Keep an open mind...
Avoid 3rd world countries, (for some reason after I arrive there is always either a bombing, police action or coup d'etat and shots fired in my vicinity. I don't think I'm ugly enough to be shot at).
When booking a hotel always read the reviews, the good and the bad, (another blessing from the internet; pre-internet it was pot luck, and more often than not you had to be completely potted to get any sleep).
It's always wise to deny being American; learn the French, Spanish and Portuguese for "I'm Australian", and "which way to the toilet". You never know when either may come in handy.
Smile...
Select to expand quoteStubbies said...
Keep an open mind...
Avoid 3rd world countries, (for some reason after I arrive there is always either a bombing, police action or coup d'etat and shots fired in my vicinity. I don't think I'm ugly enough to be shot at).
When booking a hotel always read the reviews, the good and the bad, (another blessing from the internet; pre-internet it was pot luck, and more often than not you had to be completely potted to get any sleep).
It's always wise to deny being American; learn the French, Spanish and Portuguese for "I'm Australian", and "which way to the toilet". You never know when either may come in handy.
Smile...
^^^ Agree
Always know the, yes, no, please, thankyou, hello, and goodbye in whatever country you are in.
And as Stubbies said, it's always wise to gently point out that your an Aussie, not a yank.
You'll find doors open much easier with those two tips alone
Smile with your eyes, not just your mouth
Don't be a dickhead, keep up Australia's good name (except maybe at Oktoberfest, but hey, it's a great challenge trying to keep up with ze Germans at drinkin )
Select to expand quoteairjunkie said...
Boohoo sniffle sniffle...
Looks like someone forgot to pack his hanki! Dry those eyes big guy!
Select to expand quoteairjunkie said...
Apparently travelling makes everyone an expert at life
and their opinion is far superior to everyone else's
its pretty obvious from reading the posts there are multiple categories for the wise men out there
some of them would be
1 those who have had package holiday's
2 those who have backpacked
3 those who have lived in other country's (doesn't have to be a long time but actually immersing yourself in the local culture lifestyle etc)
4 Those who took their family somewhere to stop the nagging (guess what they bitched and nagged the whole holiday)
it's fun to read the posts and try and pick which category that each wise man got their masters in being right
If the best advice you come back with from your travels is how to pack your bag then - you missed the point !
i TRAVELED so I know i'm right don't try to change my mind with things like facts or a different opinion
OOOh don't forget all Europeans are assholes and Australians are the best at everything even racism
red thumb away
Cheer up. It's just a way of people comparing experiences. Everyone has a different way of being a tourist and being comfortable. I envy some of the people that sign up to a full service trip, but then sometimes it must be a bit too 'packaged', but it doesn't make their experience any less valuable.
You could add a 5th category to your list, those that have or have not traveled anywhere but feel superior for some reason. 
Select to expand quoteairjunkie said...
Apparently travelling makes everyone an expert at life
and their opinion is far superior to everyone else's
its pretty obvious from reading the posts there are multiple categories for the wise men out there
some of them would be
1 those who have had package holiday's
2 those who have backpacked
3 those who have lived in other country's (doesn't have to be a long time but actually immersing yourself in the local culture lifestyle etc)
4 Those who took their family somewhere to stop the nagging (guess what they bitched and nagged the whole holiday)
it's fun to read the posts and try and pick which category that each wise man got their masters in being right
If the best advice you come back with from your travels is how to pack your bag then - you missed the point !
i TRAVELED so I know i'm right don't try to change my mind with things like facts or a different opinion
OOOh don't forget all Europeans are assholes and Australians are the best at everything even racism
red thumb away
Cool^^^
Travel is not about where you go, what you see or "How nice our hotel room was"
It's about the experiences you have and the people you meet, you'd be amazed by the generosity of peoples worldwide. Personally, I
recommend travelling alone, as it encourages you to mix with the locals and you get to see and do a lot of stuff that 99 percent of tourists never would.
And NEVER HAVE A PLAN
But what goes around comes around, I've helped out a few Euro van travellers in the past, getting evicted from Scarbs parking lot (offered them to park up in my backyard ), and now I have a place to stay in three European countries ( maybe 6 places to stay if the boys and girls have since gone their separate ways 
), all for the cost of the use of my shower, dunnie and an extension lead to their van.
traveling is overrated and its a hard work I learnt.
