How To Avoid The Worst Travel Emergencies

Travel truth: Even the most TripAdvisor-researched, Yelp-cross-checked trip is going to have a few bumps in the road. And while WTF-just-happened moments tend to make the best anecdotes (and viral photos; who wouldn’t want a gorilla to steal their camera and score a selfie?), when you’re in the midst of the dramatic travel experience, it can be annoying, expensive, or even downright dangerous.

Ahead, we asked a few intrepid travelers to share their worst vacation disasters, and then we offered some advice so you can avoid similar misfortunes. Bottom line: Bring a sense of adventure and humor, a buffer of extra cash, and some travel savvy to ensure the most seamless trip possible.