Second Chances: Lonely Planet Staff Share Travel Mishaps and How They'd Redo Iconic Destinations
It's a truth universally acknowledged among avid travelers: despite exhaustive research, even the most anticipated trips can go awry. A subpar hotel, unreliable guide, or dubious 'freshly caught' oysters can overshadow a destination's charm, leaving you yearning for a do-over.
To celebrate these hindsight-is-20/20 moments, Lonely Planet's experienced staff revisit their travel mishaps—from Honduras to Langkawi—and reveal how they'd perfect the experience next time.
A Hair-Raising Horseback Adventure in Honduras
Against my instincts as a horse skeptic, I joined a riding tour near Copán Ruinas, requesting the slowest mount possible. My seemingly docile pinto had other ideas, bolting off moments after I mounted.
Forgetting the stunning countryside, I spent the next hour in a blind gallop, eyes clenched shut, separated from the group. Only when the horse tired and returned to the stable—me dangling half-off—did the beauty register. I lost my Tilley hat, dignity, and nearly my sanity. Guide Carlos chuckled: 'This one has spirit, eh?' (He was armed, so restraint prevailed.)
Redo plan: Opt for a walking tour. Nothing beats exploring on foot for true appreciation.
No Romance in Tokyo's Love Hotel
Visiting Tokyo with my now-husband, we stayed on a friend's futon and chased classic experiences: sushi, sake, vending-machine beers, karaoke. Spontaneously, we tried a 'love hotel' in Shibuya for its quirky designs.
After slotting a credit card through a hatch, we entered a dismal room: cramped, smoky, sweltering under faulty AC, with plastic sheets and a lone fake rose. No romance, just regret—and a hefty bill.
Redo plan: Research top-rated options and book a short 'rest' stay to save cash without sacrificing fun.
Cash-Strapped in Copenhagen
As a master's student, I blew my semester's aid on a Copenhagen trip with my best friend—a non-budget choice that backfired immediately when her camera was stolen at the station internet cafe.
Pinched for cash, we dined daily at a cheap Chinese buffet, skipping Nyhavn cafes, Rosenborg Slot, Tivoli Gardens, and craft beers. Our couchsurfing host's noisy nights (divided by a sheet 'door') forced us to airport floors later.
Redo plan: Budget properly for Copenhagen's sights, Scandi coffee, craft beer, and a real hotel.
Heatstroke Sidelines Langkawi Paradise
Idyllic morning on Langkawi's beach: Michael Palin's Halfway to Hollywood in hand, folding chair deployed under cloudless skies. Chortling away, I ignored the intensifying heat—no shade, no water.
Evening brought chills, then severe heatstroke: feverish, bedbound, chugging and dousing with water. Sky Bridge, eagle statue, and aquarium visits? Canceled amid vomiting. Departure followed recovery.
Redo plan: Hydrate, seek shade, and balance beach time with indoor AC—or skip prolonged sun exposure altogether.
