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Traveling is known to be one of the most interesting, exciting, and popular ways to explore the world, learn about new cultures and make some unforgettable memories. However, sometimes not knowing things or not being prepared properly can spoil the trip and cause some issues that can even end it. Having this in mind, TikTok account @efultimatebreak decided to reveal some of the mistakes that tourists tend to make as well as tips on how to avoid them. 

The travel company EF Ultimate Break is known among young adults who like to travel but don’t really want to plan the whole thing by themselves. For such travelers, the company offers packages where every aspect of the trip is already taken care of, so all you need to do is to pack your bags and get ready to have the time of your life. 

The company’s TikTok account is full of entertaining and useful information for all kinds of travelers. A lot of videos are based on people’s requests to talk about certain cities they would like to visit but are curious to find out more before the trip.

Do you know any useful tips when traveling abroad? Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments down below!

More Info: TikTok

Image source: EF Ultimate Break

#1

Drinking Water In Iceland

Drinking Water In Iceland

In Iceland, there’s really no need to buy bottled water. Just bring a refillable bottle and fill it up anywhere, and it’s gonna taste like bottled water. You can even fill up at the bathroom sink and it’s gonna taste better than bottled water in America.

Daniel Orth , efultimatebreak Report

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Vicky Z
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's for many countries too! Make sure you learn about the water in the country you are traveling!

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Bored Panda contacted Arielle Mulgrew, who is a social media manager at EF Ultimate Break, to find out more about their process of creating useful and interactive content for their followers. Arielle shared how these traveling tip videos became interesting for so many people. “There are a lot of creators and brands that offer travel tips, but no one makes a name for themselves by bandwagoning. Instead, we took our travel knowledge in a different direction: all the mistakes our team members have made as American travelers on EF Ultimate Break trips.” The social media specialist revealed that once you find a unique way to provide people with valuable information, it is important to listen to their questions and requests and provide them with answers.

#2

Greeting A Shopkeeper In Paris

Greeting A Shopkeeper In Paris

A tourist mistake is to not greet a shopkeeper. A lot of tourists don’t know this, but if you walk into a store and don’t greet the shopkeeper, it’s considered extremely rude. You should always say “hi”, “hello", and “goodbye”.

Herry Lawford , efultimatebreak Report

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#3

No Pictures At The Red Light District In Amsterdam

No Pictures At The Red Light District In Amsterdam

Getting pictures of the girls in the Red Light District. You get in trouble with security but also these are working women, not zoo animals.

☻☺ , efultimatebreak Report

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J. F.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also don't do this anywhere else, like the "Reeper Bahn" in Hamburg

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#4

Receiving A Bill At A Restaurant In Paris

Receiving A Bill At A Restaurant In Paris

Waiting for a bill at the restaurant. The bill won’t automatically come just because you finished your meal. They’re not trying to rush you out the door, so you have to ask for the bill when you’re ready for it. So don’t wait around for an hour just wondering where it is.

Jim Rhodes , efultimatebreak Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I haven't been anywhere in Europe where they bring the bill without asking for it! Is this American thing?

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If you’re curious to know where the knowledge for these videos comes from, Arielle was glad to share this. “The material is inspired by stories from our team’s travels! There’s nothing quite like living through a cultural faux pax or not packing something crucial to learn a valuable lesson, but since we want travelers on our trips to have the best experience possible, we’re giving them the ‘cheat codes’”.

#5

Wine Tasting In Italy

Wine Tasting In Italy

Always give the house wine a try. No matter what restaurant you go to, it’ll always be super local, super great quality, and super unique to that specific location.

Tony Asleson , efultimatebreak Report

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#6

Ordering Coffee In Italy

Ordering Coffee In Italy

In Italy, if you try to order a latte, they will hand you a glass of milk. Latte means milk in Italian. So let’s not do that.

Marina Shemesh , efultimatebreak Report

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Mia D
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Opposite story here: I was in Italy with my husband couple of years back ( we are American). And I ordered latte (glass of milk, because I can't drink coffee and just wanted milk with my brioche bun) and my husband ordered cappuccino, to my surprise they brought me a latte( as a coffee drink. They thought that I wanted American version of latte and not a glass of milk.

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#7

Avoiding Strangers Giving Free Stuff In Italy

Avoiding Strangers Giving Free Stuff In Italy

In Italy, sometimes someone will come up and tie a bracelet around your wrist and insist it’s free or a present but then later on demand money for it. If somebody offers you something for free, it is not free. Don’t take it.

Nenad Stojkovic , efultimatebreak Report

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Francesco Rotondo
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not a Italian tradition. There are scammers everywhere. But basically who unknows give you for "free" somthing?

