Planning a holiday is something to get really excited about. But often it can leave you overwhelmed. Usually, there is a lot to organise, especially if you don’t know much about the destination you are planning to visit.
That said, one thing I’ve learnt over many years of travel is that the smallest preparations can often determine how your trip turns out. In fact, sticking to a few thoughtful habits before and during your travels can make a big difference to how much smoother, more organised, and enjoyable your trip will be.
If you’ve ever come home from a trip feeling like you needed another holiday to recover, this list is for you. Here are ten easy-to-follow tips that can genuinely improve my vacation experience. Hopefully, they will do the same for you.
1. Create a Simple Travel Folder
Before you leave, one of the easiest travel planning tips you can adopt is keeping everything in one place. Make sure you save your flight details, accommodation, car hire bookings, and activities in a single folder on your phone or in an email.
By doing this, you’ll avoid the hassle of having to hold up a queue by scrolling through dozens of emails to find what you are looking for. When everything is easy for you to access, you’ll gain incredible peace of mind.
2. Sort Your Travel Insurance
Taking out travel insurance is a non-negotiable because, trust me, you don’t want to not have it should something go wrong.
It is worth taking a bit of time before you head off on your holiday to look into things like travel insurance and car hire cover. There are plenty of very good providers around, including options like RentalCover that can cover you for unfortunate or unforeseen events whilst away from home.
3. Pack Outfits
Packing can cause people a lot of stress, especially if they are not sure what the weather will be like or where they might go.
A good approach is to plan outfits for each day or activity that can be layered. If you do this, you can mix and match depending on what you are doing and on the temperature. Here are some tips on how to travel in style.
4. Use Packing Cubes to Stay Organised
Packing cubes are a small investment that can completely change how you travel. Whoever invented them is a genius because they not only keep your suitcase tidy but also make it easy to find what you need.
This means you won’t have to unpack everything just to grab a pair of shorts or a t-shirt. It is also worth having a spare set of clothes in your backpack or handbag, just in case your luggage goes missing at the airport. At least you’ll have something to change into.
5. Plan Your First Day (But Keep It Flexible)
Whenever you arrive somewhere new, it can always feel a bit disorienting. That is why it is good to have a loose plan for your first day. Doing so will help you settle in without feeling rushed or losing half a day.
Some things to plan for are how you’ll get from the airport to your accommodation, where you’ll grab your first meal, and what tourist thing you might do when you first arrive. This is a good way to ease yourself into a destination until you get your bearings.
6. Set a Loose Daily Budget
When travelling, it helps to set a daily budget. The last thing you want to do is spend half of it on your first night, only to be skimping and saving for the rest of your holiday.
Having a rough idea of your daily spending will help you stay on track. That said, you should also set aside an emergency fund you can use if you do find yourself running out of money. Here are some tips for budgeting for a vacation.
7. Leave Space in Your Itinerary
It’s tempting to fill every day with activities when you are on holiday. Yet some of the best experiences I’ve had on my travels have been ones I hadn’t planned for. While there will no doubt be some sites and attractions you simply will want to see, try to leave a bit of free time to explore or simply enjoy a moment. It is amazing what fantastic unplanned experiences are out there waiting for you to enjoy.
8. Stay Hydrated
Wherever you go, especially if it is to a hot country, it is important to stay hydrated. Buying drinks can get very expensive, and sometimes, you might even find yourself in a place with nowhere to buy a drink.
Carrying a reusable water bottle is something I always do because it's easy to become dizzy and disoriented if you don’t consume enough fluids. Wherever you go, you should be able to find somewhere to top it up throughout the day.
9. Use Local Transport
One of the best ways to explore any destination is to use local transport. This could be anything from buses, trains, and trams, to tuk tuks, camels, and mopeds, depending on where you are.
Not only will these modes of transport save you money on taxi rides, but they will also give you a better sense of the local area. This will help you immerse yourself in the essence of the place you are visiting much more.
10. Put Your Phone Away
Photos are part of any travel experience, and you’ll definitely want to snap lots of pictures for posterity and to put on your socials.
That said, when you are out and about, make a conscious effort to put your phone away for a while. Instead, give yourself time to appreciate where you are visiting, and use all your senses to stay in the present.
Looking at, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching where you are is the best way to really appreciate the magic of your holiday destination.
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