The trick successful and stress-free travel is planning ahead. Challenging, though it might seem, your goal is tthink of every possible contingency that might come up, and take action before it happens. What will you dif your luggage is lost? If you get sick? If you forget your blue pumps? Being PROACTIVE will reduce the possibility of a serious crisis occurring during your trip.
BUDGETING FOR YOUR TRIP
Travel doesn't have tbreak the bank -- not if you are willing tplan ahead for your vacation spending. Decide first how much you can AFFORD, then make your travel plans. Start searching early for travel deals -- talk tyour travel agent, look for internet specials, and check with travel clubs for discounts. You can find some great bargains in package deals that combine hotel and airfare at a discounted rate.
If vacations tend tget you in trouble on your credit cards, consider starting a savings account just for travel -- where you put away a small amount each month toward your next trip. You should alsplan tuse traveler's checks instead of credit cards tstay within your budget. It's amazing how easy it is tgoverboard when start handing out the plastic! And be sure tkeep track of how much you actually spend -- as compared tyour budget -- throughout the trip. You might keep a small pad of paper with you for recording expenses and tallying up your total for each day.
If you can't seem tmake it happen on your budget, consider COMPROMISING on lower priority expenses in exchange for the higher priority ones. When my husband and I travel, we are always willing tstay in a budget hotel swe can afford teat out and attend cultural events. We decided that expensive hotels are wasted on us because we spend very little time in our room, and we would rather spend our money elsewhere. Where are you willing ttrade off?
PACKING MADE EASY
Have you ever been away from home and suddenly realized that you forgot your toothbrush, your shoes, or your bathing suit? Having trush around replacing items that you left behind not only wastes time and money, it alsreduces your enjoyment of the trip. And sometimes, you might forget an item that isn't seasily replaced -- like your checkbook or the report you were supposed tpresent at tomorrow's meeting. But you can save yourself a lot of heartache by taking the guesswork out of packing.
Start by developing PACKING LISTS for both short-term travel (from one tthree days) and longer trips. You can even create different lists for different kinds of travel -- camping, business, foreign travel, trips tthe beach, cold-weather travel, etc. Try tinclude any and all generic items that you might need -- clothes, toiletries, alarm clock, night light, whatever you like ttake with you. Then use these lists as memory-joggers as you are packing for each trip. You can alscut down on the time you spend preparing for travel by keeping a "pre-packed" toiletry bag with duplicates of the items you use in your home. Fill your kit with samples of shampoo, soap, lotion, cosmetics, toothpaste, and shaving cream -- even miniature toothbrushes and razors. These travel-sized items take up less room in your suitcase, and you will be less likely tleave something important behind.
And don't forget your important documents - especially if you are travelling overseas. You should plan tbring proof of citizenship, an official government photidentification (driver's license or military ID is fine), a state-issued birth certificate with a raised seal, and a passport. Remember that children and infants are alsrequired thave a state-issued birth certificate for travel.
LESS IS MORE
If you can get away with it, try not tcheck your luggage. I purchased a very roomy pullman carry on that will accommodate up ta week's worth of clothes -- that way, I never have tbe concerned about losing my bags. If you pack "mix-and-match" outfits and plan tdsome washing along the way, you don't need 15 different outfits for a one-week trip. And if you have tcheck a piece, be sure tkeep those items you couldn't live without in your carry on -- toiletries, a change of clothes, clean underwear, medications, maps, travel confirmations, and any materials you might need for an upcoming business meeting. But try ttake nmore than one medium-sized and one carry on bag per person. Remember, you can always remedy underpacking, but not OVERPACKING! However heavy your suitcase is when you start out, it will be twice as heavy when you come home.
If you plan tdany shopping while on your trip, you may decide tbring along an extra bag for carrying your purchases home. Put your filled suitcase inside a slightly larger empty one -- or, get a collapsible tote that will take up very little space in your bag. But the easiest option (although perhaps not the cheapest) is thave each store ship your treasures directly tyour home. This is an especially good policy if you are bringing home anything large or bulky on a plane, as the airlines often charge extra for oversized parcels. And each bag you have tlug around limits your transportation options. Heavy suitcases mean cabs and porters and inconvenience and fatigue -- while a light suitcase equals travel freedom.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR BELONGINGS
While none wants tbe paranoid about their safety when travelling, it's a good idea terr on the side of caution when planning your trip. Slet's start with your "stuff" -- list the contents of each piece of luggage and keep your list close at hand anytime your bags are out of your sight. This will save you a great deal of frustration if your bags are lost and you have tfile a claim or replace your belongings. And don't forget tmark your luggage for easy retrieval -- all those black pullmans are starting tlook alike, and it's easy for someone else tpick up your bag.
