To truly enjoy your trip, you must make sure that you are properly prepared. Happily, you can find out about the 5 most important things to sort out before you leave for your next adventure, in the post below.
Get your documentation in order
One of the most important things to have sorted before you leave on your next travel adventure is the proper documentation. For most people that means making sure their passport is in date. If it is not, or if it’s about to run out (usually within the next 6 months) is a good idea to get it renewed before you go as this can prevent difficulties when crossing the border.
For those that have not held a passport before, you must complete the application process, well before your departure date. This is because at peak times of the year, there can be significant delays and you will not be able to travel if you do not have your passport. Remember too that children will need their own passports and they will have to appear in person at the passport office, along with one or both parents to be granted one.
Pack the right clothes
You must pack the right clothing when going on a trip. Otherwise, you will either be very uncomfortable during your travels, or you’ll have to pay out for new items once you arrive. Something that can be very expensive and also means you waste precious time in your new location.
The types of clothes you will pack will depend on the environment, climate, and culture that you plan to spend time in. For example, if you plan on traveling to a warm climate, lightweight natural fibers are best as they allow the skin to breathe and the sweat to evaporate. However, if you plan on traveling to a location with a warm climate, with a more conservative culture you may need to pack natural clothing with long sleeves, long trousers, and something to cover your head to be respectful during your trip.
Packing for winter trips can be even more challenging. This is because winter clothing tends to be thicker and more bulky, which means it can take up a lot of room in your luggage. With that in mind, working with a layering approach can also be very helpful here. Again where possible choose natural fibers such as Merino which is very soft, but will stay fresh and keep you warm.
Last of all, don’t forget to organize some comfortable layers for the plane. After all, plane journeys can be pretty uncomfortable, especially long-haul ones, so anything you can do to make things easier on yourself is a great idea. With that in mind, leggings, loose elasticated trousers or jogging bottoms are always a good idea. Shoes that you can slip off easily both at security and while on the plane are a good idea, just make sure you have clean and fresh socks! T-shirts, topped with cardigans or sweatshirts are great as you can use them to cozy up while on the plane, which is often cold, but then remove them as soon as you get to your destination. A scarf or shawl is also an excellent accompaniment to air travel as it can be used to warm the neck, as an impromptu knee blanket, and even balled up and used as a pillow, if you want to take a nap.
Book your accommodation
While some daredevils like to leave home without accommodation booked, most of us want to begin our journeys knowing that we have a definite and comfortable destination at the end. That, of course, means booking your accommodation and your travel connections before you leave your home.
Some people like to do this up to a year in advance, as it not only gives them something to look forward to but also allows them to spread the cost of the trip. Others prefer to wait until 1-2 weeks before their planned departure date. The benefit of this is that you can often get some wonderful discounts, but you do have to be a bit more flexible about where you will go, and where you will stay.
Make sure you are covered by insurance
Another thing that you will want to have sorted out even before you leave home is insurance for your trip. There are many benefits to getting proper travel insurance including being covered for any emergency medical treatments you may need abroad, being covered if your luggage is lost or stolen, and even being covered if your flight is delayed. Of course, the precise coverage you will receive will depend on the type of policy you take out, so be sure to check the fine print before you buy.
It’s also important to remember the travel insurance you choose will depend on several factors such as where you are going, and whether you have a pre-existing medical condition. For example, travel insurance for a weekend away in Paris will look quite different from insurance for somebody planning on spending an extended period of time in a country like Thailand as a digital nomad. The good news is you can check out the best digital nomad insurance options that are available, by clicking the link. It’s a good job too, as sitting insurance as a digital nomad can be quite complicated and a little confusing, so having experts guide you through the process can make such a difference.
Change your vacation money
Unless you plan on going all-inclusive and not leaving your resort for the entirety of your vacation, you are going to need a way to pay for things. For most people, the easiest option is still to get cash so this means changing money into the local currency before they travel.
There are other vacation money options to consider though. The first is to get traveler’s cheques. These are coupons that can either be used directly or exchanged for local currency when you arrive at your destination. They are much more secure than regular cash because each check has an identification number, so if they are stolen, they can easily be canceled and replaced.
You may also wish to consider a dedicated debit or credit card that can be used internationally. There are many of these available now, and some don’t even charge fees for using your card abroad, which can save you a pretty penny.
