If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it.
Jonathan Winters

You might be thinking about buying a flight ticket for different reasons. You might be tempted to go on an adventure, to go to a place you have not been before or simply to visit friends and family that live overseas.  Regardless of the reason for you to travel you need to have a plan to have a hassle-free trip to enjoy yourself and to make the most of your time off.

List of things to do when planning a trip

The first step is to make a list of the things, activities or places you would like to visit.

Are you planning a family holiday?. Do you want a relaxing holiday?. Do you want to visit places you have not been before?. Do you want to visit a country full of history, old buildings and museums?. Are you interested in staying and experience a particular style of accommodation?. Would you like to go to a country simply to experience the food and culture?.

Once you decide the reason why you would like to buy a flight ticket you will be able to have a clear idea of the information you will need to obtain.

If you are planning a family holiday it is important (if possible) to have your kids involved in the process of planning the family holiday, get them involved in planning the adventure and get them to help you choose the destination and activities to do.

Remember that going on holidays with your kids would mean a lifetime experience.

Once you have selected the country (ies) you would like to visit search for travel information on the country. It is important to be aware of health or political warnings as well as the countries customs and traditions. For example the Australian governments warns its citizens not to travel to the country of Burundi the reason for this it is because of ongoing civil unrest and high levels of crime. On the other hand citizens are also advised to RECONSIDER going to certain places. For example consideration to go to the country of Honduras is advised to be at this time due to the unstable and unpredictable political situation.

Also be aware of the country’s health and weather warnings, currently country’s like Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia (including Bali), Iraq, Laos, Burma, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam have confirmed cases from avian influenza.

Refer to the country’s culture and traditions and make sure you will be fine accepting them. For example in Islamic countries parts of the body must be covered in public woman have to cover their body except for their face and hands. For man the requirement is to be covered between the navel and the knee.

Being aware of the country’s attire tradition will make your holiday more enjoyable!!

So make sure the country of your destination has no warnings.

Have your passport and visa in order. The last thing you want to find out after you have bought your ticket is that a visa to the country you would like to go has been refused. Refer to the country’s entry regulation certain countries do not require a visa for entry.

Have a budget in place and make a list of expenses. Consider transport, accommodation, food, entry to places you would like to visit and activities you would like to do.

Once you have you have decided where to go, have your passport and you visa you are ready to search for your flight ticket!

Packing your luggage. The first thing is to be aware of the country’s weather forecast or climate, then packing your luggage depends on the type of holiday you are taking. If you are going back- packing make sure you pack light clothing and shoes. Pack your outfit in advance this way you will be less likely t pack things you won’t need. Remember that jeans can be used more than once so depending on the length of time you will be travelling stick to a pair or two.

Make sure you pack enough underwear, T-shirts and socks for one week for each day you will be travelling. For example if you are going away for three weeks pack 7 sets of underwear, T-shirts and socks. Remember that if you are assisting to a particular event you might need to consider to pack a suit or jacket as well as shoes to go with the outfit. Check before hand the dress code of the place you are considering to go to. The rule of thumb when it comes to pack shoes is that on pair of walking shoes is enough unless you are going to a specific event. Do not pack accessories or pieces of clothing that are special to you…you might lose them or ruin them.

If you are planning a shopping holiday pack an extra empty bag for your purchases!!!

Happy planning!!!