1. Cheap travel souvenirs, such as keychains from New York or refrigerator magnets from Switzerland, are mostly made in China, Vietnam, or Bangladesh and imported.
2. Most shops selling Turkish carpets laid out outdoors are selling fakes.
3. Learning "hello" and "thank you" in the local language will make communicating with locals more enjoyable.
4. When traveling alone, it's important to always take your belongings with you when you go to the toilet.
5. If you are scammed, please do not blame yourself. Being scammed happens to local people from time to time as well.
6. Negotiate the price, but don't lower it too much. Your earnings will probably be more than the store owner has ever seen in their lifetime.
7. It's convenient to download offline Google Maps for your city or area.
8. Please be sure to bring at least one copy of your passport.
9. Popular travel destinations on Instagram may already be overrated and crowded.
10. If someone recommends a tour package to you, don't trust them, as 99% of them are scams.
11. Problems and emotions you encounter while traveling will come with you. Don't expect travel to be a solution to your self-discovery.
12. Animal-related or sexually suggestive tourist attractions, or facilities themed around orphans, are prone to becoming breeding grounds for illegal activities.
13. When asking for directions, it's recommended to get opinions from multiple people, not just one. This is necessary to obtain accurate information.
14. The best travel episodes happen in places with few tourists. My favorite travel memories were created when I brought a physical map and trusted my instincts to choose left or right at intersections.
15. Always purchase travel insurance! This is important whether you have a limited budget or are traveling to a developed country.