The holidays are almost here and with them come sun, fun and everything in between. Before you can lounge on a beach or take pictures of breathtaking views, there is planning to be done, hotels to be booked, flights to be paid for…the list goes on and on. If you haven’t already made plans, here is some advice:
It’s Never Too Late
You might be thinking that every place you want to go to is fully booked but that is not the case. Many times what happens is that people book certain places in advance then cancel for whatever reason. We’re not saying don’t look for other options but don’t give up on your first choice either.
Deals, Deals, Deals!
Some people may have booked their holidays early and you might be thinking that you’ve missed out on all the offers. You shouldn’t be alarmed because this year Black Friday falls on 23rd November. This means you can still find something that will help you save money and book yourself an Instagram worthy holiday.
Compare and Contrast
So you’ve found the right deal and you’re ready to pay? Hold off on clicking that “Book Now” button and go through some other deals first or check the original price to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Sometimes it might make more sense to pay full price than paying less. You would not want to fork out more money for extras that fall outside of your deal/offer.
Make A List and Check It Twice
You can never have too many lists when you’re planning a holiday. You might have a list of things you want to do at your holiday destination or a list of things to pack but you should also make a list of things to do before you leave. No one wants to be paying bills in the middle of their holiday or realise that they should have updated a document 2 days before applying for a visa to wherever so make sure you’ve got more than the perfect outfit planned.
Do Your Research
One of the perks of staying at a hotel is not having to plan your daily activities. However, you might get bored or not be enthusiastic about the activities planned or you may just want to explore the town or city you’re in. If that’s the case you will want to know where to go and what the hot spots are so do your research, find out if Uber is available there (or what other means of transport is offered) and if there are other certified places to change currency outside of your hotel and the airport.
Are We There Yet?
Road trips sound great until you find yourself on the road with every other car in the world hearing the question above asked over and over again. We exaggerate but holiday traffic can be a nightmare so make sure you have your route (and an alternative one) planned if you don’t plan on leaving early. If you’re not too sure about traffic, call ahead and ask your hotel what the standard travel time is because web searches may not always be accurate.
It’s Not About The Money
But sometimes it is. How many times have you arrived somewhere only to realise that they don’t accept credit cards (or cards in general). This falls under your pre-trip research. If you’re more comfortable travelling cashless then make sure you have the option of using an ATM or using other methods of payment. The best way to confirm this is to call your hotel or accommodation and ask well in advance.
I Can’t Wear What?
Yes, this is a thing and seasoned travellers will know that not all places are the same. Some countries or smaller towns may be a little bit stricter on what tourists wear because of religious or cultural reasons so make sure you know what the rules are. No one wants to shop for a new wardrobe just for a specific place (unless it was a shopping holiday!) so confirm what is and isn’t allowed then add it on to all your lists.
Be On The Same Page
This applies to people travelling in groups. It sounds great to gather a couple of friends and travel together until you get to the destination and realise that half the group wants to explore while the other half wants to sit by the pool the whole day. So make sure you’re all on the same page and come to whatever compromise you can before you get to your destination and have a miserable time.
Don’t Stop Saving
So you’ve bought the ticket, booked the hotel and checked everything on your lists? That’s great but that doesn’t mean your holiday has begun. You still need money to spend while you’re there so don’t stop saving. You might not use all the money but you would rather have more than less so skip the pre-holiday splurging and save it for after you come back.
