Travelling is one of life’s greatest pleasures and there’s nothing more exciting than planning for a relaxing getaway, an adventure-packed trip or a city excursion to an unknown location. To make sure you’re prepared for any situation while you’re away, and to give you a stress-free break knowing everything is taken care of, here’s a guide of essentials you won’t want to forget before you jet off.

1. Buy Insurance

Travel insurance might not be the most exciting element of planning a trip, but it could wind up being the most important thing you take with you on your travels. Buying travel insurance will ensure that you’re covered for all eventualities, even those you don’t want to occur. Should the unexpected happen while you’re away, you’ll feel much better knowing that you’re in safe hands and can get your trip back on track as soon as possible.

2. Leave a Key with a Neighbour

Accidents can happen at any time and there’s nothing worse than knowing that you’re the only person who can access your home when an emergency strikes. Whether it’s a pipe that’s sprung a leak, an electrical fault or another type of crisis, it will provide peace of mind knowing that someone you trust can access your home and make sure everything is in order while you’re away. Don’t have a key spare? Have one cut at short notice with a company such as Fast Keys to keep on stand-by for occasions when you know you’ll be out of town and want someone to keep an eye on your home for you.

3. Book in Your Vaccines

If you’re not travelling far, you might be able to leave at a moment’s notice, but if you’re travelling to more exotic climes then you’ll want to visit your doctor beforehand to make sure you’re up to date with any vaccines you need. These often need to be booked in several weeks before you set off, so plan well in advance and book an appointment a couple of months before your trip so you can discuss what’s needed with your GP and book the follow-up appointment for the vaccinations.

4. Check Visa Requirements

If you’re heading overseas, you’ll need a valid passport and potentially a visa as well. You will need to give yourself a minimum of three weeks to arrange a new passport or a renewal if yours is out of date, but the more time you can give yourself the better to keep your getaway stress-free. Some countries require at least six months of validity beyond the planned visit and you could be refused entry if yours doesn’t have this. Check the visa requirements for the destination you’re travelling too so you can make sure you have the correct documentation as well as any travel restrictions or banned items. Some countries have very strict visa requirements that could scupper your plans if you don’t adhere to them so do your research well in advance.

5. Toiletries and Healthcare

When it comes to the final thoughts on what to take with you – it’s always a good start to make sure you have everything you need, and items for medical reasons like paracetamol, antiseptic cream and plasters. Anything to make sure you’re able to treat a wound quickly. It’s essential you prepare the serious items first before thinking of packing clothes and material things, as it’s the bare minimal.

What are your favorite tips for planning a holiday?

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