VACATION 101. It’s about having fun, peace of mind, not working and not worrying. Do these things and increase those chances! And remember that the watchword today is not that it changes, but how fast it changes.
PACK THOSE “SMALL” THINGS. They get really "large" on a trip. The nail clippers, Band-Aids, hair bands, suntan lotion, and Neosporin will not only cost you 5 times as much on your trip, they will cost you precious pleasure TIME while you hunt them down.
CHECK YOUR INSURANCE TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOU LEAVE, MEDICAL AND CAR. Policies are different. You need to know WHAT will be covered on your trip and WHERE. Are injuries, accidents and illnesses covered if you’re not in the US or Canada? Call your insurance company to make sure. Get names and bring written proof.
Does your car insurance cover rental cars? If so, for what and in what countries? Does a credit card cover it? If so, don’t pay twice.
FILL IN THE GAPS WITH TRAVEL INSURANCE. Consider the insurance that includes air evac back to the US unless you relish emergency gall bladder surgery in El Disastro, Peru when you don’t understand Spanish.
ADOPT THE MENTAL ATTITUDE YOU’VE NEVER FLOWN/CRUISED/TRAVELED BY TRAIN BEFORE. Why? Because it’s changed since 9-11 and keeps on changing. New security measures, restrictions, and time-consuming safety procedures are being added all the time.
CALL AHEAD FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION BUT, SIGH, DON’T RELY ON IT. Go ahead and bring the hair dryer, converter, travel iron, toiletries and things important to you, and be pleasantly surprised if they’re there. Do not trust the person on the phone, or your friend who has just returned. It changes. Realistically, it’s impossible to keep up with.
KEEP DOCUMENTATION PAPERS. On my last cruise a couple’s luggage got really torn up. I listened to them argue it out with the purser. The cruise line claimed it says in their papers they aren’t responsible; it’s the baggage handlers on the dock. At any rate, at some time the couple is going to have to prove what the luggage cost. Photographs help too.
USE YOUR COMMON SENSE. The above-mentioned couple was claiming, She – that she’d paid $300 for her fabric-type roll-on luggage. He - that his “custom-made luggage” was not replaceable. Use your own judgment, but seems to me the best practical measure these days is to buy the sturdiest least expensive luggage you can find. It’s unrealistic to assume it won’t be nicked, scratched or slightly torn, and you can save yourself some emotional turmoil by preparing for that fact, i.e., don’t give a toddler a crystal goblet and then be “surprised” it gets broken.
HOT TUBS AND BATHING SUITS. Some hot tubs contain enough bromine (by health department regulations) to not only bleach out your bathing suit, but also destroy the elastic, leaving you with a bleached bag. Bring an old suit, or bring an inexpensive one and treat it like a Bic pen: disposable.
IF YOU’RE TRAVELING ABROAD, ALERT YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY IN ADVANCE.
TAKE YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE WITH YOU. Traveling is a microcosm of life: new things, no learning curve. EQ competencies such as quick reality testing, and interpersonal relationship skills are extremely helpful. Brush up! Work with a certified emotional intelligence coach, or take an EQ course. Also observe others in the ever-occurring stressful situations of travel and you’ll see what works and what doesn’t. Emotionally intelligent people learn from experience!
©Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . Coaching, distance learning, and ebooks around emotional intelligence for your continued personal and professional development. I train and certify EQ coaches. Get in this field, dubbed “white hot” by the press, now, before it’s crowded, and offer your clients something of exceptional value. Start tomorrow, no residence requirement. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for free ezine.