Okay, so you've got your vacation booked up - the flights are arranged, the accommodations sorted, and youve even managed to secure low price tickets for shows and attractions at your destination. Now all that's left to do is actually get yourself prepared...which can often be the most stressful part of the vacation experience. If you want to know more about how to prepare for holiday travel and cut out many of the headaches, then here are a few tips...
Preparing for holiday travel can be stressful at the best of times, but it is important to remember that this is your hard earned vacation that you are preparing for, and nothing about it should be stressing you out. So, instead of wasting valuable time worrying, it is a good idea to follow a few simple rules and cut out unnecessary headaches that could end up marring your vacation experience.
Think ahead: One major headache that affects many travellers is realizing, when it is all too late, that their passport is out of date. You should always check your passport even before you have made your vacation booking to ensure that it is in date. The last thing you want is to get your vacation booked, only to find out your passport is out of date, and then have to spend more money on changing dates or praying that your new passport will come through in time. Also, if you need to book any coach tickets to get to the airport or you want to book your car in at the airport, you should also do this well in advance.
Make a sensible packing list: By spending some time sitting down and making a list of all the items you need to take, you can make packing a lot easier. Remember not to over do it and start adding unnecessary items to your list - stick to the essentials, and then keep the list somewhere safe so that you can use it to do your packing.
Avoid packing too early: Although it can be tempting to get your packing out of the way as soon as possible, you will find that if you pack too early you will be delving in and out of your suitcase every five minutes because you need something that you have already packed, or because you want to check that you have packed everything you have on your list. This simply increases the chances of you forgetting something and causes undue hassle. Pack a few days before you are due to go, and if there is anything that you need to use in the meantime make a separate list of last minute things that you can then pack the night before you leave.
Ensure that you have your travel documents: The most important items you need to take are, of course, your travel documents and tickets. Keep your passports, travel money, flight tickets, coach tickets, and any other necessary documents in a separate bag rather than your suitcase. Many people get paranoid about whether they have all the necessary travel documents and it will be far easier for you to check them on the day that you depart if they are in an easily accessible bag rather than buried under your clothing in your suitcase.
Arrange your travel insurance and get your money sorted out: Although many package vacations offer travel insurance as part of the deal, if you have booked separate flights and accommodation you may not be covered. Make sure that you arrange your travel insurance in plenty of time, and that you read through the documents and know what you are covered for - this will enable you to opt for a more comprehensive insurance package if needs be. Also, if you plan ahead when it comes to getting your currency you can look out for the best deals on exchange rates and get your cash and travellers checks when the exchange rate is favourable.
Prepare for kids to travel too: If you are travelling with children, particularly younger ones, you should ensure that you prepare in advance to make the flight and vacation as easy and relaxing on you as possible. Think about how you can keep them amused and entertained on the flight, and make a list of things to take such as books, simple games, and the like.