Going on holiday should be a stress-free experience, but the truth is that it’s usually anything but. Planning a holiday, then executing that plan, is probably one of the most difficult things you can do, especially if you have a family. Nobody is ever as prepared as you want them to be, and when you factor in travel complications and other unforeseeable issues, planning a holiday turns into a potential nightmare scenario.
There are, of course, ways to get around this. Every holidaymaker should be as prepared as possible before embarking on their journey, and there are certain things you should have ready to make your life that little bit easier. Here are 5 things you must make sure you have before you go on holiday.
Enough money
It sounds obvious, but some people plan holidays without making sure they’re adequately prepared in the funding department. The last thing you want is to find yourself in a city you’ve never visited before and lacking the essential funds to either do anything fun or get around. Before you embark on your holiday, make sure you’ve got more money than you think you’ll need. In some cases, you’ll simply be able to use your bank card, but if you need cash – or you’re paranoid about card transactions – then you need to be prepared. There are plenty of ways you can drum up the right amount of funding. Why not look into highly recommended personal loans? That small injection of cash can be just what you need for an unforgettable holiday.
A detailed itinerary
Many holidays are frustrated by a lack of direction, and that’s where a detailed itinerary comes in. If you carefully plan your journey before you leave, then you’ll always have somewhere to be and somewhere to go, and you’ll avoid that common feeling of not knowing what you’re doing. If you have family members or friends who aren’t keen on planning the journey that intricately, then ask them if they’d be willing to compromise; if the journey is a week long, perhaps they could do what you want to do one day then do what they want to do the next. In the end, they’ll likely come round to your way of thinking, as spending time doing nothing on holiday might feel the same as spending time doing nothing at home.
Security at home
This one applies maybe more to those who are going for a long period of time, or those who find themselves living in a less-than-secure neighbourhood, but it’s absolutely crucial to ensure your home is properly secured before you go on holiday. Nothing ruins an otherwise-unforgettable trip like returning home to learn your house has been broken into. The sense of having your privacy invaded is overwhelming. If you can, try to install a security system in your home before leaving – there are some great home security systems out there that can even be remotely viewed and accessed on smartphones or other mobile devices. If you trust your neighbours, then ask them to keep an eye on the place while you’re gone, because an extra pair of eyes never hurts.
Adequate suitcases
Again, this one trips up more people than we might care to admit. Before going on holiday, make sure that you have the right storage capacity for the amount of stuff you need to take with you. If you’re only going for a few days, then you might not need a bag larger than the average backpack; if, however, you’ll be gone for a couple of weeks, then it’s crucial to take a suitcase that will adequately store everything you need. In addition to this, you might want to work on your packing technique before leaving. It might be a good idea to give packing a couple of trial runs, or (if possible) to pack well in advance of going, because there’s nothing more frustrating than realising last-minute that all the stuff you need won’t fit into your luggage.
A clear travel plan
Sure, you’ve booked your flight prior to the journey – of course you have. Do you know how you’re getting to the airport, though? Do you know which public transport you have to take in order to get there, and what time is best in order to leave enough space for checking in, security, baggage, et cetera? All of these things need to be carefully planned well in advance, because if something goes wrong you need a serious margin for error. Your travel itinerary should include not just the time of the flight, but also a detailed plan of how and when to get to the airport. Once you get there, you’ll also need to figure out where you’re checking in (if applicable), where your gate is and other important info. Don’t leave travel in the lurch, as it could be the most important part of your pre-holiday journey.
