There’s nothing worse than a meticulously planned adventure that you’ve been looking forward to for months going wrong. The sour disappointment of a destination or experience not measuring up to your expectations is a hard pill to swallow, especially when you’ve saved hard for the trip.
Having visited 50 countries, some with just a backpack and a one night hostel booking and others (like my recent holiday in Saint Lucia) with a luxury all-inclusive resort paid for well in advance, I’ve had my fair share of misfortune while travelling. But I’ve learned over the years that it’s how you respond to a potentially ruined holiday that can truly make or break your trip.
Whether your travel plans have gone awry thanks to food poisoning, a fallout with your travel pal or something you’ve overlooked during the travel planning stage; have no fear. Your trip can still be salvaged! There’s even a chance that one day you’ll look back on that week you spent on the loo in Bali and laugh.
How to salvage a bad travel experience
I’ve considered some of the most common causes of ruined trips to help you figure out how to make the best of the situation when travel takes a turn for the worst. Here’s what to do when travel goes wrong.
Pick your scenario…
Your flight is delayed
A delayed flight is a massive nuisance, whether you’re travelling for work or pleasure. It’s something you can’t control but like most things in life, you are in charge of how you react to it. Will it really ruin your trip if you arrive slightly later than planned?
Airhelp.com can help you get compensation for your delayed flight. According to them, you may be able to claim up to £510 flight delay compensation under a European law called EC 261.
Airhelp has an online tool which you can use to check whether you’re entitled to compensation. Take a look to see whether you can claim!
It won’t get you the lost time back, but that extra cash does tend to ease the pain – and you can always put it towards your next trip…
The airline lost your luggage
Your luggage going AWOL through no fault of your own can induce serious panic. As soon as you realise it’s gone, report it at the baggage information desk and make a note of the contact details you’ll need to stay updated with the baggage hunt progress.
Please, please don’t take it out on the person working at the desk.
The good news is that clothes and toiletries can pretty much be found all over the world. Amazing, isn’t it?
Most airlines tell you to go out and purchase the essentials, but be sure to keep all the receipts so you can claim compensation afterwards. It’s annoying to have to spend the first day of your trip at the shops, but try to look at it as an adventure.
Besides, there are worst things in life than wearing the same outfit two days running – and it’s not like anybody knows you where you’re going, right?
You’ve fallen ill on your trip
It happened to me in Borneo, Bali and in Marrakech. Whether it’s Delhi belly or a migraine, getting sick while travelling sucks. Always seek medical advice if you’re seriously concerned, obviously.
If it isn’t life threatening, try not to force yourself to take part in anything too strenuous. Listen to your body. The best thing you can do is take it easy and let your body recover – and isn’t that what holidays are for? To recharge and come back as your most refreshed self?
If your health allows, try to plan some treat-like activities that won’t take it out of you. I’m thinking spa treatments, time away from screens and sunbathing.
Take the opportunity to read that book you’ve been meaning to get stuck into – even if you do have to read it in the bathroom…
You’ve been a victim of crime while travelling
Sadly, it happens. You’ve had your wallet stolen or worse, been mugged on the street. It’s a horrible thing to feel powerless on your well-earned holiday but at the end of the day, what can you do to change it?
File a police report, get in touch with someone who can help you out with money or whatever has been stolen, and try not to let it ruin the rest of your trip.
Items can always be replaced, but as long as you’re safe and well there’s no need to spend the rest of the trip commiserating about the crime. Bad people exist all over the world, but fortunately, more of us are good.
Try to do something that reminds you how wonderful the world is, and push the misfortune to the back of your mind. Chalk it up as a learning curve and remember – one day it might turn into a funny story you can tell at parties.
You’ve fallen out with your travel buddy
Arguing with the person you’re travelling with is tricky, but you have to look at the bigger picture and agree not to let a tiff ruin your trip. It’s wise to have some cooling off time apart, then get back together when you’ve both calmed down and try to resolve things – or just brush them under the carpet until after the trip.
If it’s not a situation that can be salvaged and you’re not particularly bothered about remaining friends with your travel pal, may I introduce you to the joy of solo travel? The greatest thing about it is that you get to enjoy your destination entirely on your own terms.
My advice is to ditch the person who’s ruining your trip and go out alone. Spend your day how you want and enjoy not having to compromise or wait for anyone.
Okay, you might still have to share accommodation, but nobody travels to sit in the hotel room. Get out, explore and don’t let them bring you down!
The hotel isn’t as good as it looked when you booked
Accommodation troubles are pretty common, and I’ve learned there are many things to do to rectify your trip if you check in to your hotel and find you’ve been catfished.
First, go straight to reception, report the problem and request to see a different room. Quite often, there will be something nicer available and any decent accommodation will want to make up for the problem.
If you booked via a third party, get in touch with them via email or – my personal favourite – over twitter. Unfortunately, businesses these days are more likely to sort out a problem quickly if it’s aired in the public domain.
Stuck in the hotel from hell? It’s just a place to sleep and shower! Get out and explore the local area, use the beach instead of their dodgy pool and write a negative TripAdvisor review when you get home so other travellers don’t make the same mistake.
I remember being unexpectedly alone in Borneo and while it felt horrendous at the time, now it’s one of my favourite adventures to reminisce over. Similarly, hiking Mount Rinjani felt like torture on day three but I’m forever glad I did it!
Looking back on my trips, I have been luckier than many. I think a lot of that is down to my attitude. Travel, more than anything else has taught me that life is 1% what happens to you and 99% how you respond to it. Try to see the funny side, go and chase experiences that outweigh the negative things about your trip, and learn from your mistakes.
Travel plans very rarely go smoothly, and we tend to become savvier travellers because of the bumps in the road. Nothing is as good as it looks on Instagram. (Except Sri Lankan sunsets. Those are better in real life.)
Have you ever had a holiday that went wrong? I’d love to hear how you saved your trip!
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As mentioned at the beginning of this post, this is sponsored. Views are my own.
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Karlijn says
Great tips! In addition to the one about lost luggage: make sure you pack important things that you cannot easily replace (camera, medicines, etc.) in your hand luggage. And on long flights, I always carry an extra set of clean underwear, clothing (usually a light dress) toothbrush and toothpaste with me. So if the luggage gets lost or delayed, I can manage one day.
makeupmuddle says
Such a great post! I had no idea you could claim compensation from delayed flights, I wish I’d known as I’ve had mega delays many times. It’s funny that flight companies keep that on the QT as so many of us would be claiming. Thank you for sharing the tips with us. Your blog is beyond beautiful xo