What to prepare for your next holiday
With your holiday on the horizon, there’s often a lot to think about. This can result in you forgetting things if you’re not organized. To give yourself a good start when setting up your holiday, there are some steps you can take to make it easier, and smoother in the run up. Let’s take a look at what some of these are.
Organize and prep documents
One of the first things you need to do is ensure you have all the documents you need for your travel. This means finding your passport and making sure that it’s not expired. For some countries, you need to make sure you have double pages empty and that your passport has at least 6 months left before it expires. You’ll also need to make sure you’ve had any necessary vaccinations and have the right documentation to show this, as well as ensuring you’ve got your boarding passes or other travel-related tickets. Finally, you should take out travel insurance, but remember to read the cancellation terms and conditions to make sure you’ve got the right policy in place in case anything goes wrong.
Plan your luggage
When flying, you need to make sure that you’ve got the correct luggage booked. Many flights do not include checked bags, so make sure you’re meeting the luggage allowance correctly. Sometimes this can change, so checking in advance of your travel date so that you don’t get caught out when arriving at airports like LAX or JFK International. It can help to plan your luggage in advance by looking at the weather forecast and packing accordingly.
Booking extras in advance
This could include booking parking at the airport you’re flying from, booking a stay-and-fly option or even booking a hire car when you land at the other end. Advance bookings can mean you’re going to pay a lot less overall and will mean that you’re all sorted when you do begin your travels.
Get the right currency
Another consideration involves being prepared with some cash. Not all countries use plastic, and some areas require cash only. Additionally, don’t forget that using your card abroad often results in currency conversion fees making things cost more. Avoid this by taking some emergency cash with you.
Using your mobile abroad
These days, we all take our phones and even while on holiday we want to stay connected. As such, we recommend preparing your mobile and seeing whether you’re roaming contract covers the country you’re in. Usually around the US, you’ll be able to roam just as you would at home. But, check this with your phone provider first to avoid unexpected fees. If you’re not going to get roaming, then consider an e-Sim.
Protect your house
Many people neglect the preparation of their house before they go. When you’re gone for an extended period, it can be obvious that your house is empty. Preparing some steps to mitigate this is key to peace of mind when you’re away. Get organized and ask your neighbours if they can check or enter your house every now and then. If the bins are due, ask a neighbour to put them out and collect them for you so it looks like someone is home. You can also consider adding timers to your lights so that they come on and off at key points throughout the day.
Inside your house, make sure you’ve emptied your fridge for food that might go off while you’re away. You can also be smart if you’re going to arrive home relatively late and consider stocking up your freezer with a few ready meals for an easy dinner once you’re back.
Plan for your pet
If you’ve got a dog or cat, then they’ll need to be cared for when you’re away as well. Depending on the pet, you may simply get a friend to come over to feed them each day, take them out, or check on them. You can also employ an in-home dog sitter while you are away. Most people though, will use a kennel or cattery. This means you do need to be organized, and booking this in advance, particularly if you’re travelling in peak season, is key. Make sure any pet vaccinations and documentation is up-to-date for a smooth pet drop-off before you travel.
Getting to the airport
Finally, make sure you know how you’re getting to the airport. Whether you book a taxi, get a friend to drive you, or drive yourself and park, organize it in advance. That way, you won’t be worried about making it on time.
