Ten Travel Rules You Should Break

Your mother told you to eat your vegetables with dinner and your travel agent told you to book your summer vacation in January. You can now drink your veggies and you probably don't even use a travel agent anymore. Like many things in life, the travel rules you once lived by are now worth breaking.

1. Plan your trip in advance. With airlines, hotels and even car rentals struggling, some of the best bargains are available last minute. Keep an eye on the prices at Yahoo Travel and grab that great price as soon as you see it.

2. Stay away from tourist traps. Maybe it's more exciting to explore Chinatown than take the Circle Line Cruise around the Statue of Liberty, but that can be a lot of fun - especially if you've never seen Lady Liberty before. Don't feel guilty, see what you want to see.

3. Eat like a local. It's always nice to try out new food and asking locals for restaurant recommendations is a great idea. There's no reason, however, to eat roasted grasshoppers in Thailand just because you're there. If it grosses you out, it shouldn't go in your mouth.

4. Pack light. Okay, you don't need to bring two suitcases for a weekend trip, but if you want your favorite clothes (and shoes with you), take them. As long as you can carry or wheel it and there's room wherever you are going, you don't have to pack light if you don't want to.

5. Take lots of cash. There's one very important thing you should remind yourself about cash - when it's gone, it's gone. Don't take a lot of cash that can be lost or stolen. A credit or debit card and/or travelers checks are more practical.

6. Bring your best camera. Do you really want to be worrying about your $500 camera while you lay by the pool? If you are going to be sightseeing in Europe, you'll want a decent camera, but if it's a vacation full of frolicking on the beach, take the disposable and have one less thing to worry about.

7. Buy a pillow for the plane. Yes, the airplane pillows look nice and cozy and you won't find any pillows on your seat if you are flying coach, but do you really need one? Unless it's a long flight and you expect to sleep, there's a lot more you can do with that space in your carryon.

8. Take the red eye to gain a day. Seriously, how many of us can really sleep on a plane through the night? Very few. What ends up happening is that you fly through the night with little rest and are useless the next day. Take the flight first thing in the morning, do some work, read a book or watch a movie on the plane. You'll arrive refreshed and ready for the day.