I love the Seattle to Amsterdam flight which is non stop. we like to start our vacation in Amsterdam everytime.

When i started this thread I thought people would just add their own not critisize mine. These work for me and I would never expect others to follow mine.

My Travel Rules:
1.You can't get too much information. but at some point you have to make your own decisions.
2.Try to get a deal but don't be cheap.
3.Don't over pack, choose good luggage that works for you, always use zip lock bags.
4. Make some dinner, theatre, etc. reservations before you go, but allow for flexibilty if the situation calls for it.
5.Don't let your spouse navigate, look at the map, etc. - This will result in needless bickering, perhaps worse.
6.Always check with Fodors first. people here really know what they are talking about.
7. A good travel agent is worth their weight in gold - but they are few and far between. If you enjoy the planning as much as I do, you can do all the work yourself and probably do a much better job. It's a labor of love - and well worth the effort.
8. Last and most important - Always have a new trip in the works.
JoeG

Have dark chocolate and red wine everyday (preferably at the same time). And when you find a good bathroom, go twice.

SharonG, thanks for the morning laugh! If that "good bathroom" is somewhere I'm spending a bit of time, I usually do!

Always have a back-up plan for rainy days.

Don't go anyplace were it rains.

If you are paying in USD's, be prepared to spend lots of money, unless you are visiting the best parts of Mexico.
M

Smile and be patient.

Enjoy

Don't think about work. They'll survive without you.

Never to say Never!

1. Be fussy and detail-oriented about planning BEFORE you go. Once you get there, be prepared to travel with abandon and follow your instincts.

2. Ship stuff home - NOTHING is more pleasurable than getting a package from Provence on a cold, dreary day in November packed with things you didn't even remember you'd bought and being able to sit in front of your fireplace draped in a lovely bouti munching on melon calissons.

3. Don't just gawk at the sites - TALK to people!

4. Enjoy the kinks you encounter - those misadventures will make great conversation among your friends for years to come. Oh, the time we inocently drove up Mount Ambelos..........

5. Keep working if you have to to make enough money to travel. Most Americans are satisfied with Vegas and Disney - you have a higher calling, and you don't have to be rich to get there.

6. If it has a menu in English, unless it's a starred place, think twice. Follow the locals.

7. Always have a complex picnic knife on hand - life is too short not to avail oneself on a good-weather day of a feast of charcuterie, good cheese, and wine.

8. Explore. There is SO much beyond the guidebooks, even the good ones that give you hints for finding "out of the way" places. Once they're in the guidebooks, they're not "out of the way" anymore.

9.Check the local tourist offices for local events. There are dozens of events going on in European communities all the time that a normal American would never go to because it's not a "big" or "advertised" event. Some of the best times of my life have been spent at small local events I would never have known about if I hadn't spotted a small poster or checked out the tourist office.

10. If you don't know how to use a map, now is the time. Maps are windows into the world. Become a navigator.

StCirq, oh I agree! Your post made me think of a rainy night in Agordo, in the Dolomites Mts. Had gone to a cafe with friends for a casual dinner. This small sweet town had a beautiful park.
And a concert was just starting, a singer with 4 musicians. I to this day unfortunatly do not know the name of the signer or his back up band. But the whole town was out, rain or not. Three hours of pure bliss with a full moon hanging over us. Even my Italian friends who have a vacation house there did not know about this concert. A beautiful surprise and wonderful memories. The things dreams are made of.

all good tips from our lady of the Dordogne :)

My Dad always said "Rules are made to be broken."

Who wants rules while traveling? Too many in everyday life already.

JudyC, I agree!! When traveling break all the rules. Except for one. Don't forget to enjoy every moment no matter what.

1) Don't leave a tip and get the heck out of there fast!
2) Don't settle for the local fare!
3) Insist on something better than the local wine!
4) Always do fly-overs instead of land travel!
5) Bring your i-pod. Things can get really boring!
6) Quiz the locals on Canadian history and culture! :D

as always, jor . lol

No rules, rules.