The short answer is, do not make it a goal of your trip that you will have a good time. Make it a goal that you will learn something, and if you have a good time, it will be a bonus. This way you can't lose no matter what happens.

Nothing puts pressure on a trip like the requirement that it produce in you a certain emotion, such as happiness.

About the glasses - have your optician print out a spare copy of your prescription and keep this in your moneybelt, in case you need to get an emergency pair.

Come back after your trip and let us know how it went!

You're not alone. I worry about all kinds of things (and laugh at myself for it). Also, I have never done laundry on a trip because that just doesn't feel like a vacation to me. I'm going on a 15 day trip to Great Britain beginning next week and have no plans to do laundry. And if it makes you feel any better, I'm planning to pack all 15 pairs of underwear and socks in a 26" suitcase!

If you are concerned about laundry,you can either as you said take enough clothes or find a laundromat where you can drop the clothes off and pick them up the next day.

As Prue stated- the whole purpose of taking an orgainized tour is so you don't have to worry about all these things. I have never done a tour- I prefer to go on my own. Now, when it comes to Africa, there I will go on a tour.

SalB - I have never had fun being sick either on vacation or at home! I agree with you though if I had all those worries I wouldn't leave home either!