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10 things to avoid in the Mediterranean as a tourist

10 things to avoid in the Mediterranean as a tourist

Exploring the world is always exciting! Whether it’s new cuisines you are looking forward to, visiting new places, or just lounging around at the beach. One way of making your trip abroad more enjoyable is by being prepared, right from choosing the correct time to travel or carrying extra cash. If you are planning a vacation to the gorgeous countries in the Mediterranean, here are ten things you should avoid:

Relying on your credit card
Credit cards offer convenience to users, but it is easier to get around with cash in the Mediterranean. For example, payments at hotels and big restaurants can easily be made using a credit card. Still, it is essential to carry some money when you visit smaller markets and local vendors.

Forgetting to pack layers
The weather can be a little unpredictable if you’re traveling in October. Ensure you carry light and warm sweaters to prepare you for everything nature has in store for you.

Visiting during the high season
Save money on your trip by planning your vacation during March, April, May, October, and November. Avoid traveling to the Mediterranean in July and August if you want to skip the crowds.

Not checking for labor strikes
Strikes are quite common in Mediterranean Europe. They can affect your travel if you don’t plan ahead. Ask your hotel about any labor or farmer strikes that may affect your trip so you are well prepared.

Taking photos of military installations
In some areas of the Mediterranean, like the Aegean islands in Greece, it is forbidden by law to take pictures of military facilities.

Not checking local shop hours
Many local shops in the Mediterranean are shut during the afternoons. Be aware of local shop hours, so you don’t run into any hassles during your market visits.

Throwing paper in the toilet
Many places in the Mediterranean are serviced by outdated sewage facilities, so to avoid clogging the drains, refrain from throwing paper towels and other items into the toilet.

Eating at fast food chains
There is a rich food history in the Mediterranean, and you can find a delicacy for every taste bud! Avoid eating at fast food restaurants and chains and opt for local cuisines.

Not following the dress code at church
The Mediterranean has numerous churches and monasteries with strict dress codes. These include long shorts or trousers for men, long skirts for women, and no swimming suits. Adhere to these dress codes to be respectful of local beliefs.

Touching artifacts in the museum
Unless mentioned otherwise, do not touch any artifacts at museums or historic sites. Most of these items will be stored behind glass cages with specific rules like no touching and no flash photography.

Conclusion
The Mediterranean is famous for its weather, cuisine, and culture. With an astounding amount of history recorded in the area, it is the perfect vacation spot. Therefore, avoid the above ten things when visiting the Mediterranean, and turn it into the holiday of your dreams.

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Airfare is generally the most expensive part of a trip. If you’ve tried booking a flight before, you realize how frustrating it is to see the fare rise every time you search for the same flight. Airlines are trying their best to pull money out of our pockets, so we’ve to become smarter too. Here’s how you can find the cheapest flight possible:Go incognitoHave you noticed a fare hike after searching for the same flight a few times? This is not exactly happening because your flight is in demand. While the exact technical details about how this happens are uncertain, experts say that your browser cookies are to blame. So, it’s always recommended to search for and book a flight in your browser’s incognito mode. The incognito window resets your cookies each time you open it and can help you find a flight at a lower price. Having said that, it is still best to avoid searching for the same flight multiple times.The search engine mattersUsing the right search engine is very important to find the cheapest flight to your destination. Although there’s no single flight search engine that can help you get great deals, Skyscanner, Momondo, and Google Flights are the three favorite search engines among travelers right now. That being said, there’s never a guarantee that they are showing you the lowest prices, so you should check out a couple of other websites before booking.Pick the cheapest day to flyYou might have heard people saying that you can save money by flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but it’s not a consistent truth, and there is no “cheapest day of the week” to fly out. Instead, if you want to get an idea of which day(s) can be the least expensive to fly, you must get a quick visual of prices for a whole month. Flight search engines like Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, and Google Flights offer tools that can help you identify the cheapest days or months to fly to a particular destination.Choose a budget airlineFlying via budget airlines is a great way to get a really cheap flight. Budget airlines mostly offer significantly lower rates than bigger airlines, but this comes with compromises like less legroom and no free food or drinks and movies. If you’re ready to lose these luxuries to get a cheap flight, budget airlines are an ideal option for you. A word of caution: always read the fine print before booking, and check the location of the airport where the flight lands, as some budget airline flights land on airports further out of town.Subscribes to airlines’ newsletterSometimes, you can find the best deals directly on the airlines' websites. You can access these deals by subscribing to their newsletter and receive promo codes and special offers that help you book a flight for cheap. If you sign up for the newsletters of multiple airlines, you can create a separate email ID or use filters that automatically move emails to a specific folder so that you find them easily.

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Best time to explore top attractions in North America

Although you can plan to visit certain destinations in North America throughout the year, certain attractions are best enjoyed during specific seasons. While spontaneous trips to the continent might work out for some, many tourists may not enjoy their vacation due to extreme weather conditions or other hurdles. If you are planning to visit any North American countries, here are the top attractions and the best time to visit them: November to March: Aurora borealis in the Yukon, Canada The best time to see the Aurora Borealis in the Yukon, Canada, is during the winter. This is a year-round phenomenon, but the skies are too bright to see the lights. Between November and March, the skies are clear and at their darkest, making the lights more vivid to the human eye. While the ideal time to see these lights is between 10 pm to 2 am, consider confirming the duration with a guide. March to November: Whale watching in Maui, Hawaii If you love the open seas and whales, Maui in Hawaii is a great place to visit on your next trip. Consider planning your trip between March and November, as this is when the whales migrate south for the winter. You can sign up for activities and packages that include whale watching or underwater photo safaris. March to May: Bear spotting at Yellowstone National Park You can also choose from various tourist attractions in the country, including spotting bears as they emerge after hibernation at Yellowstone National Park. The region is inhabited by black bears and grizzly bears who might lurk around in spring during March, April, and May, before going right back to hibernating throughout the winter. Winter months: Hike at the Grand Canyon, USA If you are planning a hiking trip to the Grand Canyon, avoid scheduling it in July and August because of extremely high temperatures. The winter months are much more suitable, and the region has fewer tourists. You should also consider trekking with a group led by a trained professional. Festival season in Mexico There is nothing like visiting a country to experience its biggest festivals. Around the end of July, you can enjoy the Guelaguetza festival, celebrating folk music and dance. If you are around during the Christmas season, you could check out Oaxaca City’s yearly radish-carving competition, known as Noche de Los Rabanos (Night of the Radishes). February to April: Visit Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland Grenland receives thick snowfall for most of the year. However, you can find plenty of things to do there, like celebrating New Year overlooking the ice fjord. The ideal months to make this visit are between February to late April. You can also enjoy ice fishing and other sledding activities during your stay.

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