Planning a summer holiday is so exciting – you start dreaming about lying on warm sand, feeling the sun on your face, sipping a cocktail, and it helps the dreary cold days to slip by that little bit faster.
Of course, dreaming about it for so long – and paying lots of money for it, of course – means that you want it to be absolutely perfect.
I’ve had my fair share of disastrous holidays – some avoidable, some not – so here are some tips for holiday planning which can help to avert a holiday crisis.
1) Do ample research and planning
Firstly, do you know where you want to go? If you have a specific location in mind then that’s fine, but if you haven’t got an idea then you need to do your research. Think about what you want; what’s the ideal weather, local attractions, and how easy is it to travel. There are plenty of online resources which can help you to pick the perfect holiday destination or you can visit a travel agent and they can help you.
Obviously your budget will depend on how much you can afford to spend, but it’s a good idea to set a limit and stick to it. Make sure you account for accommodation, transportation, meals if not included, any activities, and keep enough by for unexpected costs which may arise.
Talking of unexpected, travel insurance is a must. If you can’t go on your holiday due to illness, for instance, then without insurance you will lose all of your money. It might even be completely beyond your control; if a flight is cancelled for any reason you might be due compensation and can use services like Airhelp to access this but other costs like your hotel, any pre-booked trips etc will be unlikely to be refunded to you.
Lastly, when planning your trip do check for any visa requirements for your destination, and ensure that you have any necessary documents, and that your passport is in date and has long enough on it.
2) Be a savvy booker
Before booking, make sure that you check reviews for example on TripAdvisor or travel blogs, to see what people have to say about the hotel or resort. Don’t get too bogged down in individual reviews – things can go wrong anywhere – but make sure to look at the overall opinion and that all the important factors of your holiday are covered.
The earlier you book your accommodation and flights and/or transfers, the easier it will be to secure a good deal at a time convenient to you. If you can afford to be a little flexible with dates then this can work in your favour as you can pick cheaper flights. However sometimes just picking the cheapest can be a false economy; arriving at your destination in the middle of the night will eat up one of your holiday days and you will have no choice but to pay for private transfers to your accommodation, even when there are multiple public transport options available during the day. Make sure you balance cost against convenience, if you are able to.
3) Pack the essentials
Don’t end up forgetting something important which could ruin your perfect holiday! Create a comprehensive packing list including clothing, toiletries, medications, travel documents, electronic devices, chargers, and any other items you may need. If you’re flying, you will probably have a strict baggage limit so try to avoid overpacking by being realistic about what you’ll need and making the most of travel-sized toiletries which would otherwise be heavy and weigh you down. See if you can create a ‘capsule’ holiday wardrobe where items can be mixed and matched rather than taking brand new outfits for every day.
Oh, and before you travel check what the weather is likely to be like so you don’t end up filling your luggage with a load of chunky knits you don’t need, or else shivering in a summer dress during a downpour.
Pack a small first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, and any other emergency supplies you may need during your trip. Contact lens wearers should also make sure their supply is sorted before they go. Running out mid-holiday or trying to find your specific prescription abroad is a headache nobody needs. Switching to daily disposable contact lenses for the trip is a practical option, no solution, no case, and no risk of wearing lenses past their limit when you are busy having too much fun to keep track.
4) Stay safe
Before you go, educate yourself with the local laws, customs, and potential safety concerns of your destination. Research any travel advisories or warnings issued by government authorities. Find out where the local hospital and police station are and keep your travel insurance information easily to hand.
When in your accommodation, if there is a safe, use it to keep your valuables such as passports, money, and electronics secure at all times. I’ve heard of people leaving one of their shoes inside the safe so that they can’t forget it at the end of their holiday!
If you are a solo traveler, give friends/family a copy of your itinerary and stay in contact so they can check in on you in case of emergencies.
5) Enjoy your holiday!
Not enjoying your holiday would be a massive disaster! If you’re in a hot country, make sure that you stay hydrated. Don’t overdo it – if the sun is stronger than you’re used to, slow down, drink lots and ALWAYS use sun cream and reapply if you’ve been swimming.
Most of all, while it’s essential to have a plan, do be prepared to adapt to unexpected changes or challenges during your trip. Being too rigid can ruin opportunities for fun and lead to huge disappointment if things just don’t work out. Setting a strict travel itinerary suits some people but it’s best to leave at least a few days spare in case something doesn’t necessarily work out!