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Davo gifman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hate to point out the obvious, but when you're out walking around don't let strangers apply anything to your body.😳

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Janet C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one gives free stuff in any country. Never ever take something any vendor hands you in any country.

llsewer avatar
Jaguarundi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My hands remain firmly in my pockets whenever I go out of town anyway. This scam is universal, arm grab, knot bracelet, demand money. You have to cut the silly thing off!

josephgeorgiadis_1 avatar
Joseph Georgiadis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, everywhere, actually, not just Italy. No one gives anything for free.

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BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone gave me a little trinket in Seoul while I was on my way to work once. Maybe she lost get nerve but it seemed like she just wanted to take to a foreigner. Must be that one exception that proves the rule

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Mayrene Chester
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I learned that the hard way in Paris, so in Milan when one of them did it again and fixed it on my wrist and said in his culture, it's polite to share a little tip in exchange for a gift, I told him in my culture, if he touched a woman he has to pay compensation so I'll call it even. He laughed and I got the bracelet for free.

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Alexia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened to me also in Greece, Athens. Nothing is free.

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Mike Loux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or people will take your picture and then try to sell you the "souvenir"

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somuchsong
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really don't see how anyone gets taken in by this one. Free bracelet? Thanks! Oh, you want me to pay for it? No thanks! Take the bracelet off and give it back to them.

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KellyO
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Athens Greece too. "most people give 20, they say, after giving you a 'free' bracelet.

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Rosie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So, what they're going to do? Call the cops for a 2 € bracelet?

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Daria B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As I said before, you don't know whether or not they're part of organised crime. You don't want to get in trouble.

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Lisa Whipp Myhre
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Works here in San Francisco as well. That and a woman wanted to tell me about my aura.

backatya7 avatar
backatya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey they said it was free and gave it to me so f**k them

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Onion rings like to make your breath smelly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Times Square, a group of mickey and minnies came up to my family and asked if we wanted a picture with them. They never mentioned anything about price. So we took a picture. And then they demanded $5 for each person. Us being Canadians, didn't have a lot of american change (we had a card). So they got mad at us for not giving them much money.

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Niall Mac Iomera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand how this would work. You gave me the bracelet dude, I'm not paying for it.

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H Moore
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they do, then it IS a gift, Take a photo, they did it, not you

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Now that people are aware of some of the mistakes that tourists tend to make, the social media manager also shared one of the most valuable tips that she wanted other fellow travelers to know: “Put the phone away whenever you can. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in these beautiful places, and the people around me are looking down at their phones or taking a million pictures. We’re such an overstimulated generation that we feel the need to fill silence and downtime instead of embracing them. So put the phone away until you need it. Bring a polaroid or disposable camera to remember a moment as it was. Soak in where you are, for real.”

#8

Learning Italian Before The Trip

Learning Italian Before The Trip

Definitely learn some basic Italian phrases before you get there. Locals are very appreciative when you at least try to speak their language. And they’ll be a lot of friendlier towards you, I promise.

Curran Kelleher , efultimatebreak Report

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Leo Domitrix
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is true of anywhere I've been, but the Germans are by far the nicest about mistakes, in my experience. Italy is probably second?... Even my 20 basic phrases are a huge help, since one is "I'm sorry, I don't speak your language"!

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#9

Taking An Escalator In London

Taking An Escalator In London

Always stand on the right of the escalator in the tube. Brits take this very seriously and are not afraid to be rude if you’re standing on the left. The left side is the fast lane for walking, the right side is the standing lane.

NH53 , efultimatebreak Report

#10

Knowing The Difference Between Café And Coffee Shop In Amsterdam

Knowing The Difference Between Café And Coffee Shop In Amsterdam

The first tourist mistake is not knowing the difference between a coffee shop and a cafe. If you walk into a coffee shop in Amsterdam for coffee, you’re going to be pretty surprised. All I can say is that if you’re looking for coffee, go to a cafe.

Wohnstuben-Café , efultimatebreak Report

Having in mind that for the past couple of years, the circumstances around the world have changed because of the pandemic, it's interesting to know whether people’s traveling habits have somehow changed. Arielle noticed that people now are “more cautious during the actual process of traveling", but it hasn't made an impact on their “desire to explore and experience new places." The woman shared that “travel can be overwhelming during the best of times and now more than ever”, this is why their company is ready to take care of some of the logistics so that people could fully enjoy their travels.

#11

Getting Gelato In Italy

Getting Gelato In Italy

If the gelato looks piled up and fluffy, don’t get it. I know it’s really tempting, but all the fluffiness means that there’s a lot of air whipped into it. Always look for gelato that’s in lidded containers. Lids are always a good sign because it means that the gelato is being kept at the right temperature and that the store owners know that they have a really good product and they don’t need bright colors or flair to get customers in.

