Getting Ready for your Vacation – Making a checklist

The family holiday is a welcome break for all, yet it can also be quite stressful, trying to ensure that nothing important is forgotten. The best way to make sure that everything is covered is to compile a checklist.

Passport and Visa

Travel documents should be checked and kept somewhere safe, as going anywhere without them is nigh on impossible and should not be left to chance! This goes for the whole family, and these should be kept with air tickets and insurance documents.

Medication

If any members of the travelling party are currently taking medication, it is essential to bring an ample supply. If the medication is by prescription, that should included too, as it might be a problem entering a foreign country with certain restricted medicines.

Credit Cards and Travellers Cheques

Make sure these are somewhere safe, preferably in the same location as the passports and air tickets. Carrying large amounts of cash is not recommended, and there will be many places where travellers’ cheques can be cashed on arrival at the destination. 

Airport transfers

While driving to the airport is one way of getting there, it can be quite problematic. With traffic congestion an almost given, the fear of missing flights can add to an already potentially stressful situation. Parking facilities can be expensive, and often, the long-term car park is a fair distance from the terminal, which means finding a luggage trolley, before checking in. This extra stress can be avoided by arranging for an airport chauffeur service, which allows all travellers to enjoy the journey, safe in the knowledge that the driver will drop them at the departure gate in a timely manner.

Turn off the utilities at home

Make sure that the water and electricity are turned off, as a burst water pipe will cause a lot of damage, especially if it goes undetected for a few days. It is a good idea to leave a key with a trusted neighbour, especially if embarking on an extended trip, enabling a clear line of communication in the event of an emergency.

The right clothing

It is important to take suitable clothing, so it may be prudent to check what the weather conditions are likely to be in the destination country. It might get a bit chilly at night, even in a hot climate, so bringing a sweater or light jacket may prove to be a good packing option. 

Hotel documentation

This is another essential that needs to be included, as the taxi driver will sometimes need the address in black and white rather than your best efforts at mastering the local language. The hotel will also need to see reservation paperwork before check in. 

A phrase book

Most travellers to a foreign country take a small phrase book to help communicate with the locals. People warm to a foreigner who tries to speak the local language and a phrase book will hopefully cover anything a tourist needs to convey without the need for over exuberant hand gestures.

Taking some time to make sure everything is covered should go someway in ensuring that the holiday passes without notable incident, allowing travellers to fully relax and reap the rewards of a well-deserved holiday.