Your vacation should be spent exploring the destination of your dreams and ridding yourself of everyday worries. Unfortunately, all too often, an unplanned detail brings stress and anxiety into your getaway. Whether you are unsure how to navigate a foreign city or feel on-edge about leaving your home unattended, several factors can throw a wrench in your relaxation.
Are you getting ready to jet-set on your ultimate vacation? Here are five tips for planning a worry-free trip.
Porch-pirate-proof your home
There’s nothing worse than coming home from a trip to find your porch ravaged by thieves. Protect your home by installing security cameras. The device alone deters burglars and will help you identify the culprit if a package does happen to get taken. You can also require a signature upon arrival or reschedule delivery for when you arrive home. Registering for a virtual address, like those from iPostal1, is another solution to porch piracy. With a virtual address, all your mail and packages are delivered to a secure pickup location. Think of it as a personal mailbox that is kept safe under lock and key.
Download useful travel apps
Instead of frantically googling places to eat in your area or tracking your next flight, download free apps. Most hotels and airlines offer their own user-friendly app that streamlines everything from checking-in to upgrading packages. Some apps even offer special deals that are only available to users. Start by downloading tried and true apps like Citymapper and Hotels.com.
Pack intentionally
Finding a careful balance between over and under packing takes practice, but it pays off once you are out on an adventure. Study the weather patterns in your destination, and consider how the climate differs from your own. Once you’ve gathered a good list of clothing and toiletries, make sure to pack them accordingly. For example, keep travel necessities like your passport, sanitizer, earphones, and map in accessible pockets. Make sure to keep valuable items in your carry-on in case the checked baggage is lost or diverted.
Set up travel alerts
Before you board the plane, be sure to alert the banker of your travels. You don’t want to arrive at your destination only to find all your cards have been frozen. Additionally, make sure you know how long the travel alert lasts and extend if necessary.
Figure out a mobile data plan and budget
Planning your data usage is perhaps the most crucial aspect of planning your trip. Without reliable access to the internet, you can easily get lost or lose track of the itinerary. Arranging a mobile plan in advance also allows you to budget accordingly and avoid costly roaming charges. Google Fi is a travel-friendly data plan that charges agreeable roaming fees and automatically connects to available wifi. To save even more money on phone expenses, make sure to keep your phone on airplane mode when not in use.
Closing thoughts
Once you’ve taken care of all the little details, it’s time to relax and enjoy your trip. Whether you are taking a week off to lay in the sun or embarking on an international adventure, a vacation is all about enjoying yourself.
