all. That can backfire though. I've read some books in which the author took this approach and it just came across as page after page of whiny complaints. It can work in the opposite direction as well. I've heard good travel stories that were all positive experiences, and I've laughed along with the negative ones. The thing I ask myself when I tell my own stories is, is this just about me wanting to relive a good experience or vent about a bad one? Or is this something that the other person would enjoy hearing? When I post stories on Facebook, I'm happy with the results when most of the reactions are the laughing emoji. The story about the lovely cafe I found with the delicious croissants, complete with pictures? That would get people clicking the like button in order to show polite interest. The story I posted about my experience buying a train ticket at Tokyo Station with my very minimal Japanese while I attempted to appear as if I knew what I was doing? People were telling me that one was hilarious.

[@jillschaefer1360]

​@@maruskaehrensdorferenjoy those folks, they are not the norm. Most people are being polite and hope the traveller has enough grace to tell a quick story, show one or two of their best photos and move on 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@slowmads]

Once I realized that the only person who cared if I wore the same clothes every day was me, I cut WAY back. It’s remarkable how often I wear the same white blouse or black merino sweater (with different scarves to mix it up).

[@GlennBanach]

We have appreciated and benefited from your videos! We feel that the advice is very practical. I appreciated this video especially. I’m one that would rather avoid the “tourist traps” and just experience the culture. We went to Italy a little over a year ago for the first time. It was basically to see where my grandparents were born and grew up (Abruzzo and Sicilia). We did not go to Roma, Pisa, Firenze, or Venezia. I owe my wife a return trip.😅 Keep up the good work!

[@andreasissons7766]

"Nobody back home cares about your trip" that's what I feel like commenting on FB when my friends post 100s of bad photos of sunsets, food etc.

[@bernardmccabe463]

The "no one cares about your trip" is the most important point people need to learn😂 i never bring up travels anymore because you'd quickly see peoples eyes glaze over. Sometimes it feels a little unfair because you are expected to sit through endless conversations about their kids but it is what it is😃

[@splostsurfer]

The, “uh huh, Im listening, keep going” 🙄

[@stephenwust1407]

I use neither traveller nor tourist. I like to call myself a visitor. I think it shows respect for your hosts while maintaining a curiosity to experience a place. As part of that, one of my travel tips is always be ready to ditch the agenda. Some of my best experiences have been when my wife and I spontaneously checked out an obscure museum (Lock & Key Museum in Paris) or memorial (Westernmost point on the continent of Europe in Portugal) that we had neither planned on or knew anything about when we arrived. Like you said, open mind.

[@Randilynn66]

We're going to Paris in 2 weeks. I honestly don't care about going to the Louvre. I don't want to waste a precious day in a cramped museum. The Lock and Key museum sounds great. I'm going to check that out. Thank u.

[@NexStageChannel]

@@Randilynn66 If you like unique architecture, go see the Institut du Monde Arabe. Doesn't cost anything to view and is stunning. Look it up! ;-)

[@lisadee0276]

i like this

[@Randilynn66]

When did you visit the Lock and Key museum? I looked it up and its closed.

[@stephenwust1407]

@@Randilynn66We were there in 2001. Sorry to hear it is now closed, it was a funky fascinating place.

[@AndrewMartin1971]

Bravo, great video. I have avoided “traveler” videos, such as yours in the past, but you hit on some of the main reasons why in this video.

[@jayareaaaa]

I agree with the comment about shared experience. I’m Filipino but I’ve been living in Cali since 1993. When my family went back to the Philippines in 2006, we got stuck in our home for a week with a leaky roof, no running water or electricity because of a typhoon. The days of travel between islands were also chaotic and lots of my family got carsick. My cousins and I look back at the chaos with even better memories than when we went to a resort

[@MaoTheMage]

I've been saying this for years about camping, but it applies to travel too: "A bad time now makes for a good story later" 😂

[@LauraSchendel-ko1qk]

So true! My husband and I decided to camp after Labor Day to avoid the crowds. We were in a campground of 300 sites and there were only 5 of us there!And we were the only ones in a tent. Our food was attacked by a marauding band of raccoons, it rained and rained and we had to take cover in a little cabin. Even while it was happening we realized that we would laugh about it one day. And we were right!