I only keep doing it to keep my family happy.
otherwise I wouldn't go anywhere (wa and nz excl.)
Select to expand quoteMDSXR6T said... VB MAN said... Paradox said...
Fixed that for you:
Worst = Australian tourists (young males mostly) are far worse than anything you have been told.
You have obviously only "travelled to Bali", I suspect ?
Bogan capitol of the world
Throughout Indo in general, the bogan content is strong but by far the worst I've seen is Oktoberfest. Aussies try and keep up with the Germans and just make twats of themselves!
Never been to Bali and probably never will, but can cite first hand cringeworthy experiences in many parts of Asia plus Europe and Mexico.
I don't recall seeing any poor behaviour in the US despite travelling there extensively.....but maybe I have been lucky....
For the record it's not the getting on the p*ss and having some fun, it's the attitude - arrogance, racism and lack of respect that do it.
Select to expand quoteairjunkie said...
Apparently travelling makes everyone an expert at life
and their opinion is far superior to everyone else's
its pretty obvious from reading the posts there are multiple categories for the wise men out there
some of them would be
1 those who have had package holiday's
2 those who have backpacked
3 those who have lived in other country's (doesn't have to be a long time but actually immersing yourself in the local culture lifestyle etc)
4 Those who took their family somewhere to stop the nagging (guess what they bitched and nagged the whole holiday)
Good list - funnily enough it lists the progression I have gone through over the years, culminating with a recent trip to Disneyland with the kids.....although there was definitely no nagging or complaints....
If there was one piece of advice I would give, it is never do a packaged holiday if you can avoid it. Research the destination to the Nth degree by all means, get a good idea on accommodation and things you want to do and put together a rough travel plan, but one that is flexible. Turn up and generally follow your plan but be flexible enough to change it - you almost always will.
My first trip to Asia was for my Honeymoon - and my wifes first trip OS. Flight into Hanoi, flight out of Bangkok 5 weeks later. Nothing else booked, not even first night accommodation....brilliant.
Also - book accommodation that is comfortable but not too comfortable. The idea is to get out and immerse yourself in a culture or destination, not lounge in luxury.....unless of course the accommodation is the holiday (cruise / resort).
Nth QLD:
- follow NRL
- crap beer
- no waves
NT
-don't follow sport
-don't make beer
- no waves
WA
- follow AFL
- crap beer
- great waves
SA
-follow AFL
- great beer
- great waves
Select to expand quoteVB MAN said...
Travel is not about where you go, what you see or "How nice our hotel room was"
It's about the experiences you have and the people you meet, you'd be amazed by the generosity of peoples worldwide. Personally, I
recommend travelling alone, as it encourages you to mix with the locals and you get to see and do a lot of stuff that 99 percent of tourists never would.
And NEVER HAVE A PLAN
Ha ha - i expected a coating from the seabreeze crew after my post
i clicked on the thread coz it appealed to me, but was taken aback by the people who are determined to tell people they are wrong ??
. . . . how can they be wrong it's their own conclusions based on their own travels, their personality and comfort zone !
there has been some great advice but for me VB Man has summed it up perfectly especially traveling alone - highly recommended
i love it
i cant afford to do it often enough
taught me more about life/tolerance/happiness than anything else, compared to being stuck in one place on the hamster wheel
very funny that dazzler thinks wa has crap waves, yeah and it has no wind, crap beer, dazzler hahahahah your funny, next time get out of Perth please and enjoy
No matter how 'white' the sand looks in the advertising, it's never as good as your local Aussie beach.
Select to expand quoteHarrow said...
No matter how 'white' the sand looks in the advertising, it's never as good as your local Aussie beach.
Agreed. Its funny when you go somewhere and they tell you about this beautiful beach, and you go there, and at best its the same as any of our great, but normal, beaches. Sometimes ours are better as they don't have a litter problem.
When you return from a big trip and want to tell your friends all about it, they are just not interested.
