7 Must-Do Tasks to Ensure a Smooth Vacation Experience

For many people, their vacation is the best part of their year. Unplugging from work or school and exploring a new place can be an exciting experience and travelers want to do everything possible to make it go smoothly. 

Below are some must-do tasks to check off the list before you embark on your next journey.

Buy Good Walking Shoes

Many people make the mistake of packing everything except good walking shoes for their trip. Many vacations include walking around historic cities or exploring beautiful natural areas. Although vacations are relaxing, part of the fun is walking around and discovering new things about the place that you are visiting.

As a tourist, it is a rookie mistake to accidentally only bring flip-flops or unsupportive sandals and end up with terrible blisters on your feet. Nothing can bring down the mood of a vacation like a member of the group who has blisters. 

The best thing to do is to buy a good pair of sneakers about a month before your trip. Go on some walks with them and get used to how they feel. Make sure they are broken in before you set off on your trip. Another big mistake that travelers make is that they buy a new pair of walking shoes, but then don’t wear them until the first day of the trip. This could result in discomfort and blisters as well. 

Plan a Loose Itinerary

Remember that a vacation is a time to relax, so you shouldn’t create an intense itinerary where you have every single minute filled. Plan for one big thing per day, but leave room for rest and exploration. 

Not having a demanding itinerary will be beneficial in the long run and your vacation companions will thank you for it. 

Prepare For Changes

As is true in life, not everything on vacation will go as planned. Go into your vacation with an open mind and if plans change, embrace them. 

If one excursion or dinner plan gets canceled, use it as a chance to do something you didn’t think you would be able to fit in. Embrace the change and it might surprise you.

Pack Light

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they go on vacation is overpacking. If you are a person that struggles with this, here are a few tips to keep you from a bursting suitcase:

Plan Each Day’s Outfit

When you want to go on vacation, it is understandable that you want to have choices when it comes to outfits. Because of this mindset, many people pack several tops and several bottoms with no regard for how many days they will actually be gone. 

The best thing to do is to think about how many days your vacation will last. Pick one top per day and lay it out on your bed, then do the same with bottoms. If you want a little bit of choice, you can throw in maybe one or two extra tops, but no more.

Once you have the complete outfits, roll them up together and place them in your suitcase in a row. This will save a lot of space in the end.   

Leave Room For Souvenirs

Remember that if you fill your suitcase to the brim before you even leave for the vacation, you will have no room for clothing or any other souvenirs that you find on your journey. Try to leave a little bit of space for these things so that you won’t have to compromise later on. 

Get A Good Suitcase

Every year, luggage companies innovate new designs and features that improve your travel experience. If it’s time for you to get a new suitcase for your next trip you can check out many lightweight luggage choices online. The last thing you want on your journey is a heavy suitcase that you have to lug around. This is especially true if you are visiting old cities with cobblestone streets. 

Book Transportation Ahead Of Time

If you are arriving at a travel destination where you are not familiar with the public transportation system or taxi situation, it is best to book transportation ahead of time with apps like Uber. Another way to book transportation to and from the airport is to arrange a driver through your hotel. This way, you will know that the ride will be safe and reliable.  

Pack Medicine 

If you are going on vacation to a different country where you may not know the language or customs, the last thing you want is to get sick and not have your familiar remedies. Packing a few doses of cold medicine, allergy pills, and something for a stomachache is always a good idea.

This will save you a frustrating trip to a pharmacy where you may not be able to explain your symptoms and end up with medicine that doesn't even work. Having familiar medicines with you will give you peace of mind and make you feel less stressed if you do happen to fall ill while abroad.  

Once you have checked these seven tasks off of your packing list, you will be ready to have a relaxing and fun vacation. Now, get out there and explore the world.