9 Important Things to Do Before Going On Vacation [Checklist]

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There are several things to do before going on vacation that are in your best interest.

In fact, we’ve identified the most important ones as an an easy to follow checklist.

Continue reading to find out what they are.

CONTENTS – In this article, you’ll learn about 9 important things to do before going on vacation, including;

A Quick Checklist To Ensure Your Next Vacation Is A Winner
Check Your Travel Party
Get the Best Value for Money
Pack the Essentials
Know the Must-See Attractions
Book a Unique Adventure
Choose Accommodation Wisely
Know Your Travel Plans
Don’t Forget Issues at Home
Final Thoughts on Things to Do Before Going On Vacation
Next Steps

A Quick Checklist To Ensure Your Next Vacation Is A Winner

If you are planning your first vacation since the pandemic, you’ve probably forgotten some of the key ingredients in the recipe for a successful vacation.

That’s fine.

With a little preparation, you can be sure that the adventures will live up to your expectations.

What are you waiting for?

Let’s get started with the 9 most important things to do before going on vacation.

1. Check your Travel Party

If you’re not careful, booking vacations together is one of the quickest ways to lose friendships.

As such, you must think about who you invite.

Sharing a night out on the town is vastly different from being around them 24/7 in unfamiliar surroundings.

Conversely, when you select the right people, your trip will be greatly enhanced.

You may even want to take a solo vacation once in a while!

2. Get the Best Value for Your Money

Whether specifically looking for a budget-friendly trip or not, you should be keen to cut waste.

From securing cheap flights to finding the best accommodation packages, every saving is a bonus.

Not least because you can spend the money on vacation activities.

Remember that early bookings are often the quickest way to secure savings.

Embrace it.

3. Pack the Essentials

Regardless of the destination you select, holiday fashion purchases are a highlight.

However, you must not forget to pack your medications and preferred beauty creams for self-care.

Otherwise, you may spend half the vacation looking for them.

Also, it’s important to check your passport expiry date if you’re traveling overseas or road-tripping across international borders.

Those are the very most essential items to pack.

4. Know the Must-See Attractions

eiffel tower vacation | Enjoy Travel Life — Eiffel Tower

Wherever you visit, there will be at least one must-see attraction.

For instance, visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower or going to New York City without a look at the Statue of Liberty would be a missed chance.

So, a little research and scheduling will serve you well.

That doesn’t mean you won’t go off the beaten path to find hidden gems. That is part of the fun of travel!

However, when you build your vacation around the ‘must-sees’, you’ll find it easier to find time for lesser-known stops and rest days, too.

5. Book a Unique Adventure

While the obvious tourist attractions are crucial, you should look to go one step further.

You can do this by booking unique adventures.

Riding a hot air balloon in Lancaster PA, for example, will give you a new perspective of the area.

Vacations should be about trying new experiences, so don’t let unique opportunities pass.

You can often find them by scrolling Instagram, searching on regional hashtags, or asking the locals.

6. Choose Accommodation Wisely

A good night’s sleep is integral to enjoying your trip to the max.

Likewise, you need to know that your accommodations are in a good location that allows you to truly embrace the area.

Hotels, private villas, and short-term rental properties are widely available.

So it is always suggested to choose your accommodation wisely and well before time.

Find a place that suits your tastes and your budget and secure your reservations.

Safe, comfortable places to stay are the platform for building the perfect vacation.

7. Know Your Travel Plans

The journey is a necessary part of the vacation.

However, you don’t have to let them cause you major stress.

Finding flights at suitable times and hiring a rental car when you arrive can make a huge difference.

With a little research and planning before you leave, you’ll remove a lot of anxiety.

If nothing else, it removes the fear of a difficult return journey.

So map it out, step-by-step.

This includes thinking about the big legs of the journey, as well as knowing how you plan to get around once you arrive at your destination.

8. Don’t Forget Issues at Home

Finally, you will want to ensure that all the loose ends are tied up at home.

Otherwise, you will spend the vacation worrying about them.

As well as giving your work the attention it deserves before leaving for vacation, you should consider home security features to monitor your property.

Once the family is away, your home is vulnerable to safety and infrastructure issues.

So, it’s always a good idea to make some contingency plans in case some emergency arises while you’re away.

Having 24/7 surveillance using CCTVs is always a good idea. Also, leaving an emergency contact list with a house sitter for the plumber, electrician, and other repair technicians will save urgent time in a crisis.

Most importantly, these things will help keep you free from worry during vacation.

And, a relaxed mind will enable you to enjoy the adventure to the max.

Final Thoughts on Important Things to Do Before Going On Vacation

Going on a vacation is one of the most exciting times of the year for all ages.

From young kids to kids at heart, it’s a chance to enjoy free time from the daily routine and get rejuvenated.

But before going on vacation, it’s really important to plan them well.

This includes considering the important things to do before going to vacation.

As after reading this article, you now have more of an idea about the most important things to plan out.

Then, you can be sure they’ll be memorable for you and everyone who joins you!

About Jackie Gately, editor-IN-CHIEF

I'm Jackie Gately, your travel confidante and the creative force behind Enjoy Travel Life, awarded the "Best Casual-Luxury Lifestyle Blog (USA)" in Travel and Tourism by LUXlife Magazine for four consecutive years.

With 25 years of published expertise, I'm a seasoned writer, editor, and photographer curating inspiring travel guides and lifestyle tips for empty nesters. I hope to kindle your spirit of exploration, encouraging you to overcome obstacles and turn your dreams into reality.

Learn to minimize your pre-travel angst and maximize the joy of exploration with insights from my experiences. Let's make every adventure a celebration of this exciting phase of life! 

Follow my social channels for more inspiration.

Next Steps

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