Get Your House in Order
One important step that many people fail to consider until the last minute when planning their holidays is everything
that needs to be taken care of at home while they are away.
There are certain day to day aspects of maintaining
a household that continue even when you're lying on that tropical beach.
Credit card accounts need to be paid on
time, not only to maintain a good credit score, but to ensure that you can continue to spend money while away.
As
simple as it might sound, there are many people who have had their travel plans disrupted because they forgot to ensure their
credit card payments were up to date.
There are other matters that need to be considered also, such as home security,
while you are away so that you can come back home knowing you will still have all your possessions in the house as you left
them.
Pets, plants, mail and other items need to be considered and you should make sure well in advance of leaving
on holiday that you have someone you can trust attending to these matters.
When you arrange for people to take
care of tasks while you are away, you should always leave them sufficient information so they can contact you in an emergency
because there is no one quite like yourself to handle your own affairs when an emergency arises.
Knowing that everything
is under control at all times while you are enjoying your vacation will give you the peace of mind that will allow you to
enjoy your holiday to the max.
Start writing a list of the basics that you need to attend to at home on a daily
basis in the weeks before you leave on holiday so you know that you won't miss anything when planning for others to take over
while you are away.
Quote: I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find
out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.
- Mark Twain
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Have a Little Patience
No matter
how well you plan your holiday there will almost always be delays in one form or another.
A happy traveler is a
patient traveler and you will need to adopt this attitude. It can be difficult at times, remaining calm when you know
that you have paid good money to travel only to find yourself waiting for extended periods of time in airports, bus and train
stations and even in restaurants.
The customs in some countries dictate that there is no need to rush and being
late is something that is of no concern for the locals. Unless you can accept this fact and allow for it you could find yourself
getting somewhat frustrated and not enjoying your vacation as well as you should.
'When in Rome act like the Romans'
is the way to manage most situations. Act like the locals and make the most of their lifestyle.
Take books to read
for times when you are delayed.
Make the most of the time delays to update your holiday planning. Update your travel
budget and make sure that your finances are in order. Read the travel brochures, local newspapers and anything that might
improve your holiday experience.
Take the time to talk to the locals and you might be surprised how much valuable
information you can get from them that might make you change your travel plans for the better.
And finally, just
try to relax and rejuvenate your energy levels so you can make the most of the holiday once things get moving again.
Talk to people before you depart and ask them what their experiences were like at particular destinations. You will often
find that particular areas don't 'live by the clock' and if you are prepared for delays and a relaxed approach to life you
will be less likely to get agitated when things don't run as smooth as you expect.
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