[@TravelingwithKristin]

Such good insights, guys! I totally agree. Whenever things go "wrong," it always makes a good story ☺

[@CallOSaulTitan]

I actually still bring 2 large luggages during my travels, because I love souvenir shopping. Although photos and memories are the best souvenirs, home decors, figurines, clothes etc. from other countries are still great concrete manifestations of your travel memories. I got to fill up my 2 luggages with souvenirs from my trip to Turkey, Japan, Armenia, Georgia, Thailand, Italy, Serbia, Saudi etc.

[@teye-master]

I've been privileged to 'break out' of where I started from and I moved to two of my favorite spots on this world. So, I could presume on being a local and not a tourist. But I still enthusiastically 'do tourism' in my new back-yards. I hope to never lose that mindset. Left breathless by the 'new' vistas, taking pictures, revelling in the wonder. Great video! Thanks!!

[@WealthyChronicle]

I had to learn the hard way about overpacking. Now I'm a carry-on only kind of traveler and it's so liberating!

[@oldbittercraig3513]

It can be difficult if doing extended travel across different climates, but even with a 10kg (22.5 pound) backpack, still looking at ways to cut weight.

[@joaquin_rojas]

Wonderful video! I can say I agree with most of these points/ideas since travelling is not about how many places you visit in one trip, but how much you learn from the place you are!

[@deedsh6280]

One of your best videos, seriously. I think it was both entertaining but also deep. Breaking through the 'rules' and getting to the 'reality' of travel. As with any growth, own your desires (yes, many tourist-y things are what we dream of seeing in person) and be open to travel's challenges (leaving ego and rigidity at the airport) means more than the right image for social media or bragging rights to a stamp in your passport. Thank you.

[@scantron20]

I hate when people rag on the hop on hop off busses… I try to do them every time I go to a new country/city… it’s a great way to get a quick overview of the place I’m visiting and it gives me an idea of where everything is located which helps when the bus tour is over and I gotta take public transport everywhere… I now have an idea of where I need to go and where I need to get off

[@scantron20]

@ that’s what I do too!

[@lactran7475]

I don't use HOHO buses because I love walking and exploring myself, but that does not make me a better "traveler" than ones who do. I actually advise others to use HOHO bus as it is a good, efficient means to visit the places you want to visit.

[@Pomi3001]

This is totally spot on. I have work colleagues whose main goal is to put their travel photos on social media and every time they get back they try to force photo galleries on me. Obviously, they remain totally unchanged by their travels. Also, I love the point how the best place to relax is actually close to your home, and how best travels are in fact work trips. My experience exactly.

[@UtahGal]

🙂 Proud tourist here. While in a new area, the locals welcome my honesty especially when I'm so open about how I'm clueless about their area and would love them to teach me. And I'm just happy to be there.

[@yankeeman311]

The "nobody cares about your travel" one hits home hard. Learned that the hard way, which sucks because it's a big part of my life lmao. I feel like the only way it can be spoken about is if someone else has been there or actively planning to go there. Most points here I agree with. Your tourist vs. traveler one I'd push back on. I don't think going to an all inclusive resort in Mexico vs. going to Mexico City is the same experience at all in that country and I've done both. Your second point about traveling not making people better I'd just change the wording. It doesn't AUTOMATICALLY make you better but I truly believe it can potentially if you keep your mind open to the destination and what potential changes you might have to make for yourself. Anyway, good video man, some solid points here.

[@johnkies1189]

very solid, very informative, quick to the point video. def subscribing, even if this is a one off video in your catalog in this style.

[@awaytogether]

Welcome! I think you'll find there's more where this came from!

[@pchota1367]

Thanks

[@awaytogether]

Thank you!!!!

