Written by Tracey Bell
Holidays are fast approaching and you are met with a blank canvas – you could go anywhere! You are spoiled for choice but inundated with information. By the time you have sorted through the information and made a decision, is there even any time left to actually go for the holiday? That’s without considering the time needed for work commitments or things to be done around the home (spring cleaning, renovations, etc).
Holidays are not supposed to be stressful, but somehow the for a holiday planning and preparation can leave us frazzled and wondering if it’s really worth it. Below is an easy step-by-step guide for smooth travel planning. Before you know it you will be sipping cocktails on the beach.
1. Plan Your Holiday In Advance
Leaving things to the last minute always results in higher stress levels, so start planning early. Choosing a destination can be tough but having this window of time can help you make smarter decisions. You can set up flight alerts and look out for other special offers to help you get the best deals. If you have a shortlist of destinations, set up flight alerts for each of them and the best prices might help you with the final decision of where you will travel.
2. Use A Travel Agent
There are rumours that these professionals are becoming somewhat redundant, however, do not underestimate their value. If you have some ideas about the types of activities you want to do on your holiday (i.e. mountain climbing, safari, water sports) but cannot figure out where to do it, then your travel agent is the person who can match you with your ideal destination. The real value of the travel agent is that they take all the stress out of the planning – they are the one to wait on hold to make bookings, to do the research for the best hotel and flight deals, and to look for the activities. If something goes wrong on your holiday, it’s the travel agent who deals with it. You only have to make one phone call to your agent and the rest is sorted out for you. Booking online may be cheaper but it can also leave you stranded when things don’t work out.
3. Set Mini-Deadlines For Travel Planning
Some vaccinations require a series of doses over several weeks, so it is recommended you visit a doctor at least six weeks before departure. Visas can take time to obtain so check with the relevant embassy and put that time into your calendar. Pet care, house sitting and letterbox collection are also things you want to have time for – you need time to vet the house sitters for example. Put these deadlines in your diary or calendar and stick to them to avoid the last-minute panic.
4. Keep A Packing List
As you think of things you will need on your holiday, jot them down somewhere so that when you are packing (at the last minute!) you don’t have to think too much. You might read some travel blogs of people who have been to the same place and advise you to take certain items – you can add that to your list without worrying that you might forget in a couple of months. Your travel agent or tour operator may give you a suggested packing list for your specific activities so add that to your personal list as well.
Included in your list and must-buy items should be any of these essentials
5. Sort Out Your Work Commitments
Pretend your last day at work before your holiday is one week before your actual last day. That way, you can ensure you get your work finished in plenty of time (even if you don’t make that deadline, you still have time to complete it in the final week). There have been studies showing that it takes people a few days to wind down from work and half your holiday might be wasted by the time you relax into it. So why not start the wind-down process before you leave? You can also spend the last week handing over to your co-workers, giving plenty of time to ensure all loose ends are tied up before you go. Starting early and writing out a plan (and sticking to it!) will ensure your holiday is stress-free both in the preparation stage and enjoying it while you are there. And if a safari is on your holiday list, Overland Travel Adventures provides clear step-by-step guidance to assist you with preparing for travel to Africa
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