Around the World in 80 Laughs

The Most Hilarious Travel Mishaps as Told by Our Community

Travel is full of unexpected moments—some frustrating, some enlightening, but many just plain hilarious. We reached out to our vibrant community of globe-trotters to share their funniest travel mishaps. Here are two tales that stood out, not just for the laughter they brought us but for the light-hearted reminders that sometimes, the journey is about the missteps as much as it is about the destination.

The Great Wall of Confusion

Jenny had dreamt of visiting the Great Wall of China since she was a child. When she finally got the chance, she was over the moon. Arriving in Beijing, she booked a tour that promised a “unique and less crowded” experience of the Wall. The day arrived, and Jenny boarded the bus, her excitement barely containable.

After several hours, the bus stopped. Jenny, expecting to see the majestic ancient structure, saw instead a modest, crumbling wall no more than 4 feet high. Confused but trusting, she followed the group. After a brief walk, the guide announced, “Here we are! The Great Wall!”

Jenny blinked. This couldn’t be it. She had seen pictures; where were the imposing battlements, the endless steps, the view that stretched into the horizon? She approached the guide, who, with a proud smile, informed her, “Yes, this is one of the oldest sections of the Great Wall. Very few tourists!”

It took Jenny a moment before the realization hit her—she was indeed at the Great Wall, just not the part she had envisioned. Her disappointment turned into laughter as she embraced the absurdity of the situation. She spent the day exploring this overlooked segment, enjoying its quiet beauty and imagining the countless stories it held. Jenny’s Great Wall experience was nothing like she planned, but it became a cherished memory, a reminder that sometimes, the path less trodden offers the most genuine adventures.

Lost in Translation at the Louvre

Mark’s trip to Paris was going splendidly. Armed with a high school French vocabulary and a confident smile, he navigated the city’s charming streets, feeling more Parisian by the minute. On his list of must-visits was the Louvre, the treasure chest of art and history.

Eager to see the Mona Lisa, Mark approached a museum staff member and asked for directions. Unfortunately, his pronunciation of “Mona Lisa” came out more like “mozzarella.” The staff member, puzzled, directed him to the nearest café inside the Louvre, mistaking his inquiry for a culinary quest rather than an artistic one.

Mark found himself seated at a small table, presented with a beautifully plated mozzarella salad. It dawned on him then—his mispronunciation had led him on a detour, not to Da Vinci’s masterpiece, but to a culinary delight. Choosing to embrace the mix-up, Mark enjoyed his unexpected meal, toasting to the joys of travel and the hilarity of lost-in-translation moments. He eventually did find the Mona Lisa, but the story of how he first ended up with mozzarella at the Louvre became his favorite tale to tell.

Embracing the Journey

Travel is as much about the mishaps as it is about the landmarks and selfie spots. Jenny’s unexpected segment of the Great Wall and Mark’s culinary detour at the Louvre remind us to embrace the unexpected, to find humor in confusion, and to remember that sometimes, the best stories come from the most unplanned moments. These stories, shared with laughter and a light heart, remind us that every trip around the sun—and around the world—offers endless opportunities for joy, discovery, and, of course, a good chuckle.