[@birgitsitter3889]

Really good advices for travellers👍. I myself travel a lot, and you can never learn enough. I have got respect for the countries and people I visit, and I like it also, if I am asked about my home country (Austria) 😃

[@MontagZoso]

Loved this. Going to Munich in May and kept seeing videos about great day trips to Salzburg, Austria. When I kept trying to imagine packing in all the different things I wanted to experience in and around Salzburg, I finally ignored the day trip thing and said, “Dangit, I’m doing 4 days there because I want to! “ 😅❤ Do what feels right to YOU. 👍

[@marilyndoering2501]

Excellent tips and truths about travel. I’ve always loved travelling and any trip, no matter for how long, is worth taking just for a new experience. Just do what you can and do a little research before hand so you know what those “must see” things are. I was an over packer for years, until after Covid when the airlines started losing everyone’s luggage. And surprise, I’ve found I can pack all the essentials I’ll need in a carry on and personal backpack, and I pack things that I can wash in a sink and hang to dry ( excluding jeans). It’s much easier to manage especially on trains. Happy travels in the New Years!

[@SharperMind123]

Agree, I don’t want to hear toooooo much about other people’s trips unless I’m planning to go to that location and I need some information. OVERALL, we are all selfish that way.

[@maruskaehrensdorfer]

No, we're NOT all selfish that way. Speak for yourself.

[@SassyyjuicyMaria]

No we're not!

[@martinusv7433]

There are also people who are simply interested in geography and in learning about the world from the comfort of their couch aka people with at least a basic level of curiosity.

[@JaceVibe]

As a tour leader and traveller - excellent advice! I am also negatively impacted by FOMO, not in the sense of visiting too many places in little time, but simply going to a place because I feel I "should".

[@jessicalila3712]

I've been watching your channel since my teenage son went to Italy and Greece this past summer; this has to be one of my favorite videos yet. I've traveled enough to "get" all your opinions and there wasn't a single one I disagreed with! Love it!

[@mikeroberts7921]

I have been privileged to see quite a bit of this wonderful world and observe its various cultures. Some friends and acquaintances are interested in my experiences, some are not. Personally, I enjoy living vicariously in the shared tales of others and I am glad to know that others get the same joy that I experienced when discovering this fantastic planet.

[@AlejandraCamposGua]

Uffff! Amazing video and tips! I wonder if the USA is on its "Do not travel list". Also, I would love a video about tip 8 :)

[@BillandJennTraveling]

Nik and Allie thanks for this great video! Your perspective on this is outstanding! My wife and I are getting ready to go to Western and Eastern Europe for a total of 7 months in April via a TA Cruise and this will be our 1st long trip. And your video opened our eyes even more! We have been planning our trip for almost a year, and now it's coming down to the wire. Most of our time will be spent in Albania Montenegro North Macedonia. We will definitely stop and smell the roses daily.❤❤

[@BillandJennTraveling]

Nik, on your next video don't forget these one bag travel Essentials curious about the adapter, we bought an adapter and some people said that we needed a converter does the adapter do that as well or would I be safer getting a converter? What's been your experience with the adapter? Thanks

[@gerrieriihimaki6446]

Thanks again for great info! I just got back from Australia and New Zealand and everyone asks “how was your trip?” So like others, I come up with a sentence or two answer. Then if they want to know more I can fill them in.

[@RiverWoods111]

When I was a kid, we went to the Dominican Republic literally 3 months before there was an attempted coup d'é·tat. There were soldiers on every corner of every intersection holding machine guns. You could cut the air with a knife it was so thick. You had to hire "bodyguards" to guard your stuff at the beach. These were kids who would make sure none of your stuff got stolen. As a 14 year old it was terrifying. I have to say, that is the place I remember in the most detail of any place I have ever been. It was super fun even though it was scary too. Now, I wouldn't recommend going to a country that is in that amount of disrest. Within 90 days of when we were there, there was a mini-war. A little too close for comfort.

[@dennisdelgado7350]

Love this video, Nik! I’m not one who takes photos of everything and obsesses over the perfect photo. Thank you !

[@timengle4965]

#7 is so on point! I can vouch for this. Great video.

[@asdf2103912pi]

#1 and #4 really spoke to me a lot, I feel like so many travel guides say stuff like "Don't See X, See Y its like X but less touristy and crowded". But generally despite that, unless it's a blatant tourist trap X is generally still worth visiting, and in fact for first time travellers to the area I'd actually think going to X is better. Sure there might be some really nice off the beaten path locations and by all means explore, but generally the popular areas are popular for a reason and I would recommend people to give them a try once if they think its something they might like.

[@LeanneWilcox]

Gosh you have dropped some pearls of wisdom. Stating a few facts that I've not heard out loud.

