Learning from your travel experiences
By Darren Cronian on Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

A number of people have in the past commented that they thought that I worry about trivial things and that I should enjoy travel more and relax. I probably am too organised, but the time when I was too laid back, I missed my train, then delayed and missed a trip to Berlin.

Learning from your travel experiences

The reason why I always research my destination is because I want to learn about the country and culture and it’s good to read issues that travellers have come across. In 2006 I visited Prague and got chatting to a couple at the hotel who had their passports and credit cards stolen whilst on the tram.

They were only in Prague for 3 days, and spent half of their holiday contacting police, cancelling their credit card, getting family to transfer money into another bank account so that they had some money, and then visiting the British Embassy to get a temporary passport to get them home.

Before my trip I had read up about the problem of pickpocketers who circulate in the city centre and pick tourists at random. Apparently, they group up, and then push past the tourist, and take whatever they can out of their pockets without them knowing.

I’d known this before we travelled and was very much aware of people around us, the passport was kept safely in the hotel room safe, and I had a mixture of debit card, and cash just in case either were stolen, had I been in the same position as the couple, I’m not sure where I would have turned to.

Are you an organised traveller or have you learnt your lesson the hard way.


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7 responses to “Learning from your travel experiences”

Mary Goudie | 5 June, 2008 at 3:50 pm

Ah ha I think they must belong to the Pickpocket union as the exact same scams are practiced here on the Lisbon trams. As a local I have personally seem two attempts right in front of me. A group of 3 middle aged Germans discovered the deed only after 2 stops and this after I had given them a strict warning to be careful when they boarded the tram. I always suggest that the tourist take only 1 credit card with them and some back up cash. It really is safer to lock up the rest in your case back at where you are staying. Same goes for wearing flashy jewelry as I noticed one chap being really fascinated with look of my gold chain – made me keep standing and not take the seat beside him. So be warned, YOU maybe on holiday but your good sense should not be!

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Jessica, Italy Logue | 5 June, 2008 at 4:30 pm

I’m very much an organized traveler – and I’ve never had anything stolen while traveling, either (knock on wood I haven’t just jinxed it). But I also think I’m almost *too* hyper-conscious of the possibility of theft or other bad things happening, so that I get more easily exhausted by constantly being “on alert.” I’m sure there’s got to be a middle ground, between being totally careless and being too careful, and I feel like I’m getting closer to it every trip… But it’s a process. :)

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Kirsty | 5 June, 2008 at 4:38 pm

I’m pretty disorganised and probably take a lot of stupid risks but haven’t been burned yet. (I’m knocking on wood right now.)

One thing that really annoys me is when I go to a place with little to no research and miss out of some cool festival or amazing sight and then find out about it when I get home. But taking things as they come leads to lots of great things too. But I could for sure stand to be a bit more proactive in my planning.

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Darren Cronian | 6 June, 2008 at 8:24 am

@ Mary

Yep, I hear people say ‘dont leave your brain at home’ when going on holiday because so many of us do.

@ Jessica

You sound like me :) I’m too conscious and organised, but I think thats good to be honest, because I am aware of the people around me, but I should learn to relax

@ Kirsty

Good point – theres a difference between being organised and forgetting your passport, than forgetting to research the destination and missing out that big event.

Missing out on amazing sight would annoy me too. In fact I did that in Kuala Lumpur, with the Batu caves, and remembered on route to the airport.

Thankfully I had plenty of time, and took an hour to see the caves, but I was shattered after climbing all those steps!

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Rohan | 9 June, 2008 at 12:09 am

Your forgetting that travelling is all about learning.

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Tan | 4 December, 2009 at 3:50 pm

Research is important only becuase once you have done a thorough job you can relax and know you have all the info you need but also be open to spontaneous new experience – least that’s how I do it.

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david | 13 February, 2010 at 6:29 pm

Be careful when going to Naples ……. The place is a petty crime paradise, not for you maybe but the pickpockets have a great time. Saw the procedure on a train to Pompei. The train had a small entrance lobby before you go into the seating area. The doorway to the seating area was blocked off by a rather large person thereby creating a crush of passengers trying to get on, while a small rotund little chap did his stuff. There was also another who stayed outside the train, I made eye contact with the little fat man and made sure he knew i was watching him all the time. They got off the train and all three went off together. Also watch out when purchasing train tickets at the kiosks. Short changing seems to be the norm if you use a large denomination note. As luck would have it there were a couple of Carrabinierre nearby, is that how its spelt. They actually went into the kiosk and took the money back themselves. They obviously don’t take any s..t !
The best thing i ever purchased was a money belt to wear under my shirt/t shirt. I know these people are good at their job but surely i would notice them undressing me ………
Apart from that, Naples is a fascinating place to visit.

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