It happened in Kyiv. I was on my way to meet some friends for a few pints on a Friday night in a small basement pub back in the day called “The Drum” or “Baraban”.

A few blocks away, two guys in street clothes stepped out from behind a parked Lada and flashed what looked like Soviet-era ID badges.

“Police,” one said flatly, motioning for my passport. My first thought? “Did I just time-travel to a KGB movie?” My second thought? “Well, guess this is how I lose my passport, wallet, and dignity, all before my planned night out.”

Not to mention all the wallet drop scams that seemed to plagued a certain area in downtown Kyiv for decades…

That wasn’t even the closest call.

There was the “broken taxi meter” in Tbilisi that nearly cost me triple the fare.

Then there was the “helpful” guy at a Strasbourg ATM who got way too friendly with my transaction.

And of course, a street hustler in Sofia who tried to rope me into a “charity” scam involving puppies and laminated photos. Laminated. He meant business.

After years of living and traveling across Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and beyond, I’ve become a scam magnet with just enough paranoia to survive.

And while I’ve never lost more than a few bucks (and a chunk of pride), I’ve come frighteningly close more times than I care to admit.

So if you’ve ever thought, That would never happen to me, I’ve got news for you.

Think again!

Here are 7 scams I almost fell for, and exactly how you can avoid walking into the same traps.

1. The Broken Taxi Meter (Thailand, Ukraine & Georgia)

Kyiv, 1999. I stepped out of Boryspil Airport and right into a taxi that looked like it had survived Chernobyl.

The driver smiled, nodded at my hostel address, and then gave me the classic line: “Meter broken, but I give you good price.”

And guess what? He did not give me a good price.

Flash forward a few years in Bangkok, different continent, same script.

“Meter not working today,” the driver said while eyeing my backpack like it was lined with gold bars.

These guys must attend the same international scammer boot camp.

Red Flags: No meter running. Refusal to state a price. Vague smile that says, “You’re about to overpay by 300%.”

How to Outsmart It: Before you get in, agree on a price or insist on the meter.

Better yet, use ride apps like Bolt, Grab, or Uber (depending on the country).

And if they try the broken-meter line?

Just smile and walk away! 

Nothing breaks faster than a “broken” meter when a customer does that.

2. The Fake Police Officers (Ukraine & Georgia)

It happened on a quiet side street in downtown Kyiv, not far from Maidan Square.

Two guys in jeans and knockoff leather jackets stepped into my path, flashed something that looked vaguely badge-like, and said they needed to “check my documents.”

I’d read about this trick. But standing there, solo and preoccupied with a Friday night out, my hand instinctively moved toward my passport.

That’s when the alarm bells finally went off.

Red Flags: No uniforms. No police car. No explanation.

Just “badge,” bark, and bluff.

How to Outsmart It: Never hand over documents to anyone not in full uniform unless you’re inside an actual police station.

Say, “Let’s go to the station,” and watch them evaporate like Soviet-era promises.

3. The Too-Friendly Local Offering Help (Strasbourg)

Place de la Cathédrale, Strasbourg, France, I was at an ATM pulling out euros when a guy behind me leaned in and said, “Careful, this machine sometimes keeps your card. Let me show you.”

He reached toward the screen, and I nearly reached for his throat.

I’d heard stories from other travelers, cards swallowed, PINs memorized, and bank accounts drained before they even finished their apéro.

Red Flags: Too eager. Too helpful. Standing way too close.

How to Outsmart It: Don’t accept unsolicited help. Especially near ATMs, metro ticket machines, or currency exchanges.

If someone lingers, cancel the transaction and wait them out, or find another machine.

4. The Long Route Scam (France & Bulgaria)

I once asked a cabbie in Sofia to take me to my hotel near Vitosha Boulevard.

What should’ve been a ten-minute ride turned into a 35-minute tour of every industrial warehouse and random back alley in the city.

Same thing happened in Paris. I asked for the train station (Gare de l’Est).

The driver nodded… then proceeded to loop around so many side streets I thought we were trying to break a record for slowest escape route ever.

Red Flags: Driver doesn’t confirm the address. Takes “creative” turns. Hums cheerfully while watching the meter spin like a roulette wheel.

How to Outsmart It: Use Google Maps or a GPS app to follow the route. If you notice detours, call it out.

Better yet, have your hotel or Airbnb host write the address in the local language, and snap a pic of the license plate before hopping in.

5. The Currency Switch (Romania)

Bucharest. I friend of mine told me about the time they had paid for a snack at a market using exact change.

The vendor looked down, looked up, and said to him, “You gave me the wrong bill.” Except, he was sure he hadn’t. The “vendor” was lightning fast too.

He’d swapped my friend’s 50 for a 10 and tried to make “my friend” feel like the scammer.

This happened again to a former colleague, an ESL teacher. She was in Cluj, said she once handed over a 100-lei note and watched it magically become a crumpled 10 before her eyes. David Copperfield would have been proud.

Red Flags: Fast hands, sleight-of-cash, and “confused” facial expressions.

How to Outsmart It: Use small bills. Count slowly. Watch their hands.

And if you’re not fluent in the local language, keep transactions simple and public.

6. The Fake Petition or Bracelet Scam (Spain)

Barcelona’s Las Ramblas 1998. I was spending a few days in the city before heading north to the French side of the Pyrenees to start my first Camino de Santiago.

A woman approached me with a clipboard and a cause.

Before I could say “no gracias,” she tied a string bracelet around my wrist, told me it was “free,” and then immediately asked for money.

I didn’t even want the thing, it looked like it came from a middle school friendship circle.

But now it was physically on me, and she wouldn’t let go until I gave her something. I slipped her a coin and ripped it off 10 steps later.

Red Flags: Unsolicited gifts. Pushy tone. Sudden guilt-trip eyes.

How to Outsmart It: Don’t engage. No eye contact, no stopping, and definitely don’t let anyone touch you.

If someone tries to hand you something for “free,” assume it’s anything but.

7. The Friendly New “Friend” at the Bar (Poland)

Kraków. I’d just finished a long day of CELTA training when a guy at the bar struck up a conversation.

Friendly, funny, and full of recommendations.

He insisted I join his group. Drinks started flowing. And just when the check came… poof. Gone. Copperfield strikes again.

Years later, a former colleague of mine who taught in Warsaw told me he got hit with the same routine, except in his case, the “new friend” left him with a bottle of overpriced champagne and a mysteriously inflated bill.

Red Flags: Instant best-friend vibes. Generous with drinks. Disappears faster than a Polish sun in winter.

How to Outsmart It: Always ask for the menu. Pay as you go. Don’t leave your credit card at the bar.

And if someone’s being a little too friendly, trust your instincts over their charm.

What These Scams Taught Me

Even with years of travel under my belt, I still get caught off guard. Scams don’t just target newbies, they prey on politeness, fatigue, overconfidence, and distraction.

Sometimes, they even work because deep down, we want to believe the best in people.

But travel has taught me this: your instincts are usually right. 

If something feels off, it probably is.

Scammers rely on hesitation, guilt, or confusion.

Don’t give them any of it.

So stay alert. Be kind, but cautious. And don’t let fear keep you from exploring, just let it sharpen your radar.

Have you ever been scammed, or almost scammed, while traveling?

The post 7 Travel Scams That Nearly Got Me! And How To Outsmart Every One… appeared first on Expats Planet.

Everyone’s got that one friend, you know the one…

The guy who watches three YouTube videos about life in Spain, learns how to say “una cerveza, por favor,” and suddenly thinks he’s ready to “live like a local.”

Next thing you know, he’s booked a one-way ticket to Barcelona, posted a selfie at the airport with the caption “New beginnings!” and by week two, he’s already complaining that “Spaniards don’t smile enough” and “Why is dinner so late?”

I’ve spent years living, working and traveling in places most Americans couldn’t find on a map: Albania, Georgia, Ukraine and beyond.

And I’ve seen it all!

• The starry-eyed dreamers.
• The passport bros who can’t get a date to save their lives back home.
• The so-called political and culture war refugees whose guy lost the last election.

And the keyboard warriors who all think moving abroad will magically fix their lives.

Hate to break it to you, it won’t.

In fact, after well over two decades of teaching, traveling, and hearing firsthand horror stories from fellow expats across places like Spain, France, Albania, Georgia and Ukraine, I’ve come to a controversial conclusion:

Some people should absolutely not become expats.

Not now, not ever…

There, I said it!

And if you’re reading this on your lunch break while fantasizing about quitting your job and “starting fresh” in some picturesque Mediterranean village… this might be your wake-up call.

Because no one’s talking about this side of expat life.

The entitled, arrogant, utterly unaware foreigners who bring their baggage, emotional and otherwise into countries that didn’t ask for them.

And trust me, nobody wants to hear your boorish, amateur U.S. political punditry, opinions and rants abroad, the locals do notice.

So do other expats.

And, if you’re one of them?

Well, this one’s for you.

1. The Savior Complex… You’re Not Here to Fix Anyone’s Country

Ah yes, the classic “I watched a documentary on Netflix and now I’m here to solve your geopolitical crisis” expat.

I saw it firsthand when a former colleague in Ukraine decided to improve the English curriculum… without ever asking the Ukrainian teachers what was already in place.

Within two weeks, he was confused why no one wanted to grab a pivo and some suhariki with him at the local kiosk after class.

