Even though it’s still technically winter, it’s a great time to start planning your summer vacation. The more prepared you are, the more enjoyable and relaxing it will be.
Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your summer getaway. Here are some vacation planning tips to get you started.
- Choose your destination. Will you stay close to home or travel to another state? Is this the year you travel overseas or go on a cruise?
- Don’t expect perfection. Life happens, even when you’re on vacation. Keeping your expectations realistic can make it easier to deal with the hassles that happen while planning your trip and once you get there.
- Take more vacations throughout the year whenever you can. Even long weekends can do a lot of good. Not only will you be more rested, you won’t place all your hopes for the perfect family getaway on a single summer trip.
- Consider letting a travel agent plan your trip. They save you time and stress by handling the details, and they often pay for themselves by getting you better deals than you can find on your own.
- Avoid tourist traps and go somewhere under the radar. You’ll avoid big crowds, long lines, and overpriced souvenirs and attractions.
- If you want to go to a popular destination, like Disney World, plan your trip for slower times of the year to have a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.
- When booking your flight and hotel, don’t just rely on third party sites like Kayak or Priceline. Sometimes an airline or hotel will offer a better rate on their own website. Always check there, too.
- Figure out your travel budget, write it down, and then stick with it. This helps when you save money for your vacation and when you arrive.
- If you’re traveling to an international destination, make sure your passport is current. Now is the time to get it renewed as it can take six weeks for the renewal or first-time application to be processed.
- Make sure you contact your cell phone company and banks before traveling internationally so everything works as it should while you’re abroad without incurring large fees.
- Buy a travel insurance policy. Like other forms of insurance, policy limits and coverage are determined by the type of policy you select. Travel insurance can help you unforeseen events like natural disasters at your location, acts of terrorism at your destination, lost or stolen luggage, lost passports, and if you get sick or injured while on vacation.
While you’re following our vacation planning tips and dreaming of warm beaches or exotic new sights, make sure you’re prepared for whatever might happen. Contact us at Charlotte Insurance for a quote on travel insurance so that you have one less thing to worry about while you plan your summer getaway.