Well, carrybean I don't mean that ira shoud be "singled out", but since someone before I posted said anyplace recommended by him is a good, or safe bet, I think it's important that someone who recvommends a restaurant, for example, should at least have eaten there one time. Or recommending a museum in a foreign city as a good place to go on a day when it is actually closed. If I were a new traveler to those places, I would like to be able to know that. OTOH, ira is a real favorite here, and I don't think much harm is done by pointing those things out, and encouraging people to double check the information for themselves.

I learned here of the existance of Priceline which I think it's a fine discovery for a budget traveller like me :)Also learned about GoogleEarth and some other places in the net to help organising trips.
I find it most useful for "facts". I mean, not the info which is a matter of personal opinion but the actual facts, things like schedules, where to find metro or buses maps, airports and transfers, museums...

The restuarant tip I got from SusanP to eat at La Tartaruga in Rome was right on the money. Thanks Susan!

Yes, I think harm is done to overall camaraderie by making a snarky post questioning an individual's veracity. It turns out the issue is an inconsequential thing like the day or time a museum is open? Even the most incompetent newbie knows to check the museum's site.

And oh, good thing The Offender has been "taken to task" for the HORROR of suggesting a restaurant he hasn't been in, or the equivalent.

Every nasty restuarant ira recommended in Italy has made me deathly ill. After only 12 plates of pasta my stomach growled like a junkyard dog.

I sued him at least a dozen times but got nowhere. He's mobbed up and pays big protection money so he can continue his sinister culinary games.

The nerve of him. I take note of this and shall in future keep an eagle eye on his resto recos in an attempt to protect myself.

First thing I learned was to have thick skin if I was willing to contribute by sharing information or giving an opinion. Sad, but true-- there always seem to be a few who are looking to make things personal or send things off on a negative. Don't let it rain on my parade.

Fortunately, I've learned to click on the poster's name and check out what types of questions the poster starts or contributes to...helps me formulate my own opinion about them and what they bring to this forum. Some personalities are much more "my" type of person and I trust their "taste" in restaurants, hotels, routes, etc. Others, I find I have nothing in common with their values/interests/budgets etc. and I pass on what they recommend....which goes back to what has already been mentioned as their primary tip: do Search first & ask questions second.

When I posted this question my intention was to hear valuable information from the people I have already learned so much from. I had hoped others would enjoy the information too. I am saddened by the tone of some postings but am grateful to all of the others who provided great tips and ideas! Thank you!

Join the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and by "member" day tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show. We've also gone on "public" day and the two experiences cannot compare. Because Mum and I went to London specifically for the Flower Show - this tip was super helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed are experience on RHS "member" day when we were able to see and converse about the flowers - in stark contrast to the overcrowded public day when we couldn't see the flowers, but did get in some shopping and people watching.

I have received lots of great advice here, but 3 things that really stand out are Morgan's steps for booking train tickets, "Heritage Day" (or Open Monuments Day) in France which allowed into several buildings usually closed to the public while we were in Paris, and I would not have know about the Ceremony of Keys or how to get tickets to itif I hadn't been reading the trip reports posted here.

I just got back from Brussels. BTilke mentioned the Laeken greenhouses when I posted a question about something else. Only able to view for two weeks a year. Cost 2Euro. Best 2Euro I ever spent and would never had known about it without her and Fodors.

Oh for goodness sakes. The original question was what was the best piece of advice or information I've learned on this site.

I said that learned I could trust ira's advice. I was speaking for myself. The original questions was NOT what have you learned on this site that you believe everyone should have learned. Or else.

I was answering for myself, which was the person to whom the question was directed.

And if I think yellow snow is delish I'm not going to contradict logandog who just doesn't seem to care for it. Who knows why.

MorganB's instructions on how to buy tickets from the sncf website are invaluable! Her advice enabled me to buy the tickets directly (and print them out) at a considerably lower price than what RailEurope was charging. Thanks MorganB!

Gypsy babies are often plastic.

degas, may I have one?
I think the thing I learned is that a few posters think they are the dernier cru, a few are impatient, some sound harsh in their posts but are delightful when you meet them.
Th bet think I learned is not to take everyone seriously

Degas!

Are you back home? This is the first post I've seen from you since your last deployment. Welcome home!

Jeez! I've been wrong a bunch of times giving advice on this site. Fortunately, someone has usually come along to let me know that. We don't do it purposely! Give ira a break, already!

Hi Dayle, I'm back for good this time.

I have received lots of specific tips that have completely changed my travel.

But I guess the ones I'd think are the best are the ones recommending particular shoe styles. I have dire foot problems but thanks to this forum I've found a few styles that I can wear with my custom orthotic.

The best tip I have found here that I can remember at the moment, is the name of a local pizzeria in Naples. Since I travel there often, it was a great find.

And, more recently, an even more valuable tip-to be careful not to give any true, unedited opinion of my own on Fodor's, especially if it happens not to agree with the mainstream.

In daring to speak on the subject, I thought the accuracy of travel advice was important, but i was clearly mistaken.

The fact is, I often read statements that talk about an area I have traveled extensively many times over years, and it IS really FRUSTRATING to read information handed out that isn't completely valid. That's why I spoke out about the importance of double-checking things. If I misspoke, I apologize.