Summer is my favourite time of year. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and it’s the perfect time for a holiday!
Prepping and packing for a holiday can be overwhelming and staying on top of everything whilst away from home may seem even more daunting. Whether you’re getting ready for an awesome road trip, a relaxing beach escape or a city break abroad, this blog post will guide you on how to stay organised during your summer trip away.
1. Research and Plan
If you don’t already have a travel destination in mind, write down a list of possible locations where all family members will enjoy that suit your budget. Chat to everyone and see which destination comes out as the favourite. Do some research on where to stay, how to get there and the best activities to do in that area. Google, Trip Advisor and Get Your Guide often have lists of the go-to things to do in a chosen area. Another option is to chat to a travel agent if you’d prefer a package holiday. Create a travel itinerary for your holiday but allow for some free time in the schedule for time to rest, relax or to just explore. This will ensure that the holiday is properly planned and unexpected costs are less likely to come up if you already know where you are going and what you’ll be doing. It’s also a good idea to do some research on local customs and learn how to say a few key phrases in the language of where you’ll be travelling, to be as respectful and friendly to the local people as possible. Planning and researching for your trip might seem boring and tedious, but it will go a long way to making sure your holiday is stress free.
2. Get Your Documents and Paperwork Sorted
It’s important to check on whether you’ll need additional documents, such as visas or medical certificates to travel to your chosen destination. Travel to some countries also requires vaccinations or injections. If you need a visa for your holiday, I would suggest looking into how long it usually takes for the visa to get approved and what costs will be involved. Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months if travelling abroad so it’s essential to check that all family members have valid passports. It’s also vital to ensure that you and your family have valid travel insurance to cover your holiday. Getting your paperwork and documents sorted a few months before your trip will avoid any headaches or surprises on departure.
3. Get Your Home Ready
Get your home ready for while you are away to make sure that things are as stress free as possible while you aren’t there. Here’s a list of things to get sorted before you go away:
- Pay any bills that will be due when you are away or make sure direct debits are set up.
- Arrange pet and home sitters and make sure pets have enough food and essential items.
- Empty the rubbish and recycling bins and ask neighbours to put the bins out on bin day.
- Get rid of any food that will expire while you’re away.
- Get any prescriptions filled.
- Let family, friends and neighbours know that you’ll be away and give a spare set of keys to someone trusted.
- Set up indoor and outdoor cameras if you need to.
- Switch off all plug sockets, apart from the fridge, freezer, Wi-Fi, and boiler.
4. Pack for Your Holiday
Use a packing checklist to pack for all members of the family. Using a checklist helps to make sure all items that will be needed are packed and that nothing gets mistakenly left behind at home. Packing cubes are great to have to keep things organised and tidy in your suitcase. If you need a packing guide, let me know and I’ll email you my free Holiday Guide and Packing Checklist to help. I prefer rolling clothing up when I pack for a trip because it saves a ton of space! Shoes are heavy and take up quite a bit of room, so I suggest minimizing shoes to 3 – 4 pairs per family member. A good pair of walking shoes, smart shoes for a nice dinner and shoes for the beach are my go-to. Pack for the climate your chosen destination is known for but always make sure to be prepared for if the weather takes a turn for the worst.
5. Relax and Have Fun
A summer holiday in the sun is an amazing way to rejuvenate your body and mind. Take in the amazing culture, food and experiences while you are travelling. Enjoy your time reconnecting with your family and yourself. Book that spa day and savour every moment of relaxing on the beach or watching your kids having fun. Enjoy, unwind and embrace your time off.
I hope this guide inspires you to book your next holiday with excitement knowing that, if you plan and prepare, staying organised on a summer holiday isn’t as hard as you might think. You CAN enjoy a calm, fun and organised getaway.
If you need help organising any area of your home and restoring the tranquillity in your life, contact me here.