Going on vacation should be a joyous and carefree experience. For most of us, it’s our once-a-year opportunity to escape from the pressures and grind of daily life. A chance to recharge and revitalize ourselves.
However, things don’t always go exactly according to plan. Yes, things can go wrong, even on vacation. Flights are delayed, luggage is mislaid, and that quaint little boutique hotel you booked for your stay in the French countryside that looked so charming in the brochure, turned out to be a house of horrors – complete with bedbugs!
And then there’s the public transport. Trying to make sense of train timetables in a foreign language can be extremely challenging, to say the least. When travelling abroad, renting a car is definitely the best carefree option. Having your own independent transport gives you the freedom – and comfort – to go when and wherever you please. And if you’re planning to visit the United Arab Emirates shortly, renting a car is the best way. Just think, you could enter the request rent Nissan Dubai into a search engine and cruise along stunning desert highways.
Let’s face it: the object of a vacation, after all, is to get away from the stress and pressures of life and enjoy ourselves. But believe it or not, having a truly carefree vacation requires some thoughtful planning in advance.
So, if you’re about to embark on an adventurous journey to some faraway place with a strange-sounding name, here are some ways to ensure your vacation is filled with relaxation, enjoyment, and unforgettable memories.
Pack Smart, Pack Light
Before you even set foot on a plane, you need to be confident that you’ve done your preparations. And by preparations, I’m talking about packing.
Clothing
Efficient packing is the first step to a carefree vacation. Write it on a Post-it and stick it on your mirror. It’s that important.
Please understand that you don’t have to take your entire wardrobe with you on vacation! Yes, I know you want to be prepared for every eventuality, but in this case, less is infinitely better. What you don’t want to be doing on your vacation is dragging a coffin-sized suitcase around that weighs an absolute ton. Not only is it cumbersome to get in and out of trains, buses, and taxis, but it’s also tiring.
The trick is to choose versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched. Settle on a few outfits that can be worn on multiple occasions, from casual to more formal evening attire for dining out at a fancy restaurant.
Also, check the weather for your destination. What time of the year is it? What season is it? If it’s summer in the Caribbean, it’s unlikely that you’ll be needing your winter woolies. It seems logical. But it’s surprising how many travelers feel naked unless they’ve packed for absolutely every possible weather condition – from a tropical heatwave to a sub-zero blizzard.
And for those of you who like to be supremely organized, invest in packing cubes or organizers to compartmentalize your belongings, making it easy to get to things without having to unpack your entire suitcase.
Medication
Now let’s look at the other essentials. Make sure you have an ample supply of whatever medication you need during your trip. Other standbys could include seasick pills (if you’re going to be taking ferries or a cruise), anti-malaria pills (if you’re visiting most parts of Africa), and not forgetting the all-time essentials like headache pills, anti-nausea pills, and anti-diarrhea pills. Get yourself a handy travel-sized toiletry bag and stow all your medication in there so you can get to it in a hurry if you need to.
Documentation
Now it’s time to get serious. For this article, I’m assuming that you’re planning a vacation abroad (lucky you!). Traveling to a foreign country means that, well, you’re the foreigner. Which means that all your documents must be in order. I’m talking about the nitty-gritty stuff such as (valid) passports, visas, inoculation certificates, travel insurance, information about reservations, and last, but definitely not least, your plane tickets. Keeping all these important documents in one place in a handy travel wallet or pouch will give you quick and easy access at airports, foreign customs, or accommodation check-ins – thereby avoiding unnecessary panic attacks.
Choose The Right Accommodations
Remember the sad reference to the quaint and charming little boutique hotel that turned out to be a bug-infested nightmare? Choosing the right accommodations can either make or break your vacation. It’s more than just a place to rest your head after a fun day of adventure and excitement. It’s a huge part of your whole travel experience. That means you need to be fairly confident that you’re booking the right accommodations. And that means you’re going to have to do some research in advance.
Type Of Accommodation
Begin by figuring out what type of accommodation you need – and how much you can afford to spend. There’s a heck of a lot to choose from. 5-star hotels in West London, budget hotels, villa rentals, homely bed and breakfasts, oceanside cabanas, self-catering Airbnb’s… In this regard, the world is your oyste.
Location
Location is another factor. A strategically placed hotel or rental can give you convenient access to key tourist attractions, local eateries, or cultural hubs. On the other hand, if you’re planning on getting away from it all, a more secluded retreat will give you the tranquillity and privacy you so sorely crave.
Another factor to ponder is the proximity to public transportation (if you’re not going to rent a car). Lugging a heavy suitcase for miles to the nearest metro or bus depot is not anyone’s idea of a fun holiday.
Reviews
To get back to the research part of this accommodation planning exercise. Reviews from previous guests are an excellent place to gauge the quality of potential accommodations. People love writing about their travel experiences. It makes them feel important and intelligent. Platforms like TripAdvisor, online travel agencies, travel review websites, and social media can give you great insights from people who have been there and done that.
Create A Flexible Itinerary
Okay, now we come to the fun part. What are you going to do on vacation?
You’ve exercised the maximum restraint when packing your clothes, checked and rechecked that all your documents are in order, devoured hundreds of reviews online, and settled on where to stay. Now it’s time to think about the itinerary, as in what you are actually going to be doing during your vacation.
Obviously, you can’t plan your fun activities down to the finest detail. That would just be too OTP. What you need is a broad outline that leaves room for spontaneity (e.g. On Day 2, we’re planning to visit the Eiffel Tower, but hey, maybe we could do that in the morning and stroll down the Champs Elysees in the afternoon when in France? How about searching for the most beautiful photo spots for the Burj Khalifa but going on a desert safari at the last minute when in sunny Dubai?). Get the idea?
When planning your itinerary, don’t be too rigid. Strike a balance between must-see attractions and the freedom to embark on unexpected adventures. The magic of travel often lies in those small, unscripted moments.
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