What to Expect When You're Expecting: Travel Tips to Avoid Disappointment

False expectations can be the demise of your travels

It’s happened a million times to a million travelers. You think, hope, dream, plan and build up these huge ideas of your vacation to (Fill in the Blank) and when you FINALLY get there, it’s a huge let down. The city isn’t as expected, the beaches aren’t as nice, the mountain passes are crowded and the hotels are tired and worn… the list goes on an on. Instead of exploring what the destination does have to offer, travelers are often left sulking to the next spot and leaving behind sour, disappointed reviews.

A perfect example of this is Bangkok: Thailand’s infamous capital city. Before getting there, many Asia-dreamers imagine some exotic, mystical, lawless city with lures of Old World Indochina and oriental mystique drifting through the air. Upon touching down into Suvarnabhumi Airport, riding the air-conditioned SkyTrain into the downtown area flooded with multi-storey shopping malls and fashion complexes, they somewhat angrily say… “Hey! This isn’t what I expected!!”

Of course if they had a helping hand in the city, someone showing them all the unique sites, ancient temples, back alley neighborhoods and tastiest street food stalls, the experience might have been totally different!

Vietnam: What to Expect?

There are loads of articles flooding the Internet with conflicting experiences in Vietnam: The people aren’t friendly, I’m always getting ripped off, the travel isn’t comfortable/// It’s my favorite destination in the world, the Vietnamese made me feel like family, I can’t wait to go back…

Of course, everything is relative when it comes to travel, but how can we make sure we experience the latter?

-Lose the False Expectations-

First of all, if you’ve never been to a certain destination before, try and avoid the creation of false expectations. The beauty of traveling to a new destination is seeing it with fresh eyes, an open mind and an even more open heart. The Pyramids at Giza, Taj Mahal and even Mount Everest are swarming with tourists… it doesn’t mean you didn’t get to experience these world wonders, does it? Get your excitement levels high, look into the places you really want to see, the things you really want to do, but don’t try and create the experience before you get there.

-Put the Hard Work into Someone Else’s Hands-

While there’s nothing like the thrill of traveling to a new destination on your own, booking through a local, reputable tour company can help you avoid any unwanted disasters or letdowns. With logistics, accommodation, bookings, drivers and guides totally squared away, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. You can see the local side of life, the top destinations, the coolest markets and the most scenic countryside drives… PLUS you don’t have to worry if someone is ripping you off all the time! It’s a win-win situation.

If you’re going to travel with expectations, don’t set yourself up for disaster. MinMax Travel can be your professional guide to everything Southeast Asia; we know all the best hotels, beaches, city spots, restaurants, scenic drives, etc. and keep your comfort and satisfaction top priority.

If you're going to travel on your own, beware of false expectations and don't be upset when you hit some bumps in the road. If you travel with MinMax, be prepared for a smooth ride and to have your expectations exceeded!