Travelling is exciting. Making plans for an upcoming holiday is like preparing for a wonderful dream and then having it become a reality. You get to visit amazing places and experience life-changing events. While you may be focused on what happens when you arrive at your destination, it is just as important, sometimes even more so, to prepare well in advance of your departure. Here are some essential tips to make your next holiday less stressful before you actually leave home.
Find Safe And Reliable Parking
When you are away from your home, you are also away from your vehicle. If you drive yourself to the airport, you need a reliable, safe, and secure way to store your car until you return. At that point, of course, you will want to pick up your car and go home.
After a long holiday abroad or a short jaunt to the countryside, waiting for a rideshare or navigating endless ways to find your car are not ideal. End a fun journey by making it easy to access your vehicle by using Parking Up to book your airport car parking space whenever you like from the comfort of wherever you are.
By taking this small action, you will have made a big impact on the logistics of your holiday and saved yourself undue time, expenses, and potential headaches. Check this one off your list right away.
Plan For Monetary Transactions
With the ease of credit card use, it does not always occur to infrequent travellers to plan ahead for monetary needs. If you are travelling to a country that uses a different currency from yours, consider converting some money before leaving home. Research the locations with the best exchange rates to get the most you can for your money.
If you plan on using credit cards while away, ensure you always pay in the local currency; otherwise, you may be subjected to a foreign transaction fee every time you make a purchase. Additionally, check with your credit card company beforehand to determine if that card is ideal for travel or if another option would suit your needs to avoid unnecessary and costly fees.
The same advice applies to your debit card. Contact your bank to determine whether withdrawals at foreign cashpoints that are not affiliated with your bank will accrue withdrawal fees every time you pull money out of your account. Ask about foreign transaction fees, as well.
Hold Your Mail
If the post arrives and sits in your box for a bit while you are at work or out for the day, no one worries. If a parcel arrives and sits for too long on your front steps or the post box is overflowing with days of unattended mail, people will notice. Unfortunately, some of those people may see a crime of opportunity because they quickly determine no one is home.
Avoid this preventable mistake by holding your mail until you have time to pick it up upon your return. Alternatively, you can ask a trusted friend, family member, or neighbour to collect and hold it for you. Ideally, you have a dependable neighbour to rely on as they are in proximity, and the likelihood of them forgetting to check your post or delaying it for a day or two since they are too far away is low.
Copy And Backup Essential Documents
As you probably already know, any travel intentions require the necessary documentation to gain entry, access, a ride on a plane, a hotel room, or a rental car, among other things. Once you have the documents in hand, whether they are in the form of a physical document or a digital one, it is imperative that you make copies.
Make a physical copy of each document, front and back, and store it in your home in a safe location, such as a home safe. If you have a trusted family member or friend, consider giving them access to the information or ask them to securely store the documents while you are away. Place everything in a sealed envelope first. Be sure to pick them up immediately upon your return. Make a copy of certain documents, such as prescriptions, your passport, and identification and keep those copies on you during your travels.
Finally, upload everything to a secure cloud system that you know you will be able to access when you are away. Make sure you have the user name and password – test them out before departing, just in case.
Watch this video to learn about seven key documents you should copy before your trip.
Find A Pet Carer
Your pets are an important part of your family. Whether you have a goldfish in an aquarium in your kitchen or a beloved pair of dogs (and anything in between), you want to guarantee their safety and comfort while you are away.
Contact a licensed pet boarding facility or look for an in-home carer to keep them happy in a familiar place. Regardless of your decision, do your due diligence and ask to see their business license, confirm it is still current, and search for positive and negative reviews online and on social media. Pay the facility an unannounced drop-in visit to see how they operate. Alternatively, schedule an in-home visit with potential pet-sitters only after you vet them. Avoid announcing your travel dates until you find your desired sitter or boarding facility.
Once you know how your pets will be cared for in your absence, discuss how you will remain in contact with the caregivers. Ask for photos at specific intervals, if appropriate, and request your pets stay off of any business or individual carer’s social media posts. This is a safeguard in case someone recognises your pet and realises your home is unattended.
Get ready for your next holiday excursion by booking airport parking in advance so you are not (literally) driving around in circles while your flight departure time looms ever closer. Prepare your essential documents by making copies, and care for your furry family members so you can relax on your trip. You have earned it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Magda
xoxo