Here’s the truth: locals don’t need your cultural enlightenment, “the West is Best” speeches.

They’ve got their own systems, stories, and yes… solutions.

If you show up with a Messiah complex, don’t be surprised if you’re met with polite nods… and distant stares.

Warning: If your first instinct is to “fix” the country instead of learn from it, you’re not an expat, you’re a missionary with a superiority complex.

2. Language Is More Than Just a Phrasebook

If I had a dollar for every expat I’ve met who moved abroad expecting the entire country to accommodate their high school level [insert foreign language], I’d have enough cash to upgrade from economy to first class.

When I first arrived in Ukraine in 1998 with a French humanitarian group, I knew about six words of Ukrainian, and even less in Russian.

But, even with that limited vocabulary I still managed to learn that two of them turned out to be either outdated or profane.

And yet, I managed, though my first trip was only for 2 weeks.

When I eventually moved there nine months later, in 1999, I started studying Russian since I was told at the time that it was much more practical.

I made so many mistakes and got laughed at.

It was awful, I was awful, but I kept trying and I learned.

Contrast that with a guy I knew in France who lived in Bordeaux for three years and still couldn’t order a glass of wine without swirling an imaginary goblet like Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, contemplating the fate of Middle-earth.

Warning: Locals appreciate effort, not fluency. Show up humble and willing, not loud and clueless.

3. Cultural Arrogance! The Ugly American (or Brit, or Aussie…)

Georgia taught me a lot. Chief among those lessons?

If you walk into a central post office in Tbilisi, yelling in English and waving your passport around like it’s a golden ticket, you’re not going to get your package any faster.

A traveler I met did exactly that. He couldn’t understand why the clerk, who didn’t speak English, wasn’t bending over backward to accommodate his frantic monologue about tracking numbers.

Warning: You’re not at a Starbucks in Ohio. The world doesn’t revolve around your expectations.

Lesson: Adapting to the local way of doing things isn’t a burden, it’s the whole point of being there.

4. Living Like a Local? More Like Hiding From One

Some expats wear “I live like a local” like it’s a badge of honor.

But if your idea of blending in involves speaking only English, attending trivia night at the local Expat Irish pub, and only knowing the local language well enough to order a latte, you’re not integrated, you’re insulated.

I had a fellow teacher in Ukraine who, after three years, still didn’t have any local friends.

This was despite the fact that students were always inviting her out for coffee or even to their family’s dachas on weekends.

The opportunities were everywhere for her to experience life like a local.

However, she did attend every British, English Breakfast meetup she could and Skyped her friends back home every night.

By the time she was finally leaving the country, she told me, “I just never really clicked with Ukrainians.”

It’s not surprising if you never give people a real chance.

Lesson: Living abroad isn’t about recreating your home life in a different climate.

If you’re not making local connections, you’re just a tourist on a long layover.

5. The Entitlement Epidemic

Hate to break it to you but, you’re not above the law just because your passport has an eagle, lion, or kangaroo on it.

One American guy I met in Ukraine threw a tantrum when immigration fined him for overstaying his tourist visa. “But I’m spending money here!” he shouted, as if his mediocre Airbnb reviews entitled him to legal immunity.

Let’s be real: if you break the rules, you’re going to pay for it.

And yes, even you, Chad from Cleveland.

Warning: Being an expat doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply to you. It means you’re a guest.

Act like one.

6. They Complain More Than Locals Do

One of the weirdest quirks about some expats? They become more cynical about the country than the people who actually live there.

In Kyiv, I once sat next to an expat at the local Irish Pub who launched into a 20-minute tirade about the slow internet, inefficient bureaucracy, and, my personal favorite, how the drinking culture was “too intense.”

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian bartender smiled, shrugged, and got on with life.

Warning: If you’re more miserable than the locals, maybe the problem isn’t the country, maybe it’s you.

7. Not Everyone Should Be an Expat, And That’s Okay

There’s this myth that becoming an expat automatically makes you brave, enlightened, or interesting. It doesn’t.

Sometimes it just makes you lost, lonely, or worse…insufferable.

Living abroad magnifies whatever you bring with you. If you’re curious and open-minded, you’ll grow.

If you’re rigid and judgmental, you’ll crack.

And if you’re just running away from something back home, guess what?

That thing probably packed itself in your carry-on.

The most grounded expats I’ve met, whether in France, Georgia, or Ukrain, were the ones who came not to escape, but to experience.

Who made mistakes, owned them, and laughed through the discomfort.

Warning: Living abroad is not for everyone. And that’s not a failure, it’s just self-awareness.

Maybe the Most Responsible Thing Is Just Staying Home

So before you upload your “Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone” Instagram quote and book that one-way ticket, ask yourself, “Are you genuinely excited to embrace a new culture, or just tired of your old life?”

Because expat life isn’t an escape hatch, it’s a pressure cooker.

It tests you, humbles you, and exposes parts of yourself you didn’t know existed.

And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do isn’t moving to another country.

It’s learning how to live better in your own.

But hey, if you do decide to go anyway, just promise us all you’ll at least try to learn the language. Deal?

Now it’s your turn!

Have you ever struggled with the idea of moving abroad versus staying put?

Perhaps you know someone who has…

The post 7 Brutal Truths About Expats That Will Make You Rethink Your Move Abroad! appeared first on Expats Planet.

I assumed “everyone speaks English” and “the customer is always right.” Turns out, I was embarrassingly wrong!

“When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me….”

I had just landed in Paris, ready to live out my Hemingway fantasy, minus the war wounds and an overinflated sense of self-importance. 

I strolled into a cool little café in Montmartre straight out of Hemingway’s a Moveable Feast, stood like I belonged there, and, without hesitation, blurted out,

“Puis-je prendre un café à emporter?”

“Can I get a coffee to go?”

Hey, at least I said it in French, right?

However, the waiter, an older gentleman with an expression that suggested he was having none of it, stared at me as if I’d just asked for a side of nuclear codes with my espresso.

He gave me that slow Parisian blink, the kind that silently says: This is why we can’t have nice things.

Confused, I tried again. “Vous comprenez, un café à emporter ?” (“You know, like…a takeaway coffee?”). I even used the formal “Vous” French conjugation form.

This time, he let out a deep sigh, one that carried the weight of centuries of French cultural superiority, before responding, “Monsieur… ici, on prend le café assis.”

Translation: Have a seat Cowboy, civilized people drink their coffee sitting down.

And that was the first of many lessons I’d learn about how American assumptions don’t always translate well overseas.

Because the reality is, a lot of what we take for granted as “normal” back home doesn’t apply once you step off U.S. soil.

In fact, some of these assumptions can get you laughed at, ignored, or in serious trouble.

Take it from someone who’s spent years abroad: If you think “everyone speaks English” or “the customer is always right,” you’re in for a humbling experience.

These six false assumptions could land you in awkward, or even dangerous, situations.

Let’s get into it.

1. “Everyone Speaks English”

Ah yes, the great American myth: English is the universal language, and everyone, from taxi drivers in Kyiv to bakers in rural France, is just waiting for their big moment to flex their high school English skills.

And guess what? They’re not.

I learned this the hard way in an average sized Bulgarian town, where my attempt to order a simple coffee turned into a tragic game of charades.

I pointed, gestured, nodded, and even tried the universal “slowly repeating in English but louder” method.

The old woman behind the counter watched me like I was having a medical episode before she finally called over a teenager who, thankfully, had just enough English to spare me further humiliation.

Here’s the reality: Yes, many people speak English, especially in big cities, but expecting it everywhere is a recipe for frustration.

Just because someone understands English doesn’t mean they want to speak it with you.

In France, speaking English before at least attempting a “Bonjour” is like walking into a dinner party and immediately demanding to be served, it won’t go over well.

What to do instead: Learn the basics. A simple “Hello,” “Please,” and “Thank you” in the local language will get you further than you think.

It’s not about fluency, it’s about respect.

2. “The Customer Is Always Right”

This one is a tough pill for many Americans to swallow, but let me be clear:

Outside the U.S., the customer is not always right. Sometimes, the customer is just annoying.

I once watched a fellow American demand a refund in a Spanish café because their “latte wasn’t hot enough.”

The barista stared at them with a mix of confusion and pity before shrugging and saying, “It’s coffee.”

That was it. That was the whole response.

No apology, no offer to remake it, no concern for their “customer experience.”

In much of Europe and parts of Asia, service culture is different.

Waiters don’t hover around, refilling your drink every 30 seconds.

No one is going to chase you down, demanding their 20% tip.

And arguing with staff like you’re about to call corporate?

That’s not going to end well for you.

What to do instead: Adjust your expectations.

Be patient, be polite, and remember, you’re the one visiting their country, not the other way around.

3. “Tipping Is Universal (Or Optional)”

Speaking of tipping, if there’s one thing that baffles Americans abroad, it’s tipping culture.

We’re so used to our 20% gratuity rule that we either a) assume tipping is expected everywhere or b) refuse to tip where it actually is.

Case in point: A friend of mine (a fellow traveler) once tipped a waiter in Japan, only to have the cash returned to them like they had just insulted the guy’s ancestors.

On the flip side, I’ve seen Americans leave no tip in Italy, completely unaware that while service charges are sometimes included, tipping small amounts is still considered polite.

What to do instead: Do your research. In some countries, tipping is offensive.