[@rosieaustin9911]

I luv this ❤ Whenever someone says that is where tourists go…. “I’m heading there.”

[@mshah108]

Excellent video and all the points were spot on especially the one about vacation days and FOMO. Thanks for sharing. It’s just the inspiration I needed for the start of 2025.

[@MilesAwaywithUs]

Absolutely agree about "no one cares"...which oddly seems to apply especially to friends and family... Which is why I have more fun rambling about our travels and history, on YT, to strangers 😂

[@JayandSarah]

They usually don’t want to hear about it because they can’t relate or are honestly just jealous you are doing these things while they paint their hallways or mow their lawns.

[@MilesAwaywithUs]

@JayandSarah exactly...

[@labtechsuperstar]

Happy New Year! I agreed with the majority of what you said. The only one I disagree is the checked bag. I like to shop and bring home gifts for family and friends...and having tried carry-on only, I ended up having to buy another bag. So I may not pack a lot of stuff to take with me to the destination...but I need it for the trip home.

[@missragsdale]

Yes, I usually do carry-on only for the flight there, and have an extra foldable bag in my suitcase to have room for souvenirs. I don't mind checking a bag on the way home, since it'll be less inconvenient for me if it gets lost.

[@ahwhite2022]

I always check bags. Travel is more fun for me when I have much of the comforts of home, and can dress appropriate to whatever conditions or occasion.

[@sinistersaint]

I have the same map as the one behind you in this video ☺ It's been too long since we've scratched off a new place...

[@Mar-ze8vu]

I learned from Fomo in Athens: there are so many museums with similar content that I have all visited. The great thing about traveling is that you learn from it and grow from it. I learned that you don't have to see/visit "more of the same". And indeed: no one is really interested in your travels and I like that. It's really something for myself, wonderful! Besides my mother, but I think that's what she's a mother for. Oh yeah, forcing yourself not to go to tourist attractions is totally exaggerated, almost arrogant. You really miss things if you skip certain things because it's touristy and busy. Like the Trevi Fountain in Rome: yes it's touristy, yes it's busy, yes people come there to take pictures and throw coins, but basically you miss the beautiful history and architecture if you don't go there, but instead just hang out and eat pizza 'with the locals' under the guise: look how non-touristy I am.

[@marthaswanson5739]

I love your positive attitude! So many YT travel videos are about what not to do/wear/go.

[@pleasantjourneys]

Thanks - difference is in becoming a good human being. Best regards & Pleasant Journeys!🎉

[@stephaneboivin9359]

Great advices! Thank you!

[@SmashTheNumbers]

My wife and I just moved from Northville MI to Carlsbad CA. We both drove in a 2 car caravan the whole way over 10+ days. We loved the seeing Vail, and Bryce and Zion, but we loved the inside of the statehouse in Lincoln Nebraska and the Irish Resturant in Grand Junction Colorado or the completely isolated flatland surrounded my mountains in Utah, just off the highway. Completely unplanned experiences... but within the context of our general path. Feels like what you are describing.

[@johnwinter6061]

Having worked in the travel industry I found people's opinions of a place, travel experience, etc tended to be better if they met interesting people!

[@andreasissons7766]

And especially if you make a friend along the way and keep in touch for years on end. Those are always special.

[@rudyfidelino3995]

In March, I set off for a 9-month bucket-list trip. As much as I’ve been scouring the Internet for any and all advice, little if any has been helpful - too obvious, heard it a zillion times, or irrelevant (at least to my situation). But your advice really stood out, enough to make me subscribe to your YT channel. I’ll peruse past content and look forward to future vids. Thanks!

[@hawj89]

“Go do thing on the post card!” YES! Yes! 👏🏼

[@angelao4110]

The carry-on goal works most of the time unless 1) you are traveling during winter and need heavy sweaters and jackets or 2) you don’t have access to laundry facilities.

[@nicholasharvey1232]

I never even take a jacket anywhere when travelling unless I am genuinely going to FREEZE without one. I toughed out 40-degree mornings in just short-sleeve shirts and even shorts while visiting the Great Smoky Mountains during the month of April (it would warm up to at least 70 in the afternoon, so I preferred to have less clothing rather than more). But on a ranch in windy northern Texas in January... I absolutely needed (and wore) a jacket some mornings there, single-digit wind chills are not at all uncommon, I bet a lot of people living on the east and west coasts don't realize how cold Texas winters can get at times, or at least didn't realize until February 2021.

