Ways You Could Reduce Travel Stress This Holiday Season

I have always been so excited for the holidays, especially Christmas. The holidays are the best time to spend with your family and loved ones. So are you making plans to travel this holiday season?

If you are, then here’s something you need to know: travelling during the holidays is stressful. Just like you millions of people are planning to travel this holiday to spend it with their loved ones. This is a sign that traveling this season will be extremely hectic.

Encountering the crowd travelling at the same time will be overwhelming. That is not as bad if you’re an experienced traveller. But as a first time traveller, it can be a lot to handle.

 

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It’s normal to get stressed out in such a situation. You may find some of these nifty tips that will help reduce travel stress this holiday season.

 

Plan what you will do when you are faced with delay

When you’re travelling, delays are inevitable. Flights could be delayed due to bad weather, which could make you miss your hotel reservation. The long queues at the airport could also slow you down.

Planning is key before you set out to travel. Of all the things that you need to plan for, one of the things that will keep stress at bay is to plan what to do when you’re faced with delays.

Some credit card providers provide reimbursements for meals and lodging when you’re delayed. This will help you make sure that you don’t suffer a loss when you’re delayed.

 

Have a checklist

Checklists are very helpful especially when you’re preparing to travel. Create a checklist of all the travel arrangements you need to make or of the things you need to pack for your journey.  I always have my checklist with me when I want to make sure that I have packed everything I need. It also helps me know if I have done all the necessary travel arrangements. It saves you from all the hassles and keeps you focused on the tasks that you need to pay attention to first.

 

Maintain calm as much as possible

It can get pretty hectic when you want to travel. It can be so overwhelming that you end up snapping at people especially at the airport.

Try and maintain calm as much as possible. When someone does something to tick you off, take a few minutes to breathe deeply. This will help you calm down and deal with situations with a clear mind and composure.

 

Make sure your carry-on has everything you need

When you’re traveling , your carry-on bag is the one you’re always with. So, its important to make sure that you have the essentials with you in your carry-on bag.

You can never know what could happen during your travels. That’s why your carry-on bag has what you need to help you through contingencies like inordinate delays or even accidents. A good rule of thumb while packing your carry-on bag is to pack the things you’ll need over the span of 12 hours. Never underestimate the possibility of needing a snack or some toiletries.

 

Great Winter Holiday Destinations

The weather in the UK is now wet and sort of chilly. I hear some parts of the country will be having some snow, which tells you how cold it is at the moment. I find the weather miserable. It is the season where I find myself staying indoors the most thanks to the gloomy weather. If you are in the UK, and are in search of somewhere warm and sunny to explore this season, here are 3 holiday destination ideas for you.

 

Dubai

 

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The Middle East is a great holiday destination all year round, especially now that we are experiencing cold weather. It is usually nice and warm in Dubai. I have visited Dubai several times with the family, and the best time to explore Dubai is between November and March. The weather is warm but not boiling warm during these months. And it is a great place to escape to during the chilly winter months.

 

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There are various activities for everyone in Dubai. We have visited Dubai as a couple before the twins were born, and we have travelled to Dubai with the kiddies twice. It was great fun every time.

 

Muscat, Oman

 

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We visited Muscat Oman last summer. It was boiling hot so we didn’t really enjoy the trip. So I won’t recommend you visit during the summer months. But the weather is a lot cooler this time of the year (just like in Dubai), which makes it another great holiday destination.

There are various family friendly activities, both indoors and outdoors. I would love to go back with the kids during the winter months in future.

 

Algarve Portugal

 

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Algarve, Portugal is another great place to visit this season. We visited in October half term, and had an amazing time. The weather was warm and sunny all the time we were there. We explored the beach and all the city had to offer. The kids loved it. There was a lot to see and do, and we will definitely be visiting again.

 

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It is definitely a city to explore, and get a break from the chilly winter weather. I just checked the weather forecast at Algarve now, and it is a lovely 15 degrees with some sunshine. That would be amazing to have now compared to the miserable 7 degrees with rain here.

 

What do you think of these places? Have you visited any of them before? If I had to pick a favourite, I would pick Dubai for luxury and fun., Algarve for proximity and Muscat for a more relaxed holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 Ways to Make Your Flight Smoother

Traveling is fun. There’s nothing as awesome as walking on exotic beaches, going sightseeing with members of the family and enjoying the ambiance of rich culture and history. But before you get enough of the thrill of travel you have to face the hassles of getting to your destination by plane.

The long queues, the non-stop security checks and the tense atmosphere at the airport can rob you off the joy and excitement of traveling. However there’s a way around it all. What if I told you that you could have a smooth stress-free flight?

 

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Here are 6 ways you can make that happen.

 

  1. Scout for credit cards that give better seats at affordable rates (or even for free)

There are a lot of credit cards that provide exclusive freebies for their customers. If you’re the type who travels often, getting the right credit card will help open you to a lot of opportunities. One of such opportunities is better seats on the airplane.

Based on your spending on the credit card, you’re given points at every purchase. These points could help secure for you amazing discounts and even offer you a seat for free. Make sure you check what travel benefits your credit card can offer you.

 

  1. Bypass the long queue at security checks

The wait at security checks can be a nightmare where you’re asked to take off your shoes and belts and remove your laptop and liquids from your carry-on bag.  The process is long, slow and cumbersome.

However there’s a security programme that allows for quick checks. When you apply for Global Entry, you’re receive PreCheck which will help speed up the whole process of security checks at the airport. So instead of taking off your shoes and waiting in a queue, you’ll have your fingerprints and passport scanned. And you’re done!

 

  1. Keep the kids occupied

Unlike adults who can patiently bear delays, kids may not be as tolerant. Running after your kids while you take care of your travel arrangements can be quite a handful. The best way to deal with such a situation is to get your kids occupied.

Arm yourself with a tablet with videos, books and games your child can occupy themselves with. You don’t have to invest in an expensive tablet like the iPad, but you can opt for Leapfrog which is a cheaper alternative. It is also more educational. You should also have picture books, colouring books and crayons at the ready.

 

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  1. Order airport meals in advance

If you’re feeling a little peckish and you dread waiting for your order, then there’s a simple solution to the problem. Some airlines have apps that allow you to order your meal in advance so that you don’t have to stand in the queue to get your order. Once your order is ready, all you have to do is pick it up.

 

  1. Make sure that you’ve got trip delay coverage

Delays are inevitable when traveling. And you can never predict when you may be delayed. Thanks to some really nifty credit cards that provide trip delay coverage, you’re compensated for the delays. The credit card reimburses you for hotel rooms, missing luggage and even meals.

 

  1. Enjoy lounge access

There are a lot of places to lounge while you’re waiting for your flight. But oftentimes those spots are crowed and the customer service is not all that great. Some credit cards provide you with access to lounges that are more comfortable with better customer service and you won’t have to pay the annual membership fee to enjoy what the lounge has to offer.

 

How do you make sure your flight goes smoothly?

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