RubyGoes , efultimatebreak Report

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#12

Finding A Place To Eat When Abroad

Finding A Place To Eat When Abroad

If a host or hostess is trying to lure you into a restaurant, my advice is not to go in and instead ask a local where they like to eat.

Larry Lamsa , efultimatebreak Report

#13

No Walking On Bike Lanes In Amsterdam

No Walking On Bike Lanes In Amsterdam

Walking in the bike lanes. Everywhere you go you’ll see bike paths just like this one next to the sidewalks. And you might be tempted to walk in it but please don’t. You will get run over and nobody wants that.

Design for Health , efultimatebreak Report

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Not A Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, Dutch people can sense bicycles coming, even if they can't hear them. This is an evolutionary trait, which means Dutch people can cross a road without too many problems, even if there are millions of bikes on that road. Do not try to emulate them. You don't have the genes. (;))

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#14

Using Toilet In Greece

Using Toilet In Greece

Flushing toilet paper on the Greek islands. Greek sewage pipes are about half the size of American plumbing and clog very easily. Instead, place your toilet paper in the little bins next to the toilet.

Darren Foreman , efultimatebreak Report

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Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why dont they just have a bidet? This is the area where modern plumbing was invented and they made tiny waste lines?

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#15

Comfortable Footwear When Traveling In Greece

Comfortable Footwear When Traveling In Greece

Bringing the wrong shoes. A lot of the streets are cobblestone or dirt or lightly paved, and not super ideal for heels. I’m not saying don’t bring heels, I’m saying bring something comfortable too.

Amy the Nurse , efultimatebreak Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of European cities have a lot of cobblestones - they're old. I don't understand why anyone wears high heels in general, but definitely not if you plan on walking any distance. I choose comfort every time

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#16

Currency Exchange Abroad

Currency Exchange Abroad

Exchange rates. Don’t use the currency exchange at the airport. Just don’t do it. Those companies usually take advantage of the fact that tourists don’t know any better, so they offer really bad exchange rates and have really high withdrawal minimums. Find a bank branch when you get to where you’re going and use the ATM inside instead.

vxla , efultimatebreak Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree with using the ATM inside. While in Barcelona, a friends ATM card was 'swiped"' and they were able to take $1300.00 from her account. It was an 'outside' ATM.

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#17

Trying Local Food In London

Trying Local Food In London

A lot of people come to London and they try to find fish and chips because it’s what they see in the movies and TV shows. Fish and chips are great but it’s not the only thing people eat there. England is actually really well known for their Indian food. Chicken Tikka Masala is even one of their national dishes.

Chris , efultimatebreak Report

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Tristan Davis
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also worth noting that the posh up market looking fish and chip shops are going to absolutely rip you off, find a dated, greasy looking place that looks like its been there years, it'll be half the price and twice as good

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#18

Overpacking When Traveling To Greece

Overpacking When Traveling To Greece

Overpacking, which I know sounds like a cop-out, but in Santorini, you could be walking up hundreds of steps with your luggage, so you wanna pack lightly.

jessicahtam , efultimatebreak Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Travel as light as possible. If you can, bring a larger backpack, it's so much easier to travel. Most hotels have soaps, shampoos and hair dryers; even coin operated washer and dryers.

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#19

Traveling Around The City

Traveling Around The City

If you’re going somewhere new for the first time, definitely check how late public transportation stays open. If you’re still out and public transportation closes, cabs are going to charge you 3-4 times their normal fare because I know they can get away with it. And when you’re super tired, it’s that late, you’re just gonna pay it.

Rad Blondie , efultimatebreak Report

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally i use Google maps and in some countries it's very well informed so it's telling you what time is the next bus or when they stop! Not in every country though

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#20

Eating Street Food In Paris

Eating Street Food In Paris

One of the tourist mistakes is eating at restaurants and cafes. The best thing I ever ate was a crepe from a food cart just on a random street.

satemkemet , efultimatebreak Report

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Candra Sutama
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No no no. I am parisian and the best crepes are the ones you get from actual creperies (restaurants specialized in crepes). There are lots of them in Montparnasse area. Paris doesn't have street food culture. The street food in Paris are for tourists, sorry!

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#21

Joking Around In London

Joking Around In London

Don’t make jokes about the American revolution. No one else will think they’re funny.

Bowy Gavid Bowie Chan , efultimatebreak Report

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Kristin Ingersoll
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK. This totally depends on who you're with. I play a word game tourney on a team mainly consisting of Yorkshire folk. We tell LOTS of American Revolution jokes. Nothing insensitive. The war was over 200 years ago, for heaven's sake! I had relatives die too, but time moves on.

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