Go only to places where they make good wines.

I have one rule I always follow:

Always have a Plan "B"

(and maybe a "C" and "D&quot.

Take old underwear and socks (unless it is your honeymoon) and throw them after wearing them.

2 pairs of jeans last 2 weeks.

Never, ever, under any condition or situation wear the same shoes two days in a row. Never.

Never, ever, wear a fanny pack. Take a back pack instead.

Never take a huge map. If possible, never read a map on the street.

If it is a chain restaurant, you should think about it. If it is an American chain restaurant, it probably has a clean toilet.

Never pass the opportunity to use a clean toilet. Never.

It is probably safer to eat at an ugly little cart selling food if it is surrounded with people.

If you don't try it, you'll never know. If you like it, you'll have discovered something new to like. If you didn't, be glad that you don't have to do it again.

1. Get local currency at the airport ATM's when you arrive. Use ATM's to get money throughout.

2. Use your credit card as much as possible to save cash and get good rates.

3. If a connection from the USA to Europe is necessary, make the connection in Europe. Wouldn't you rather be stuck in Munich than Charlotte?

4. Try as many pastries as possible.

5. Stay in centrally located hotels.

6. Stick to your airline alliance. You will acquire miles and they will appreciate it.

7. Hold tight to your wallet.

8. Pack smart but bring a lot of luggage. You'll be sorry when you don't have something you need.

9. Bring an extra empty bag folde flat in your luggage. You will shop.

10. When is Rome...

The only rule I ever had was not to go all the way overseas for less than 2 weeks. But rules are made to be broken and I grabbed a 'too good to pass up' deal for one week in London at the end of January. To heck with rules!! I'm excited about going for one week!

Always travel with the idea that you will return. This way you can go on short trips. For example one week in Paris then two weeks another time in the provinces.

Auntgrapes beat me to that rule. My rules are to learn how to say "do you speak english", please/thank you/your'e welcome, basic greetings, count to 10, how to order a beer/wine, where is the toilet and other basic words in the language of the country I am visiting. I know that I am not using perfect pronounciation but people appreciate the attempt and most likely will respond to me in English.

Try to travel with people on short and inexpensive trips before you commit to be with them night and day on long and expensive trips.

1) Food: If it's the local specialty; try it and don't ask what's in it as long other customers aren't falling over with food posioning.
2) Schedules: Don't get too attached. Breathe and be flexible.
3) Flights: Drink plenty of water. Stretch and breathe. Try to sleep. (Make note to ask other fodorites how they sleep on an airplane?)
4) Enjoy everything, laugh and have fun. Just as I do at home.

Never EVER travel with your mother-in-law.

Patrick

Gardyloo and I had a wee discussion about his name before. You'll find the details at

http://members.lycos.co.uk/peterdyson/new_page_28.htm.

Do I have rules?

1. Go if you can

2. Don't sweat the details

3. Trust people

4. Stop and smell the roses

Since I'm a cheapskate, but still want to enjoy myself, here is my main rule:

1. If I want to visit an attraction or play or concert in the city I am visiting, I will do so regardless of price. The cost will be only a tiny fraction of my total trip price anyway.

(This doesn't mean that I go hog-wild and get 100-pound seats. It does mean that I make sure don't skimp on the cultural attractions that are one of my primary reasons for visiting.)

Allways have a cunning plan when on visit!

1. Never follow anyone e;se's rules for travel, especially after you've seen what they look like and how they act at one of the Fodors "get togethers."

2. Never, EVER move to Seattle where apparently there are rules out the wazoooo.

JonJon, was that last post a joke or are you without coffee yet, and being a bit nasty?

Accept that it is occasionally more efficient to let people other than oneself set the rules.

Have a budget for mistakes and ripoffs.

Be wary of pride, it rarely delivers value for the money or effort it demands.

I always send postcards home to friends and family from wherever I go...It is a good inexpensive souvenir and many have told me over the years how much they were touched I always thought of them and sent a picture of where I was. I found in my Dad's kitchen drawer what seemed like 100 of them I have sent him over the years....I had no idea he would save them all...

Within reason (and budget), buy anything and everything that appeals to you, because you will kick yourself later if you don't.

Hi Janda,

It would be inconvenient for me to follow your rule 3, becuse I live in Georgia.

I was wondering about rule #3 too. From my home airport (RDU) I can only fly to London directly. Nothing against London, but if I want to go to Germany, do you suggest I move to Charlotte?

My rules:

- It's your vacation, do what you want.

- Wear comfortable shoes.