In others, it’s an absolute must.

A quick Google search before your trip can save you from looking clueless, or worse, rude.

4. “Laws Work the Same Way Everywhere”

Here’s a fun fact that might save you from a terrifying night in a foreign police station: “I didn’t know that was illegal” is not a valid legal defense.

I once met an American who thought they could casually snap photos inside a government building in Georgia because, and I quote, “It’s a free country.”

It took less than three minutes for security to step in and start asking very pointed questions.

Another time, a fellow expat in Ukraine assumed he could talk his way out of a minor visa issue because “it’s just paperwork.”

And get this: He ended up detained for half a day.

Americans are used to their rights following them around like an invisible shield, but guess what?

Your First Amendment rights don’t mean much in a country with strict censorship laws, and your right to a “fair trial” might look very different elsewhere.

What to do instead: Read up on local laws before you go.

No, really. 

Things like drugs, public behavior, and even visa rules can be completely different from what you’re used to.

5. “Casual Jokes About Politics Are Fine”

Look, I get it. Americans love to joke about politics. 

We roast our leaders on late-night TV, meme every government decision, and argue about elections like it’s a national sport.

But what flies in the U.S. can get you into serious trouble abroad.

A well-meaning British traveler I met in Greece once told me about a casually joke he made about a local politician at a dinner party while in Turkey.

Within five minutes, he had sparked an actual shouting match between two Turks, one of whom was now gesturing wildly with a kebab skewer.

So, if you think a simple joke is risky, just wait until you try discussing politics in a country where people have actually been jailed for it. Like in Turkey.

What to do instead: Read the room.

If you wouldn’t crack a joke about the local government back home in a room full of strangers, don’t do it abroad.

6. “Personal Space and Small Talk Are the Same Everywhere”

Americans love small talk.

“What do you do?”, “Where are you from?”, “How’s your day going?”

Blah, blah, blah…

But guess what? Not every culture shares our enthusiasm for casual conversation.

I’ll never forget the first time I asked a Ukrainian man what he did for work.

His response?

A deadpan stare, followed by, “Business.”

That was it.

No elaboration, no polite follow-up, just a vibe that suggested I should drop it immediately.

Turns out, in many places, discussing your job with strangers is weirdly intrusive.

And then there’s the personal space issue.

Americans tend to like a good arm’s length of breathing room.

Meanwhile, in certain European countries, people will stand so close to you in line that you’ll start questioning if you’re in a relationship.

What to do instead: Observe before you interact.

If people aren’t engaging in chit-chat, take the hint.

If someone stands closer than you’re used to, try not to back away like you’re about to be mugged.

Travel is About Adaptation, Not Expectation

Look, I’ve made every one of these mistakes. I’ve embarrassed myself, annoyed locals, and walked into situations where I was definitely “that American.”

But here’s the thing… that’s how you learn.

Travel isn’t about expecting the world to cater to you.

It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, adapting to new environments, and most importantly, not being the person who demands ice cubes in their wine because “that’s how we do it back home.”

So, what’s the most awkward cultural mistake you’ve ever made abroad? 

The post 6 Dangerous Travel Assumptions That Could Get Americans In Trouble Abroad! appeared first on Expats Planet.

Switzerland, Japan, Norway? Here’s how broke-ass travelers still eat well, sleep comfortably, and live large on a tight budget.

Think You Can’t Afford Switzerland? Think Again…

A friend of mine, let’s call him Greg (because that’s his name), once swore you needed a Rolex just to step foot in Switzerland.

He’s not alone.

Here’s the truth: even the priciest countries can be done on the cheap, if you know where to look.

I’ve traveled through France, Spain, Switzerland and Italy on a budget tighter than Ryanair legroom, and lived to tell the tale.

• No instant noodles.
• No sketchy hostel bunk beds.
• No selling of kidneys.

The trick?

Knowing when to splurge, when to save, and when to laugh at the €6 water in Geneva.

That’s right, 6 shockingly simple hacks to help you do Switzerland (and anywhere else) without going broke.

Free sleeps, cheap feasts, flight tricks, it’s all here!

Don’t spend your Swiss trip living off grocery store bread and regret.

Don’t be Greg!

1. Flight Hacks Airlines Don’t Want You to Know

How Flying When No One Else Wants To Can Save You Hundreds
Want to slash your airfare in half? Fly when nobody else does.

If you’re trying to book flights to Paris in July or Athens in August, congratulations, you’re paying peak sucker prices.

Airlines know desperate vacationers will pay whatever it takes.

But shift your dates just a few weeks off-peak, and suddenly that same flight is a fraction of the cost.

I once snagged a dirt-cheap flight to France in mid-November, why? 

Because while everyone else was waiting for the Christmas markets, I was happily freezing my way through Strasbourg at a discount.

If you can handle a little off-season weather, your wallet will thank you.

The Travel Credit Card Trick That Gets You Free Flights
Think frequent flyer miles are just for business travelers?

Think again.

You don’t even need to fly often, credit card rewards do all the heavy lifting.

I’ve racked up thousands of miles without leaving my couch, just by using the right travel-friendly credit cards.

Sign-up bonuses alone can get you across the Atlantic for free.

Just pay off your balance each month (because nobody wants “credit card debt” as a souvenir).

Hidden City Ticketing: The Loophole Airlines Hate
Want to outsmart an airline?

Book a flight with a layover in your actual destination, then just don’t take the second leg.

Example: A direct flight to Zurich might cost a fortune. But a flight to Warsaw with a layover in Zurich?

Cheaper. So you book that one, and “oops,” you miss your second flight.

Airlines loathe this trick, but as long as you only bring carry-on luggage, it’s perfectly legal.

Just don’t book a round-trip ticket, they’ll cancel the rest of your itinerary faster than you can say “budget traveler.”

2. Free & Dirt-Cheap Places to Sleep That Aren’t Sketchy Hostels

How to Stay in a Luxury Home for Free
Ever wondered how some travelers afford to stay in gorgeous homes for weeks without spending a dime?

Simple: they take care of other people’s pets.

House-sitting is the ultimate hack for getting free accommodation in expensive places.

A friend of mine once stayed in a countryside villa in France just for keeping a cat alive and watering some plants. Not bad, right?

Websites like TrustedHousesitters connect budget travelers with homeowners looking for responsible sitters.

If you can pretend to be an adult for a week, you’re gold.

Hostels: Not Just for Broke Backpackers Anymore
Still picturing hostels as overcrowded bunk beds with snoring backpackers?

Think again.

Modern hostels offer private rooms, rooftop bars, and boutique designs for half the price of a hotel.

I don’t do hostels much these days, but I once scored a private room in Spain with a balcony and free nightly sangria, for less than a sketchy U.S. motel. Win-win.

So, if you’re open to hostels (and don’t mind communal kitchens), you can save a fortune.

Work-for-Stay: How to Travel Without Spending a Cent on Accommodation
Want free lodging and a cool experience? Try volunteering at a hostel, farm, or guesthouse.

I met a traveler in Greece who landed a free room just by helping check in guests and pretending to know how to pour a beer.

Websites like Workaway and Worldpackers offer tons of opportunities if you’re willing to put in a few hours of work.

3. How to Eat Like a King Without Paying Like One

Why Supermarkets Are the Ultimate Budget Hack
Look, I love a good restaurant meal, but I also refuse to pay tourist prices for a mediocre sandwich.

That’s why I hit up local supermarkets and fresh markets whenever I travel.

In France, I had some of my best meals sitting on a park bench with a fresh baguette, local charcuterie, and a bottle of wine that cost less than a single cocktail in Geneva.

Street Food: Cheap, Delicious, and Better Than Most Restaurants
Forget overpriced sit-down meals, the best food is usually sold out of a window or a cart.

Spain? Bocadillos from a bakery for a couple of euros.

Albania? Burek (flaky pastry with meat, cheese, spinach, or potatoes) for the price of pocket change.

The trick? Go where locals are eating, not where there’s an English menu and an overpriced plate of spaghetti.

The Tourist Restaurant Scam (And How to Spot It)
Rule #1 of dining abroad: If someone is outside waving a menu at you… Run!

The best restaurants don’t need to beg for customers.

Instead, walk a few blocks away from tourist areas and look for places packed with locals.

No laminated menus, no aggressive hosts, just good food at the right price.

4. How to Get Around Without Paying Tourist Prices

Public Transit Passes: The Ultimate Savings Trick
Nothing drains your budget faster than taking taxis everywhere.

Instead, grab a multi-day or weekly public transit pass.

When I stayed in Poland, a monthly transit pass cost me less than two taxi rides.

Trust me, learn the metro, save your cash.

Walk More, Spend Less
The best way to explore any city? Walk!

Not only is it free, but you’ll see way more than you would crammed in a taxi.

The Right Way to Use Rideshares and Taxis
If you must take a taxi, never hail one off the street, you’re basically asking to get ripped off.

Use apps like Bolt or local ride-hailing services (they’re often cheaper than Uber).

5. How to Do Expensive Activities Without the Expensive Part

Free Museums & Attractions (Yes, They Exist!)
A lot of major cities offer free museum days, you just need to plan ahead.

In Paris, the Louvre is free on the first Sunday of the month.

In Spain, many museums have specific free-entry hours.

Check the city’s tourism website before you go, you might save a ridiculous amount of money.

