Who doesn’t love a family holiday? After working hard all year at work and school, you and your nearest and dearest deserve a chance to kick back, relax, and recharge. If you’ve got everything already planned for your next holiday, the excitement might be too much to contain, but before you jet off somewhere that will help you forget about all of life’s worries (even if just for a week or two), you should make sure you do these six things.
Check (and Double-Check) Your Documents
Passports and visas are two important documents you need to check before going anywhere. Ideally, you should check them at least six months before you plan the holiday, as this will give you enough time to get a new one if your passport is about to expire.
Some countries might require additional documents, even if you’re not required to obtain a visa. Using the ESTA website will give you all the information you need about entering the U.S. where you can apply for documents for the whole family, including the kids.
Update Travel Insurance
Similarly, make sure your travel insurance is up-to-date. While you don’t want to think about any disasters occurring on your holiday, you should also be sure that you’re covered if the worst happens.
You may have travel insurance through your bank or credit card account, but if not, you can purchase short-term insurance for the whole family. This will cover you from injuries, illness, delays, and theft, giving you the peace of mind to enjoy your holiday.
Consider Withdrawing Travel Money
Back in the day, you withdrew as much foreign currency as you could at the time. You didn’t want to risk visiting places that only took cash and did not have any money to pay for things, and you wanted to avoid extortionate conversion and withdrawal rates from a cash point.
Nowadays, some services allow you to withdraw money and use your card for free. So, consider withdrawing money before you travel. You don’t need to bring all the money you need, but you should have enough to get by. Make sure you do it before getting to the airport to get the best rates.
Get Your Kids Comfortable With Travelling
If you’re travelling with young kids for the first time, there’s a chance you’re dreading it. You don’t want your kids to get restless and act up on a long flight, so it’s best to get them comfortable with travelling beforehand. You won’t be able to mimic a planer ride, but you can encourage them to behave themselves on long car journeys.
Even older kids can get restless, so make sure you bring plenty of entertainment along for the journey to keep them occupied and avoid any problems. You’re unlikely to be flying for too long, but anything longer than four hours can get uncomfortable quickly.
Have A Plan
When you arrive at your destination, you’ll want to get to the hotel or villa as quickly as possible. The best way to do this is to have a plan. You’ve able to find plans relevant for any adventure, regardless of travelling with a young family or one where everyone can enjoy a drink.
You’ll want to get your bearings and unpack so you feel like a little more at home. As exciting as it will be to jump in the pool or go exploring, get these little things out the way as soon as possible so you have more time to relax later.
Lock Up Your Home
You’ll also want to get your house in order before you set off anywhere. Locking up your house, hiding valuables, and making sure the pets are safe and sound with a babysitter are all essentials before you leave for a few weeks.
If you have a house alarm, make sure you set that. You can also invest in smart bulbs that switch on and off to create the illusion of being at home even when you’re not. These aren’t necessary, of course, and you can ask a friend or family member to drop by if you’re concerned about leaving your home for a couple of weeks while you’re having the time of your life.
Family Fun in the Sun
There is nothing better than being prepared for your holiday and arriving at the airport with the confidence that you’ve done everything you can. By ensuring you have everything you need and knowing you’ve secured your home, you can focus on what matters most: quality time with the family somewhere sunny and warm.
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