When you are planning to go away on holiday, you could be forgiven for getting a little, how shall we put it: stressed? Yes, you will get a little stressed! Do not worry, this is totally normal, however it is important to not let the stress take you over and spoil the beginning of your holiday.
Being organized is one of the best ways to tackle travel stress, because if you pre-empt any problems, then you have less to worry about! Despite that, what if you forget something?
It is a long list of ‘what ifs’ when it comes to getting yourself organized, however if you forget anything, do not let it be any of these:
Getting to the Airport
Believe it or not, many people leave this until the very last minute to organize! Decide how you are getting there and if you have an early flight, consider staying overnight at an airport hotel. You might think this is an unnecessary extra, but I could not disagree more. Having stayed at many Gatwick Airport hotels with www.holidayextras.co.uk/gatwick-airport-hotels.html, I can certainly vouch for their value, as well as the beneficial effects of having a good night’s sleep the night before travelling!
Insurance
In the event of a problem, this will be your safety net. There are some great value holiday insurance policies out there and an online price comparison website will give you the best deals.
Passport Validity
Your passport is in your bag, right? Have you checked the amount of time left on it? Certain destinations ask for a certain number of months to be left on your passport after you return, sometimes up to six months. Check the needs of your particular destination ahead of time, and if need be, renew your passport early.
Visa?
Do you need a visa for your destination? Some places do, some places do not, but you need to check in good time, because if you have to apply in a formal manner, this can be a time-consuming process.
Medical Matters
If you have any regular medications, make sure you get your repeat prescription in time, to stock you up for your time away. Remember to carry these in the labelled boxes and in your hand luggage. You also need to check whether you need any specific vaccinations for your destination.
Print It All Out
Sometimes you do not need to print certain things out, e.g. some airlines do not ask for a printed ticket, just a reference number, but I always think it is a good idea to take a print-out anyway, just in case. Keep everything in a small envelope or folder in your hand luggage, in the order you’re going to need it.
Weigh your Luggage
Finally, once you have packed make sure you weigh your suitcase. It is easier to rectify overweight luggage at this stage than it is at the check-in desk, when you are either having to pay out for excess luggage or redistributing items to make your case lighter.
Remember these tips and your travel day should be much easier on the stress levels!