City Passes: Genius or Scam?
Some cities offer tourist passes that include multiple attractions for a set price.

Sometimes they’re worth it. Sometimes they’re just a tourist tax in disguise.

Travel tip: Add up the cost of the attractions you actually want to visit.

If the pass is cheaper, go for it. If not, skip it and spend your money on something better (like street food).

The Free Alternative to Expensive Tours
Instead of paying for overpriced bus tours, look for “free walking tours”.

They’re run by locals who actually know what they’re talking about and they work on tips, so you decide what the tour was worth.

6. How to Avoid Tourist Traps & Keep More of Your Money

Currency Exchange Scams
Airport exchange booths? Just light your money on fire.

Use ATMs! But decline their “conversion offer.”

If you accept, you’re getting ripped off. 

Let your bank do the math, not the scammy machine.

Tipping Culture: Where You’re Overpaying for No Reason
Americans, listen up: Tipping 20% everywhere is not a thing outside the U.S.

If you don’t know the tipping norms, Google it before you blindly add 20% to your tab.

Souvenir Shops Are a Scam! Here’s Where to Buy Instead
If a store sells miniature Eiffel Towers, magnets, and shot glasses with the city name slapped on them… Run!

You’re in a tourist trap paying triple the real price.

Instead, hit up outdoor markets, craft fairs, even supermarkets for cheaper, legit souvenirs.

You Don’t Have to Be Rich… Just Smart

You can do expensive countries on a budget, without living like a broke ass backpacker.

The trick? Think like a local, not a tourist.

Travel off-season, skip overpriced hotels, eat where locals actually eat.

And for the love of espresso, don’t pay €7 for Starbucks in some Disneyfied town square.

Now your turn, what’s your best budget travel hack?

The post 6 Surprisingly Affordable Ways To Travel Expensive Countries Without Feeling Like A Broke Ass Loser! appeared first on Expats Planet.

Have you ever come back from a vacation feeling like you need another one?

You know the experience… 

Instead of that Instagram-worthy “transformational journey,” you ended up with a maxed-out credit card, a sunburn, and that icky feeling you got ripped off at every turn… like paying $15 for a bottle of water. 

“Yeah, me too.”

For years, I thought traveling was about seeing it all, doing it all, and proving it all. 

If I didn’t hit every landmark, pick up every cheesy souvenir, and suffer through at least one 6-hour bus ride next to a guy eating hard boiled eggs, was it even a trip? 

But somewhere between getting shoved in a mob at the Trevi Fountain and paying an offensive amount of money for a “bucket list” experience that felt more like a hostage situation, I had a revelation.

Some places just aren’t worth it.

That’s right, just because a destination is famous doesn’t mean it’s actually any good. 

The Eiffel Tower is beautiful…until you realize you’re wedged between 4,000 tourists, half-watching a sketchy shell game, while a pickpocket goes through your backpack.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Great, if you enjoy the collective cringe of watching grown adults mime holding it up for a photo.

And let’s not even start on Mykonos unless you have a trust fund or an influencer brand deal.

But here’s the good news!

For every overpriced tourist trap, there’s a better, cheaper, and far more rewarding spot. One where you can hear yourself think, eat without going broke, and actually experience the place instead of just surviving it.

So before you book that next trip, let’s talk about the places that wasted my time, and where you should go instead.

1. Tourist Trap: Mykonos, Greece

Why It’s a Tourist Trap: Mykonos is Santorini’s evil twin.

In other words, it’s yet another Greek island of overpriced cocktails, overcrowded beaches, and influencers striking poses like their lives depend on it.

If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping ouzo while overlooking the Aegean, prepare instead to fight for elbow room with a group of TikTokers live-streaming their vacation.

Your wallet will also hate you. Everything costs double what it should.

1. Hotels? Overpriced.
2. Beach chairs? You have to pay for them or face the beach chair mafia.
3. A cocktail? Hope you’re ready to spend €20 on a watered-down margarita.
4. Hidden beaches are a lie. That “untouched paradise” you saw on Instagram? It’s currently hosting 500 tourists and a DJ blasting house music at 2 PM.
5. The nightlife is only for trust fund kids. Want a night out? Get ready to take out a small loan for the privilege of standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a club where drinks cost more than your flight.

Where You Should Go Instead: Naxos, Greece

• Want that Greek island beauty without needing to sell a kidney to afford dinner? Go to Naxos. 
• Same whitewashed beauty, fewer crowds. Naxos has the charm, the views, and the food, but without the influencer invasion.
• The beaches are actually enjoyable. Imagine lying on the sand without someone setting up a tripod two feet away.
• Food that doesn’t require financial ruin. Fresh seafood, real Greek hospitality, and actual affordability.

Go to Naxos. You’ll thank me later.

2. Tourist Trap: The Champs-Élysées, Paris, France

Why It’s a Tourist Trap: The Champs-Élysées is supposedly “the most beautiful avenue in the world.”

Unless you think being wedged between 5,000 tourists and pickpockets while dodging aggressive street vendors is beautiful, let’s rethink that.

1. It’s a glorified outdoor mall. Louis Vuitton, Sephora, and McDonald’s, because nothing screams “authentic Paris” like spending €15 on a cappuccino next to a fast-food chain you can find back home.
2. Scammers and street hawkers galore. Hope you like being aggressively sold miniature Eiffel Tower keychains every five feet.
3. A selfie-stick minefield. You won’t get that dreamy Parisian stroll. You’ll get stuck behind a group taking 27 photos of the same angle.

Where You Should Go Instead: Annecy, France

Want that romantic French experience without being elbowed by tourists? Annecy is your answer.

• Picture-perfect canals and cobblestone streets. They call it the “Venice of the Alps” for a reason.
• Genuine French charm. No overpriced luxury stores, just real markets, local shops, and a stunning lake.
• You can actually enjoy your coffee. And it won’t cost as much as a small apartment.

Skip the tourist circus, go to Annecy.

3. Tourist Trap: The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Why It’s a Tourist Trap: After you take the obligatory “holding up the tower” photo, what’s left? A wildly underwhelming experience.

1. The tower is smaller than you think. It looks massive in photos. In real life, it’s… not.
2. Pisa itself isn’t much to write home about. You’ll find overpriced restaurants with mediocre food, all conveniently located to trap hungry tourists.
3. The gimmick is exhausting. Watching hundreds of people fake-holding-up the tower? More depressing than entertaining.

Where You Should Go Instead: Bologna, Italy

Want a real Italian experience? Skip Pisa, head to Bologna.

• Medieval towers you can actually climb. No awkward posing required.
• The best food in Italy. Tagliatelle al ragù, mortadella, fresh handmade pasta, it’s a food paradise.
• A city that feels alive, not staged. Bologna is vibrant, historic, and authentic.

Go to Bologna. Your stomach will thank you.

4. Tourist Trap: The Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

Why It’s a Tourist Trap: Legend says throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain guarantees your return to Rome. What it doesn’t tell you is that it also guarantees:

1. A stampede of tourists. You won’t have a peaceful moment here. You’ll be shoved, trampled, and yelled at.
2. An overpriced, chaotic mess. Street vendors, pickpockets, and the sheer volume of people make this an exhausting experience.
3. A rushed visit. Blink and it’s over. Hope you enjoyed the view (over the heads of 500 other tourists).

Where You Should Go Instead: Verona, Italy

Want a romantic Italian escape without the madness? Verona is perfect.

• Medieval streets, Roman ruins, and fewer crowds.
• Ponte Pietra: a stunning Roman bridge over the Adige River.
• Piazza delle Erbe: one of Italy’s most beautiful squares.

Rome is incredible, but the Trevi Fountain?

Not so much. Try Verona instead.

5. Tourist Trap: Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Why It’s a Tourist Trap: It’s a fairy tale castle… until you realize the nightmare you signed up for.

1. Long lines, overpriced tours, and no photos inside. Fun!
2. The “scenic hike” is just a crowded walkway. Forget a peaceful trek, this is a human traffic jam.
3. The best views are from far away. Which makes you ask the question, “Why go in at all?”

Where You Should Go Instead: Burg Eltz, Germany

For a real medieval castle experience without the tourist insanity, head to Burg Eltz.

• Hidden deep in a lush forest. It looks straight out of a fantasy novel.
• Fewer crowds, more authenticity.
• No overpriced nonsense.

Neuschwanstein is for postcards.

Burg Eltz is for people who actually like castles.

6. Tourist Trap: Manneken Pis, Brussels, Belgium

Why It’s a Tourist Trap: Brussels’ famous Manneken Pis, is a tiny statue of a peeing boy. That’s it. That’s the whole attraction.

1. It’s ridiculously small. You’ll blink and miss it.
2. The crowds are absurd. Imagine a massive group huddled around something that’s two feet tall.
3. It’s in the middle of a tourist trap zone. Overpriced food, tacky souvenirs, the works.

Where You Should Go Instead: The Grand Béguinage, Leuven, Belgium

Want something actually worth seeing? Leuven’s Grand Béguinage.

• A beautifully preserved medieval quarter.
• Peaceful streets, canals, and incredible architecture.
• A real step back in time, without the tourist chaos.

7. Tourist Trap: Mont Saint-Michel, France

Why It’s a Tourist Trap: It looks mystical in photos. In reality? A logistical nightmare.

