A holiday is a chance to relax and get away from the pressures of modern life, but all too often, planning and preparing for your getaway can make you stressed. As well as queuing, printing off boarding passes, heading through duty-free and working out whether your bathroom scales give an accurate measurement of your suitcase, you also need to think about your outfits and toiletries. To give you the best possible chance of enjoying yourself, we’ve put together seven holiday hacks that you can try out.
Eat like a local
Restaurants for tourists are often the most popular choices, but jumping off the beaten track and trying out some local cuisine will give you a real sense of your destination. It’s easy to eat like a local if you do your research, hit the streets and take your time to find the right eateries for you.
Choose the right room
When it comes to making the most out of your holiday, it’s important you choose the right room. If you’re headed for a hotel, choose a room on the second floor – you’ll be able to jump out in an emergency, but you’re less likely to be broken into than you would be on the ground floor. On a cruise holiday, opt for a cabin in the middle of the ship to reduce your chances of motion sickness.
Take plastic bags
Keep a supply of plastic bags in your suitcase to use throughout your trip – whether for carry-on items, storing your dirty laundry or preventing leaks in your toiletries, you’ll soon find that plastic carrier bags are a versatile and reliable holiday hack.
Spend more on lunch than on dinner
If you’re hitting the streets for food, then the chances are you’ll opt for a small lunch and an expensive evening meal. However, if you want to save money, you’ll find that lunchtime specials are more economical than late-night alternatives.
Get a local SIM card
International roaming charges can be expensive, so add a local SIM card to your phone to take advantage of affordable roaming, and rely on free Wi-Fi and services like Facebook Messenger when you’re in restaurants or at your hotel.
Bring a portable phone charger
While you should certainly avoid using your smartphone all day long, the chances are you’ll want to listen to music by the pool and take holiday snaps on the beach. Keep a portable phone charger in your handbag if you want to be able to recharge while you’re out and about.
Email all of your important travel documents
To ensure that your travel goes without a hitch, be sure to email all of your important travel documents to yourself. This will give you peace of mind should anything go missing.
By planning ahead, packing the right items and taking advantage of the holiday hacks we’ve mentioned in this article, you will be able to save time, money and enjoy your holiday to the max.