15ilikestuff's VirtualTourist Home Page

I basically built this homepage along with my "guides" to give off all the advice I wish I knew when I travelled abroad. (Although sometimes making the mistakes is have the fun). My pages do not give paragraphs of details about the history of the places I visited (that's Fodors job). Instead, I try to tell it like it is because I think most travel guides are too objective. For those of you who are planning trips to any of the following destinations here are some general suggestions:
1) Grab a Fodors OR Frommers book and rip out the pages you need along your trip (I find Fodor to be more thorough and Frommers to be more honest). Also, read other's advice on Virtual Tourist and you might want to grab a picture book of your place (I perfer Eye Witness).
2) Make sure your passport is in order. Though this is obvious, if yours is expiring and you need a new one you must have it completed a minimum of six months before your trip.
3) Pickpockets are everywhere, and even though it's kind of dorky, think about a money belt for some spare change, credit card, and passport.
4) Be VERY specific when requesting a room at a hotel. Many times you have to repeat yourself in order to get it right (whether it concerns the views, beds, smoking rooms). Which also reminds me: assume every hotel allows smoking (the same goes for rental cars). Even hotels that have those machines that attempt to eliminate the smoke odor do not get the job done.
5) Know the local customs before you visit. This includes tipping, manners, etc. Again, this may sound obvious but I've made so many mistakes when it comes to this area.
6) When in a taxi, watch the meter like a hawk. Prices mysteriously fluctuate depending on the native language of the passenger. Likewise, be very specific to where you want to go and the route you want to get there by.
7) Be prepared for lost luggage. I've had two lost suitcases at the airport (luckily they were returned the next day). Therefore, avoid brining your favorite and nicest one-of-a-kind clothes. Also, when airports lose your luggage they may only give you $25 in spending money for clothes! It's much later on when the big refund kicks in.
8) Know what day things are closed. Every country has a rest day when all the sights and shops shut down (Sunday in the USA, Tuesday in Germany). Plan your trip accordingly.
9) If you're getting around by car ask about GPS, it makes getting around MUCH easier. Of course, it isn't perfect so have someone else follow a map while driving (you'll never be lost again).
10) You might get ripped off by a cap driver or at a restaurant, and you'll probably argue over money. Know when to stop, as you're in foreign territory and they are not afraid to call the police (which are sometimes corrupt in 3rd world countries).

Travel is amazing, even when you do "mess up." So sit back, try not to stress out too much along your traveks, and enjoy the world.

PS: I'd like to appologize as most of my destinations are not completed yet. I'm trying to complete a new one everyday.
In addition to my Japan, Caribbean, Spain, Italy, USA, Canada, Switzerland, UK and remaining Germany pages arriving, in the next 6 months I will be adding the following destinations:

St. Martin/St. Martaan
Anguilla
St. Barts
Washington DC
Greece
Istanbul