What To Do The Week Before A Trip

Planning a trip is a lot of fun, but once you’ve got your flights and hotels booked, it’s time to start thinking about the little things that will make your vacation even more enjoyable. These are the sorts of things you might not think about before you go but will probably end up being really glad you did if you do them and you’ll be really sorry if you don’t.

Here are the following things you might want to check on or accomplish a week before your trip:

• Line up every project or obligation by the due date based on how long you plan to be gone. Plan out your time, and try to get everything done at least a week before your trip — any more than that, and you risk forgetting things.
• If you have elders who won’t be joining you on your upcoming trip, it’s essential to make thoughtful arrangements for their care and comfort. Leaving them with another family member or a friend can seem like a big ask. Instead, a great option to consider is arranging a short-term VIP stay for them at Chelsea Senior Living or a similar facility. Such specialized care service can provide your loved ones with a safe and supportive environment, ensuring their well-being while you’re away. Before your departure, make sure to communicate with the staff at the facility, sharing important information about your elder’s routine, medications, and any specific needs. Leave contact details, and instructions to ensure a smooth transition.
• The same, more or less, goes for your pets. If you’re leaving them in the care of a friend or family member, you need to ask them to take the animals to the vet within a day or two of your departure to make sure your pets have received all the vaccinations they need and to ask your vet any questions they may have. Also, if you’re leaving them alone for a couple of days, you need to get a caretaker to stop by and check on them a few times a day.
• Set email expectations ahead of time, especially if you’re planning to travel in a group. If you are like most people, your inbox is probably chock full of messages, from important business emails to random spam. Before you leave for your upcoming vacation, think about what you want to see in your inbox when you return. Whether you choose to set your expectations before you leave or react to the situation when you return, make sure you have a plan in place, or you may just find yourself disappointed.
• The week before a trip is a great time to plan out your packing list and buy last-minute accessories. If you are traveling in the US, you don’t need to worry about your passport or visa, or vaccinations. For international travel, check what the requirements are for your destination and make sure you have the right documents before you leave.
• If you have decided to fill your trip with lots of different activities, you should take the time to think about how you are going to get to each destination. Is there a train you can take? Will you fly? Or if you are visiting a country like Iceland, for example, you can head to sites like Rent.is to find out how you can rent a camper van to navigate the rough terrain of the country. If this appeals to you, then be sure to plan and organize this in plenty of time so you actually have a vehicle to drive.
• If you need to get a visa or passport, it can take a few weeks, so start early. Look at the weather forecast for your destination as well. If interested, see if you can avail a portable weather station here. Though it might not give you the exact values, it can still be helpful when you are stuck in extreme weather conditions without access to the internet or cellular network. If you are going somewhere cold, you will need a heavy coat or winter coat, gloves, hats, and scarves. If you are traveling somewhere warm, you will need swimsuits, shorts, and sandals.
• Travel insurance is something that most people buy but never use. That’s because they’re too busy enjoying their trip to realize that they need it. However, you’ll only need your travel insurance suddenly when an emergency occurs. It’s best to be prepared for the worst.
• Talk to everyone you work with beforehand. If you’re an entrepreneur or work for a small business, talk to your boss first. Find out if it’s okay if you’re taking some time off. If you are gone for a long period of time, your boss might need a few days to find someone to cover your workload while you’re away. If you’re a manager, talk to the employees who’ll be filling in for you while you travel. Find out if they have any questions or concerns about the work that needs to get done. Even if you’re not a manager, it’s a good idea to talk to your coworkers, especially if you’re working with them on a project.
• Create a contingency plan. You never know when an emergency might happen. Maybe you’ll get ill just before a big trip, or your flight will get delayed, and you’ll miss a connection. Maybe you’ll get robbed, or your luggage will get lost. Whatever it is, be prepared by creating a contingency plan.

Why Do You Need To Plan Or Sort Things Out Before Your Trip?

There are lots of things to consider before leaving on a trip. Before leaving, check you have packed everything you need, and then make sure that you have your trip itinerary to hand. It is a good idea to have a checklist of things that you need to pack and tick them off as you pack, so you are certain not to forget anything. In addition to your actual trip itinerary, make sure that you have the contact information of the airline, hotel, and rental car companies in case you need to call them to change any details of your trip.