1. It’s packed with tourists. Imagine Disneyland on the busiest day of the year.
2. It’s filled with tacky shops. Half of them don’t even sell anything local.
3. Everything is overpriced, even the coffee.

Where You Should Go Instead: Étretat, France

For those “breathtaking coastal views” without the crowds, go to Étretat.

• Dramatic white chalk cliffs and stunning rock formations.
• A peaceful village, no tourist madness.
• It’s just as beautiful as it looks, no filters needed.

Not Every Famous Spot Is Worth It

Some places look incredible online but feel like a regret-filled money pit in real life.

Before you book that trip, ask yourself: 

Are you going because you truly want to? 

Or because the internet told you to?

Have you ever visited a place that didn’t live up to the hype? 

I told you mine…

The post 7 European Tourist Traps That Wasted My Time! Here’s Where You Should Go Instead… appeared first on Expats Planet.

If not speaking the language is your excuse for not moving abroad, scrap it. 

It’s useless. 

I’ve moved to Ukraine, France, Georgia, Albania and beyond. Some with barely enough local words to order a beer, and I survived. Even thrived.

In Ukraine, I arrived in 1999 knowing three Russian words, yet I still managed to haggle with babushkas and dodge mayonnaise-covered disasters.

In France, I thought my college French would be my golden ticket, until I realized Parisian bakers don’t care how well you pronounce “croissant,” just how fast you order and leave.

The myth of the “language barrier” is nonsense.

People picture themselves stuck in an endless game of charades, but the reality? 

Most of the world is built to accommodate foreigners who don’t speak the language.

I’ve seen people obsess over Duolingo for months, only to realize 90% of it is useless in real life, while others land with zero prep and still find jobs, homes, and relationships.

So if you’re holding yourself back because you don’t speak the language, you’re making excuses. 

Keep reading, I’m about to prove you wrong.

1. You Need Less Language Than You Think… A Lot Less

People have this idea that if they move to a non-English-speaking country, they need to arrive like some linguistic warrior, fluent and ready to debate politics with the locals over coffee.

Let me tell you right now, that’s nonsense. 

You don’t need fluency.

You don’t even need competency.

You need the bare minimum.

When I moved to Ukraine in 1998, my Russian vocabulary consisted of “hello,” “thank you,” and “beer.” That was it.

And yet, I still managed to find an apartment, buy groceries, make friends, and navigate a completely foreign city.

Sure, there were some rough moments, like the time I confidently ordered what I thought was a chicken dish and ended up with something resembling a jellied fish coffin (holodets, I’m looking at you).

But for the most part? I got by.

The secret? You only need about 100–200 essential words to survive.

Learn how to say yes, no, how much, where is, toilet, thank you, and a few numbers, and you’ll be fine.

Most daily interactions are predictable: buying food, getting directions, ordering coffee, and you don’t need a deep vocabulary for those.

The truth is, most locals don’t expect you to be fluent. 

In fact, they’re usually amused (or mildly horrified) by your attempts.

But if you’re willing to point, gesture, and butcher their language with confidence, you’ll be just fine.

2. Your Smartphone Is Your Best Travel Buddy

Back in 1999, there was no Google Translate app, no DeepL, no real-time speech recognition.

You either learned some local phrases or ended up accidentally ordering something with pickled herring in it.

Now?

Technology has completely removed the need to panic about language barriers.

Apps like Google Translate and DeepL can turn you into a functional local in seconds.

I’ve used Google Lens to translate entire menus in Albania, decipher grocery labels and even scan street signs in Georgia.

Then there’s navigation.

When I first moved abroad, I had to memorize landmarks and pray I didn’t end up in some abandoned Soviet factory.

Now, with Google Maps, you can literally walk around a city where you don’t know a single word and still find your way home.

• Ordering food? Point, scan, and nod.
• Need directions? Hand your phone to a local and let the app talk for you.

There’s really no excuse anymore.

If you can work a smartphone, you can survive anywhere.

3. Reading the Room Is More Important Than Reading the Dictionary

You know what’s better than speaking a foreign language? Knowing when to shut up and read the room.

Cultural adaptation isn’t about words. It’s about understanding people.

I learned this the hard way in Ukraine, where I casually asked a friend’s boyfriend what he did for a living.

Seems harmless, right? Wrong. 

His answer?

A cold, dead stare followed by, ”None of your business.”

Turns out, in post-Soviet countries at the time (1999), asking someone about their job wasn’t just small talk, it was borderline interrogation.

Meanwhile, in France, you better say “Bonjour” when entering an establishment before anything else or expect instant customer service hostility.

Even if you’re saying it to no one in particular or in the air.

And let’s not even get into how staring at strangers on public transport is a crime against humanity in most of Europe.

Bottom line? 

Your survival abroad isn’t about perfect grammar, it’s about blending in.

Watch how locals interact. 

See how much eye contact they use, how close they stand, whether they gesture a lot or barely move their faces. 

Copy that, and you’re already ahead of most clueless tourists.

4. Expats & Locals Will Bridge the Gap for You

Here’s the secret most people don’t realize: you are never truly alone in any country.

Every major city has an expat community.

There are English-speaking meetups, international bars, and people who’ve been in your shoes and are more than happy to help.

In Tbilisi, I met an entire crew of expats who didn’t speak a word of Georgian but had been living there for years.

Then there are locals who WANT to practice their English.

In Spain, random strangers would start chatting with me just because they wanted to test their English skills.

In France, I had people switch from French to English the moment they realized I wasn’t fluent, without me even asking.

It’s actually frustrating and feels a little condescending to someone trying to improve their French… 

You’re not an island.

There are always people willing to help, you just have to show up.

5. You Can Work & Live in English More Than You Think

People assume they need to learn a language fluently before they can get a job abroad.

Not true.

I’ve worked as an English teacher, an examiner, and in freelance writing without ever needing fluency in the local language.

Many international companies, embassies, and remote jobs function entirely in English.

Even local jobs that might require some language skills are often way more forgiving than you think.

In Ukraine as an English teacher, I was actually discouraged from using the local language all together since they wanted to provide an English only, immersive environment for their students.

If you can speak English and have a skill, you can find work.

Online or Offline.

Period.

6. The Unexpected Perks of NOT Speaking the Language

You know what’s great about not understanding the local language? 

Blissful ignorance.

1. You don’t have to get sucked into local political debates.
2. You don’t have to listen to annoying gossip at the café.
3. You can walk through life completely unaware of passive-aggressive remarks being thrown in your direction.

It’s liberating.

And sometimes, not knowing what’s going on works in your favor.

In Kyiv, I once accidentally crashed a wedding reception, thinking it was just a restaurant event.

Instead of kicking me out, they welcomed me in because they assumed I was a confused foreigner who had somehow been invited.

Ignorance? Sometimes, it’s golden.

7. The Easiest Way to Learn a Language (If You Want To)

Alright, so let’s say you DO want to learn the language eventually.

What’s the best way?

• Talk to people. No app, no book, no online course will ever teach you as fast as getting out there and struggling through real conversations.
• Get a local hobby. Join a gym, a dance class, or even a local hiking group. The more you integrate, the faster you’ll pick things up.
• Date a local. It’s the oldest language-learning trick in the book. Want to learn fast? Fall in love with someone who doesn’t speak your language.

If you immerse yourself, you’ll pick up more in three months than most people do in three years of language classes.

Why Fear of the Language Barrier Shouldn’t Stop You

At this point, if you’re still thinking, “But I don’t speak the language…” stop. That excuse is officially dead.

People have been moving to new countries for centuries without fluency, and they survived just fine.

The modern world makes it easier than ever.

You have technology, expat communities, English-friendly workplaces, and endless resources at your disposal.

The only real barrier? Your own fear.

• So, what’s stopping you?
• Have you ever moved somewhere without speaking the language?
• What’s your best (or worst) language mishap? 

The post 7 Reasons Moving To A Non-English-Speaking Country Is Easier Than You Think! appeared first on Expats Planet.

We’ve all been there, returning home from a trip feeling more drained than when we left.

It’s the travel equivalent of binge-watching a TV show only to realize you remember none of it.

That’s because most of us aren’t really*experiencing our trips, we’re just collecting places like Pokémon.

I used to be a champion at this. I’d rush through landmarks, snap a quick pic for proof, and move on.

I once spent 24 hours in Madrid, technically visited, but all I really remember is sprinting through the Prado like I was on an episode of The Amazing Race.

My passport had stamps, but my memories? A blur.

Hell, I don’t even take photos when I travel!

Then one day, it hit me. 

The best trips, the ones that actually meant something, weren’t the whirlwind bucket list tours.

They were the ones where I had a purpose. 

When I spent time in Georgia, I wasn’t just “visiting.”

I was trying to understand how a country that’s at a literal crossroads of Europe and Asia manages to have its own fiercely unique identity.

In Ukraine, grocery shopping became a language lesson.

In North Macedonia, what started as a casual dinner invitation from my Airbnb landlords, turned into a deep dive into the country’s post-Yugoslavian history over homemade rakija.

The difference?

I wasn’t just looking at these places, I was learning from them.

And that’s when travel stops being a fleeting escape and starts becoming something that actually stays with you.

So how do you do it?

Here’s how traveling with purpose transforms the experience, and how you can do it too.

1. You Build Deeper Cultural Connections

There’s a massive difference between seeing a country and understanding it.

Tourists see the surface.

Travelers with purpose dig deeper.

