Travelers often like to venture off the beaten path. But needing to be rescued as a result is a whole different story.

     Leaders of the village of Baunei, on Sardinia’s eastern coast, say that’s just what’s been happening to travelers following the popular Google Maps app. And they’re trying to put an end to the misdirection that has prompted a reported 144 emergency calls from drivers and hikers over the past couple of years, according to CNN.

Misleading The Tourists

     “Too many sedans and hatchbacks are getting stuck on unpassable tracks — sometimes off-road vehicles, too,” Baunei Mayor Salvatore Corrias told CNN. “All because they follow Google Maps, whose instructions are often misleading on our roads.”

     So the village is urging people to use local tour guides or paper maps instead — just definitely not the technology they may be used to in their everyday lives.

     The Baunei Facebook page shows roadside police signs that say in Italian and English: “Do not follow the directions suggested by Google Maps.” It also includes images of vehicles on rocky paths, including some with ropes attached for apparent towing.

#Blocked

     According to the Daily Beast, the mayor has taken steps to get the navigation app blocked on the mountain village known for its hiking. He has also asked managers of tourist sites such as hotels, restaurants, and museums to use paper maps, the publication reported.

     “We’re aware of an issue in Sardinia where Google Maps is routing some drivers down roads that can be difficult to navigate due to their terrain,” a Google statement said. “We’re currently working with the local government to resolve the issue, and are investigating ways we can better alert drivers about these types of roads.”

International Road Blocks

     Other destinations have had their own Google Maps mishaps in the past. Between 2015 and 2017, tourists looking for the Blue Mountains in Australia were directed to a dead-end road more than 20 miles away, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Occasionally, those visitors would knock on residents’ doors looking for a restroom. In March 2017, a woman driving to the Grand Canyon followed Google Maps’ directions down a road in Arizona and ended up stranded for days when her car ran out of gas, the Dallas Morning News reported.

     Tourists in Italy blamed the navigation app in 2016 when they drove over a pedestrian bridge and along the Grand Canal in Venice, according to the Local. That same year, some tourists searching for Mount Rushmore were led by Google Maps instead to a church camp, the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal reported.

 A woman who worked at the Storm Mountain Center camp about 13 miles from the national memorial, Ashley Wilsey, told the newspaper that she often had to break the news to visitors that they were in the wrong place.

     “For the most part, people have been very friendly, but some people are very insistent that this is where Mount Rushmore should be,” she said.

     It may have taken some time to make your dream trip a reality. Now that it’s real, you need to enjoy every single moment! But wait, how much pocket money did you bring? Is it enough to enjoy every excursion or just last until the end of the trip?

No worries! Many destinations offer a wide array of affordable items, from souvenirs, clothing, to knick-knacks. One stroll past the shopping district and you are sure to backtrack and purchase your new future “want.”

Though spending (a lot) during travel is inevitable, there are still opportunities to save your money while enjoying your trip. Here are the top four killer tips to keep in mind to save money during your trip.

     Go Small Rather Than Big 

     Tourists immediately visit the Big Cities – obviously. However, this is actually one of the biggest money-saving mistakes… especially if you plan on traveling on a budget. Expenses in the big cities and tourist areas tend to be higher compared to small towns and provinces. Chances are, the cost of necessities in the big cities is already double compared to the cost of items in smaller towns.

     Find A Place That Feels Like HOME

     We mean, there’s no need to stay in some fancy hotel during your trip – largely just for the sake of finding a place to stay. Nowadays, travelers choose to stay in hostels or inns. Backpackers especially choose this route in order to save on lodging costs.

Staying in hostels is a great option especially if you only needed a place to sleep and rest after a tiresome day. Chances are. if you are planning to travel around, you won’t be staying in a hotel all day, so why waste the money? 

Hostels provide a place for backpackers to stay and refresh before they leave for another destination. To be frank, most hostels are more accommodating compared to those fancy hotels. You also get to experience the local culture more directly.

