When you’re about to go on holiday, there’s a huge amount to remember. Have you remembered your passport? Are your suitcases packed and ready to go? Is each member of the family equally ready to depart? What about your flight? Do you know exactly when it leaves and from which gate? Sometimes, planning for a holiday can feel like a full-time job. It’s no wonder that an increasing amount of travellers are complaining of stress just from planning their trip.
Indeed, you can sometimes be so caught up in planning a holiday that it’s possible to forget what comes after. There’s a lot you need to do once you return as well, and since you’ll be so tired and burnt out from the stresses of a lengthy holiday, you might neglect this aspect. You’re not alone – we’ve spoken to many holidaymakers who’ve realised too late that there was something they should have done on their return. Here’s a handy holiday checklist for both before and after your trip.
BEFORE – Airport parking
We won’t necessarily be covering the completely obvious in this guide – you should already be thinking about passports, suitcases, et cetera. Instead, we’ll be looking at the stuff that doesn’t immediately spring to mind. Airport parking is definitely an acquired skill, but it’s important. You want to make sure your vehicle is safe and sound for your return, but you also don’t want to pay through the nose. Many travel packages will include airport parking, so make sure you’ve arranged this aspect of your journey before you fly.
AFTER – Documenting your trip
You don’t want to forget the happy memories you’ve created while on holiday, do you? It’s likely that you’ll take many holiday photos, as your friends on social media frequently do. You’ll want a good way to crystallise all of those memories and make sure they’re not just floating around on cameras or on your phone. When that’s the case, a site like https://www.pixaprints.co.uk/ will do the trick. From cushions to phone cases, PixaPrints is a great place to go for making your memories permanent.
BEFORE – Entertainment
Flights can be incredibly long and boring affairs. While there are many tips for keeping flights entertaining out there, the fact is that even the in-flight movies can run dry sometimes, and you’re left with nothing to do. Make sure you pack plenty of activities for you and your kids ahead of time. If there’s a games console they love, there’s no harm in letting them bring it. Similarly, whether you’re a gamer, a reader, a cineaste or a puzzle enthusiast, make sure you’re covered for entertainment.
AFTER – International mobile phone package
It’s not uncommon to leave your international mobile package on even after you’ve returned home. The fact is that if you do this, you’ll likely be paying a huge amount more than you need to. Make sure that you return your mobile phone to regular service after you get back. Making calls and sending texts affordably while overseas is great, but you don’t want to keep paying through the nose just because you’ve forgotten to adjust to life at home.
BEFORE – Downloads
It’s common to think that the internet speed will be just as fast wherever you’re going as it was at home. This is, unfortunately, a misconception. There’s every chance that Wi-Fi will be nonexistent where you’re headed, and that your 4G signal will suffer dramatically. Make sure you download important stuff – maps, guides, etc – as well as movies or games before you go. If streaming isn’t possible, you don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with no recourse.
AFTER – Check your email
There are probably going to be a lot of people trying to get hold of you while you’re away, especially if you’re running a business for which you don’t have a way to let clients know you’ll be absent. It’s very important to check your email when you get back. You might already have been doing this – if you’re the workaholic type, there’s a chance you haven’t even been enjoying your holiday because of it – but if not, make sure you clear the cobwebs out of that neglected inbox.
BEFORE – Take toiletries
We’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve been caught out without shower gel, shampoo, or toothpaste. While most places will have airport shops where you can buy these essentials, they may be massively more expensive than simply bringing them from home. Naturally, make sure you don’t fall afoul of the liquids rule when you’re boarding a plane. Still, there are plenty of plane-ready amenities that it’s well worth buying before you set off.
AFTER – Get some rest
You’re probably not going to be ready to launch yourself back into work the day after you return from a holiday. Believe it or not, there are lots of processes that take a real toll on your health while you’re travelling. Jet lag, a different diet, emotional stress…all of these can be factors when you’re returning to work, and they might mean you don’t perform at your best. Make sure you’re properly rested and ready to resume your normal life before you do so.