[@rautakallio1852]

or 3) one of the main purposes of your trip is shopping!

[@lilian.bloom.petite.stylist]

I only do carryon if I travel less than a week. I don’t want to bring only 10 pieces then mix/match for a month - it gets bored real fast. Everyone is different, and it works differently when packing and traveling. Not all wants to do laundry every few days when traveling either.

[@martinusv7433]

​@@nicholasharvey1232Yeah, well...try doing that when you're from Northern Europe and yet get sick when you go out without a scarf with +14C. But I rarely feel that I belong to the same species as an average human being, so... 🤷🤷

[@cbpd89]

I'll add 3) you're traveling with kids and it's easier to load all their stuff in one suitcase rather than pack 5 carry on bags.

[@CommandoMaster]

The difference is that some people travel to a new location to actually live there for a period of a time and integrate into the culture. A tourist is simply a person that visits the city just to see it briefly and leaves very shortly. Massive difference in the behaviour, and how people act when their objectives are completely different.

[@AJKlopp]

Thought-provoking video! Thanks for the ideas to ponder. Just a nit suggestion: maybe annotate tourism scenes with location? Many are so beautiful! Thanks Nik! Great 2005 pic, btw!!

[@AbNomal621]

6:13 the US should be on the State Department list. Though honestly, I wonder about some people’s travel choices.

[@mikesands4681]

Just check the UK, Australian or Irish travel pages for their ministry of foreign affairs

[@hanlens_on_hiatus]

I reckon we went to Egypt the year of the shooting in Las Vegas and we had Canadian friends who would only do Egypt in a tour because they felt unsafe but are happy to tour around the gun totting US with all their mass-shootings. I was astounded at the irony.

[@ladymoon425]

@@hanlens_on_hiatus maybe because of a shared language & experience. Or felt safe in the U S because they understood cultural signals more than when in Egypt. Who knows 🤷‍♀️

[@petek5523]

I spent two weeks in Spain with a medium sized checked bag and I was fine, it’s not the end of the world to check a bag 😅😂

[@TravelswithLlama]

Agree. I'm so over being made to feel guilty about bringing more than the bare minimum.

[@oldbittercraig3513]

not the end of the world, but depending upon the nature of your trip and how often you are traveling within in, and mode of travel, it's just another thing which can go wrong - particularly on any flights requiring a layover and change in plane.

[@set921]

No it's not. But many places don't have door to door service for your accommodation, and many older buildings don't have elevators. It also depends on whether you're traveling by train. Lugging a large bag up 4 stories to your room, down cobblestone streets, and through train stations and up the train steps gets old really fast.

[@Tee55118]

I have necessary personal items not allowed in carry-on and unavailable at destination. I have no choice but to check a bag. E.g., eye contact solutions, sunscreens and lotions, etc. over the carry-on limit, some dental small electrics too akward to carry, etc. I'm not under the age of 30, anymore.

[@missmayflower]

It would have been at a B&B I stayed at in Amsterdam. Barely got my carryon up the teeny tiny winding staircase.

[@lpmama1196]

For longer trips I don't mind checking a bag, but still have my personal item for meds, laptop. snacks, etc. Carry-on is difficult to lift up into the overhead, but I have a smaller sized roller bag to keep the weight down. The biggest issue is for musicians and traveling with an instrument. We sometimes rent a guitar in some places so we don't have to travel with one.

[@Bgmutza]

This was a really good, genuine video. I’ve been watching your channel for a good while, and this a one of your best. Bravo!

[@kerlyblum2840]

I love your channel, I love travel with my kids, I'm trying to teach them about different cultures. I love your Frase when you say "don't expect to find America in Europe " and that is a big mistake for people who is moving or visiting another country. Lear about culture is the fun part of traveling!! I'm from Ecuador but I move to USA 13 years ago and this is what I wanna do TRAVEL!!

