Stress Free Travel Tips
Holidays are meant to be a time for relaxation and enjoyment, maybe even a bit of adventure. But if you don’t plan ahead and prepare properly you might be tearing your hair out and counting the days until you’re back home.
Here are some handy hints to make sure everything goes to plan:
Invest in travel insurance
Make sure you have taken out the appropriate travel insurance for your trip. As well as protecting you in case of medical problems, cancellations or accidents, make sure it also covers any expensive cameras or other valuables you are taking, along with any sports or activities you plan on trying out.
Home help
Check that you’ve safely locked your home and set all the security alarms. Ask a friend, relative or neighbour to keep a watchful eye on the place, feed the pets and water the plants etc. You don’t want to be thinking “is my house safe?” when you are lying on a beach thousands of miles away.
Stop your mail and newspaper deliveries
Piles of newspapers and letters piled up at your doorway can offer would-be burglars a tell tale sign that your house is unattended. Simply call the Post Office and your newsagents and ask them to kindly hold your mail and papers until you return.
Unplug your equipment
Take the time to turn off and unplug all your electrical equipment like TVs, microwaves, computers. As well as reducing the risk of fire while you’re away, you’ll also save on your energy bills.
Remember your medication
If you take regular tablets or other types of medication, ensure you have remembered to pack them and have enough supplies to cover your trip. You don’t want to run out half way through your holiday. Likewise, if you use glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids etc it’s a good idea to take a backup just in case you lose or damage your originals.
Leave yourself plenty of time
Make sure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare before check-in. It’s always best to prepare for delays and traffic jams, and then there’s always finding a parking space once you get to the airport.
Use airport hotels
Or take away the stresses and strains of an early morning drive or taxi to the airport by staying at the airport’s hotel the night before you travel. Have a good night’s sleep to make sure your trip gets off on the right foot.
Keep copies of your vital documents
Make sure you have photocopies of your passport, travel insurance policy, traveller’s cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Keep them separate from the originals.
Know where you are staying
As soon as you arrive at your hotel, pick up one of their business cards. Then if you do happen to get lost during your trip, all you have to do is hand the card to a helpful taxi driver and they’ll get you back in one piece.
Learn a little local knowledge… and lingo
Check up on your destination’s local customs in advance so you know what not to do! And learn a couple of useful phrases, even if it’s just “hello”, “goodbye” and “thank you” – a little effort can go a long way.
Catch up with the concierge
Make the most of your hotel concierge’s local knowledge. Where’s the best place to get cheap food? Are there any events going on that might be of interest? Where am I likely to get ripped off? Ask them these and much, much more. They are there to help you.