Sometimes a week or two of sea and sand is just what the doctor ordered. After working hard all year, some downtime to switch off, relax and just have fun can benefit our lives in so many ways. However as fun and exciting as holidays can be, they can also be stressful. They take time to plan and there’s a lot to remember, not to mention the expense too. But there are things you can do to make your trip run as smoothly as possible- after all, you’ve gone away to get a break so you don’t want any unnecessary hassle. Here are some ideas!
Think About Pets
When you have pets, the thought of going away can be a little stressful. After all, no one loves your pet like you and you want to make sure they’re ok! Luckily, these days boarding kennels and catteries are of an excellent standard, and you can quite literally book a vacation for your pet while you’re away yourself. Some will offer training and grooming on top of boarding, so your pet will be pampered while you soak up some sun. Some offer 24/7 webcam viewing so you can see your pet from your phone and check on them whenever you like. Do some research and visit the boarding place before you go so you’re happy, and can leave your pet knowing they’re being looked after to your standards. That way you can enjoy yourself without having to worry about them.
Hire a Car
If you want the freedom to be able to go where you want, when you want on holiday then why not hire a car? It saves having to wait around on unreliable public transport, and can be especially useful if you’re travelling with kids. No need to lug prams and tonnes of bags onto buses or trains, you can load up the boot and have everything you need with you. It does largely depend on where you will be going (cars will be useless in very busy cities) but for lots of places it could make your holiday run much smoother.
Consider Extra Costs
Travel can be expensive, and if you’re on a tight budget you might only just be able to afford all of the essentials that you need. Make sure you consider all of the extra costs you might come up against- for example if your luggage is overweight you will need to pay a fee. If you’re parking at the airport, have you budgeted for this? Luckily companies like parking4less can help you to save money here. It’s always worth having a contingency fund, a little money or a credit card put away for emergencies. That way if you get stranded and need to stay another night or a cost catches you off guard, you know you have enough cash to get you through.
Along with your destination, flights, hotels, food arrangements, spending money, transfers, insurances, vaccinations and everything else- planning a holiday can be a minefield. So spend time beforehand planning out as much as possible so you’re not caught off guard.