How to have Stress-Free Travel and Really Enjoy your Holiday

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Going on holiday is incredibly exciting and we all want to have a really great time while exploring new places around the globe. Unfortunately the travelling experience is often laced with a lot of stress and anxiety, due to a number of factors. The purpose of those article is to help you mitigate those factors and have a stress-free journey around the world. So Ladies and Gentlemen, sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight.

The Number 1 Tip is Arrive Early for your Flight!

If you miss your flight you have already ruined your holiday from the get-go. Everyone has a big fear of missing their flight as a result of this. To get rid of any stress make sure you have plenty of time to travel to the airport, to park your vehicle, check-in, and get through security.

To provide yourself with extra time I highly recommend booking a car park that is within close range of the airport, and if possible, has a valet parking service. Valet parking means you can just hand over you keys and off you go, saving so much time and effort. Do this in advance and you have already saved yourself from some stress.

Number 2: Be Prepared.

Yes Mr. Boy Scout, be prepared. By this I mean, pack early and pack thoughtfully. The best way to do this is to formulate a list of all the things you might need. Stick to that list and do not overdo it. This way you can pack in the most efficient way possible, and you can be calm knowing you have prepared for any possibility.

Don’t have fear strike your heart as you leave the house wondering if you have forgotten anything. Have your passport and boarding pass on that list.

When you have a thorough list in front of you it means you can easily organise your packing i.e. “I will put this, this and this in my carry-on, and these two items at the top of my suitcase, and these things will go in my handbag.”

If you’re thoroughly prepared you will be able to find anything at a moments notice and have everything you need the most within reach.

Number 3: Relax

Breathe. You’re early, you have everything you need, you’re all checked-in and you have made it quickly through security thanks to your well-packed carry-on.

Take a moment to establish where your gate is, put an alarm on your phone to let you know when to head towards your gate if you’re worried about missing the call, and then find a comfortable seat.

Last time I flew International (a return flight home) I was so lucky to find myself in a fairly empty airport with plenty of empty couches. My partner and I scored ourselves a couch each, and I went to put on the comfiest clothes in my suitcase, then I settled down with a book. We arrived well in advance and I spent a lovely few hours lying on a couch reading a book in comfy clothes.

Being in an airport does not have to be a horrible experience. You have nothing to do, and you have no pressing matters. Take the time to just be a blob. It’s nice.

Number 4: Consider whether stopovers are really worth it.

Okay, so blobbing in one airport is fine, but stopping again and again is tiring and uncomfortable. It can also be extremely stressful if the time between one flight and another is short. Nobody wants to be sprinting through an airport.

Yes it is cheaper, so if savings is what you want then the extra money will likely make your trip less stressful. But if a comfortable holiday is what you are after then do the most direct trip possible. Trust me.

Number 5: Research, research, research.

On a previous last holiday I stayed in a lovely apartment. The view was utterly incredible. There actually weren’t any curtains in my room so I had no choice but to look at the stunning vista before me. I would wake a few times in the night and each time be treated to a different view as the evening progressed.

Because of this experience, I’m not complaining. I spent some lovely days in that apartment. But outside my doors was a slightly terrifying neighbourhood that I found to be very depressing. And this was in a town that, in reality, had very little for a tourist to do.

On day two I began my research. I read many-a-horror-story written by people who had come to this very place and had terrible experiences. My partner and I were able to laugh as we had each other, and we had a concert to go to at least. But if we had researched we might have be a little less let-down.

Research your location. Make sure you’re in a good tourist area that is safe. Check if there’s good public transport, otherwise consider hiring a car. Understand the place you’re travelling to  so that you head there prepared and with the right expectations.

Please, please, please enjoy your journey. Travelling is fantastic, and with a little effort you can make it utterly fabulous.