So you're holiday is in less than a month. Whether it's your first holiday away from your parents or the third time this year, the growing mix of anticipation, excitement and nerves is completely natural. It can be quite daunting travelling without family, especially if it is something that is out of your comfort zone. I'm going on my 'girls holiday' next week so with it all at the top of my mind, I thought it would be a perfect time to write a blog post and help those that may be a bit nervy. So I've compiled a list of checks/tips for the run up to your holiday, enjoy!
1. LISTS LISTS LISTS
I am a self proclaimed list-a-holic. As you may be able to guess. Therefore it comes naturally for me to write lists for just about everything. It might be a good idea to grab a note pad and start listing in preparation for your holiday. Write a list of things you need to take, don't forget the less obvious: plug adaptors, bum bags, shampoo! Write lists about things you need to do: exchange money, research the area your travelling to, book transfers. Write lists about things you need to buy: a new swimming costume, a phrase book? You get the idea.
2. RESEARCH
You booked the holiday, so I am hoping you already know a bit about where you're going. But before you set off, it is a good idea to research in a bit more detail. Where are the closest restaurants/beaches? Is there a theme park you need to save some money for? Are there any activities that you will need to bring specific equipment for? What about the closest doctors in case of an emergency? It is good to know a bit about the area so you know what kind of things you will be doing and how much money you will need, plus it will help avoid that awful sense of lost-ness that we all experience on the first day.
3. HOTEL
With less than a month to go, your accommodation is probably booked. But sometimes when you get to your accommodation they require a deposit, or they will charge for the mini fridge. Knowing what facilities are available and whether or not they're free is always useful. Things to check: WIFI, if you have 2 rooms, can they be next to each other? Do they provide towels? You can find most of this stuff out online but if you're really struggling, it's no problem to email/call the hotel directly.
4. TRANSPORTATION
Easily forgotten but a very important (and sometimes quite expensive) aspect of your holiday. If you're flying and visiting a popular tourist destination then organising transportation to and from the airport is normally easy. If you need to reach airports, trains and organised busses tend to be cheaper than private taxis. But if you're in a small group, and travelling early or no where near a station, splitting the cost of a taxi is a much simpler prospect. Don't forget you'll need to pre-book your travel arrangements for your return journey as well, it will save a lot of stress later on.
5. EXTRIES
You're going away, that means a lot of down time travelling or relaxing if you're going on a beach holiday. Don't forget to download your music, find a book you wanna read, you don't want to be sat on a bus/train/plane with nothing to do or listen to. It's actually a really good time to finally read that book you've always said you wanted to.
6. PACKING
Now comes the fun bit, if admittedly a bit stressful. Before you start, find out any limits on weight limits on your luggage. Sometimes you have a weight limit on both hand luggage and hold all but you want to stick to them! Talking of the two, look down your list (that you should've made by now tut tut) and split it into hand luggage and hold all. You won't want to be carrying loads in your hand luggage, just the necessaries. (Don't forget the liquid restrictions if you're travelling by plane! 10 ml is not a lot.)
7. YOUR FRIENDS
Now I could write a whole separate blog post on things to think about when travelling with friends, and I will if anyone needs it. But to summarise, it is often a good idea to meet up as a group a few days before you leave to sort out any problems. Confirm the sleeping arrangements if you have more than 1 room. Talk about sharing things to avoid packing 5 different body washes and 5 different hair straighteners. Try to all bring a similar amount of money to ensure you're on the same budget, otherwise it could become a problem later when some people can afford to go out while others can't. If you're going somewhere lively, it is especially important to talk as a group about 'rules' for your holiday. It might not sound fun but it is crucial to stay safe, and if that means one person staying sober each night or deciding to look after each other in pairs, then that might be something to talk about before you go. Sorry to sound like a bummer, but my mum would kill me if I didn't put that in and it is probably the most important thing in this whole post.
So that's all I can think of for now but at the end of the day just have fun and stay safe. Don't stress too much about packing and the superficial aspects, you probably won't even remember by day 2 if you've forgotten your favourite dress or not. But get all the big things sorted and your holiday should be stress free and exciting.
Let me know if you can think of any more tips, leave a comment below to help others out! Have fun and I'll speak to you soon,
Laura x
Twitter- laurastone_
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