[@James-nl6ms]

Great video with good points! I am fortunate that I travel as part of my job. It has given me a different perspective on life and the opportunity to meet people and to enjoy the journey. Much of the travel stress comes from rigid itinerary and a single person driving it. Sit down together and talk through what you both want from the trip, where to stay and the activities you want to do and use it as a guide. Be prepared to stop and stop have a beer or a coffee.

[@dennischannells5683]

I am in Australia; your video makes so much sense.

[@noemimatias3729]

Great video 👍🏼 BTW I liked seeing your younger photos ❤

[@laurastraveltales9847]

Urgh, the traveler vs tourist competition is seriously the most annoying argument ever. We're all tourists, as you rightly say. Great video!

[@seananddebgo]

LOVE THIS! We just took the hop-on/hop-off in Buenos Aires. Did we look like tourists? Definitely. Did we care? NO! We enjoyed seeing a lot of the city, learning a bit of history and jumping off in different neighborhoods. We're here for 3 weeks, so it helped us get the lay of the land. Our biggest travel myth? When you're sick, you should just power through it and not rest. PLEASE just rest if you get sick on the road. You'll feel better and you won't infect others. The sights will be there when you feel better.

[@AnnaBanana-rq9vh]

The HO/HO in Buenos Aires covers some ground! Any HO/HO a great way for us to sightsee with my elderly in-laws who can’t walk a whole lot.

[@annw-fitz4412]

True, people do not really want to hear about your trip. Twice a particular friend said oh let’s get together I want to hear all about your trip. When we got together she didn’t ask a single thing and I didn’t bring it up. Actually it was all about her… but whatever that’s fine she needed a new ear to talk to😊

[@sherrytodd2362]

This has been my experience, also. I don't want to be that person who appears to brag, either. Instead, I keep my discussion to a minimum (maybe a funny story) and quickly try to turn the conversation back to my friends.

[@annw-fitz4412]

@@sherrytodd2362 Exactly! 😀

[@missmayflower]

Yes, it’s so typical. Kind of hurts when the whole premise was that they supposedly wanted to hear about the trip.

[@bernardmccabe463]

People only ask out of politeness and get it out of the way. I always keep it short as possible. To be honest even among fellow travelers you meet on the road the most boring people are the ones who ONLY talk about where they have been 😂

[@davidpratt5456]

Airport security drains a lot of travel enjoyment. I understand the precautions are, for most part, necessary. Returning from 11 days in India via Emirates (I know, no one cares) here is what I experienced. 1. Checked-in online. 2. Entering New Delhi INTL departures terminal. Solider checked passport, boarding pass. All bags scanned. Unfortunately, Emirates doesn't provide boarding pass for first leg, so had to hand over phone to soldier to convince him I was flying that day. 3. Deposited bags at Emirates counter. Passport checked. Checked bags weighed. Boarding pass printed. 4. Entered security area 4a. Soldier checked boarding pass, allowing me to proceed to baggage scanners 4b. Transfered stuff from backpack to security bins. Pushed bins into conveyor belt 4c. Walked through body scanner. Beeped. Was it my jean zipper? 4d. Soldier hand-wand scanned my body. Jean zipper triggered wand beep. I don't think full-body scan beep triggered this, as I observed every male getting wanded. Soldier checked passport, stamped boarding pass. 4e. Collected stuff from bins, collected myself (wits, patience, backpack contents). 5. Proceeded to departure gate. 6. Boarding started 6a. Emirates staff checked passport, boarding pass 6b. Proceed 20 steps. Soldier checks boarding pass again. Soldier was in visual sight of Emirates staff who checked my passport, boarding pass. There was no way to break line. 7. Proceed to jet. 8. Flight attendant checks boarding pass 9. Find seat. 10. Arrive in Abu Dhabi. 11. Proceeded to connecting flights area but must pass through security again. My flights were booked through Emirates, at same time, so Emirates controls/knows everything. 11a. Soldier checks passport 11b. Transfered stuff from backpack to security bins. Pushed bins into conveyor belt 11c. Collected stuff from bins, collected myself (wits, patience, backpack contents). 12. Proceed to departure gate, but first... 13. Another security check. Biometric scanned (facial photo). 14. Walk down stairs. Arrive at security scanning station. 14a. Instructed to proceed table for manual bag check. 14b. Opened up backpack for security inspection. 14c. Soldier instructed me to dump contents of my water bottle. 14d. Collected myself (wits, patience, backpack contents). 14d. Proceed to departure gate seating area 15. Boarding 2nd flight 15a. Passport, boarding pass checked. Walk 20 steps 15b. Soldier checks boarding pass. Proceed to jet. 16. Flight attendant checks boarding pass. 17. Sit in seat. Observations: - individually countries only ultimated trust their own security processes, and even then, not 100%; therefore, redundancies occur during hand-off on connecting flight. - Way too many duplicative steps. - Airlines should do better in working with local security (Emirates didn't provide a leg 1 boarding pass, yet India's airport security required one to enter INTL departure terminals. - Individual countries don't trust their own process. i.e. I had to show multiple soldiers/staff the same boarding pass to proceed even after passing through security, even after airline staff provided permission to proceed to jet. - The area to load/unload bins with contents of carry-on items is wholly inadequate. Too little room, too few bins. Battle Royale-style person-v-person. - Inflicting mental pain on passengers seems to be part of the security plan. - Redundant checking seems to be views as a way to overcome inefficient process. Fix the root problem, don't add another layer of checking. - TSA Global Entry is a great program.