Facebook is the modern day equivalent of 'slide night', except you wouldn't have as many selfies in a slide night.
Select to expand quoteJuddy said...
Things I learnt travelling last year? Russians. Fkn Russians in Europe. Don't get me started. Bunch of C U Next Tuesdays.....
And in Asia. They have done their best to ruin Mui Ne in Vietnam - one of the best kiting spots in Asia.
Another one which Ockanui's internet booking experience reminded me of.
For easy & cheaper countries in Asia & africa - generally way better not to book at all - or just your first night if arriving late. Arrive and hit the ground running and you'll generally find a better, cheaper deal. Sometimes even 10-20% of the fee if you book from overseas - especially if a bit quiet.
For Europe - opposite, bus & train travel is often more expensive the closer to travel date. I've actually flown ridiculous legs like southern france -> london -> paris because it's cheaper than a last minute train ticket by a factor of 10.
For those heading to amsterdam, special warning. People head over from half of europe for weekenders. All the accomodation books out in nice times of year. I mean all. The last time we pre-booked 2 nights in a dingy backpacker place for about 60Euro for the double - decent rate inc basic breaky. After those 2 nights the entire town was booked out (inc previous place) and we found a converted broom cupboard for about 200 Euro. Smallest room I've ever had - you had to get on the bed to close the door, then take bags off the bed into the small space the door swung in. Roof was angled too so you couldn't stand up straight. No other furniture or window, just a double bed. for ~300 bucks.
Come the next day we searched high and low, physical and internet and there was nothing. Not a room even up to 20kms out of town. Our hotel knew it and asked 360 euro (over $500) for the same room as the previous night. Gave them a big FU and found a overnight coach out of there and slept on that - no other options short of sleeping rough.
Select to expand quotebeebee said... Juddy said...
Things I learnt travelling last year? Russians. Fkn Russians in Europe. Don't get me started. Bunch of C U Next Tuesdays.....
And in Asia. They have done their best to ruin Mui Ne in Vietnam - one of the best kiting spots in Asia.
oh those russians. they are even in this forum
My best bit of advice is "When you catch you Bali coach driver getting a blow job from an old guy, don't ask what the fu-k is going on? " Or the guide will try and spend the next ten minutes trying to explain what was happening
If you go to a festival in Europe don't worry about accomodation....if your going to Glastonbury and don't take wellies it will rain...if you do take them it will be beautiful sunshine until you loose one and then it will start raining
Select to expand quotedusta said...
always travel with a tube of this
There's no need to state the obvious
1......take a decent coffee mug........those little ones sh1t me
2...... strip bed and remake to own satisfaction.......good to check for fresh stains from last people
3...... put valuables anywhere but room safe.... I have even put up in attic manhole before
4...... If your room sux complain until fixed....good to do this just as new people are trying to book in
5......travel insurance
6......pay as you go at pool bars.....that way no nasty surprises on check out
7......if it looks like sh1t and smells like sh1t......its sh1t
Select to expand quoteHarrow said...
No matter how 'white' the sand looks in the advertising, it's never as good as your local Aussie beach.
Yep can't beat Kyeemagh. Its a trek for me, down the North Shore on the Pacific Highway and then through the tunnel. What have I learned on my travels? Often the left lane is the fastest, but if there is a car parked in that lane don't hesitate to get into the middle lane. It can save 30 minutes off your journey.
Select to expand quotedmitri said... beebee said...
Juddy said...
Things I learnt travelling last year? Russians. Fkn Russians in Europe. Don't get me started. Bunch of C U Next Tuesdays.....
And in Asia. They have done their best to ruin Mui Ne in Vietnam - one of the best kiting spots in Asia.
oh those russians. they are even in this forum
Food in Italy is crap. (except the gelato and yoghurt which are sublime and justify the trip on their own).
I'm guessing in the 60's when all we ate was over-cooked steak and two veg, a trip to Italy was a real culinary experience, but Australia has come forward in leaps and bounds since then. If you like bocconcini cheese and tomato, and more bocconcini cheese and tomato, you're in for a real treat, but if you're there for more than a week, you're really going to wonder how they survive. You'll never be more happy to see a Macca's (MEAT!!) again.
