Can you believe we are already at the point of talking about holiday travel? CRAZY. In fact, we are kind of on the late side of talking about it, which is why I’m writing this. It is high time to begin planning your holiday travel, whether that be Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Years. Why now? Luxury hotels book up fast, especially those with enviable views of fireworks. Expedition adventures can fill up with families. And airline prices are only going to climb higher and higher. How can you plan a last-minute holiday getaway? What can you do to ensure your holiday travel goes smoothly? Let’s talk about planning tips now.
holiday travel tips
From knowing your dates and budget to understanding the limitations of holiday travel, there are certain things you can do to ensure your holiday travel planning goes off without a hitch. These are my tips, from years of travel and navigating airports over holidays, so feel free to add yours in the comments!
Planning Tips!
There’s planning tips, and then there are traveling tips. Here’s what your travel advisor needs to know in order to ensure she plans the best, stress-free holiday for you.
know your dates
A lot of luxury properties require minimum stays over the festive season. This can be anything from 3 to 5 nights over Christmas and New Years or a full week. Cancellation policies also get strict, so changing dates or fully cancelling might incur high fees. The sooner you decide on your exact dates, the earlier your travel advisor can book your festive stay.
The same goes for airlines. The week of Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times to travel (Saturday to the next Sunday), with millions of Americans piling into cars, cramming into airplane seats, and standing in (very) long lines in the airport. Adjust your dates by even a day on either side, and you might reduce those (very) long lines into just long lines.
Obviously knowing your dates won’t magically make any lines disappear, but you can ensure good seats or prime travel times by booking early.
know your budget
Festive season travel is expensive, there’s no way around that. Even leaving the country – to Australia, New Zealand, or Mexico – incurs prime travel season prices. Hotels and airlines know that people love to travel over Christmas and New Years, so prices are at a premium, no matter where you want to go.
Understand that in order to get what you want, especially this late in the game, means higher than average prices.
have a backup plan or be flexible
Want six nights in Cabo in late December? Sydney, Australia on New Years Eve? The later you book, the more likely you’re going to need a backup plan. Luxury resorts, in desirable prime destinations, book up very quickly. (And if you want Sydney on New Years Eve, let’s discuss 2020.)
When reaching out to your travel advisor, be willing to accept the options she gives you. Know that there may not be too many options for what you’re looking for! If I know your budget (and I should) then I can also provide some alternatives within or closer to that budget if plan A doesn’t cut it.
consider an alternate destination
I know, I know. Your neighbour’s sister’s friend’s cousin told you about that great resort they *always* go to in Costa Rica over New Years. But you were two margaritas deep and don’t remember the name but your travel advisor has totally heard of it. Okay, one, maybe. But two, Costa Rica is SO popular over New Years, it’s unlikely there’d be availability even if you could remember the name. How about an alternate destination? Someplace you’ve always wanted to go, but never considered as a winter destination.
- Why not consider Barcelona, Spain or Lisbon, Portugal as a winter getaway? Check out the luxury hotels in both cities.
Personally, I love Europe in the winter! There are Christmas markets in the weeks leading up to the holidays and there are (sometimes) cheaper airfares to places like Italy, France, or Spain. Want warm? Think outside of the box – Southern Italy, Greece, and Spain all have mild climates, even in December.
I love to tell this story, so you might have heard it.. but back in December 2014, I went to Rome, Italy. My travel buddy and I got tickets to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. We waited in NO lines, and when we walked into the Sistine Chapel, I could actually spread my arms out and spin in a circle without hitting anyone. My first visit to Rome, by severe contrast, was in July. The Sistine Chapel was SO packed that I couldn’t even turn around without bumping into someone else.
Just a thought…
Travel Tips!
No matter how you slice it, holiday travel is a) stressful b) exhausting and c) expensive. But there ARE things you can do (once your trip is booked) to minimise the the stress and exhaustion (and, sometimes, even the expense). Here are my holiday travel tips.
pack lightly
Packing light is one of my go-to travel tips. I travelled for 19 months straight with just a 65 litre backpack and a 20 litre backpack, plus the odd duffel at times. Let’s face it, no one likes losing their luggage, and at peak travel times you run that risk – especially if you have a connection. If you’re heading somewhere for just a few days, carry on. Leave the hairdryer, the straightener, the massive bottle of body wash at home. Not only does travelling with just a carry on score you time on both sides of the trip, but if you get bumped or delayed and have to take a different flight, it simplifies matters immensely.
don’t wrap the presents
If you are taking any presents home to family, leave them unwrapped. TSA can – and will – open wrapped packages. Better, yet, ship them to the final destination and just make sure that nosy Aunt Sharon doesn’t open the box.
reserve a parking spot
Most of the private parking lots at the major airports now take reservations. Some even offer valet parking. Reserve well in advance (at least a month out) to ensure covered parking and a car wash. Then, roll up, leave the keys, and board the bus to the terminal. Easy peasy.
leave extra time
Leave home early, in case of traffic, and aim for being at the airport two hours prior to the flight in case of long lines. If you are flying international, you need to be there three hours before on a normal day, so give yourself that one extra hour and aim for four. A lot of airports now have great cafes, cute shops, prayer rooms, even spas and yoga studios, so if you get through security with plenty of time to kill, hit the Vino Volo and then go get your nails done.
be prepared
For everything. Holiday travel is stressful, we all know it. Plan extra time in getting to the airport, plan for delays on the road, weather headaches, and long lines at security. If you’re travelling with kids, bring something for them to do. My mom always suggests having a new surprise toy to pull out just when that temper tantrum is about to kick off. Snacks are another great item to stash. Prepare homemade trail mix with yours and your family’s favourite nuts, sweets, and dried fruit. If you’re driving, map out some good rest stops and stick to them. It’ll give everyone something to look forward to.
use your resources
Most of us have smart phones, and all the airlines have an app. Download it so you receive the latest up to date information on your flight, delays, gate changes, etc. You can even check in on the app and have the boarding pass on your phone. Ensure your phone is charged, input all phone numbers you might need (travel advisor, hotel, car rental, driver, tour company, etc) and carry a charger with you! A lot of the newer planes have USB chargers at your seat.
buy travel insurance
When the littlest thing goes wrong and it all of a sudden snowballs into a BIG thing, travel insurance is there to help. I always recommend my clients have it. Not only can you be compensated for delayed luggage or a missed flight, it covers you while travelling too. I recommend either Travelex or World Nomads (for my backpacker friends).
Planning on taking a holiday vacation and haven’t booked it yet? Email me today for a complimentary consultation! Maybe next year? Pin this >>> for future reference!
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