Overcoming Travel Obstacles
Some of my clients have asked me about how I overcome obstacles regarding travel. I just have one. It is a fear of flying. It’s not a simple aversion to flying - this is a full on anxiety ridden fear! I do not even like to watch TV shows or movies with people in planes, and when there is a scene with turbulence, or heaven forbid something worse, I have to leave the room or change the program.
We should not let our obstacles get in the way from creating memories through travel. But how do we overcome them? My biggest suggestion is to be prepared!
Where to start - For occasional and frequent travellers alike it can sometimes be overwhelming to plan a vacation. Using a travel advisor is the solution. Their knowledge and expertise will help you create the holiday of your dreams. They listen to your wishes and present the best plans based on your wishes. A great travel advisor takes many courses on destinations, resorts, cruise lines and amusement parks. Often they are required to update these courses yearly to maintain their qualifications.
Lists - Making a paper list, or a note in your phone, and adding reminders to your calendar, or a smart device, makes tasks easier to remember. Lists are super helpful so you do not forget when you need to check-in to a flight or hotel, and forgetting final payments for vacations will be a thing of the past. Packing lists are so important! Passports, portable chargers and medications are all items we do not want to forget!
Research - YouTube is another big help with preparation. How do others travel so well with kids, what does the resort/ship/airport/subway look like and how do I buy tickets for the metro or bus? YouTube is such an amazing resource to help you get prepared for your vacation. For example, I watch airline videos and videos pilots have made about turbulence to help overcome my fear of flying.
Tripadvisor is another resource that is worth its weight. User-generated reviews on hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour companies provide valuable information on their quality and often times you will find great tips on your search query.
Maintain a Schedule - Do not leave everything until the last minute. Packing is one of those things that some people wait until the last minute to complete. That can work, but just be prepared with your list and make sure all your clothes are laundered and your electronics are charged. Arrange someone to take care of your home, arrange for animals to have appropriate and quality care, and book hair and pedicure appointments well in advance so you have the times that suit your schedule best.
Expect the Unexpected - Delayed flights, bad weather, dropping a forkful of spaghetti on yourself are unexpected. Make sure you have what you need to get you out of sticky situations. Update your phone to have your travel advisor’s phone number (you have booked your vacation with me right?!) They can help book or reschedule at the last minute, call hotels to confirm delayed arrivals, or contact the vacation provider to sort everything out so you do not have to stress about it - especially if you are in transit. Also, not a bad idea to travel with a laundry detergent strip for when your clothes get dirty unexpectedly.
Budget - I’m a master at creating a vacation budget. I rarely go over what I’ve projected. It is important to think of EVERYTHING you can spend your money on. Extras often overlooked are tips, taxis, metro tickets, international cell service, pet care, parking etc. You might be surprised that your overall budget can increase if a hotel charges $40USD for parking or resort fees that can also be around $40-$70USD per night.
I also never travel without extra money or credit available. Unexpected expenses can arise such as vehicle maintenance, medical expenses, additional hotel stays for delays, or a purchase that you just have you didn’t budget for. It happens and being stuck sleeping in an airport instead of an airport hotel will be the difference between having a good time or not.
I do carry some local currency which I order online from my bank and it is delivered right to my home. For the most part I use my credit card. Be sure to understand if you have foreign transaction fees associated with your credit card. A good travel credit card can be worth the annual fee if the perks included are something that is of benefit to you.
Being prepared reduces obstacles that can prevent you from booking a vacation. Use these suggestions to get yourself out into this world exploring and living the travel dream. Travel does not have to only include a far off destination. Travel can be anything in between exploring your own city to flying across the world to immersing into a completely different culture. Whatever you want to go, plan it and book it - with a travel advisor of course!