Is a holiday only about flight, hotel and sun?
Hopefully no!
Whether you go for the old-fashioned package holiday deal, or whether you go down the booking DIY route, there are certain add-on extras that are imperative to a holiday, not only to make the whole thing run smoother, making it easier on tiredness levels, but also to cover you in the event of something going wrong.
Obviously, we hope everything runs according to plan and you have a wonderful time, with no blips, but life is rarely that smooth, and we need to take precautions wherever possible.
Planning ahead will ease the road in the event of delays etc, and to combat this, always check real-time airport information on your flight, terminal number etc prior to traveling. In the days leading up to our last holiday, we checked Stansted departures religiously every day! You’ll find up to date information, and even some useful tips on how to enjoy your airport experience – it is a part of your holiday after all.
If anything was to go wrong, you will hopefully be insured. We say ‘hopefully’ because some people don’t bother to add on travel insurance for their travels and when something does go amiss, they’re left very much in trouble! Never, ever be tempted to travel without booking adequate insurance first. You can find such great deals these days, so it’s never going to be a case of it costing too much, and it’s simply not worth the risk.
Lecture over, let’s look at the fun things you should add onto your travel plans, with health and enjoyment benefits.
If you’re traveling a distance to the airport, it’s a good idea to book an airport hotel. This is a great shout if you’re traveling long-haul too, or traveling with children, because you will be able to get a good night’s sleep without having to get up at an unearthly hour of the morning to travel to the airport, causing tiredness and grumpiness before you’ve even checked in. We’ve regularly used the hotels at Stansted Airport on my travels, and can’t fault them for price and customer service. Certainly look into what’s available at your airport.
Another perk, which again cuts down on airport stress, is the possibility of booking an airport lounge, so you don’t have to sit trying not to get a headache in the busy departure lounge! Food and drinks are generally included, so if this sounds like a good stress-reducing idea to you, look into facilities available where you’re flying from.
It’s easy to get swept away on a sea of ‘I’m going on holiday!’ when you book, and you get so lost in the excitement, and subsequent packing drama, that you forget the little extras that enhance and protect your travels. You can find deals on all added extras online, so do a little research, and make that holiday as comprehensive as you can!