With summer just around the corner it seems as though everyone is looking forward to getting away. The last few years have been difficult for travel-lovers with lockdowns, ever-changing ‘red lists’ and covid testing. However, 2022 is the summer where people are tentatively holidaying again, travelling both overseas and closer to home. Wherever you’re spending your vacation, you want to be sure everything you need is covered before setting off. After all, this is a time to relax!
Here are five of the most common things people forget.
House/Pet Sitting
It’s easy to become so focused on going away that you forget what you’re leaving behind. Make sure any house sitting or pet sitting/kennels are organised well in advance. This is vital if you are planning to be away during popular periods such as summer or over Christmas. Cancel any regular deliveries such as meal delivery services. Consider letting your neighbours or local friends know you won’t be home so they can check in on your property (and maybe even water the plants).
Admin
The holiday admin might not be the most exciting part of a trip, but it’s necessary. Organisation is key with this. Have a folder (either physical or on your computer) to keep all your holiday paperwork together. This makes it easier to find what you need and save unnecessary headaches later on.
Make a list of everything you need to arrange. Perhaps you need specific vaccinations or maybe your passport needs renewing. Keep any booking references safe and close to hand. If you’re providing your own accommodation, make sure you’re covered for all eventualities – it isn’t worth taking any chances. Ensure you’ve renewed any car, trailer or campervan insurance policies in plenty of time for your trip to avoid stress in the run-up to your getaway – remember, tasks like shopping around for campervan insurance can be time-consuming, so don’t leave them until the last minute.
Medication
If you take regular medication or supplements, make sure you have enough to last your whole trip. You don’t want to be spending your precious time away at a pharmacy, queuing to get replacements because yours are left behind in your bathroom cabinet. Also, don’t make the common mistake of forgetting to pack tablets!
Toothbrush
It’s the little things that are so easy to forget and the toothbrush is the number one on that particular list. Often it is one of the final things to be packed away as it is used the morning before setting off which is why the humble toothbrush can sometimes be left behind rather than safely put in a washbag with the other toiletry essentials.
If you are a regular traveller, consider having a home toothbrush and a holiday toothbrush that stays in your suitcase, so you’ll never be without one again.
To Have Fun
Above all else, enjoy every aspect of your trip, from dreaming about the places you’ll visit, to mapping out an itinerary, to the moment you leave the house to start your adventure. With so much to plan it can be easy to forget that this is supposed to be fun!
Wherever you are headed, have a wonderful trip. Hopefully the tips above will help make it as stress-free as possible.
