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Step one for any trip is picking the right holiday destination, but there’s more to this than sticking a pin in a globe. Visiting the right destinations at the wrong time could turn a once-in-a-lifetime adventure into a never-to-be-repeated disaster. Try these tips for picking your next big escape…
Be true to yourself
Remember that you’re looking for the right destination for you, not the right destination for everyone else. Do your research and be clear about what you want to get out of your journey. Think about what you really enjoy about travel and what you can actually afford – and you’ll have a much more rewarding getaway.
Plan for the weather
Make sure the things you want to do are possible when you want to visit. “Possible” isn’t the same as “enjoyable” – you can hike in torrential rain or hit the beach in a blizzard, but that might not be how you want to spend your precious holiday. Plan around the weather, whether that means making sure there are ways to keep busy on rainy days or heading to the hills to escape the summer heat.
What makes the ‘right’ destination?
Travel brochures would have you believe that everyone wants the same thing when they travel – a pool, palm trees, a beach and some kind of goofy drink with an umbrella in it like you may find in Samoa or Rarotonga. Maybe you’re not that kind of traveller. Perhaps your ideal destination is an empty desert or a gritty urban jungle? Match the destination to your real interests and you’ll have a better trip.
What type of trip
Not every destination works for every kind of holiday at every time of year. Think about the kind of trip you’re after. Are you looking for culture or comfort, relaxation or adventure, company or privacy? Do you want space to breathe or the energy of crowds? Once you’ve answered these critical questions, you can identify a destination that fits.
Travel checklist
Smart travellers…
- Never pay more than they have to
- Travel at the best time, not just the cheapest time
- Book ahead so they’re never disappointed
- Always have the right paperwork
- Travel light so check-in isn’t a fight
- Carry digital back-ups of everything
- Seek out word-of-mouth recommendations
- Have authentic experiences, not manufactured experiences
- Buy a local SIM card and stay safe online
- Know the value of talking to locals
- Never run out of power or memory in the middle of a trip
- Know the scams and how to avoid them
- See wildlife in the wild, not in a crowd
- Have travel insurance that covers everything
- Know the local transport hassles and how to avoid them
- See the most interesting sights, not just the famous sights
- Know when the festival starts and when to get tickets
- Take travel health seriously
- Know where their money is going
- Always travel responsibly
Packing hacks
The best ways to make the most of your suitcase space
You’ve selected your designation, purchased your flights and now to pack! While you could toss everything you own into your case and jump on top to squeeze it closed, your bag is more likely to arrive in one piece if you pack more judiciously. First, choose the right bag for your trip. (Find our guide to the best carry-on bags to shop for here). Then try these top packing hacks…
Leave space
If you have to force your bag closed, the seams and zip or catch will be under strain for the whole journey, increasing the chance of catastrophic failure. Leave some space – you’ll probably want to buy some things to bring home. To prevent things moving around, put something lightweight in the void, like a soft canvas shoulder bag that you can use to carry fragile items in the cabin.
Two-stage packing
Pack in two stages – first set out everything you think you need, then on the second phase, remove anything that you aren’t 100 percent certain you’ll use. If you whittle the pile down by a third, you’re on the right track. Other countries have shops, so leave out any heavy or bulky items that you can easily buy on arrival.
Fold, don’t cram
Folded clothes take up less space than scrunched-up clothes. Items where wrinkles are less of an issue, such as t-shirts and tops, can be rolled up to save space. Use these soft clothes as a core, then wrap larger items around them, to reduce the risk of deep creases. When picking outfits, prioritise clothing that doesn’t need to be ironed over high-maintenance fabrics.
Compartmentalise
You’ll need a system to keep your bag organised. Some travellers use packing cubes – soft, lightweight, zip-up boxes – to keep similar items together. Others insist on lighter drawstring bags or compression bags. While they’re less durable, press-seal or ziplock plastic bags will do the job at a push.
Wear the bulky stuff
Coats and sweaters take up loads of space, so wear your bulkiest items rather than cramming them in your bag. Planes and trains are usually air-conditioned, and if you get hot, you can pop these items in the overhead compartments without taking up valuable luggage space.
Heavy stuff goes at the bottom
Put shoes, books and other heavy or rigid items at the bottom of your bag – down by the wheels if you’re using a rolling or spinner case. Keeping squishy items at the top will make it easier to tuck in extra things you buy during your journey.
Washbag tips
Your washbag is a booby trap – full of tubes and bottles that can burst open, dousing your toothbrush with cleanser. Consider sealing tubes closed with tape for the journey. Liquids are also heavy and there’s usually a 100ml limit per item for your cabin bag – other countries have toiletries, so take the minimum and buy anything you need when you get there.
Lock it up
Whether you use a soft bag or a case, make sure you can lock it up – theft of whole bags is rare, but items do go missing from unlocked bags on journeys. Some cases have integrated zip locks and many bag zips can be closed with a mini padlock. For a quick fudge, bind the zipper, pulling tightly together with gaffer tape – remember, you’re not making your bag impenetrable, you’re just making it harder to steal from than the next bag on the rack.
Personalise your bag
Almost everyone has a black suitcase. Make your luggage stand out on the carousel by choosing an unusual colour, or adding a colourful strap, tag, sticker, sew-on patch or ribbon. Make sure your name and address are clearly marked so you can be reunited with your bag if it goes astray in transit. If you’re travelling with kids, you can get them involved in decorating their luggage as a fun holiday craft activity!
Check the baggage rules
Everyone knows scissors and pocket knives go in the hold, but most airlines also insist that devices with lithium batteries (such as laptops, power banks and cameras) are carried in cabin bags to reduce the risk of fire. Similar rules apply for vaping devices and lighters, so pack accordingly.
Pack gaffer tape
Having something that sticks to anything can come in handy for patching up a torn bag to taping the lids on your toiletries. You can even use it as an emergency sticking plaster. A small 2.5cm-wide roll should be up to most tasks.
Don’t forget the bubble wrap
Has a fragile souvenir caught your eye on your travels? Take the stress out of how you’re going to get it back home by packing some bubble wrap in your suitcase. You can easily pick some up and the best part is, it’s light as a feather too. Once you’ve wrapped your breakables, pack them in between clothes in your suitcase to add extra protection. When you return from your tip, recycle your bubble wrap by storing it in your empty suitcases until your next adventure!
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