     Shop Wisely 

     Okay, this is the trickiest part. We understand the feeling of desiring a “thing.” Though numerous countries offer affordable gifts and souvenirs, you simply don’t need to bother.

     One of the best ways to save money when shopping is by visiting the local markets. It’s very likely that the item you saw in one of the malls is also being sold there for a much cheaper price! And the best thing about shopping in the local market is that you can throw in a bargain with the vendor. If your bargaining skills are pretty good, you might even get that product at half of its (already cheap) price! 

     Eating at restaurants might be a good option but keep in mind that it likely be costly. Some restaurants offer small meals while others offer tremendous values – perfect for leftovers. A lot of people take this opportunity to save money for their next meal. 

If eating at a restaurant is not your cup of tea, then it’s always better to try the small and local eateries that can be found around the area. You might be surprised at how delicious the street food options are. Be careful, though! Be aware of what you eat and drink. Ensure your binge-eating cleanly prepared food quality or you will end up having an upset stomach afterward. 

And lastly, just because the sight of a souvenir looks amazing does not mean that you need to buy it. Stroll around and check out other souvenir shops are selling. You’re most likely to find a much cheaper souvenir to buy for yourself and your friends and family back home.

     Be Smart

     By being smart, we mean you should be mindful of your expenses. Most tourists end up racking up a hell of a lot of bank fees because they’ve been using their credit cards for purchases. Please be aware that banks charge you if you use your cards abroad. 

     Another common mistake is exchanging your money for local currencies at the airport. Airport exchange rates are known to be bad and you’ll and up getting ripped off. Remember to bring your ATM cards since you’re most likely to get a better exchange rate when you use ATMs. 

     A trip doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t really need to break the bank just to enjoy it. Being mindful of spending and savings is a great way to practice during travels. 

     Millennials in their social media and influencer-prized generation are becoming the next generation of vacation high-spenders… or are they? Taking a look at AARP Travel’s “2019 Boomer Travel Trends” actually reveals that capable boomers were planning to take four to five “leisure” vacations during the year and expecting to spend over $6,600 – roughly more than 30% of the top-spending younger generations. This includes international destination travel as well!

     Time provided by retirement and those with healthy investments, boomers are opting to spend more on their trips in a variety of ways. For one, they’re choosing to stay out longer, upgrade to higher class accommodations and travel upgrades, and particularly enjoying themselves during extra-curricular excursions and shopping events. To summarize, our parents are active participants of “active relaxation.” In laymen’s terms, they’re spending the most on themselves through leisurely, more upscale events like golf outings and grand nights out.

     Speaking of time, they are most likely to stay disconnected from their lives back home. Rather then focus on staying current in their personal and business lives, boomers are seeking vacation time to reconnect with loved ones – sons and daughters across the country or connect with friends out of country. 92% of boomers will bring a phone on a domestic trip while only about 50% of those traveling out of country will bring a smartphone. Further, they won’t bother with anything more than a message or email.

Additionally, while this generation may be technologically proficient (or not), nearly 70% of boomers were not excited to partake in the next-generation of hotel experiences – AI-powered reservation systems, robotic assistants, and other related technologies. Unsurprisingly, Millennials were just a bit lower than 70% but in favor of these new and expected technologies.

Memorable

     As expected, boomers crave distinctive and memorable experiences which explains that nearly 80% of luxury travel spends are attributed to the old and wise. Fascinatingly, 57% mentions that budget comes into play when dealing with trip budgets. In other words, when these customers live life, they live life large.

     Whether baby boomers are traveling for leisure, exploration, food, culture, or other, the number one reason boomers travel is to check off their lifelong dream destinations. AKA – their bucket lists. They simply want to “see the world,” however real or unrealistic that claim may be. Nonetheless, with their upgraded travel and hotel accommodations, they are each seeing the world from their own point of view and expectations. For those in the travel industry, know that these are the people that are looking to spend their money.