collaborative post.
Sometimes a week or two of sea and sand is just what the doctor ordered. After working hard all year, some downtime to switch off, relax and just have fun can benefit our lives in so many ways. However as fun and exciting as holidays can be, they can also be stressful. They take time to plan and there’s a lot to remember, not to mention the expense too. But there are things you can do to make your trip run as smoothly as possible- after all, you’ve gone away to get a break so you don’t want any unnecessary hassle. Here are some ideas!
Organise Travel Insurance
You would be daft to go on holiday without insurance. It may seem like another expense to factor in but compared to the expenses you’d incur if you fell ill or had an accident in another country it’s a drop in the ocean! You’re also likely to be covered if an airline loses your luggage and you have to buy new clothes, or if something gets damaged or stolen (like that new camera or the tablets you took to entertain the kids on the flight!) It’s worth looking into cheap travel insurance with medical conditions if you have a pre existing condition.
Create an Itinerary
I always make a list of the things I really want to do, and the places I really want to see after doing a LOT of research. Are there any museums or art galleries you really want to visit? If so what days are they closed? What about date-specific events, is there a weekend thrift market you don’t want to miss? If you’re planning a shopping spree then look up opening times too, as in some European cities especially big shops don’t open on Sundays. It’s also worth checking out local transport links and booking any return travel to the airport in advance if you’ll be using a cab rather than public transport.
Hire a Car
If you want the freedom to be able to go where you want, when you want on holiday then why not hire a car? It saves having to wait around on unreliable public transport, and can be especially useful if you’re travelling with kids. No need to lug prams and tonnes of bags onto buses or trains, you can load up the boot and have everything you need with you. It does largely depend on where you will be going (cars will be useless in very busy cities) but for lots of places it could make your holiday run much smoother.
Consider Extra Costs
Travel can be expensive, and if you’re on a tight budget you might only just be able to afford all of the essentials that you need. Make sure you consider all of the extra costs you might come up against- for example if your luggage is overweight you will need to pay a fee. If you’re parking at the airport, have you budgeted for this? It’s always worth having a contingency fund, a little money or a credit card put away for emergencies. That way if you get stranded and need to stay another night or a cost catches you off guard, you know you have enough cash to get you through.
Along with your destination, flights, hotels, food arrangements, spending money, transfers, insurances, vaccinations and everything else- planning a holiday can be a minefield. So spend time beforehand planning out as much as possible so you’re not caught off guard and can relax and enjoy your holiday!