Beach at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Thailand/Oyster

• Rookie Mistakes

7 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Thai Islands

By Kevin Brouillard

Beach at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Thailand/Oyster Covering more than 1,400 islands between the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, the Thai islands are a one-of-a-kind destination. These islands’ pristine beaches, shimmering sea, and remarkable limestone cliffs haven’t gone unnoticed by the travel community. Despite their popularity, many first-time visitors still fall prey…

• Japan

13 Things You Should Never Do in Japan

By Isabel Putinja

Ordering street food in Harajuku, Tokyo. In a country with a unique culture like Japan, visitors can feel daunted by the rules and social norms that regulate public life and interpersonal relations. Foreigners visiting Japan are not expected to be familiar with Japanese etiquette, but knowing a few basics will go a long way in…

• Rookie Mistakes

11 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in Cinque Terre

By Megan Wood

Cinque Terre, comprising five villages, is known around the world for its stunning scenery and epic hiking. In the last 20 years or so, Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore have morphed from sleepy fishing villages built into the cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea to some of the most popular tourist destinations in…

Wat Arun in Bangkok/Oyster

• Rookie Mistakes

12 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your Bangkok Trip

By Toby Orton

Beautiful, cultured, and frenetic, Bangkok is one of the world’s most intense, energetic cities, and if you want to slip seamlessly into the frantic pace of life here, there are a few things you need to know. From common pitfalls to pointers that will help you see the best of the city, here are 12…

Aerial View of Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya/Oyster

• Rookie Mistakes

11 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid in the Riviera Maya

By Katherine Alex Beaven

Starting just south of Cancun, in Puerto Morelos, and ending at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, the Riviera Maya is famous for its beaches, though it also attracts tourists with its ruins, historic attractions (it’s home to the ancient and advanced Mayan civilization, after all), and eco-adventures. To make the most of your trip to…

Eiffel Tower View, Paris/Oyster

• Rookie Mistakes

13 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your Trip to France

By Toby Orton

With its rich culture, delicious cuisine, diverse cities, stunning countryside, and stellar shopping, France makes for an amazing vacation destination — provided you can avoid the faux pas that will put you on the wrong side of the locals. One minute you’re enjoying a glass of vino along the Champs-Élysées, the next you’re staring slack-jawed…

Courtesy of Spirit Airlines

• Flying

6 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your Spirit Airlines Flight

By Kevin Brouillard

When perusing flight options, we’ve all come across prices that seem too good to be true. Although such deals are tempting, it’s easy to fall prey to hidden fees and unreliable service without proper research. Spirit Airlines has developed a reputation in the travel community for doing just that. While some of this criticism is…

• Rookie Mistakes

13 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your Florida Vacation

By Katherine Alex Beaven

Florida is famed for its beaches, theme parks, sunny weather, and delicious seafood, but as much as you think you know about the Sunshine State, there’s just as much that you don’t. Here are 13 easy-to-make mistakes (that are just as easy to avoid) when visiting Florida. However, the biggest mistake would be to not…

• Rookie Mistakes

10 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your Florida Keys Vacation

By Katherine Alex Beaven

If you’ve never been to the Florida Keys, it’s easy to lump this beautiful collection of islands — well, cays, actually — with the rest of Florida. After all, they are the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, expecting the same sort of vibe, landscapes, and wildlife found on the mainland might lead to some big disappointments. Luckily,…

• Travel Tips

12 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid on Your Sicily Vacation

By Anne Olivia Bauso

View from Hotel Villa Sonia, Castelmola The Italian island of Sicily is a fascinating place to visit. A rich medley of ancient civilizations, Sicily offers Greek ruins, splendid cathedrals, and atmospheric street markets on one mountainous landmass. Here, you can visit Baroque towns clinging to hilltops, calm bays with sparkling blue water, and the decadent,…