Date of publication 26/08/2019
Travel superstitions How To Ensure Good Fortune on Your Travels
How Many of These Superstitions Do You Know?
Do you carry a lucky charm? Wish upon stars? Even though we may know our superstitions are irrational, some myths and legends keep us engaging in certain habits time and time again. What you may not know is that there are quite a few superstitions specifically associated with traveling. Superstitions also vary culturally, which is important to keep in mind so you can adapt to your destination! Follow our suggestions to ensure that your travels not only exciting and fun but also filled with positive energy.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Once you’ve left the house, don’t return to get anything you’ve forgotten: just replace it at your destination. (Unless, of course, it’s your passport. Definitely go back and get that.) Planning your trip well and packing smart to avoid having to go back home to retrieve any forgotten items is good advice in general, but it is also the first step toward a trip filled with good fortune.
DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE
Services like Iberostar’s My Room Online allow you to select your preferred room in advance, so if you are quick you might even get to select your lucky number. Just check-in on their website to skip waiting in line at reception on arrival and enjoy your lucky room. Don't have a lucky number? Seven is universally considered a lucky number because of its symbolism—seven seas, seven wonders of the world, seven days of the week, seven colors of the rainbow...
SWEETNESS AND LIGHT
Once you’re in your room, make sure to let in as much light and air as possible by drawing the drapes, turning on the lights and opening the windows. This is said to allow new, fresh energy to flow into the space.
WHEN IN ROME…
Any traveler worth their salt should consider the superstitions of their destination. In Jamaica, for example, dreaming of a nest full of eggs is considered a sign of financial good fortune, a premonition best enjoyed while unwinding at the island’s top hotels. The island offers plenty of places said to attract luck, whether in the exclusivity of the adults-only JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar or by sharing joyful moments at family-friendly resorts in Montego Bay. These include Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach and Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites. In the United States, there’s a saying that goes, “Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck.” In Mexico, it is believed that sleeping with a pair of scissors under your pillow prevents nightmares, while leaving scissors open at the entrance of your home keeps the rain away.
In Brazil, a country naturally rich in superstition, certain objects are considered lucky. A porcelain elephant symbolizes good fortune, while placing a bowl of salt in a corner or even in a hotel room is thought to keep bad luck at bay. In many parts of the world, salt is associated with prosperity and protection. That same sense of abundance can be felt when choosing hotels in Brazil, where nature takes center stage. In Bahia, family-friendly Iberostar Waves Bahia and Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte offer a sense of well-being, while Amazon Grand Expedition stands out among Brazil’s all-inclusive hotels with a more immersive experience along the river.
Portugal’s most iconic lucky symbol is the Rooster of Barcelos, also associated with faith and justice. According to legend, the rooster proved the innocence of a pilgrim wrongly accused of theft and sentenced to death. These hand-painted ceramic roosters are found throughout Portugal and make a perfect souvenir, bringing both good luck and a touch of color to any home. When planning your stay, you can connect with this tradition at family-friendly hotels in Portugal, such as Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve, or enjoy the charm of Iberostar Selection Lisboa, both offering a stay filled with light.
In both France and Spain, accidentally stepping in dog droppings is said to bring good luck, but it is unlikely that you will find this is a worthwhile trade-off. Fortunately, there are many more pleasant ways to attract positive energy. Visiting Spain during New Year’s? It is traditional to eat twelve grapes at midnight to ensure a year of good fortune, a custom that has spread to some Latin American countries. The idea is to eat each grape in sync with each of the twelve chimes of the clock, so peeling and deseeding is a good idea for newbies. Oh, and don’t forget to wear something red for an extra boost of good luck.
Greece has its own New Year’s tradition centered around fruit. In this case, pomegranates are hung above the front door during the holidays as symbols of abundance and prosperity. At midnight, the fruit is smashed with the lights turned off. Greek hospitality offers the perfect setting to experience this ritual, especially at Iberostar Selection Creta Marine or Iberostar Waves Creta Panorama & Mare. These all-inclusive resorts in Greece provide an ideal backdrop for letting the seeds of good fortune scatter into the year ahead. Just be sure to ask permission before trying this at a hotel, as pomegranates can stain. A better option may be to celebrate with Greek friends and enjoy the tradition together.
Not all lucky charms or rituals come from centuries-old traditions. Bananas have recently become a symbol of good luck after the Dominican national baseball team began bringing them onto the field. Today, “Plátano Power” has become a Dominican Republic emblem that you can experience firsthand by staying at some of the country’s top resorts. Family-friendly hotels in Playa Bávaro, such as Iberostar Waves Dominicana,Iberostar Waves Punta Cana, and Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites, are filled with this upbeat energy. For those seeking tranquility, the adults-only JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar offers the perfect retreat. Good fortune also awaits in other parts of the island, from Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada to Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus.
Of course, some superstitions are universal. Knocking on wood, carrying a lucky charm such as a four-leaf clover, lucky dice, or a special gemstone, or making a wish when you find a fallen eyelash. Seeing a shooting star, a wishing well, a rainbow, or blowing out birthday candles are all ways of inviting good luck. So whether you’re superstitious or skeptical, keeping an open mind and a positive attitude is the best way to travel with confidence and ease. Good luck!
JESSICA DECAMP
Photography by Cordon Press
MAKE IT REAL NOW