18 Things That Ruin A Vacation (And How to Avoid Them)

Going on vacation is always a fun and exciting experience. However, a few things ruin your vacation and make it a total disaster. In this blog post, I will share eighteen things that ruin your vacation and how to avoid them. So, if you want to have a great vacation, be sure to read this post!

Also read: Essential travel tips for beginners

What Can Ruin your Vacation?

There are a few different things that can ruin your vacation. Here are nineteen that we’ll discuss in this article. We’ll also provide great advice on how to avoid the vacation busters.

1. Leaving your house a mess before you leave – the last thing you want is for burglars to know you’re gone
2. Forgetting to pack important items, like your passport or tickets
3. Socializing only with the people you travel with
4. Taking things too seriously
5. Staying within your comfort zone and not wanting to try something new
6. Basing your mood on the weather
7. Spending more money than you had planned
8. Not doing any research on the area where you’re staying – booking a hotel in a bad location
9. Getting sick from eating unfamiliar food or drinking unclean water
10. Overscheduling yourself and not leaving any time for relaxation
11. Traveling with the wrong person
12. Travel theft
13. Missing your flight or bus ride home
14. Losing your passport, wallet, or your phone
15. Overstaying your visa
16. Overpacking or underpacking
17. A bad tour
18. Hidden hotel fees

What Ruined a Vacation for You

One example of things that ruin vacations – traveling with a wrong person!

Leaving your House a Mess

Nothing steals your peace of mind like the thought of a mess back home. Piling mail, inactivity, or valuables lying around can give burglars the impression that you’re not home.

If you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, it’s important to tidy up your house and make it look like someone is still living there. This can be done by setting light timers, having a neighbor pick up your mail, and ensuring that all valuables are hidden away. It is also a good idea to tidy up before you go. Do a deep clean of the kitchen and bathroom, vacuum and dust all the surfaces, and do any laundry that needs to be done. This will give you peace of mind while you’re on vacation, knowing that everything is taken care of at home.

Traveling With the Wrong Person

Traveling with the wrong person can ruin your vacation in several ways. For one thing, you may find yourself constantly arguing over things like where to go, what to do, and how to spend your money. You may also find that you have different ideas about what constitutes a good time. If you’re constantly bickering or feeling uncomfortable, your vacation will likely be a bust.

So how can you avoid traveling with the wrong person? 

1. First, take some time to get to know your travel companion. Make sure that you have compatible personalities and interests. 
2. Second, be honest about your expectations for the trip. If you’re hoping to relax on the beach while your companion wants to sightsee every day, it’s probably best to travel with someone else. 
3. Finally, don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re unhappy with how things are going. If you’re stuck with a difficult travel companion, it’s important to voice your concerns and find a solution that will make both of you happy.

Forgetting to Pack Important Items Like Passport, Credit Card, Etc.

This is a rookie mistake but an important one to remember. While it may seem like a small oversight, it can quickly turn into a big problem if you find yourself without your passport, immunization documents, or medicines.

This is a vacation ruiner that can be easily avoided. The best way to ensure you don’t forget anything important is to create a packing list before you start packing. This list should include all the essentials, such as your passport, tickets, money, credit cards, and medications. It is also a good idea to pack any other important items, such as your laptop or camera. Once you have your packing list, take some time to double-check it before you leave to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Socializing Only With the People you Travel With

Another way to ruin your vacation is by socializing only with the people you travel with. While it’s great to spend time with your friends or family, you’ll miss out on some of the best parts of vacation if you don’t take the time to meet new people.

Talk to people at your hotel, on the beach, or in line for attractions, and you’ll quickly find that vacation is even better when you’re making new friends.

Taking Things Too Seriously

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the details of planning a vacation and forget that the whole point is to relax and have fun. If you find yourself stressed about everything from packing to making sure you don’t miss your flight, it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate your priorities. After all, a vacation is supposed to be a break from the everyday grind, not another source of anxiety.

You can do a few things to avoid taking things too seriously on your next trip. 

1. First, plan ahead as much as possible, so you don’t have to spend your vacation worrying about logistics. 
2. Second, remember that it’s okay to change your plans if they’re not working out – flexibility is key to enjoying yourself. 
3. And finally, don’t forget to enjoy the little moments and embrace the unknown – that makes traveling so exciting!

Not Wanting to Try Something New

Like most people, you probably love to do things within your comfort zone. This might mean passing up an opportunity to try a new food or activity. While it’s understandable to want to stick to what you know, this can make your vacation feel quite bland. After all, part of the reason for taking a vacation is to broaden your horizons.

To avoid this, leave some room in your schedule for spontaneity. That way, you can take advantage of any new experiences that come your way. With a bit of adventure, you’re sure to have a vacation that you’ll remember for years.

Not Planning Ahead

Another thing that ruins a vacation is not planning ahead. This can lead to missing out on activities you wanted to do, or worse, getting stuck in long lines or sold-out situations.

To avoid this:

1. Start planning your trip as soon as you know your dates.
2. Make a list of the things you want to do and see, and research the best times to do them.
3. If tickets are required, purchase them in advance, so you don’t have to worry about sold-out shows or attractions.

And finally, be sure to leave some wiggle room in your schedule so you can take advantage of spontaneous opportunities that come up along the way.

Basing your Mood on the Weather

It’s natural to want sunny skies when you’re on vacation. But the reality is that the weather is out of your control, and getting upset about it can ruin your whole trip. Instead, focus on enjoying the moments that you’re able to spend with your family and friends. If you let go of your expectations, you’ll find that even a rainy day can be fun.

