Does the idea of going on holiday fill you with dread? Often the preparation required leaves you exhausted before you even begin!
Minimise holiday stress is using my two favourite words – planning and delegation.
I plan backwards from the day I leave for holiday and the whole process starts from the day I make the first booking.
Documentation – Passports, EHIC cards, driving licence, travel insurance in date. Check what visas are needed. Scan all documents for easy reference if they get lost.
Money – consider a pre-paid travel card or credit card to minimise exchange rate fees. Take some small denomination cash for when you first arrive.
Pets – Organise travel documents and rabies shots and identify a local vet. If they are staying at home organise your pet sitter or kennel in good time.
Packing lists – invaluable so you don’t forget anything important. I have packing lists for different types of holidays and split it between checked luggage and carry-on.
Packing – check your airline baggage policy so you don’t pay excess and all your carry-on items correctly packed for security. Layers of clothing gives you greater flexibility and options. If there are laundry facilities, limit the clothes you need to take. Put all the clothes you think you want on your bed, halve it and then halve it again. Minimise wrinkles and make the best use of space by rolling your clothes. Packing aids like cubes and rolling vacuum bags save space and help security see what you have.
Technology – get an international plug and pack your charging leads. Make sure your technology is charged in case it needs to be checked during travel. Call you mobile phone company and find the best add on package you can get for where you are going.
Delegation – once you have written your checklist give each member of the family an area of responsibility in the holiday planning. Create a packing list for each person so they can do their own packing – I even have one for my dog, Stanley! This gets everyone in the holiday mood and shares the load.
Finally, if you would like a copy of my travel checklists please email info@strictlyorganised.co.uk or call 01672 550657 and I will send them to you.
I have always found the more I plan, the more I enjoy the whole holiday experience. Happy travels!