When I lived in Albania, I learned that real cultural connections don’t happen in museums, they happen in living rooms and backstreet cafes.

I met a local on the minibus ride to the coastal city of Vlore who insisted I join his family for lunch, and what started as a quick meal turned into an entire afternoon of storytelling.

Before I knew it, I had a front-row seat to a personal history lesson on Enver Hoxha’s bizarre dictatorship.

Listening to my host, it became clear just how deeply his peculiar brand of communism had shaped not just their family, but nearly every Albanian I’d meet along the way.

You don’t get that from a guided tour.

The same thing happened in Georgia.

It wasn’t the centuries-old monasteries that helped me understand the country, it was standing in the kitchen of my favorite Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi.

This restaurant wasn’t in the most touristy and popular district of Tbilisi, but in the neighborhood I had come to call “home”.

I was given the honor of learning how to make khinkali (dumplings) from a woman who had come to treat me like an adopted son.

Want real cultural experiences?

Here’s the secret:

• Get out of the tourist districts.
• Accept at least one invitation from a local.
• Learn their traditions instead of forcing yours on them.

2. You Learn a New Language (Faster Than You Think)

You don’t need Rosetta Stone when you have real-life struggle.

When I first moved to Ukraine, I barely knew any Russian and even less Ukrainian.

But you know what’s a great teacher? Survival.

Want bread? You better figure out how to say it.

Need a bus ticket? You’ll learn the phrase real quick after getting scolded by a cashier.

Language immersion forces you to adapt. You stop relying on translations and start piecing together meaning.

And the best part? People appreciate the effort.

Even if you’re butchering their language, locals respect that you’re trying.

I’ve had doors open for me (literally and figuratively) just because I made the effort.

Tips for language immersion:

• Learn the real basics first (how to order food, ask for directions, not just “hello”).
• Let yourself make mistakes. Embarrassment is part of the learning process.
• Make friends with someone who refuses to speak English with you.

3. You Gain a New Perspective on Home

Nothing warps your worldview faster than seeing your own country through someone else’s eyes.

When I first started living abroad, I assumed everything American was just “normal.”

But the moment I left, I realized just how different we are.

Take work culture Americans brag about, “grind and hustle”.

Meanwhile, in Spain, I watched entire cities shut down in the afternoon for siesta.

In France, a new friend I had made laughed when I told him I had a job that only gave two weeks of vacation.

“Is that even legal?” he asked, genuinely concerned.

Then there’s the obsession with personal space. I learned in Ukraine that standing too far from someone can make you seem unfriendly.

In France, eating alone in a restaurant often meant they’d seat me with a stranger, which make for some great, unexpected dining experiences and a great way to meet new people…

Imagine trying that in an American restaurant.

Lessons from coming home after living abroad:

• The things you thought were “universal” probably aren’t.
• Reverse culture shock is real, prepare to feel like a foreigner in your own country.
• You’ll start noticing things about home that you never questioned before.

 4. Set a Clear Travel Goal

Ask yourself: “What do I actually want to experience?”

Most people just pick destinations based on what looks good on Instagram.

But a purposeful trip has a mission.

Maybe it’s learning Flamenco in Spain instead of just taking selfies in front of the Alhambra.

Maybe it’s diving into history in Poland instead of just grabbing pierogi and calling it a day.

The more intentional your goal, the more memorable your trip.

5. Choose the Right Destination for Your Purpose

Where you go dictates the experience.

• Want to learn a language? Go somewhere that forces you to use it (France, Spain, Ukraine).
• Want deep history? Try Poland or Albania, you’ll get more than you bargained for.
• Want a complete cultural shift? Go somewhere outside your comfort zone (Bulgaria, Albania or North Macedonia).

And if you’re volunteering?

Please, for the love of travel, pick a place where you’ll actually contribute something valuable, not just snap photos for social media.

6. Live Like a Local (Even If You’re Just Visiting)

Skip the overpriced hotels. Forget the tourist trap restaurants.

Follow locals.

When I first moved to Tbilisi, I was lured into an “authentic local” spot right in the heart of tourist central.

Sure enough (surprise, surprise), I was shocked to find myself surrounded by other clueless foreigners fumbling through overpriced menus.

However, the real local spot?

Turns out, the real “hidden find” was hiding right under my nose, in the outer-district neighborhood I’d originally picked to save money and avoid the tourist crowds in the first place.

Go figure!

In this so-called “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant, nobody spoke English, the food was half the price, and the owner poured me homemade wine on the house.

I became a regular from that very first night!

Want to travel like a local? Do this:

• Use public transportation.
• Stay in small guesthouses, even individually family owned Airbnbs, not chains.
• Observe first, participate second.

7. Document Your Journey, For Yourself, Not Just Social Media

I hate taking photos!

There, I said it!

But, for years, I’ve dragged around this strange sense of guilt for not “capturing memories” on film and plastering them all over Facebook.

But honestly, who really wants to see yet another cheesy YOLO cliché clogging up their feed anyway?

But here’s the thing, the best travel moments can’t be captured anyway.

The real stories, the ones you’ll tell years later, won’t be the ones on Instagram of Facebook.

They’ll be the weird, awkward, unexpectedly human moments.

Like the time I researching my family roots in a village in Northern Italy and ended up at a local historian’s home, having dinner with his wonderful family.

Or the first time I tried (and failed spectacularly) to impress a group of Ukrainians by downing a shot of vodka like a local.

Always keep a travel journal, even if it reads like drunk texts or scribbles at 2 a.m. 

Trust me, your future self will thank you when you’re flipping through those notes and thinking, “Wait, did that really happen?”

Newsflash: It did!

Travel With Purpose, Change Your Life

Traveling with purpose isn’t about checking off places, it’s about collecting experiences that actually matter.

So next time you plan a trip, ask yourself: Are you just passing through, or are you actually experiencing it?

And if you’ve had a travel moment that changed you, I want to hear it.

The post 7 Ways Purposeful Travel Abroad Will Change Your Life Forever And How To Do It Right! appeared first on Expats Planet.

You just landed in Tbilisi or Kyiv, fresh off the plane, feeling like a seasoned traveler. 

After all, you’ve tackled the Paris Metro, survived a tuk-tuk ride in Bangkok, and even navigated New York City without getting scammed into a $40 hot dog. 

What could possibly throw you off here?

Fast forward two hours… 

You’re standing in front of a mystifying wall of Cyrillic letters or Georgian script, trying to decipher whether the sign says “hotel,” “police station,” or “beware of dog.”

A taxi driver grins at you like he’s just won the lottery, quoting a price that sounds suspiciously like your entire daily budget.

Welcome to the post-Soviet travel experience.

If your travel experience consists of Google Maps, tap-to-pay, and menus in English, stepping into the ex-Soviet world is like switching from autopilot to survival mode.

Bureaucracy still carries the ghost of Soviet-era inefficiency, public transport has an unspoken code only locals understand, and customs.

For example, like never giving an even number of flowers unless someone’s dead.

These are a minefield waiting to be stepped on.

I once watched another American in Georgia order a coffee in English and got chacha, because who needs caffeine when you have jet fuel? 

His face said it all…

This was not a latte.

But don’t worry. I’ve been there, confused and lost, so you don’t have to be.

From taxi scams to bureaucratic black holes, I’ve got you covered.

Stick with me, and you won’t accidentally earn you the frostiest glare of your life abroad.

Here are five of the most baffling realities of traveling in post-Soviet countries, and how to get around them like a pro.

1. Bureaucracy: Paperwork, Stamps, and the Art of Waiting

Welcome to the post-Soviet world, where paperwork reigns supreme and efficiency is just a rumor.

If you think getting through TSA at JFK is a nightmare, just wait until you try buying a local SIM card in Ukraine.

I remember the first time I attempted this “simple” task.

A five-minute purchase turned into a full-blown interrogation.

The mobile store employee scrutinized my passport like I was applying for state secrets, filled out paperwork manually, then, get this, hand-copied the same information onto another form.

And then another.

The entire ordeal took an hour, and by the end of it, I half-expected to be fingerprinted.

And don’t even get me started on visas and registration.

In some places, simply entering the country is not enough, you need to “register” yourself with immigration authorities or risk an awkward chat with the police later.

How to Handle It:

• Bring physical copies of your passport and visa. Some offices won’t accept digital versions.
• Expect delays and a lot of redundant paperwork. Channel your inner Zen master.
• If dealing with visas, research extensively before arrival. Some visas require registration within a few days of arrival, and missing the deadline can mean hefty fines, or worse, a forced exit.

2. Language Barrier: More Than Just Lost in Translation

In Western Europe, you can get by pretty well with English, hand gestures, and the occasional botched attempt at the local language.

In the post-Soviet world? 

Good luck.

English is not a given, even in capital cities.

The Cyrillic alphabet alone is enough to make your head spin, and don’t assume Google Translate will bail you out.

And… 

Not all post-Soviet countries use Cyrillic anymore. 

Just try deciphering the Georgian alphabet.

On top of that, some phrases just don’t translate well.

Like the time in Tbilisi when I confidently strode into a café, pointed to an item on the menu, and asked for ”one coffee, please” in my best attempt at Georgian.

The barista just stared.

I tried again, slowly and clearly, thinking maybe I’d mumbled.

Nothing.

Turns out, I was mispronouncing the word so badly that it didn’t even register as Georgian.

