Think you’re a seasoned traveller and a real expert at vacation-planning? Think again–you may be committing these travel blunders unknowingly
With so many amazing Southeast Asian destinations just a short plane ride away from Singapore, you may be tempted to plan a quick getaway every once-in-awhile. But before you make those vacation plans, you might want to check these boxes first –even seasoned travellers could be committing these common travel mistakes that could potentially ruin your holiday experience.
Lighten the load
When packing for a trip, it’s tempting to dump everything into a suitcase and call it a day. After all, you would probably need five different bikinis for your weekend island getaway…right? It may be common sense, but by packing versatile essentials that are easy to mix-and-match or multi-purpose items into a single luggage, you can save money by avoiding additional airline baggage charges. Make the bothersome airport security process less of a pain by checking if your flight lets you pack certain items such as portable chargers and laptops in your luggage. The last thing you want is to be held up at security right before your big getaway!
Sort out the nitty-gritty
Nobody likes to think of the worst when we’re going on vacay, but it’s always good to be prepared. Before you go, make multiple copies of important documents like your passport and visas, laminate them so that they will stay waterproof (plus you can reuse them for future vacays), jot down the emergency services hotline of the country you’re visiting, and register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so they can quickly get in touch with you in case of an emergency.
If you don’t speak the language of the country, make sure to grab a card from the hotel so that it’s easier to direct taxi drivers or ask for directions. Solo trippin’? Plan out your transportation so you don’t get stuck in a dodgy area alone.
Most importantly, get your travel insurance sorted. Make the process easy breezy by getting the SmartTraveller plan from AXA Singapore –you can purchase it online within minutes, buy only what you need by choosing from add-on benefits and best of all: it’s competitively priced. Their coverage is also super comprehensive –from leisure amateur sports such as bungee jumping and sky diving to up to $600,000 for medical and accidental dental treatment whilst overseas.
Do your homework (duh)
We know, we know – planning ahead for a trip may take the spontaneity out of it, but trust us, reading up on the local culture and customs of your destination will make it way more fulfilling. Not only will you better appreciate the city’s history, you can also avoid committing an embarrassing faux pas and recognise if you’re being scammed (yikes!).
Hands off the technology
We’ll be the first to admit that we’re pretty much addicted to all things social media, and this obsession goes up a notch when we’re trying to document every moment of our vacation. By challenging yourself to just take a couple of shots at each attraction for memory’s (and Instagram’s) sake, you’ll get to spend more time actually being present and enjoying the moment.
Pick the right travel buddy
Tread lightly here, because traveling with a pal may not only make or break your trip, but your friendship too. Before you make the big decision to travel together, make sure you have similar interests and expectations for the vacation –you don’t want to be stuck in a museum when you’re actually yearning to hike! Also, make sure that this friend is someone you’re comfortable spending tonnes of time with –after all, you’ll be with them around the clock!
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This article is sponsored by AXA Singapore
