Ah, summer is upon us again. Social media is brimming with photos of the beach, mountains and cobblestone streets in heritage villages. It’s the time of the year to take your travel bag out of the closet.
Science says that going on vacations can help improve your quality of life. People who go on a relaxing trip tend to return happier. The key is in making your vacation relaxing. You wouldn’t want running into problems with the ticketing office or needing to call your local embassy for assistance abroad. Planning for summer vacation takes more than picking the right shade of sunglasses.
Here are 10 no-nonsense tips for planning a hassle-free summer vacation.
Coordinate via social media
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If you’re going on a trip with family or friends, you will need ample time to prepare. For international vacations, you’d need more than three months to prepare depending on your destination. Local trips need arrangements for at least a month. Make your planning and coordination easier by using social media. Set up a private Facebook group and exchange updates on flight schedules, accommodation and other essential details about your vacation.
Maximize condo living by inviting your entire travel team for a monthly (or weekly) meeting to polish your travel plans. Feel the vacation vibe by brainstorming in a resort-style condo community.
File your vacation leaves ahead
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You must be aware that many people in your office may also be planning their own out-of-town trips. File your vacation leaves ahead of time. If you’re working freelance, finish your tasks earlier than scheduled or inform your clients of your unavailability. You can also bring your work with you—imagine yourself sending emails by the beach—although this isn’t recommended. First, you won’t be able to guarantee Internet connectivity in far-flung islands. Second, you’re supposed to relax, remember?
Make arrangements for your home
Whether you’ll be out for a few days or a couple of weeks, ensure the security of your home. According to an FBI report, the summer months have the highest rates of break-ins, usually about a 10% rise over other months of the year. The trend is similar in a local setting. Burglars, or criminals in general, are opportunists. Don’t give them the chance to take advantage of your absence.
One common sense tip: avoid publicizing your vacation abroad especially if your social media account is on public setting. You can post photos of your trip when you get back. You don’t want to inform intruders that your home is unoccupied for weeks. If you live in a condo community in the Philippines, you wouldn’t have problems securing your home. Condo owners and tenants are provided with 24-hour security. You’d only need to lock your door on your way out.
Book flights early
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The best months to book a flight will depend on your destination. If you’re bound for Europe or the US, July is the busiest travel month of the year. This marks the start of summer vacation in Western schools. Unless you’re a Muslim, you may want to avoid long lines in the airport for flights bound to the Middle East between June and July. During this period, millions of Muslim pilgrims are bound to Mecca for a month-long religious observance. The Lunar New Year, which falls on February, is not an advisable time for a trip to China unless you’d want to experience the largest annual human migration in the world.
Locally, you may want to take note of the Holy Week, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, and the Christmas holiday when booking a flight. These are critical for travelers as millions hit the road and getting public transportation can be a pain in the neck. Book your transpo months ahead.
Choose your accommodation prior the trip
Unless you plan on sleeping in your tent, you will need to reserve your accommodation at least a week before your trip. You have a lot of options from hotels to couches. Couchsurfing, where strangers offer couches or rooms to travelers, has been a popular choice for millennial travelers. Experienced couchsurfers recommend planning in advance as it may take time to hear back from prospective hosts. If you plan on trying this innovative accommodation scheme, know the ups and downs, especially the risks.
Call your bank, your merchants and your mother
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It is essential to let your bank, telephone company and your family know when you’ll be gone for long-haul trips. Avoid problems with your debit and credit cards by informing your bank that you’ll be out of the country for several weeks. Inquire about access to cash in your international destination as well as recommended modes of currency exchange.
Pay your bills in advance. One advantage of condo living in the Philippines is the convenience of securing your home when you’re gone. You can inform your condo leasing office about your absence and make arrangements on your bills and association due payments. Ask your DMCI Homes leasing officer for assistance.
Make copies of your IDs and paperwork
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Regardless of your destination, you need to make copies of all important documents you’d need when problem arises. Make copies of your passport, IDs, insurance info, credit card details and emergency medical information. Give these, including your itinerary, to a trusted relative or a DMCI Community friend. If you’re traveling abroad, drop by your local embassy and sign up in the travel registration. This is helpful in times of emergency. Local travelers are also advised to visit police precincts to let the authorities know that you’re visiting the place. They can also give you advicein staying safe.
Set up your out-of-office responder
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Have a stress-free summer vacation by keeping your office work, well, in the office. To avoid calls from colleagues and clients while you’re about to go bungee-jumping, set up a vacation responder in your email. Make a funny message. Take it from one office worker: “Hello! I’m out of the office until May 12, and probably on a beach right now while you’re typing.”
Set a meet-up point
Coordinate with members of your travel team about a meet-up point to the airport, seaport or bus terminal. Since many condominiums in the Philippines are located near these entry points, consider staying in one the night before your journey. Forget about pulling off a Hollywood-style scene running after your plane in the runway.
Pack an emergency kit
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You’re done packing your swim wear, goggles, and electronic gadgets. Don’t zip your travel bag just yet. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, insect repellents and a first-aid kit. If you’re bound abroad, do a research on the type of medicines you can bring.
Vacations are meant to help you eliminate pressure and stress. Plan your trip well to avoid problems on the road. The last thing you’d want is losing your passport or ending in a hospital bed when you’re supposed to be relaxing with a piña colada under the warm summer sun.
Vacations are meant to help you eliminate pressure and stress. Plan your trip well to avoid problems on the road. The last thing you’d want is losing your passport or ending in a hospital bed when you’re supposed to be relaxing with a piña colada under the warm summer sun.