I might as well have been ordering in Klingon.

How to Handle It:

• Learn the basics: “Hello,” “Thank you,” “How much?” and “Where is the toilet?” will get you further than you think.
• Use offline translation apps: like Google Translate and Yandex. Just be aware, translations can be…creative.
• Don’t assume younger people speak English. Unlike parts of Europe, where English is a second language, many locals simply don’t use it.

3. Public Transportation: A Lesson in Chaos and Survival

Kyiv’s metro system is a dream: fast, cheap, and efficient.

However, in reality at rush hour?

It could be an underground gladiator match where personal space is a myth, station names are exclusively in Cyrillic, and the escalators descend at speeds that make you reconsider all your life choices.

I’ll never forget my first solo metro ride in Kyiv in 1999. 

I hopped on confidently, except there was no Google Maps, just blind optimism and a Cyrillic alphabet I couldn’t read.

I went three stops in the wrong direction before realizing my mistake.

To turn around, I had to navigate a labyrinth of tunnels, dodge elderly women carrying bags twice their size, and try decoding a station map that looked like it belonged in a Cold War intelligence report.

And then there’s the marshrutkas. 

Those rickety, unpredictable and packed minibuses that seem to operate on sheer willpower rather than an actual schedule.

They’re cheap, they’re crowded, and they stop whenever and wherever the driver feels like it.

How to Handle It:

• Download city transport apps before arriving. Local apps often work better than Google Maps.
• Ask a local if you’re unsure. The babushka sitting next to you probably knows exactly where you need to go.
• If taking a marshrutka, have exact change ready and expect some acrobatics when getting off, it often involves jumping out before the driver even fully stops.

4. Local Customs: The Unwritten Rules That Could Make or Break Your Trip

Think small talk is universal? Think again.

One of the biggest lessons I learned early in 1999 post-Soviet Ukraine was not to ask people what they do for a living.

In the U.S., it’s normal.

In the post-Soviet world?

Not so much. But, times are changing though..

I found this out the hard way when I casually asked a guy at a small get-together what he did for work.

He stared at me, narrowed his eyes, and said, “Business.” I smiled and asked, “Oh? What kind of business?” His reply? “Just business.”

Conversation over.

And that’s just one example…

• Give an even number of flowers? You’ve just given someone funeral flowers.
• Smile too much at a stranger? You might get mistaken for an unhinged tourist.
• Forget International Women’s Day? Good luck explaining that one to every woman in the country.

How to Handle It:

• Read up on cultural taboos before you go. A little awareness goes a long way.
• Watch before you act. Locals will show you what’s acceptable.
• When in doubt, err on the side of formality. Being too casual too soon can come off as rude.

5. The “Anything Can Be Negotiated” Mentality

In the post-Soviet world, nothing has a fixed price, especially if you’re a foreigner.

If you don’t negotiate, you’re practically donating to the local economy.

The worst offenders? Taxi drivers.

In Tbilisi, I once hopped into a taxi without asking the price first, a rookie mistake.

By the time we arrived at my destination, the driver casually quoted me a price three times what it should have been.

I laughed, shook my head, and started opening the door.

That’s when the real negotiation began.

Rule of thumb: If a driver or market vendor throws out a high price, cut it in half and start bargaining from there.

How to Handle It:

• NEVER take the first price. It’s almost always inflated.
• Learn key negotiation phrases like “That’s too expensive” in the local language.
• If possible, use ride-hailing apps like Bolt or Yandex Taxi to avoid the taxi scam altogether.

Embrace the Confusion

Traveling in the post-Soviet world isn’t always smooth, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

The bureaucratic madness, the mystery-meat menus, the marshrutkas that seem to defy the laws of physics, these are the things that make for the best stories.

1. Will you get lost? Probably.
2. Will you accidentally offend someone? Almost definitely.
3. Will you come out of it with some of the wildest, funniest, and most eye-opening travel experiences of your life? Absolutely.

So embrace the confusion.

Learn as you go. Laugh at the missteps.

And if all else fails? Just smile, nod, and pretend you totally understand what’s happening.

Have you ever faced a bizarre or unexpected challenge while traveling in a post-Soviet country?

The post 5 Confusing Realities Of Traveling In Post-Soviet Countries And Getting Around Like A Pro! appeared first on Expats Planet.

I once made a man in Ukraine go from smiling to staring at me like I’d just asked for his bank PIN and his grandmother’s secret borscht recipe in one breath.

All I said was, “So, what do you do?”

Seems harmless, right? In the U.S., that’s standard small talk, right up there with “How about this weather?” and “Did you see the game last night?”

But in post-Soviet Ukraine back in 1999, that question wasn’t just nosy. It was borderline offensive.

Big mistake!

Turns out, what’s innocent small talk in America can sound like an FBI interrogation overseas.

That was the day I realized that some of the most casual, everyday questions in one culture can come across as rude, invasive, or just plain bizarre in another.

It’s not just in Ukraine. 

I’ve accidentally set off cultural landmines in Spain, Georgia, and even France, where a bartender in Dieppe mistook “How are you?” as permission to unload his entire existential crisis.

One innocent question, and suddenly, I’m the unwilling therapist to a man questioning his life choices over a glass of pastis.

So, if you think you’re just making polite conversation while traveling or chatting with someone from another country, think again.

What sounds like harmless small talk can hit like a bad joke, then turn into awkward silence.

That silence won’t just haunt you for days either. 

It’ll replay in your head at 2 a.m. like the world’s most cringeworthy highlight reel.

Alright, so brace yourself! Here are 10 innocent-sounding questions that might just makes someone from another country stare, cringe, or straight-up walk away…

The 10 Things You Should Never Say… And Why

1. ”So, What Do You Think About the U.S. President?”

Ask this in the U.S., and you’ll get a heated opinion and amateur political punditry.

Ask it abroad, and you might start an international incident.

I once brought up U.S. politics over drinks in Spain, thinking it would be light, but interesting conversation…

Instead, a man’s face turned red, fists clenched, and suddenly, I was trapped in a TED Talk on NATO and global affairs.

In France, my best friend’s brother launched into a 30-minute tirade about U.S. imperial aggression, waving his wine glass so aggressively I half-expected him to declare a “Workers of the World Unite” revolution right there at dinner.

In some countries, this question sparks outrage, in others, a geopolitical meltdown right before your very eyes.

Either way, unless you’re prepared to defend every U.S. policy since the Cold War, maybe stick to safer topics, like sports.

But even that’s risky in the UK, especially soccer.

2. “What Do You Do?” 

In America, this is standard small talk. Abroad? It can come off as prying into someone’s tax returns.

The first time I made this mistake was in 1999 in post-Soviet Ukraine.

Sitting at a table in a simple gathering with a drink, I tried to break the ice with some small talk and casually asked my girlfriend’s friend’s boyfriend, “So, what do you do?”

His answer: “Business.”

Curious, I asked, “Oh, what kind of business?”

His response, with a slight lean forward and an eyebrow raise: “Just business.”

Did I stop? 

Of course not.

“What kind of business is ‘just business’?” I persisted with a little humor mixed in to ease the growing awkwardness.

He shot me a look colder than a Kyiv winter and said, “None of your business.”

Moral of the story: In some cultures, asking about someone’s work isn’t just nosy it can feel intrusive, even suspicious. At least it was in 1999 post-Soviet Ukraine…

3. “How Are You?” 

You might think this is the safest question of all. But in some cultures, it’s an actual question, not a meaningless pleasantry.

Take France, for example. I once greeted a bartender in Dieppe with a cheerful “How are you?” expecting the standard “Good, you?” in return.

Instead, I got a five-minute rant about his boss, his neighbor’s dog, the off-season tourist lull, the failing French economy, and an existential crisis about the meaning of life.

Lesson learned: Be careful what you ask for.

4. “You Speak English So Well!” 

You might mean this as a compliment, but it often lands like an insult.

Why? Because it assumes they shouldn’t speak English well.

Or that it’s some extraordinary feat rather than something they’ve been doing since grade school.

I once witnessed a fellow foreigner at a local Irish Pub in Tbilisi tell a well-spoken Georgian woman, “Wow, your English is amazing!”

She just smirked and said, “Thanks. So is yours.”

5. “How Much Did That Cost?” 

Unless you want to be stared at like you just licked a subway pole, avoid asking about money.

A fellow pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago in Spain casually mentioned how cheap his meal was when the bill arrived.

The locals reacted as if he’d just asked for some ketchup to put on his paella.

In some cultures, discussing prices is crass.

In others, it’s straight-up taboo.

So unless you’re at a flea market negotiating over a fake Gucci belt, steer clear of price talk.

6. “Do You Believe in God?” 

Unless you want to turn your casual conversation into an impromptu TED Talk, or a full-blown debate… skip this one.

I once met a backpacker in a Spanish hostel who, in his attempt at friendly conversation, asked someone about their faith.

Within minutes, half the hostel common room had joined the discussion, voices were rising, and it looked like we were one comment away from a full-blown theological standoff.

Religion isn’t small talk. It’s dynamite. Handle with care.

7. “Are You Married? Why Not?”

Somewhere in the world, there’s a person still recovering from the time I made this mistake.

In some places, marriage is everything.

In others, the idea of asking about someone’s relationship status is as personal as asking for their medical history.