While you are making lists, create a WRITTEN RECORD of your credit card numbers, traveler's checks, medical insurance, emergency phone numbers, and other important information ttake with you when you travel. And always keep this information hidden away someplace secure -- a hotel safe deposit box is a good choice -- where you can easily access it if you need it. Dnot -- I repeat dnot -- keep this record in your purse or wallet. Think about it. Those are the first things a thief will take -- if you keep your list with the credit cards and traveler's checks, it doesn't help much when they are stolen. You are better off sticking it in your shoe (as long as your feet don't sweat a lot!)
Finally, be sure thave a POINT OF CONTACT at home -- someone whknows where you are and how treach you. Make sure tgive this person any information that could be important in the event of an emergency -- the phone number and address where you are staying, the code tyour alarm system, your doctor's name, etc. It will ease your mind tknow that you can be contacted if something goes wrong at home -- and that you have someone whcan act on your behalf if something goes awry on your end.
KEEPING YOUR HOUSE SAFE
Nothing can ruin a fabulous vacation more than worrying about your home while you are gone. But a few simple precautions can help ease your mind and keep your domicile safe. Before you leave, let the police or a very trusted neighbor know you will be gone -- especially if you are planning a lengthy trip. Nothing says "not home" more than a pile of newspapers in your driveway or magazines pouring out of your mailbox -- sstop your mail and newspaper delivery or have neighbor collect them. Investing in timers for your lights, radios, etc, -- and setting them tgon and off at random times during the day - will make your home look lived in and keep burglars away. And if you still aren't comfortable abandoning your home, hire a housesitter.
INSURE YOUR TRIP
One thing that very few people remember tdbefore leaving home is review their insurance policies. This is particularly important if you are travelling overseas. First, make sure that you have the proper personal liability coverage. This is meant tinsure the loss or theft of your personal possessions, injury (tyourself or someone else), your legal defense (other countries don't operate like the US -- remember that kid in Singapore whwas caned?), and the repatriation of your remains should you die overseas (not a nice thought, but it does happen). Check with your insurance carriers -- your homeowner's policy may include coverage for your possessions while away from home, and your credit card company probably offers inexpensive life insurance.
If you plan toperate a vehicle while on your trip, check tsee what your automobile insurance covers. If you are in an accident in a rented car, what is paid for? Are you covered if you are in an accident overseas? Are there any hidden costs that you will be expected tpay? You should alsfamiliarize yourself with your MEDICAL insurance. What actions does your insurance company require if you become ill or injured while out of state? Out of the country?
If you are taking a package tour or an expensive trip, if you will be visiting a dangerous or unpredictable parts of the world, or if you have a personal or medical situation that might disrupt your travels, you should alsconsider trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This type of coverage can protect you in case of bad weather (ie: a cruise cancelled because of a hurricane), illness, family emergency, and even the default or bankruptcy of your travel suppliers. But remember that certain situations -- like pre-existing medical conditions, terrorism, hijacking, and war -- can void your trip cancellation coverage. Make sure that you clearly understand all of the terms, requirements, and EXCLUSIONS before you purchase your insurance. Does it only cover situations when someone in your party gets sick, or if someone at home gets sick as well? When does your coverage start and end? Does "medical evacuation" mean that you are evacuated tthe nearest medical facility or back home? You might want tcontact the insurance company yourself, as many travel agents may not understand all the terms of your policy. Don't assume that anything is covered until you check it out for yourself.
SCHEDULING AS A SCIENCE
Some of the biggest frustrations people face when travelling are disruptions ttheir SCHEDULE -- flight delays, traffic jams, getting lost, long lines, you name it. But you can take a number of precautions tmake sure you are able tstick tyour itinerary while travelling. Don't wait until you arrive at your destination tlearn the lay of the land. Take the time tresearch your trip before leaving -- develop at least a cursory knowledge of the routes, directions, tourist attractions, transportation systems, and weather. Look at your options and pick a few major sights that you really want tsee while on your trip -- just remember that you can't deverything! Then make as many advance reservations as possible once your itinerary is set, remembering tbuild the travel time from sight tsight intyour itinerary. Be sure tconfirm any appointments and reservations before leaving -- and then reconfirm everything when you arrive. There is nsuch thing as double-checking tomuch!
We've talked a lot about physical preparations for your vacation -- but preparing yourself mentally is just as important. Determine ahead of time what your EXPECTATIONS are for your trip. What must happen tmake this a successful trip? Which activities or sights you it would disappoint you tmiss? Which activities or sights you it wouldn't bother you tmiss? And what problems that you have had on other trips that you would like tavoid this time? Try tadmit tyourself that things may not gperfectly throughout the entire trip. Be FLEXIBLE and have other options ready (reading, other activities) if your schedule gets off track. Understand that you can not control every (or any!) aspect of travel. The more willing you are taccept difficulties and delays, the less disruptive they will be if they doccur. Happy travels!
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