Travel mishaps can happen to even the most seasoned travelers. When one frustrated Fodor’s member recently vented about booking the wrong flights for an upcoming trip, several fellow Forums posters empathized by disclosing their own slip-ups. Check out some of the do’s and don’ts that came out of this group confession.

From Fodor’s Forums: What’s your biggest travel mistake?

Do look carefully at flight times and dates before booking.
Do hold your tongue and check your flight’s seating chart.
Don’t postpone travel to a destination with favorable currency exchange rates.
Don’t cancel the credit card tied to your reservations.
Do take a good look around your car before setting out on a road trip.
Do a mental run-through of your departure day ahead of time.
Do consider the season of your destination.
Don’t assume just any hotel in a beach destination will do.
Do book a room for every night of your stay.
Don’t assume your hotel room’s rate won’t change.
Do update your driver’s license.
Do carry a good map with you at all times.

To read the full info-packed article, complete with reader tips and explanations, click here.

For more great tips; up-to-the minute travel advice and trip planning information; user ratings of thousands of sights, hotels, and restaurants; and one of the most established and lively travel communities on the web, visit Fodors.com.

Source: Fodors.com

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Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".

TripAdvisor(R), the world’s largest travel community, today announced the ten funniest traveler posts of 2007, as chosen by TripAdvisor editors.

1. Not So Great Expectations

“I could have done without the blood-stained mattress and the (actual)
chunk of poop on my bedspread, but I didn’t expect the Hilton.”

2. Rest in Peace

“I spent the night in the (hotel) room and experienced a friendly spirit.
This presence got into bed with me, an old lady, she was nice and I just
patted her on the head and we had a comfortable restful sleep. I think I
will ask for a different room next time.”

3. Mime Over Matter

“The neighborhood is filled with aggressive mimes, including one sitting
on a toilet bowl (how creative). Room cards are changed for no reason and
you cannot understand why you can’t get into your room. All in all it was
a very unpleasant stay.”

4. Deep Thoughts

“Time could be spent pondering over the meaning of some of the many safety
signs around the complex. Out of the several we managed to identify, the
two we found to be of greatest use were 1. Not to step on any crocodiles
whilst bare foot, and 2. No ugly, or spotty children to frequent the
pool.”

5. Is That Really What You Meant?

“I echo the sentiments of the previous reviewer. The ambience is lacking
to be sure, but the food is like angels copulating on your tongue.”

6. Freezing Over

“Sleeping in the street during a blizzard would be better than staying at
this hell-hole. The place should be imploded.”

7. No Accounting for Taste

“Subject: Crab Trap Restaurant. We enjoyed our experience at the Crap
Trap. The food is very good with nice size portions and reasonable prices
(especially for the shore). The only down side is the wait.”

8. A Sore for Sight Eyes

“Food not special, and the couple that lives there with their dog is very
‘homey’ and ‘folksy’ types. Not for everyone. The premises are well kept,
but some private parts we could see thru open door were not.”

9. Leave It to Beaver

“Imagine awakening at 4:00 am to the sound of loud footsteps in the
stairwell, only to realize that someone is drunk and knocking on your
hotel door saying, ‘Beaver…it’s me. Let me in, Beaver.’”

10. The Last Laugh

“In fact, I told the management there that I was putting a review on your
website about their poor service and they laughed at me and said go right
ahead, nobody reads the TripAdvisor site.”

“With millions of reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor, in addition to helpful travel advice, there is some great color, and these comments got the most laughs from our editors.” said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor.

About TripAdvisor Media Network
TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts nearly 30 million monthly visitors (source: comScore Media Metrix, Digital Calculator Report, July 2007) across eight popular travel brands, TripAdvisor(R) sites, bookingbuddy.com (TM), cruisecritic.com(TM), independenttraveler.com(TM), seatguru.com(R), smartertravel.com(TM), travel- library.com(TM) and travelpod.com(TM). TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 25 million monthly visitors, five million registered members and 10 million reviews and opinions.

SOURCE: TripAdvisor/PRNewswire.com