Planning a holiday can be exhilarating, but the days leading up to your departure can often be filled with stress and last-minute chaos. Fear not! With a bit of preparation, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable start to your vacation. Here’s your ultimate guide to pre-holiday preparation, packed with tips and tricks to make your journey stress-free.
Health and Safety Precautions
Taking care of your health and safety while traveling is crucial:
- Vaccinations: Check if you need any vaccinations for your destination. Some of these may be required to be done earlier than later so check out what vaccinations you may need.
- Medication: Pack enough medication for the entire trip and a little extra in case of delays. We sometimes go over the top here but check out our suggestions in our packing blog.
- First-Aid Kit: Include basic supplies like band-aids are a must. You never know when your shoes might rub. Also if you are intending to hike you may need insect repellant or antiseptics incase of falls.
Organize Your Travel Documents
Make sure all your travel documents are up to date and easily accessible. I have mine all saved on my iPhone in documents and they are always labelled in case I need to search for them. Some people prefer to have a physical version but these days that feels like a personal choice not a requirement
- Passport and Visa: Check the expiration date and ensure you have any required visas. Remember you can not travel on a passport with less than 6 months remaining on it. Visa requirements can also change all the time so it is always worth staying up to date.
- Travel Insurance: Have a copy of your policy and emergency contact numbers. Mine is always in my emails but having it available in case it is needed is a great tip.
- Itinerary: Weather you are planning your own or we have planned it for you save a copy of your itinerary on your phone. It is always accessible because lets be real who travels without it if for nothing more than to take pictures however you may not always have service so having a copy dowloaded and saved is always worthwhile.
Pack Smart
Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of preparing for a holiday. Here are some tips to make it easier:
- Use Packing Cubes: They help organize your suitcase and make unpacking a breeze. When Packing we all have different ways to organise the cubes and for me it depends on the trip. If it is a two part trip I may separate by location otherwise I generally like to organise by item type I.e. all bottoms, tops together then dresses and Jackets and underwear separate. Don’t forget to pack a dirty laundry bag to keep items separate. I also sadly have had a couple of instances where my bags have gone haywire so now I always have a spare packing cube with at least one spare outfit and a jumper.
- Follow the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule: For a week-long trip, pack 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 5 pairs of socks, and 6 sets of underwear. For more ideas check out our packing ideas blog.
Plan Your Airport Transportation
Decide how you’ll get to the airport ahead of time. Options include:
- Driving: Check parking options and book in advance to save stress and money. A lot of hotels have included parking but there are a lot that don’t so it is always important to be prepared.
- Public Transport: Look up schedules and plan your route.
- Taxi/Driver services: Schedule a ride to ensure you arrive on time. Don’t forget to give them your flight details in case of any delays.
Inform Your Bank
Notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid any issues with your credit or debit cards while abroad. Also, inquire about any foreign transaction fees. A lot of people like to carry cash and while there are services for it I have always been able to get cash out in the airport on arrival especially if I am travelling in currency other than my home currency.
Prepare Your Home
Leaving your home for an extended period requires some preparation to ensure everything is in order when you return:
- Clean your home : I always like to have a full house clean prior to going on holidays so I don’t have to think about it when I get home. The first step to preparing your home is a full clean. Clean out your fridge, take the bins out and put away any laundry you haven’t got around to. The last thing you want to do is come home to a smelly house because of something let in the bin or clothes to put away. Of course don’t forget to wash your sheets and remake your bed. The best feeling ever after coming home is being able to get into a freshly made clean bed to take your first nap or sleep when you get home.
- Secure Your Home: Lock all doors and windows, and consider using timers for lights or having a friend pop over and check in on things, assuming you don’t have a house sitter. Also having someone to collect your mail is a great way to keep your home secure if you are going on an extended trip.
- Arrange Pet Care: Ensure your pets are taken care of by a trusted friend, family member, or pet-sitting service, again assuming you don’t have a house sitter.
Relax and Enjoy
With these pre-holiday preparation tips, you’re well on your way to a stress-free and enjoyable trip. Remember, the key to a successful holiday is in the planning. Safe travels and happy adventures from Atlas and Wander! Looking for us to plan your trip? Get in touch today!