[@artmann7684]

Thank you. I manage a travel group within a men's organization where I live and the Mark Twain quote you used is the exact one I used for next week's meeting announcement. Great timing. You also now caused me to review how we see ourselves. Years ago a tour guide told us, after spending a whole day together, that we were travelers and not tourists so we've used that term to describe ourselves ever since. Oh well!

[@Adam_The_Archivist]

Being able to travel allows you to experience other cultures can make you a better person, it just depends on the type of person you are and I’d you are willing to truly enrich yourself by the people you meet. In my youth I was blessed to be able to travel a lot and even more so in my twenties. I am now in my 50’s and disabled and still love to travel because I get to see the world through my own eyes. And I will end with People do Care about your trip because people like me want to learn so thank you for your videos! I continue to pick up new ideas every video you guys put out! A Happy & Safe 2025!👍

[@Volganian]

So much agree with every single point. It took me more than 10 years of travels to get to exactly the same experience.

[@TheFletcher53]

Happy New Year Nik. We have done three and four week trips to Europe the past two years. The small bag is the way to go for sure, and we still carry too much stuff.

[@ivanonthehustle4623]

Thank you for this video, I felt like saying it but I thought ppl might think I was hating on their content.👏

[@KenMathTeacher]

As a world traveler to several dozen countries, these are some good words of wisdom.

[@dalecooper9942]

Been there, done that. You nailed it.

[@angus7278]

When it comes to potential hazards when traveling, getting hit by a car crossing the street, tripping and falling on broken sidewalks, or getting diarrhea are probably the highest risks one will face. Like you said, those government travel advisories are worst case scenarios; with some also politically driven. Speaking as 43 countries so far traveller, I LOVE hearing other peoples stories, but I realize that’s not everyone.

[@davidpearlman8845]

Great video! I do think travel makes you a better person, however. I became more patient, understanding, etc. with travel.

[@kerrynhampton4268]

I own being a tourist when being a first time visitor to a country. My first visit to Vietnam, best value on my first day in Hanoi was the hop on/off bus. Got to see all the major things in an easy stress free way and knew straight up what I wanted to go back and explore further.

[@billyd10]

love the idea of shared trial. travel can be very stressful and adds stress to any relationship. I am so glad you said this.

[@peterbumper2769]

and add on to #5. a few years ago I decided to take my first trip away in a wheelchair, this included flights and a city I had never visited. While there was never any huge problems, overcoming the small obstacles made me feel fantastic

[@KismetKat11]

I agree with many of these. My funniest travel stories and the ones I talk about most are when things went awry. I managed to go to Poland for a week in 2023 and took only carry on bags (suitcase and small backpack). It was very liberating.

[@InspiredbyIsabella]

I love this video and agree with most of your views! Travel should be done FOR YOU and not to show people that you’re worldly or better than them.

[@TheFroggie66]

So much truth! And carry-on only travel was sooooo freeing! You really don’t need all that “stuff”. And you don’t need a souvenir from every destination. The memories and photos are amazing souvenirs.

