Planning a holiday can be rather stressful. It’s worth it though, when you arrive at your destination and feel all that stress melt away. A great holiday requires a bit of financial planning, and there are a few suggestions that can be followed to make sure you get the most out of your holiday. So what are some of these things you need to consider to make sure that your precious time away from your regular life can in fact be the best holiday you’ve ever had?
- Disconnect from the Web, Disconnect from Your Routine
Take a break from your regular routine. Remember that you’re taking a holiday to get away from your regular routine. The world will keep spinning if you don’t check your email and social media every five minutes. Sure, you’re going to take a lot of wonderful photos of your wonderful holiday, and you’ll want to share these with family and friends, but uploading all those snaps to Facebook can wait until you get home. As TV icon Betty White (who is now 93 years old) said, “Facebook just sounds like a drag. In my day, seeing pictures of people’s vacations was considered a punishment.” There’s also the fact that your phone bill will be astronomical if you insist on using data roaming when holidaying in another country. Having said that, you should always be contactable in the case of an emergency. In some countries, communication infrastructure can mean that your phone won’t work so well, so make sure to leave the telephone number of your accommodation with a friend or family member so you can be reached.
- Balance Random Exploring with a Schedule
There’s something cool about being an explorer – to just arrive at a place and wander, interact with the locals and avoid the places that are frequented by other visitors. There’s something appealing about holidaying in this way, and yet it needs to be balanced. Some places are frequented by visitors because they’re sensational, and you would regret leaving a place without having seen it. You could also take a guided tour, which is a stress free way of seeing the highlights of a particular destination, allowing you to spend the rest of your time exploring on your own. This is certainly true in a place with a lot of hidden secrets, such as Cuba. Taking a group tour in Cuba lets you get a sense of the place and discover things you didn’t know were there, before giving you the freedom to hunt down a smoke filled bar in which to perfect your salsa dancing (and your guide can probably suggest a few places).
- Do Your Homework
“Knowledge is power,” said English philosopher Francis Bacon. He said it back in the 1500’s, and it’s still true – particularly when you travel to a new destination. While you don’t want to take the fun out of your holiday by planning everything down to the last detail, you still should find out as much as you can. Read travel websites, and even in the digital age, travel guidebooks are still an extremely valuable tool. You could simply take such a book out from your local library, read it, and pick up all kinds of great tips. If your holiday is going to be less than the two week borrowing period that most libraries allow, you could even take it with you! This type of research can be extremely practical, so when you arrive at a new destination, you know that you can take a train to the central city for a small amount of money (like in Berlin). Or you can also know that you’ll need to take a taxi (like in Havana).
- Enjoy the Difference
A lot of the fun in going to a foreign destination is that everything is just so darn… foreign. Don’t expect everything to be the same, and indeed, in some places, very few things will be the same. Celebrate the difference, and don’t seek out the things that you’re used to at home. Try that strange looking local restaurant instead of trying to find a McDonalds (and in places like Cuba, you’ll be out of luck if you try to find a McDonalds). Don’t expect everyone to speak English, but don’t allow this to be a frustrating experience. Learn a few sentences in the local language, since being able to say the basic pleasantries will take you far.
- Practical Packing
There’s a fine line between packing lightly and not bringing enough stuff. Make sure that you have clothing suitable for the local weather (and check the average weather for the time of year at your destination before you leave). You should also have clothing suitable for a few different occasions. You will probably need stuff for the beach, but you shouldn’t forget to bring something appropriate for a night out. You don’t want to go to a nice restaurant in shorts and a tank top, only to find the locals have made an effort. Yes, you are a tourist, but you don’t necessarily want to look like one! You should also make sure that there will be some extra space in your suitcase for bringing home any purchases from your amazing holiday.
- Treat Yourself
Even when travelling on a budget, a holiday is never cheap. But having to count each and every cent when you’re enjoying an exotic adventure can suck the fun out of the experience. You shouldn’t buy everything that catches your eye, but it’s important to have enough cash to treat yourself. Whether it’s a guided tour, having a few nice dinners, or a few carefully selected souvenirs, you need to be able to make your holiday into a truly memorable experience. A lot of being able to treat yourself is by saving more money than you’ll think you’ll need. Work out a budget, so you know roughly what your daily costs will be, and then make sure you have a little extra, simply to treat yourself… it’s your holiday, after all, and it’s all about treating yourself!
