We all know that trip planning should always be done before going on vacation. But what sort of stuff should you plan for? Good question!
You wouldn’t try to board your flight without first purchasing your boarding pass, right? So why risk it and go on a vacation without first planning.
On this page you’ll find some very important…but common sense things you should double check before departing.
Trip Planning Tips:
1. If you’ll be traveling from another country…make sure you have a valid passport or visa. Also, fill out the emergency information just in case.
2. Laws change state-to-state and country-to-country…so become familiar with them before visiting. Last thing you want is to have to pay fines because you didn’t know the local laws.
3. Let friends and family know where you’ll be traveling to and for how long. Assign someone as a point of contact in case of an emergency. This is very important, but an overlooked detail.
4. If you make your airline ticket purchase around 60-90 days in advance…be sure to contact your airline for seat assignment for you and your family. Don’t be caught like a dear in headlights…and find out later that the flight was overbooked, and you’re one of the unlucky ones.
5. Travel as light as possible, and leave your valuables at home if possible. If you’ll be flying in…make sure to get to the baggage area as soon as possible. Thieves love baggage areas!
6. If you’ll be needing certain heavy items, such as golf clubs or a surf board…you may want to consider having them shipped on your day of arrival.
7. Don’t make the same mistake I made…confirm that your chosen hotel is the right one. I once traveled to Ohio with the intentions of staying at a Marriott in Cinncinati…only to find out later that the hotel I had reserved was in Dayton…1-hour away!
8. If you know you’ll be arriving a bit late…ask about the hotel’s late arrival policies. Make sure that you don’t get stuck in a smokers room or a room too small simply because of a weak hotel policy.
9. Always call to confirm your vacation reservations…such as hotel, transportation, and activities. Don’t be taken by surprise, and find out later no one ever got your memo.
10. Make sure to always check the weather forcast. San Diego is known for flawless weather year-round, but we do get our share of rain from time to time. A change in wardrobe may be needed.
11. Charge up those batteries…and leave your camera and video recorder by the door the night before so you don’t forget them.
12. Upon arrival…make sure you have a map indicating where you’ll be going and how you’ll get there. This will set you and your family at ease…and it will get your vacation to the right start.
I can sit here all day and continue on-and-on with a bigger and longer trip planning laundry list…but as long as you take care of the above, I’m sure you have the most important things covered.
Try not too worry so much. You can never do enough trip planning. It’s so easy to get hung up on a to-do list…but the most important thing of all is that you enjoy yourself.
Remind yourself to Have Fun while you make all those travel plans!
…Oh, and one last thing…don’t forget those shades and sunscreen.
Tags: travel planner, travel plans, Trip Planning