Overspending – Going Way Beyond your Budget

Another quick way to ruin a vacation is to overspend. Not only can it put a dent in your bank account, but it can also lead to unnecessary stress and conflict.

To avoid overspending on your next trip, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. Start by estimating your total costs, including travel, accommodation, food, activities, and souvenirs. Then, break down your expenses into daily or weekly limits. Once you know how much you can afford, keep track of your spending and stick to your budget. This may require some self-control, but it will be worth it when you can enjoy your vacation without worry.

Not Doing Enough Research About the Area or Hotel you’ll be Staying

Booking a hotel is one of the most important aspects of planning a vacation. After all, where you stay can make or break your trip. If you’re staying in a place that’s too far from the city center or attractions, you’ll spend more time and money getting around. And if your hotel is in a dangerous neighborhood, you could also be putting your safety at risk.

That’s why it’s so important to do your research before booking a hotel. Look for hotels in safe, convenient areas and read online reviews to get an idea of what other guests have experienced.

Falling Sick or Being In an Accident

Getting sick or being in an accident can ruin your vacation in different ways. In addition to messing up your plans, it can also be expensive and stressful.

While you may not have control over disease and accidents, there are some things you can do to minimize your risk:

1. Make sure to get travel insurance before you go. This will help to cover any medical expenses you may incur while on vacation.
2. Pack any medications you need and research the nearest hospitals or clinics in an emergency.
3. Be careful what you eat or drink to minimize exposure to bad bacteria.

Overscheduling Yourself and Not Leaving Time for Relaxation

Taking a vacation is supposed to be a time to relax and recharge, but people often find themselves just as stressed out on vacation as they were at work. One of the biggest reasons for this is overscheduling. If you try to pack too much into each day of your trip, you’ll never have a chance to truly relax. Instead, you’ll be rushed from one activity to the next, with no time to enjoy your surroundings or take a break. Worse yet, if something goes wrong, it can ruin your entire vacation.

To avoid this trap, leave some space in your schedule. That way, if you want to sleep in or spend an afternoon relaxing by the pool, you won’t have to feel guilty about it. After all, vacations are supposed to be enjoyable – not stressful!

Travel Theft

Travel theft can ruin your vacation by leaving you feeling violated, helpless, and alone. It can also be costly, as you may have to replace your stolen belongings.

To avoid becoming a victim of travel theft, take steps to protect your valuables. When packing, keep your most important items with you in carry-on luggage. If possible, leave valuables at home. If you must take them with you, make sure they are well-protected. For example, consider investing in a money belt or hidden pocket.

When traveling, remain aware of your surroundings and be cautious of anyone who seems overly friendly or helpful. Trust your instincts and move away from the situation if something doesn’t feel right.

Missing Your Flight or Bus Ride Home

There’s nothing worse than missing your flight or bus ride home. Not only does it ruin your vacation, but it can also be costly and disrupt your travel plans.

To avoid missing your flight or bus, arrive early at the airport or station. This will give you plenty of time to check in, go through security, and board your flight or bus. Also, double-check your boarding pass or ticket to ensure you’re getting on the right flight or bus. You can avoid the hassle and stress of missing your ride home with little planning and preparation.

Losing Your Passport, Wallet, or Phone

Losing your passport, wallet, or phone can be a major inconvenience, especially if you’re in a foreign country. In addition to ruining your vacation, replacing your lost items can cost you time and money. You may also have a hard time contacting family or friends.

To avoid losing important belongings while on vacation, make sure to keep them in a safe place at all times. For example, keep your passport in a hotel safe or a money belt around your waist. Likewise, only carry the essentials in your wallet and keep them stored in your front pocket. And finally, consider investing in a travel case for your phone.

A Bad Tour

A few things that can make a tour go bad. 

• The first is if the tour guide is unprofessional or doesn’t know what they’re doing. This can make the tour boring and frustrating. 
• Another way a tour can go wrong is if the group is too large. This can make it difficult to hear the guide and see everything happening. 
• Finally, a bad tour can also be the result of poor planning. If the itinerary is too ambitious or there are too many stops, it can leave you feeling rushed and stressed.

To avoid having a bad tour, do your research in advance and make sure you book with a reputable company. You should also try to get a sense of what the tour will be like by reading reviews or watching videos. And if you’re ever feeling unsure or uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to speak up or ask to leave.

Overpacking or Underpacking

Overpacking is a common mistake that can ruin your vacation. Not only does it make it difficult to move around, but it also means that you’ll have to spend more time doing laundry. On the other hand, not packing enough might mean missing out on essentials – like not having enough clothes to stay warm or cool.

To avoid overpacking and underpacking, start by listing the activities you’ll be doing on your trip. Then, pack items that can be used for multiple purposes. For example, bring a cardigan that can be worn over a dress or jeans. And don’t forget to leave space in your suitcase so you can bring back souvenirs!

Hidden Hotel Fees

Traveling can be expensive, and unexpected fees can quickly add up, putting a damper on your vacation. One common type of hidden fee is the hotel resort fee. This daily charge is added to your room rate, and it can include amenities such as Wi-Fi, bike rentals, and access to the fitness center. Resort fees can vary greatly in price, and they are often not listed prominently on hotel websites. As a result, many travelers are unpleasantly surprised when they check out of their hotel and are hit with a large fee.

To avoid this, read the fine print carefully before booking your room. You can also call the hotel in advance and ask about any additional charges. Being aware of hidden fees can help ensure that your vacation stays within your budget.

As you can see, many things can ruin a vacation for you. But these tips will help ensure that your vacation is enjoyable and hassle-free. Keep browsing our site for more great travel tips and advice.