News
8 Common Mistakes People Make On Holiday
21 September 2015
We've all made mistakes on holiday - from packing the wrong clothes to forgetting cell phone chargers. And haven't we all looked back on a holiday with a thought of "I should have..."? Prepare yourself properly for your next holiday and avoid these pitfalls.
Holiday Pitfall #1: Packing Too Much
You don't need five pairs of shoes for a two week holiday! A holiday is a
time for rest and relaxation - you'll probably never need those extra pairs
of heels or red cowboy boots. Pack a pair of boots, sneakers/comfortable
walking shoes and informal shoes (sandals/ballet pumps/flip flops -
depending on your style). The same goes for clothing. If you wear it to
work, you probably won't wear it on holiday. Pack comfortable clothes that
can take you from a day outing to an evening dinner.
Holiday Pitfall #2: Not Planning Well
Make checklists of everything you need to do and take note of any helpful
destination specific advice when planning your holiday. Take the time and
effort to get your plans in order, especially when it comes to:
- Packing your bags
- Preparing your self-catering meals
- Finding out what you can and can't take across a border and into a different country
- Border post operating times
- Planning your budget
- Travelling arrangements such as servicing your car before the journey, directions to your destination, check-in and check-out times, times of flights etc.
- Activities - research some things to do in the area
Holiday Pitfall #3: Taking Pictures Of Everything
Cell phones, tablets and digital cameras have made it very easy to capture
precious memories. However, don't get carried away with taking too many
photos that you forget to take in the scenery, the environment, the people
around you, the sounds, and most importantly, the people you're travelling
with.
Holiday Pitfall #4: Doing Too Much Or Too Little
Don't be so busy on your holiday that you'll end up needing another holiday
after you're done! But also don't waste the opportunity to take part in
fascinating activities in the area. One outing per day is a good balance.
Take it all in and make the most of everything you experience.
Holiday Pitfall #5: Not Taking Enough Spending Money
Be sure to spend some time on your holiday budget. Do some research on your
destination and pen down some activities that you would like to do. Also
make sure that you know what the activities cost and make provision for it.
Holiday Pitfall #6: Not Packing Medicine
Falling ill whilst on holiday is a sure way to destroy your budget. If you
take chronic medication or if you have allergies, make sure to pack enough
to last you throughout your holiday. Take some basic medicine for nausea,
upset tummies, colds and pain as well.
Holiday Pitfall #7: Not Informing Your Bank That You're Travelling
Internationally
Nothing is worse than being in a foreign country with a blocked credit card
or limited withdrawals. Inform your banking institution ahead of time of
your travelling plans and the dates you'll be out of the country. Ensure
that you have the international emergency contact number of your bank in the
event of a lost or stolen credit or debit card.
Holiday Pitfall #8: Not Getting Holiday Insurance
Many credit cards companies and banks offer free travel insurance especially
for international travels. If you're travelling locally, make sure to
enquire with your holiday provider about insurance options in case of an
emergency.
We hope this will help you plan for your next holiday. What mistakes have you made on holiday that you have learned from?