A traveler I met in Mexico once casually asked a local woman why she wasn’t married yet.

Her face dropped. The air got thick.

Someone cleared their throat.

And that traveler suddenly wished they had asked literally anything else.

8. “Smile! You Look So Serious.” 

You ever tell a German to smile? I have. Never again.

Not everyone walks around grinning like a contestant on “The Price is Right”.

Some cultures reserve smiles for when they actually mean them.

In France, a stranger smiling at you in public might be seen as creepy.

In Ukraine, it might make you look a little unhinged or you’re looking to scam them.

So if someone isn’t smiling, it’s probably not because they forgot how.

9. “Wow, Your Accent Is So… Cute!” 

What might seem like a compliment can actually feel pretty condescending.

Imagine living in another country, learning their language fluently, and someone still reducing your speech to “cute.”

It’s like patting a child on the head for trying their best in kindergarten and giving them a gold star.

A friend in France, who spoke flawless English, once told me that when people said this to her, she wanted to reply, “Thanks! Your grammar mistakes are adorable too.”

10. “Why Don’t You Move to the U.S.?” 

Ah, the classic American assumption.

I once asked a Spaniard this, assuming he’d jump at the chance to live in the “Land of Opportunity.” 

His response?

A laugh, followed by a detailed list of reasons why he had no desire to deal with healthcare costs, insane work hours, or the idea of “hustle culture.”

Not everyone sees America as the dream. Some people actually like not spending half their paycheck on medical bills.

How to Avoid These Awkward Moments 

If you don’t want to accidentally offend someone, here’s how to play it safe:

• Pick better icebreakers: Instead of “Where are you from?” try “What brought you here?”
• Read the room: If everyone else is keeping it light, don’t dive into deep personal questions.
• Listen more, assume less: If someone wants to share something, they will.

Conversations Are an Art, not a Transaction

At the end of the day, being a great traveler, or just a great conversationalist, isn’t about knowing everything.

It’s about knowing what not to say.

So next time you strike up a conversation with someone from another country, remember: some questions open doors, while others slam them shut.

What’s the most awkward conversation mistake you’ve ever made abroad?

The post 10 Things You Should NEVER Say Abroad! Unless You Enjoy Instant Cringe… appeared first on Expats Planet.

I used to think real European travel meant paying triple for an espresso at a café with an English menu screaming Tourists Welcome! 

Or elbowing your way through photo-bombing chaos for a shot of a landmark that looks better on a postcard.

Turns out, I was dead wrong.

The real Europe?

It’s tucked away in sleepy villages and cobblestone backstreets, where locals watch (half-amused, half-horrified) as you butcher their language trying to order something that, hopefully, isn’t a plate of mystery organs.

That’s exactly how I found myself in a no-name boulangerie in eastern France.

No overpriced lattes, no tourists, no pastries begging for Instagram (this was before social media), just warm, flaky perfection.

And the best part?

Locals who actually wanted to talk to me.

That’s when it hit me: Most of us do Europe all wrong.

Forget overpriced, overcrowded capitals like Paris and Rome. 

Big cities are for bucket lists.

But, small towns?

That’s where Europe actually happens…

After years of traveling and living across places like Albania, Georgia, France, Poland and Spain, I’ve learned that Europe’s best-kept secrets aren’t in the places you know, they’re in the ones you don’t.

The ones where you’re a guest, not a walking ATM, where food is cheap, and where you don’t have to shove through a mob for a half-decent photo.

So before you drop a fortune on a soulless hotel in a tourist-infested capital, hear me out!

Small European towns will give you a better experience than big cities ever could.

Here’s why.

1. Lower Costs Without Sacrificing Experience

Big European cities come with big European prices.

That charming Parisian café you saw in a movie? It’ll charge you €8 for a coffee and a side-eye from the waiter.

Meanwhile, in a small French town, that same coffee costs half as much, and the barista actually wants to talk to you.

I learned this the hard way when I first traveled through France. Paris had me calculating whether I really needed three meals a day.

But then I ended up in a tiny town in eastern France, where a three-course meal with wine cost the same as a mediocre sandwich and a coke in the capital.

In Albania, I spent the night at a small family-run hotel with a cozy café.

The next morning, before heading out, I ordered an espresso.

When I pulled out my wallet to pay, the owner just shook his head and waved me off, no charge, just a quiet gesture of hospitality.

Apparently, it was on the house. Try getting that in a big city.

Small towns don’t just save you money on food.

Hotels, Airbnbs, and even transportation are all cheaper.

You won’t have to sell a kidney just to afford a week-long stay, and you might even have enough left over for a second round of drinks, which, if you’re in Spain, will probably come with free tapas anyway.

2. Fewer Tourists, More Authenticity

I love a good European landmark as much as the next traveler.

But have you ever tried to enjoy the real charm of Barcelona’s La Boqueria market while wedged between a hundred other tourists, all holding overpriced fruit cups? 

It’s less “local cultural experience” and more “survival of the fittest.”

Now, contrast that with a sleepy Italian town where the market vendors aren’t trying to gouge you on souvenir-priced tomatoes.

I once stumbled into a tiny village market in Italy where I was the only foreigner in sight.

Instead of selfie-stick warfare, I got unsolicited cooking tips from an old woman selling olive oil.

Big cities are designed to extract money from visitors.

Small towns? They’re too busy just being.

And that means you get to experience them without the scripted, transactional interactions that plague major tourist spots.

3. A Deeper Cultural Connection

In a big city, you’re one of thousands passing through. In a small town, you’re a novelty.

People notice you, but in a good way.

They’re curious.

They ask questions.

And before you know it, you’re invited to someone’s cousin’s house for dinner.

This happened to me in Albania.

I walked into a café in a small town, ordered a coffee, and within minutes, I was sitting with the owner and half his family.

We talked about life, travel, and, inevitably, whether I was married (a question that comes standard in any friendly Balkan conversation).

Language barriers?

They actually help in smaller towns.

In big cities, everyone automatically switches to English to keep things moving.

But in small-towns? 

Locals have more time, and interest, to help you stumble through their language.

And nothing makes you learn faster than the reward of genuine human connection.

4. A Slower, More Relaxed Pace of Life

Ever tried to take the metro in a major European city during rush hour?

It’s an experience, if your idea of an experience includes getting shoulder-checked by a businessman and inhaling questionable body odors.

Now, picture this: you wake up in a small town in France or Greece.

You stroll to the nearest café.

The waiter isn’t in a rush, and neither are you.

No one’s sprinting to catch a train.

No one’s elbowing their way to work.

The pace is slower, but that’s the point.

I’ll never forget walking through a small Greek village in the morning, watching old men sip coffee and debate politics like they had all the time in the world.

Because they did.

And for the first time in a while, so did I.

5. Unique and Undiscovered Destinations

Let’s be honest: big cities are starting to feel the same.

There’s a McDonald’s in every major square, and every city center has a Starbucks packed with tourists who came all the way to Europe to drink the same latte they get back home.

But small towns? That’s where the surprises are.

In Poland, people flock to Kraków, but Zakopane? 

That’s where the real magic is, wooden houses, mountain views, and a cheese market that smells like heaven (or like very strong sheep’s milk, depending on your tolerance).

In France, everyone goes to Paris, but Colmar?

It looks like it was ripped straight out of a fairy tale, and you won’t have to fight through crowds to take in its beauty.

In Spain, Barcelona and Madrid dominate every travel guide, but have you seen Ronda? 

Perched on a dramatic cliffside, it’s one of the most stunning places I’ve ever visited and I didn’t have to spend 20 minutes dodging souvenir hawkers just to enjoy the view.

6. Better Value for Remote Workers and Long-Term Stays

For digital nomads and long-term travelers, big cities are expensive and full of distractions.

Small towns, on the other hand, are the ultimate productivity hack.

Take Vidin, Bulgaria. It’s affordable, away from the pretentious digital nomad scene, and the internet is just as fast as in any current, trendy digital nomad hotspot.

And yet, the pace is slow enough that you won’t constantly feel like you’re missing out on something.

Same goes for Tbilisi, Georgia. A place where you can rent an apartment for half the price of one in a Western European capital, while still having access to coworking spaces (if that’s your scene), coffee shops, and enough local charm to make you want to stick around.

7. Surprising Access to Big Cities (When You Need Them)

Here’s the best part: you don’t have to choose between small towns and big cities.

Many of Europe’s best small towns are just a short train ride away from their more famous, chaotic counterparts.

Living in a quiet town near Florence? You can still pop into the city for a day trip whenever you want.

Staying in a sleepy Spanish village? Barcelona is just a couple of hours away.

The beauty of small towns is that they let you enjoy Europe on your own terms.

You get the peace, the affordability, and the authenticity, but with the option to dip into city life when you want to, not because you have to.

Why You Should Rethink Your Next Trip

Look, I get it. Big cities have their appeal. They’re iconic for a reason.

But if you’re traveling to experience Europe, not just check off the same five tourist attractions as everyone else, then small towns will give you something no major capital can.

They’re cheaper. They’re friendlier. They’re more authentic.

So, if you’re planning your next European trip, consider skipping the usual tourist traps and heading somewhere quieter, smaller, and infinitely more rewarding.

Have you ever been to a small European town that surprised you? 

The post 7 Reasons Small European Towns Offer A Surprisingly Better Travel Experience Than Big Cities! appeared first on Expats Planet.