People typically travel to unwind and enjoy. Thus, we usually go through great lengths to avoid any mistakes that could ruin our happy trip. We gather tips from professional travel bloggers, scour every detail about our dream destinations and spend a great deal of time preparing for the big day. All of these efforts can indeed minimize your chance for mistakes. However, one of the best ways to ensure a perfect, glitch-free vacation is by reflecting on your past travel blunders. Ironically, a research study revealed that people have a tendency to keep on repeating past mistakes. So let your own experiences be your guide by making a conscious effort to avoid common mistakes that even the most experienced travelers make.

Not packing lightly.

You will be out and about exploring a new place so it can be tempting to bring just about anything you could possibly need. Clothes. Food Toiletries. The list can go on and on! If you are not careful, you may end up with a traveling bag that is as bulky as your own house. If you want to travel with less worries, you’ll need to learn how to firmly say no to overpacking. Sometimes the things you are bringing to ensure your comfort on the road can prove to be an added burden on your trip. Save yourself the trouble of paying more for extra bags or even lugging along heavy bags all throughout your trip. If you want to look cool and collected on the road, bringing in too much stuff is not the way to go. The better way to do it is by sticking with the most basic essentials and resolving to travel lightly.

Failing to safekeep belongings.

Losing important documents or valuables is always a hassle. But it becomes doubly stressful when you experience it while traveling. Smart travelers therefore prioritize taking measures to safeguard their belongings. It is better to be safe than sorry, so do not underestimate the value of securing your bags with a padlock or double checking that your hotel rooms are locked before heading out for the day. Likewise, you want to keep simple safety tips in mind such as not wearing flashy jewelry or not bringing travel documents such as passports in your carry-on bag. It is also a wise idea to keep your money in different bags so you do not risk being penniless on an unfamiliar road by losing it all in one bag.

Not having backup options for pictures and videos.

One device that every traveler cannot afford to miss during a trip is a digital camera. Traveling is an activity that brings out the inner photographer or videographer in all of us. However as you capture one amazing shot after another, take a second to ask yourself if you have a backup option for your files. Technology made it possible to instantly snap pictures or record videos but a simple error or nasty virus  can also erase all your files in a flash. Do not waste time trying to retrieve beautiful images by saving your files in a backup USB or any other device. This simple thing can give you precious peace of mind throughout your trip.

Cramming your itinerary.

You want to make the most of your vacation so it is quite understandable if you want to do so many things at once. However, travel becomes more meaningful if you have time to to relax and savor every moment and you may find it hard to accomplish with an itinerary that is overflowing with activities. A well-planned itinerary allows you to visit and experience the best sites in the area without leaving you stressed or exhausted. To avoid unnecessary stress while on a trip, learn to be flexible with your own schedule. In assessing your experiences, it may also help if you focus on the quality rather than quantity.

As we daydream about our travel goals, we envision an ideal scenario where everything goes as planned and mistakes are non-existent. This perfect image though is not always the case. In many ways, travel is breaking free from life’s usual routines so it is quite normal to encounter some unexpected mishaps here and there. Travel mistakes may be unavoidable but we all have to learn from it so we do not keep on repeating them.