Travel - Planning and Preparation

Packing and Planning before travel

Planning and preparing for that trip, whether a short trip or a long one, there are certain important things you must know. First of all, like for many other purposes, preparing a list as soon as your trip is finalised is a very good idea, and you can avoid the confusion, dissapoint and regret later. Obviously, the longer the trip, the more detailed planning is required. If the list consists of four or more items, it is a good idea to split it with your travel partner(s), also making sure that all are clear their responsibilities.

Very important, there are certain preliminary questions which must be tackled before any planning is made - do you know anything about the place or destination? are you familiar with the place? Is the trip purely for pleasure or business, or combination of both? Is this a trip planned well in advance or is it a spur of the moment decision? Is the projected or expected expenses worked out? Although the idea may creep in, do not skip ahead to the shopping and packing activities before all these types of issues are worked out.

If you happend to know the destination or the place you are headed to, you will well know the basic weather conditions and the acceptable dresses, but if this is a new place you will do need to do some research. This could be taken care of by acquiring a travel guide book, or by calling a good travel agent, or on the internet/website, if available. You need to keep in mind that there are some dress codes of every region, which would be in your best interest to find out beforehand.

If it is a business trip, then there most likely is an expense account, and you will most likely know again the dress code and the wardrobe requirements thereof. Are you going to be accompanied by a companion? Are you likely to have any free time or will you be fully occupied with the official activities? Knowing your itenarary beforehand is going to be of immense use in preparing for the trip.

Some more very important questions which needs to be answered before any trip - WIll there be requirement for a passport and/or visa for your destination? Are all of your necessary papers current and upto date? Is there any news about outbreak of any illness and if so, will immunizations against these diseases be required? Are there any areas of the country/region you are going to, to be avoided for safety? It is obviously far better to find out about all these beforehand, rather that coming to know once you are there. Do know these things before you go.

During a trip many people fight over the money spent, or to be spend. So if your trip is for pleasure, set a budget and stick to ip. More importantly keep a track of the spendings. Desire knows no bounds, it is a common thing to be tempted to spend, what to watch out for is the impulsive shopping. Be mentally prepared beforehand that you are also going to go through this, you might like to decide and agree on a certain amount of money for shopping. Of course there would be some items you could not buy, you could take pictures of them and keep these as beautiful memories. Do not allow a spat over money to ruin your trip, after all possessions are only things.

Finally, it is worthwhile to remember that you will be coming home, and you surely would like things to be just as you left them, in order. If the trip is one of prolonged stay, have the mail and newspaper stopped till you resume them again. Shut down the gas, request your neighbour to water the plants or feed the fish or mow your lawn too, or you coudl hire someone reliable. A good idea to deter thieves, is to install timers on your lamps or radio to obviously give the illusion of someone being in the house. Make sure that all the appliances including computers, television, electrical appliances etc are unplugged. Consider calling and informing the police with the dates you will depart and return, and provide them with a number where you can be reached or a message left, if there is any problem. Leave the house in a clean and tidy condition before you go so that you do not come back to a messed condition which might kill the post trip euphoria.

There... now you are set to go on that much planned trip, full of fun, but ultimately, there is no place like home. Actually going on a trip makes you realise this much more.