[@QuantumScribe]

As someone who worked in the State Department, I can tell you that your statement that practically every country is on the do-not-travel list is patently false. The State Dept has four advisory levels and every country is in one of those levels. Level 4 Do Not Travel is a small subset of countries or specific areas within a country. Going to a Level 4 country (e.g Syria, Iran, Afghanistan) doesn't mean you'll face imminent danger but there are some practical consequences. For example, many travel insurance companies won't cover you if you travel to a Level 4 country or area. if you need embassy services like replacing a lost passport or if you're detained, there won't likely an embassy to assist. Having traveled around the world, including Level 4 countries, I never had a problem. I would chalk it up to staying alert, staying sober, respecting their laws, and being cordial, respectful, and diplomatic in your interactions. You don't want to end up like Otto Warmbier. And even in a Level 1 country, you don't want to end up like KZbin troll Johnny Somali, who's awaiting trial in South Korea and facing years in prison.

[@jillmorrison9883]

Thank you for addressing the whole "traveler vs tourist" thing. It's just snobby people trying to make themselves feel more important. Unless you live in a place you're a tourist lol. I am def guilty of talking too much about where i've been :)

[@23Roucky]

One of the activities we enjoyed most on our trip to Strasbourg was the fly boat guided tour. We learned so much about the city, it was great. A tourist attraction that was well worth the effort.

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

Great video! I agree with all of it.

[@edgarsnake2857]

Well, I guess I'm blessed. My friends can't wait to hear about my travels. And I can't wait to hear about theirs.

[@Bslmk]

I agree with most of these. We've been travelling around the world for a dozen years now since our mid40s and we've evolved through the years. We used to FOMO and wanted to see everything, then we snobbishly advocated for slow travel and "authentic" experiences, the off the beaten path and the local 😂. We subsequently realized we were traveling to flex and to show off. Now we are hopefully travelling because we actually enjoy it, all the beauty of another place, doesn't matter if it's the most touristy or the next up and coming. We still post and flex but at least we also love what we are doing now 💯 😊 Enjoy your travels and each other!

[@nelluke]

You should know that many many people around the world think the U.S. is too dangerous to travel around!

[@BillLaBrie]

I’m ok with this

[@telcobilly]

I can't argue with that. I have never been shot at in the Philippines where I live now but I have been as a truck driver asleep minding my own business...

[@jimgustafson2422]

this is what I tell Americans that always ask me is bla bla place you're going to 'safe'??

[@jameslester6785]

Really good points for travel but I don't get the push to pack in a carry on. When I go for two weeks or more I always pack a large suitcase. I don't find it a hassle at all and find comfort in knowing I will have everything I need. My packed suitcase is never over weight and usually about 40lbs.

[@Fr1nc3sc41]

Have you experienced the joy of airlines mishandling and misplacing your large suitcase?

[@jameslester6785]

@@Fr1nc3sc41 No.never.

[@fray3dendsofsanity]

Currently long term traveling and I do a small carry-on for my electronics, a backpack for smaller items and essentials (passport, medication etc), and then a checked suitcase for non-essentials and clothes. This way, if for some reason my checked luggage is lost, I have all my valuables and the only thing I'm really missing is my clothes, which are far easier and cheaper to replace than a camera, a laptop, microphones, etc.

[@TravelswithLlama]

Agree.

[@Sibhusky]

I agree. I have to pack a CPAP and usually take at least a three week trip during shoulder seasons, which means unpredictable weather. My suitcase isn't that heavy, it's just more stuff than I can fit AND MANAGE in a carry on. The last two trips had snow and involved skiing or long hikes. Sure, if I were going to Italy in July I could do it. But I hate heat and love mountains.

[@MrTomTeachesAgain]

Love your opinions. Lots of food for thought. Happy New Year!

[@dumspyrospero]

Why is it so easy to love this video ❤?!

[@sharonbradley9011]

Love this. Thanks

[@tomporemba1217]

Bravo, you said it all best. Travel for yourself, your way, do your research, know before you go, see what you want, but it takes experience to learn this. The internet is dripping with almost too much info. So true ... "Nobody cares". I've learned to answer when someone asks "where are you going on vacation" short and sweet "Europe". It usually stops there. But I will offer details if someone asks. thanks for your all your trave tips!