Working throughout the entire year is exhausting, so normally you feel excited to take a few days off and go on vacation. Traveling for vacation creates new memories and allows you to visit beautiful places all over the world. However, before you get to that point, there are a lot of things you need to organize. This could be an overwhelming experience if you don’t start on time. Whether you decide to travel domestically or abroad, careful, on-time planning is the key to a successful vacation. So pick the dates when you want to go on a vacation, then start planning where to go, how to get there, and what things you plan on packing.
So if you plan to go on a vacation soon and don’t know where to start, continue reading the following five ways to prepare for the exciting days ahead of you.
#1 Choose a location and plan how to get there
You cannot start planning a vacation without first deciding on the location. Once you do that, research the location to find out more about its people and local attractions. Then plan how to get there. There are several options for travel, like a bus, plane, boat, or car. For instance, if you decide to go by plane, it is a good idea to find some budget-friendly flight options.
You can do that by learning a few Google Flights hacks that will help you find an affordable plane ticket to a destination of your choice. By taking advantage of features such as price tracking, alerts, and Google Explore, you can get great deals no matter where you decide to spend your vacation. Additionally, the tool allows you to search for affordable accommodations and engaging activities you can do once your vacation begins. All of this makes it easy to see why Google Flights is a favorite tool among travelers.
#2 Decide what clothes to pack
What you plan on wearing depends on the location you go to. However, always strive to pack light, loose clothes that you can easily combine. If you go to several locations, you should pack smart clothing options. For example, if you are going to a tropical island, pack three different types of swimsuits and a linen or cotton beach wrap dress or coverup that you can easily combine with the swimsuits. Coverups are an excellent clothing item, as you can wear them as a dress when tied around your chest or tied up on the waist and wear them as a skirt. Then, for the days when you don’t plan to go to the beach, bring one linen red and two floral dresses, one Panama hat, sandals, loose T-shirts, and three pairs of shorts. This way, you will be able to coordinate all clothing items and prepare several combinations for all activities.
#3 Check the validity of your documentation
Months before your vacation, check the validity of all essential documents, like your passport, ID, driver’s license, and debit and credit cards. For instance, if your passport expires soon, immediately apply for renewal. However, be aware that this procedure usually takes time, approximately 8–11 weeks, so make sure you start the renewal process on time. Once you receive the new passport, make three copies of it. Give one copy to a close family member, and keep the other copies for yourself. This is simply a precaution to avoid unpleasant situations, like losing your passport or having it stolen.
#4 Make a list of toiletries you plan on bringing
Wherever you go, you want to take certain toiletries that are necessary for your daily hygiene routines. So, prepare a detailed list of everything you need, but try to keep it light, especially if you travel by plane. Sometimes toiletries take up a lot of space in your bag, so make sure you pack travel-sized versions to reduce spills and save space. The TSA’s 3-1-1 liquid rule is very simple in this situation. All liquids, gels, dental pastes, and creams should be 3.4 ounces or less per container and packed into a clear plastic Ziploc bag.
#5 Start a souvenir budget
One of the best things about going on vacation is buying unique souvenirs not only to bring home but also for your entire family and closest friends. However, sometimes this shopping activity turns out to be very expensive. So two months before your trip, start setting aside a certain amount of money. All the change you have left after you are done grocery shopping, put it into a jar with the label “souvenir budget” and make it your daily activity. This way, you can remain carefree during your trip, knowing well that you can buy different souvenirs, regardless of their price, and spread some joy between your loved ones.
Final thoughts
There are a lot of things you need to plan before going on a vacation, so spend some time organizing everything. Choose the location and make a thorough plan on how to get there. Then, think of all the items you need to pack, and most importantly, check the validity of your documents. Once you’re done with all of this, just sit back and count the days until your vacation starts.
