Tired of the same old same old? Want to see something different? Want to experience something new?

Then I suggest traveling. After living and traveling in Europe for many, many years, I have experienced the good, the bad and the excellent.

At the moment, most people I know are bogged down with exams, papers and projects all due before that one week of fun called “Spring Break.” To follow with this line of “I can’t wait until Spring Break,” I’d like to share some words of cautionary wisdom that al travelers should keep in mind.

Whether you are traveling in or out of the country, it is important to be aware at all times of what is going on around you. This might sound like something your mother would say, but the more aware you are of your surroundings, the less likely something surprising will happen to you.

Spring Break. For some of us it seems like a long too long time ago. For others who look to the future, getting finals finished is the next goal before another vacation. While that is true for me as well, I would like to share some of what happened to me over my spring break.

Airlines. For me all airlines are equally as crappy. I have never found “the” airline. If anyone has, please, by all means, contact me. It all started out on the Friday the 14, when I was flying to France to visit my fiancée. I was at Chicago O’Hare airport checking in my bags. Something was not working with Swiss Air’s computers. A distinctive beeping noise kept on reoccurring. Being the experienced traveler that I am, I know when some sort of problem is happening. (Plus the beeping noise is always a good clue as well.) When I asked the Swiss air crew-check-in member if there is some sort of problem, her answer was no.

For those of you who had read my article last week, you will know the difficulties I had with my first flight. But the drama continues as I try to return back to the US via Heathrow Airport.

According to BBC Radio, Heathrow airport is the most frequently traveled transfer point in the world, with most flights going to and from the United States. My advice to travelers would be to never travel or transfer to or from Heathrow airport unless London is your destination.

I was very happy to receive travel questions this week. Some of you (as far as I can tell) are fearful about traveling. The first thing I can say is relax.

While traveling does have its downsides, the advantages make up for it. Not many people have ever been out of the country, and if you do leave, you will have a great travel story to tell the folks back home.