What to Remember for a Last Minute Holiday

You’ve booked yourself on a last minute holiday. You’re excited, you’re feeling spontaneous, and you’re anticipating some sun on your face after a long and bleak winter. It’s a fantastic, liberating feeling, but it’s important not to let your off-the-cuff plans get ruined through an oversight of practical and logistical considerations. While you’re probably unlikely to forget your passport (or, at least, now you are!) and you’ll likely get to the airport on time, there’s a few things worth having in the forefront of your mind in those last minutes before you leave the house for somewhere a little sunnier and warmer.

Essentials

“How many socks do you think I’ll need?” The feeling of chucking bits and bobs from the clutter in your bedroom haphazardly into a bag can be rather exhilarating. It’s in going with the vibe of the last minute-ness, yet there are some things you’ll be bemused to find you forgot on the other end. For sun-soaked realms, think sun lotion, shades, light shoes, and a beach towel. For colder climates, pack appropriate gear and, yes, extra socks!

Contact

If your trip hasn’t spent any time in the pipeline and your network doesn’t know you’ll be away, it’s a good idea to have some way to contact home, especially if you’re likely to have to do odds and ends for work. For international calls, Viber is a good way to keep you in touch; check out Viber and their international call rates before you leave, and you’ll ensure that family will still be able to get in touch and that your in-tray won’t have collapsed when you return home.

Insurance

Are you taking expensive items away, or are you planning on risking your life and limb? Travel insurance is something that too many holidaymakers regret not taking out. It’s a little boring and it might even feel like it’s tempting fate, but there’s no excuse not to have a quick browse on comparison websites to purchase a policy. Bear in mind, though, that some of the cheaper policies might be ultimately worthless, so do check the small-print before securing your peace of mind.

Cash

We live in an era where convenience is the name of the personal finance game. So imagine the feeling when your usually-seamless payment method is turned down and you’re left in the lurch in a foreign and confusing place. Little measures, like contacting your bank to let them know you’re taking your card away, getting the best exchange rates, buying a pre-paid travel card, or simply grabbing enough travel cash to keep you in meals for a couple of days will make for stress-free holidaying!

With so many good deals flying around the internet, more people than ever are throwing their hands up in the air, saying “why not” and getting themselves on a well-deserved mini-break. If you’re one of them, just ensure that it’s a luxurious break from start to finish by remembering to prepare the essentials.