Like urban legends, travel myths are pervasive and long-lasting. No, a piece of gum won’t stay in your stomach for seven years if you swallow it. And no, it’s not a guarantee that you’ll get food poisoning if you eat at a food cart on the street.
In a new Bing Travel article, author Eric Lucas debunks a dozen travel myths by serving up a dose of the truth about each one. Think you can talk your way into first class on the plane by dressing well and asking nicely? Think again. And who do you think are the world’s worst tourists? Hint: It’s not who you might guess.
Where do these myths come from? In some cases, what’s a myth today may have started out as fact. Remember the book “Europe on $5 a Day”? Years ago, you really could buy a rail pass and travel around Europe for so little. And today, many travelers think that trains are still the cheapest way to zip around the continent. But in fact, the easiest way to hop between cities is on one of the small European air carriers whose tickets cost a fraction of the same trip on a train.
What travel myths have you encountered that you know the truth about? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
To debunk the debunker's article, it is indeed possible for warm water to freeze faster in certain circumstances.
en.wikipedia.org/.../Mpemba_effect
Car rentals for $14/day... It's not true anymore... now a days people are getting charged with surcharges and hidden fees to make sure you pay at least $70-$80 by car rental companies...
With all due respect: Europe on $5 a Day reflected the TOTAL cost of a day in Europe back in the late 1950's (ie hotel, food, sightseeing and in-city transportation). That figure had nothing to do with rail travel from city to city as the author of this blog seems to imply. Cordially, Pauline (daughter of the author of "Europe on $5 a Day")
Ahhh Mano, wikipedia.org is not exactly reference material! ;)
I flew Round-trip Rome to Budapest a few years ago of SkyEurope airlines for 23 euros, including all taxes and fees. Not under ten dollars each way, but nearly.
All Swedes are blonde. I found at least one red head ;)
hmm interesting travel myths
Great article on the travel myths around, thanks.
Myth: Food in the UK is bland. Not true (except in the Italian restaurants where I ate).
WOW! your website have the great information about
<a href="b4travelplanet.blogspot.com/">
travel</a>
I'm sure I will be again
Hi Eric,
In response to your article, while air travel may be cheaper, and if you consider just the airport-to-airport flight time, quicker, how is it more convenient than rail??
Would you agree with me that trains offer more personal space, luggage convenience, and a chance to enjoy ever changing views from the windows to name a few?
The article states that "The advent of low-cost airlines has made air travel cheaper, quicker and more convenient than rail. For instance, a flight on Easyjet from London to Paris in September costs $108; passage through the Chunnel on the Eurostar is $195."
Well, in the sentence above you are telling just part of the picture... How much is the total travel time in each instance? What kind of amenities are there on board of Easyjet plane versus Eurostar train??
Best regards,
Oleg,
Philadelphia, PA
Read this somewhere else. Great article and ebook. Some things will surprise you.
I always believed the one about the chewing gum. My mother used to drill that into me. Happy days. I am going to go and eat chewing gum now - not :-).
