Planning A Vacation? Here's Some Important Advice

Vacation is the time to let your hair down and enjoy yourself. Visit breathtaking locations; have fun with your partner, friends, and family; new experiences and many more come with every vacation we plan. People often start their planning a bit too late, leave with high hopes, and come back home tired and frustrated. So if you're planning a vacation and don't want to end up feeling that way, then make sure to heed this advice.

Planning A Vacation? Here's Some Important Advice
[image: pixabay]

Research before planning

Vacation is all about exploring new places and doing new things. The first step to planning a vacation is to decide on the place you'd like to visit. Make sure that the place has good accommodations, food, recreation facilities, and so on. Also, check out photos of the location online so that you can get an idea of what it looks like. Search for a hotels.com discount code and see if you can reserve accommodations in advance, and preferably save some travel money. With the proper planning, you can book train and bus tickets, as well as some restaurants, museums, and guided tours if you want to have a full itinerary.

Plan for contingencies

No matter how well you plan, things can always go wrong. That's why it's important to have backup plans in place for any possible contingency. For instance, if you're traveling during the winter, make sure to have a plan in case of bad weather. If you're traveling by air, think about options in case of flight delays or cancellations. The last thing you want is to be stranded in a foreign country without any way to get home.

Maybe there is a motel nearby where you can sleep while you wait for the flight. Also, if anything unexpected happens check out ways to reach out to your embassy, given that we live in a time when countries can open up and close due to the pandemic, etc.

Pack the essentials

Don't forget to pack the essentials like your passport, tickets, and money. Make sure to also pack any medications you might need while on vacation, as well as a first-aid kit just in case. If you're traveling with electronics, remember to bring the appropriate chargers and adapters. It's also a good idea to pack a lightweight jacket or shawl, as weather can be unpredictable.

Pack as light as possible

This goes hand in hand with packing the essentials. The less you pack, the easier it will be to carry your luggage around. Try to limit yourself to one suitcase and one backpack. If you can't manage that, then at least try to pack light so that you don't have to carry a lot of weight around with you.

Depending on how long you are going to stay, pack one or two items that you can dress up or dress down according to the occasion. For example, if you are going out for dinner in a restaurant or clubbing, a good pair of jeans with adequate shirts can do just fine. However, if you are going to a more formal event, like a wedding, then it is better to have a suit or dress. 

Starting a travel journal

Vacation is the perfect time to create memories. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and plans in a travel journal so that you can look back on them when you return home. There are many ways you can organize it. Try using all of the disposable bus tickets, museum passes, and even printed restaurant napkins. All you need is a notebook or an old book to upcycle into a travel journal.

You can write down your plan in advance, the most important numbers like travel and insurance agencies, hotel, transfer, etc. As you go along, make sure to add any new numbers or addresses. This way, if something happens, and you lose all your important papers, you'll still have all the information you need to get help.

Create or buy luggage tags

This is to ensure you don't lose your luggage on the way home. One idea is to use old CDs as luggage tags instead of buying new ones. However, if you want to buy them, then make sure you choose ones that will stand out against the backdrop of an airport carousel. If you're traveling by train, remember to also bring a luggage tag for each of your bags.

In case you want to make your luggage tags, use photos from magazines and attach them with tape on the back of the bag. This way, everyone will know which one is yours when it gets lost in transit or on pick up at the arrival hall.

Where to sit on the plane?

Try sitting in an aisle seat if you like to go to the bathroom often because you will not have to disturb other passengers while they are sleeping or resting. Also, during extreme turbulence, most people prefer being close, so they can get out of the airplane quickly if needed. Another reason for sitting by the aisle is that you will get first access to the overhead compartments.

Window seats are great for people who want to see as much of the world as possible and who don't mind not being able to get up often. If you're traveling with someone, try to get a window and an aisle seat so that you can take turns going to the bathroom.

The middle seat is not the best because it's in the middle, and you have no control over who you are sitting next to. If there is a stranger on one side, then you will have to put up with their conversation and body odor for the entire flight. If there is someone you know on the other side, then you will have to be mindful of their comfort and space.

Get travel insurance

No one ever wants to think about the possibility of something bad happening on their vacation, but it's always a good idea to be prepared. That's why you should get travel insurance before you leave. This will protect you in case of delayed flights, lost luggage, or canceled trips. It will also give you peace of mind for the time being.

[image: pixabay]

Never go on vacation without thorough research and planning to prepare beforehand. This way, you'll know what to expect and won't be caught off guard when the time comes. You should research your destination- what to do, where to stay, and the culture of the location. Plan for contingencies such as bad weather or delays in transportation so that you can always have a backup plan in case things don't go according to plan.