Life is not all rainbows and butterflies, neither is travelling. That shouldn't stop you from planning a dream holiday! Today we'll talk about all the practical tips about how to prepare for those rainy days, just in case.
Hack #3: Get prepared,
especially for the rainy days
....and accept that sh*t happens.
The less fun bit - know the Rules
First things first, familiarise yourself with the rules of your planned destination(s). The last thing you want is having booked a flight, then realise you don't meet the entry requirement.
Entry requirement could vary according to many factors, such as the country of departure (which may not necessarily be the nationality of your passport). Find out the legal requirements for entry, and only ever trust this info from a government website/office (consulate, embassy).
Check your passport validity. Some countries have a 'six-month rule' that requires your passport to have at least six months validity beyond your planned stay.
There might also be a travel insurance requirement or other rules depending on where you're going. Give yourself ample time to ensure that you meet the legal requirements.
Better safe than sorry
Now the basics are out of the way, let's take a look at what else could get you prepared for the rainy day before booking that trip.
"Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world." Cat Stephens was right.
Preparing for the rainy days is not just about what you do to prepare, but how you adjust your mindset if you ever find yourself in an unwanted situation - let's call them 'travel hiccups'.
They could relate to money, time and most importantly, health.
We always recommend getting a travel insurance regardless of where you're going.
Most credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance these days providing that you book your flight on the specific card (some also covers the persons you travel with if your itineraries are exactly the same). Check with your bank if travel insurance comes with your credit card, and double check what's covered.
Flight delays are amongst the most common travel hiccup. It has happened to almost everyone and on almost every trip, so don't feel too bad about it if it does happen (with this mindset you might even feel blessed if it doesn't!)
Time
Give yourself plenty of time buffer. Don't book an activity, connecting flight or transport that you don't want to rebook on the same day of the flight.
If the major delay is not related to weather, mechanical issues or air traffic delays, airlines would usually provide some level of compensation, such as food/drink vouchers.
We experienced a major delay with an airline in the past, and the airline didn't bother giving passengers any indication of the timeframe so that people can make necessary arrangements. We were only told that "there're some issues and not sure how long it take (to fix it)", and provided with a voucher for a plate of chicken with rice.
Opinion might differ around whether the chicken rice is enough to compensate almost a day lost.
If you believe the delay has caused significant time lost and you haven't been reasonably compensated, there are third-parties such as Air Help who will pursue the compensation on your behalf. If successful, they'll take a percentage (so there's no upfront out of pocket cost). Bear in mind that compensation is never guaranteed.
Budget
Typically, some of the biggest expenses to take into account include; flights, accommodations, food, transportation (e.g. rental cars, taxis, petrol, parking); activities/entertainment (e.g. tours, entry fee and passes; concerts) and shopping.
Consider how much you can/are willing to spend, then add about 25% on top as a buffer for any incidentals (trust me, there will be).
If your estimate seems like the dream destination could blow your budget, feel free to reach out and we'd be happy to scope out an itinerary tailored to your budget and preferences.
There are also many platforms and tools that can provide more competitive pricing. We'll talk more about how to optimise cost efficiency in Hack #4.
Health
Speak with your family doctor/GP about the place you're thinking of going, and if there's any vaccine/medication requirement, or any medicine that you could/should take with you on the trip.
Almost everyone will get a gastro while travelling at least once in their life, so electrolyte tablets might be handy to have.
US's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention provides a good guidance on any current health issues in each destination, any recommended vaccines and things you could do to protect yourself.
Consider your own health circumstance. I only found out I wasn't very good with high attitude when I reached 3842m above sea level on a cable car. It doesn't mean I should steer away from high mountains but I'll surely take some preventative meds next time.
(this was me, recovering a the medical room at 3842m facing Mont Blanc)
Bottom line is, it's important to know your limits, whether it's with regards to time, money or health. Most important, your health.
Now you're prepared to hit the road, tomorrow's hack is all about making it happen, while Get the Bang for the Buck!
Stay tuned!
Author: Founder, Should Have Asked - Your Bespoke Travel.
Michelle is an experienced researcher, design-thinker and in former life, government policy maker. Most days she’s an addicted traveller, a shower-soprano and mom of 30+ avocado trees.
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