With the winter season fast approaching, many people will be looking to escape the frigid North American climate for something more mild and pleasant. Travelers often take the opportunity to disappear to a warmer destination for a month or more during this time.
These more extended vacations can be thrilling while also causing a great deal of stress, particularly when it comes to planning and getting organized before your trip. In this article, we go over some useful tips to help you prepare for an extended vacation.
Budgeting
The first and possibly most crucial thing to do when planning an extended vacation is to prepare a budget based on how much you estimate the trip will cost. Make sure no stone is left unturned and factor in everything from your transport and accommodations to meals and emergency expenses. Once you have a good estimate of how much your vacation will cost, start budgeting as necessary.
Book your plane well in advance
If you aren’t a seasoned traveler, it’s important to know that it is always safest to book your plane well ahead of time. The last thing you want is to plan for three months and realize there are no flights available on the date you expected to leave.
Establish an itinerary
While some people have a certain carefree wanderlust that lets them play their vacation by ear, most people do better with structure and planning. If you are part of the latter camp, you will want to create an itinerary that you can follow for your trip.
Here are some quick tips to help you plan a perfect itinerary:
- Build your itinerary around 5-10 must-experience activities and attractions
- Map out your stops and plan how you might travel between them
- Stay somewhat flexible and avoid overscheduling
- Print and keep a copy of your itinerary on you
- Download useful apps that will help you navigate throughout the trip
Get travel insurance
Travel insurance is one of those things that many neglect and then come to regret it later. You never know what can go wrong when traveling in a different country and it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially if you plan on doing anything adventurous.
Storage
Depending on the length of your trip and your living situation, you might need to store your belongings for an extended period of time. The most obvious storage solution would be to bring your stuff to a close relative’s home for the duration of your trip. However, this isn’t always possible.
If storing your goods with family members or friends isn’t an option, you can opt for a third-party solution like a mobile storage cube than can be warehoused while you’re away. If you choose to rent storage space, don’t forget to factor the cost into your budget as well.
Don’t forget to notify your bank
The last thing you want is to arrive in your country of destination and find that none of your bank cards work. Make sure you notify your bank that you plan on traveling so they don’t flag your accounts for suspicious activity and freeze your funds.
Conclusion
Last but not least, if you are leaving on vacation for an extended period of time, it is important to say a proper farewell to your friends and family. Be sure to get together with your loved ones before you leave since they will undoubtedly miss you while you’re gone.