It’s finally time for a vacation! That’s great, and you can have a lot of fun, but there are several things that you should keep in mind before you go and while you’re at your destination to stay safe and have a great time. Here are five things to keep in mind while on vacation.
1. Plan Ahead
One of the first things to keep in mind while on vacation is planning for possible unforeseen occurrences. Lots of things can go wrong on a trip. You could miss a flight. You could miss the time that you’re supposed to be back on a cruise ship after a non-sanctioned tour excursion. You could forget your passports. Make sure that everything is taken care of beforehand. The best way to do this is by creating a checklist and checking it multiple times. Have a plan for any situation. Yes, it might seem like overkill, but it’s better to be prepared and not need it than the opposite.
2. Be Prepared
Another of the things to keep in mind while on vacation is to be prepared. You want to watch your health while you’re on vacation. That means knowing what kind of things there will be at your destination. Are you going to a place that has a lot of insects, including bees and wasps or other little things that like to bite? Is anyone in your group allergic to any of these things?
According to Business Wire, 500,000 people a year go to the emergency room for insect bites and stings. Don’t be one of those people. Wear proper clothes, put on insect repellent, and definitely stay away from any nests. Being prepared is important, and this includes having an epi-pen at the ready. You want your health to be a priority in order to enjoy your time away from home.
3. Obey the Laws
The next item on the list of first things to keep in mind while on vacation is obeying the laws. This applies whether you’re in the United States or abroad. For example, if you rent a car in a state, go out drinking, and then try driving, you’ll find that drunk driving is any situation in which a person is driving with blood alcohol above the legal limit of .08. Do you want to spend your vacation in a jail cell?
Find what laws certain countries have that aren’t the same as in America. What might seem like a negligible amount of marijuana in California could land a hefty fine or worse in another country. Respect those laws and call a ride-share service whenever need be.
4. Be Mindful and Respectful
Are you doing something like camping? The U.S. generates more than 200 million tons of garbage each year. Don’t be one of those people who like to leave a lot of garbage on the campgrounds. Be respectful and dispose of things as they should be.
That can ensure that it will be a fun environment not just for you but for the people who come after you. The same goes for things like hotel rooms. Yes, a staff comes and cleans up, but there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed when it comes to messiness. Respect the work that they do.
5. Be Alert
Last, but not least on our list of things to keep in mind while on vacation is personal safety. Sad to say, there are a lot of people in various countries who love to prey on tourists. It’s important to do some research and see what sort of scams are notorious in your planned destinations and then be vigilant for them.
You should have safe locations to store money. That way, if something like this happens, you can be prepared. You shouldn’t be obsessed about them, but you should at least know ahead of time. This knowledge will make for a safer trip.
There are other things, like making sure you get the right currency for the country you’re in, getting sturdy luggage that will withstand the rigors of travel, and knowing what kind of phone reception you’ll get. The more that you know, the better time you’ll have. Then all the research you did will be worth it.