[ad] Terrific Travel Checklist: 10 Must-Dos Before You Go

Travelling to places near and far is one of your favourite things to do, but the preparations never get easier. Whether you’re travelling solo or with a big family, there are some fundamentals you won’t want to forget. Putting together a checklist is time consuming, so we have put together some of the top must dos for every travel enthusiast. When it comes to travelling, there are many things you need to remember before you hop on that aeroplane, from checking your passport expiry date to actually packing! Check out some of the ideas mentioned below and make sure you’ve got them covered before you head to your chosen destination. 

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1.Make Sure Your Passport is in Date

Could you imagine checking in at the airport only to discover that your passport is about to expire? It doesn’t matter if it is still in date; if there is less than six months until the expiry date most airlines won’t let you travel. You also need to make sure that your passport doesn’t expire whilst you’re travelling. This is especially important if you’re going away for a long trip. Getting stuck in a foreign country isn’t the ideal outcome from a long awaited holiday!

2. Contact Your Phone Company and Bank

When you go abroad your credit card company and mobile phone company won’t be aware of this unless you tell them. More often than not, your bank cards will get cancelled if you don’t tell them you are going to be using them abroad. Fraud prevention is excellent at the moment, but you don’t what to be stuck without money because you failed to let them know. Similarly, you might want to consider joining a mobile phone company such as Lebara roaming; they won’t charge you for international calls. Many standard mobile phone packages don’t come with roaming data, so you don’t want to get stuck with a huge bill when you get home from the holiday of a lifetime.

3. Organise Your Spending Money

If you’re planning a big holiday, you need to make sure you can afford to spend money whilst you’re there. It’s one thing paying out for the vacation, but you won’t actually enjoy yourself if you can’t eat and enjoy activities. Start a budgeting plan well in advance of your holiday and work out how much spending money you will need each day. At the start of the trip you may need slightly more if you’re buying supplies or paying for taxis from the airport. It is always worth over compensating when it comes to holiday spending money, because you can always get it changed back.

4. Book Your Accommodation

Are you looking for an authentic place to stay during a city break? Or do you want to treat yourself to a swanky hotel in a hot country? Whatever your travel style is, you need to book your accommodation in advance. Try to read the online reviews before making your purchase so that you know you’ve make the right choice.

5. Book Your Flights

If you can wait, it might be best to hold off until the best deals are released. January is always a good time to book a flight, as many airlines hold sales during this time. Keep a close eye on comparison websites and make sure you clear your cookies on your computer so that they don’t put the prices up. For the best travel choice consider investing in compression pantyhose. It’s also very important to book your private airport transfer so there are no delays.

6. Pre-Book Some Activities

You don’t need a schedule for the entire holiday, but you might want to pre-book some of the all important activities. It is a good idea to do this for the most expensive excursions, then you know you don’t need to budget for it in your spending money.

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7. Research the Local Area

It’s always a good idea to do a little bit of research into the area you’re staying. You want to know where the nearest supermarket, restaurant and doctor’s office is (just in case). Look up the town and city closest to where you’re staying and find a useful blog post with all the information you might need.

During these pandemic times, it’s also important to make sure you meet all travel testing requirements, such as proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test result, before you fly. Rapid Covid testing in Seattle and other cities can ensure you have your paperwork in hand so you can avoid travel disruptions.

8. Buy Toiletries

It’s always a little bit exciting when you get to buy those tiny little travel toiletries for your holiday. Why would you travel with full sized products when you can buy handy small ones? Head to your local supermarket and stock up on shower gel, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and any other toiletries you would normally use at home.

9. Go Shopping for Clothes

If you’re visiting a country that is particularly hot or cold, you will want to invest in some new clothes. Check out an online weather calendar to see what the usual temperature is for the time of year that you are going. Always take at least one warm piece of clothing just in case it is cooler on the aeroplane or in your accommodation.

10. Pack!

Many people find packing a real chore, but it doesn’t have to be the stressful and overwhelming task you think it is. Make a list of all the essential things you need to take (try and pack as light as possible if you can). Try to complete the list at least two weeks before you travel so that you have plenty of time to buy anything that is missing from the list. Pack optimally and try rolling your clothes if you’re struggling for space.

So next time you have big trip coming up, you know exactly what you need to do. Preparing for a big holiday is almost as exciting as the trip itself, so make sure you have fun with it. Vacations aren’t supposed to be overwhelming or stressful, so take your time when completing your checklist. If you’re going away with a big family, you should start preparing sooner rather than later, as you will have much more to think about. What’s the next trip you’ve got planned? Whatever it may be, you will certainly be more than prepared with the checklist mentioned above.

Lastly, always remember to pack your travel first aid kit with all the essentials including wipes, plasters, insect repellent and bite relief cream; and, if you’re travelling with a toddler – especially if they’re a ‘runner’, consider toddler walking reins. They’re great at giving them a sense of freedom whilst keeping them close and out of harm’s way. UK mum-run brand ONK has a range of fun baby reins designs including leopard print, camouflage and floral. Plus, they make matching phone lanyard straps – excellent for hands-free freedom – a real luxury for us parents, right?!

This is a collaborative post.