Is all the prep work for a vacation worth the trip…..in a word – ABSOLUTELY! Those who know me, know that travel is my life. Love it. Can’t get enough of it. Tiring and time-consuming to prepare for, but well worth the effort.
Did I call my credit card company and tell them that future charges from Vacationland are okay to put through……I’m on an extended trip. Do I have the correct currency for the countries I will visit…..not everyone takes Euros. Am I capable of saying “hello” and “thank you” in the country I will visit…..let’s not push it!
Airline travel is the toughest. First you buy the ticket, hopefully for the correct dates, the right cities, your name is spelled EXACTLY as it shows on your passport, your passport is good for at least 6 months past your travel date, you got the seat you want on the airline, you put in your frequent flyer info so you will get all those glorious points and you check-in and print your documents to take with you. AHHHHHH.
Insurance? Absolutely! With weather changes, political issues, health issues, family issues….too many issues in our life to not be comfortable with spending lots of money on a trip that might need to be cancelled or delayed. I have used my insurance on a few occasions….all completely unplanned when I made the arrangements.
If you are a working person you need to let everyone know your dates of absence, update your email to reflect your out of office timing, put a message on your phone that says you’re gone but doesn’t alert the bad guys to come on over and clean out your house while you’re gone. Family likes to know you are not lying on the floor unconscious….send them a copy of your itinerary (leave out the details!!).
One last look over everything to make sure you have a hotel for EVERY night of the trip (park benches aren’t what they used to be….)…..your limo driver knows you are leaving at 5AM and not PM…..you packed enough emergency things in your carry-on in case your main suitcase goes on an unexpected trip to Guam while you are in Paris….your passport is with you and NOT in your safe deposit box! So many things to remember! But still worth it.
Once you board the plane or train or automobile…..your only job going forward is to enjoy. Have fun. Relax. Stay safe and healthy. Be thankful for the little things. Bring home wonderful memories. Leave a path of goodwill behind you. BON VOYAGE!
Pamela
