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Preparing for a holiday can be a hectic and tedious process especially for first timers. Generally, there is no rule of thumb to follow when it comes to preparing for a holiday. However, there are certain things that you should always keep in mind before leaving home. Essential holiday checklist can be long or short depending on your holiday destination, and certain preparations can help you avoid unwanted motions and problems.

Weather check

It is always advisable to check up on the weather so as to know what to carry on the trip. For instance, weather.com is a good site for the latest weather updates. For individuals using a Smartphone or tablet, Google Chrome has an app that can be installed specifically for weather updates.

UV protection

When travelling to warm or hot destinations, it is a necessity to carry gear that offers protection against deadly UV rays. These include: sunscreen, UV clothing, full body swimsuits, sun hats and sun glasses. Use a sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or higher (remember the higher the better) and sun clothing that has a UPF rating of 50+, that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Sunburns occur mostly at midday; therefore, it is advisable to seek shade during these hours. Sunscreen should also be applied at least half an hour before stepping into the sun and reapplied every 2 hours or after swimming. Wearing sun protective clothing and full body UV swimsuits can help protect your skin around the clock. Sunglasses that wrap around should be worn to prevent cataracts in later stages of life.

Swim wear

If holidaying abroad it is advisable to first check with the embassy/high commission/consulate of the particular destination as to any rules and regulations regarding swim wear. This is because some countries have strict dressing codes particularly for the ladies. Bikinis in particular are a major point of concern in some parts of the middle-east. That said, other countries have slightly relaxed dress codes for female tourists and even allow them to wear bikinis but in restricted environments. You should also consider wearing a sun protection full body bathing swimsuit when spending time on the beach or out in the sun, this will help protect the skin against UV radiation, Jellyfish stingers and sea lice in addition to other sea creatures.

Stay connected

Anyone planning to go on holiday is recommended to contact their mobile service provider and enquire about roaming services so that they may be able to connect with family and friends at home or anywhere. Skype is also quite popular among holiday goers as it is readily available for download on any Smartphone or tablet. It is one of the cheapest ways for international chatting, voice and video calls. Other applications such as Whatsapp, viber and tango can also be a great tool for staying connected. Wifi connection is available at most hotels, café and tourist areas and it is advisable to inquire about internet connection at your holiday destination.

Security precautions and Travel advisory

Before travelling to a particular destination, it is advisable to check if your government has issued any sort of travel advisory against your preferred destination. Registering with the proper government department will give you access to daily travel advisory and security alerts.

Check in with your government’s diplomatic office. Upon arrival in your preferred holiday destination, it is always recommended to go your country’s diplomatic office and register your details with them in case of any unforeseen incidents.

Travel in groups. It is always preferred to stick with other tourists and travel in groups. This is important especially if it is your first time in the region. Most tour groups nowadays give security advice and always plan your trips for you so that while on your holiday, you will be kept busy to avoid any mishaps.

Travel insurance

Always make sure to have some travel insurance. Loss of valuables including electronics is common in almost every tourist destination. As a result, look for insurance companies that offer redundancy cover as part of their standard offer.

Travellers’ checks

It is also advisable to carry travellers’ checks. While they seem old fashioned, they can save your holiday. Loss of credit cards and cash is a common incident among holiday goers.

Car hires

It is recommended to use internationally recognized car hire services for travelling within your preferred holiday destination.

Health facts

Dehydration

Wherever you decide to travel, always keep yourself rehydrated and body fluids up. Drink a lot of water; while at the same time reduce your intake of alcoholic fluids.

Travel related DVT

Recent studies indicate that people are at a higher risk of contracting deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after long journeys. Simple precautions include: avoiding tight clothes around the legs; regular flexing and ankle extension to encourage blood flow; and ensuring that you have enough leg room when travelling.

Food

When in a foreign place, always make sure to enquire what it is you are eating to avoid any health or allergy complications. Food poising can ruin your holiday, so take extra precautions with your food intake.