8 Vacation Destinations You Need to Do Your Homework on Before Visiting

A popular tourist destination (ranked as the second most visited country in the Americas), Mexico is both beautiful and diverse, offering something for both the lazy-vacay-seeking tourist and the traveller looking for local culture on their trip.

To get you started: in spite of its reputation for being a place where spring-breakers let loose, Mexico is more buttoned up in its conventions than you may think. Openly cursing, public nudity and marijuana (even prescription-accompanied doses) are firmly banned here. Another cautionary tip? Don’t drink the water. If the locals themselves avoid drinking from the tap, then it’s safe to assume that tourists should follow suit.

The good news: Mexico city is one of the most inexpensive trips to take from Canada now!

A country abundant in architecture, great food, art and so much more, Germany should absolutely make it onto your must-see bucket list – but there are some things you should know…

To get you started: if you’re looking to brave the cold winters of beautiful Germany, be wary of the layers you pack. For safety reasons, things like ski masks and other face-covering layers are seriously frowned upon throughout Germany by police officials. Pack bulky scarves instead and avoid any issues with local authorities.

To get you started: in spite of its reputation for being a place where spring-breakers let loose, Mexico is more buttoned up in its conventions than you may think. Openly cursing, public nudity and marijuana (even prescription-accompanied doses) are firmly banned here. Another cautionary tip? Don’t drink the water. If the locals themselves avoid drinking from the tap, then it’s safe to assume that tourists should follow suit.

Did you know Cologne, Germany is one of the top 10 best cities for millennials?

A top travel spot for many, Russia is a spectacular destination, where the harsh winters don’t deter tourists nearly as much as you think. It’s worth the trip for sure, but for some, the political stance on certain issues may impact your visit.

To get you started: unfortunately, Russia’s stand on homosexuality (in a general sense) is not quite where you’d hope for 2017, with the government having many laws in place to ban what they consider “gay propaganda” - which can really include anything from politically-charged statements on t-shirts to public affection between same-sex couples.

That said, it has been ranked one of the 20 best places to work abroad in 2017.

For the abundance of wildlife alone Uganda is worth the trip. With animal sanctuaries, snow-capped mountains and national parks that will truly amaze you, it’s no wonder the raw beauty of this country is such a draw for so many.

To get you started: a few local laws you might want to keep in mind include a ban on photography of any area deemed military, no illegal drugs (even those considered prescription must be disclosed or you could risk facing jail time!) as well as failing to carry a passport.

Uganda was also found to be one of the cheapest countries to live in 2017.

It’s not surprising that even with the current security concerns associated with travel to the Middle East, so many continue to make the journey to see the unique beauty and some of the world’s greatest sights like Petra and the Great Pyramid of Giza, both of which are two of the most inspiring ancient places you can visit around the planet.

To get you started: in a region where there’s so much to see, there’s also a lot to know, and we would strongly advise you to do extensive research into where exactly you plan to go and your itinerary while there. While some of the local laws are common sense, many are in total contrast to what most Americans might be used to. When visiting a foreign place, understanding your status as a guest and doing your best to be aware of local policies and laws is a great place to start in ensuring a safe journey.

A playground for the wealthy-elite, a trip to booming Dubai will have you seeing firsthand some of the most incredible architecture of our time, and enjoying the utmost in luxury travel. That being said, there are some things you should know which may seem at odds with the otherwise seemingly-progressive country.

To get you started: a Muslim country, their local laws are fixed and strictly enforced. Things you may not expect to get you into trouble, such as taking photos in areas that may be considered off-limits or public cursing, can land you some hefty fines and in some cases, jail time.

For more weird laws, check out 20 strange traffic laws around the world that actually exist.

A hugely popular tourist destination, Thailand is one of those places you just have to see as you tour through Asia. From the Grand Palace to the many spectacular beaches and hidden coves, there’s so many sides to this country to see.

To get you started: before you overwhelm your itinerary with a never-ending must-see list for your trip to Thailand, you may want to spend a little time familiarizing yourself with some of the laws of this fairly conservative country where, for example, any offense towards the royal family could land you in prison stat.

Colombia has come a long way from its former bad rep as a nation of corruption and drug plantations. Lonely Planet even named it one of the top 10 countries to visit in 2017! This beautiful country is finally getting the exposure it deserves for all the right reasons. From the simple beauty of the country’s eclectic street art and distinctly-superb coffee to the sights like the Lost City and its subterranean salt cathedral. This is a country to visit, but also a place to do your research on beforehand.

To get you started: like any place undergoing change, Colombia is still in the early days of becoming as tourist-friendly as other destinations, and the tensions lingering between the segregated class systems of the wealthy and poor are still very much present in the local society. Be wary of where specifically you plan on visiting in this beautiful country, taking care to understand just what kind of local culture to expect and how to best prepare.