One of our Pinay Travel Junkie travel guides talked about how to make your overseas flight more enjoyable, which included making sure you’re comfortable and coming to your flight prepared and packed with the right things. Apart from those usual tips, there are also a few out-of-the-box (but worth it) things you can do to make your vacations so much better—here are five:
Leave anything work-related at home
If you bring your work laptop with you, chances are, you will end up checking your emails and work things during your free time. In fact, US News reports that working on vacation has sadly become a reality for many employees—and it shouldn’t be. You need to understand that taking a break is essential if you want to be effective at work. A tired, overworked, and uninspired mind won’t be able to create valuable outputs. Make an out-of-office email and try not to think about work while you’re on a break.
Prep your body with simple skincare routines
This is helpful if you’re traveling abroad, especially to somewhere cold. A few days before you travel, Thought Catalog suggests doing a hydrating facial mask treatment to nourish your face so it doesn’t dry out during your flight and at your destination. If you’re off on an adventure holiday that requires a lot of walking, prep your feet with a massage or even a foot mask treatment. Pretty Me in their review of a Japanese foot peeling mask found that the end results were “feet as soft and supple as those of a baby.” Most travellers don’t pay enough attention to their feet until it is too late. Taking your feet for granted may result in cracked heels or achy feet that can ruin your vacation.
Learn a bit about the language of your destination
Whether it’s French, Spanish, Danish, or even Chinese, learning the most basic phrases in the language of your destination can help you if you get lost or if you need basic things like a bathroom or a restaurant. GQ recommends that you start practicing early and try speaking to a native speaker before you leave. Downloading language apps can also help—you don’t need to be very good at it, you just need to be able to understand the basics and get your message across.
Get a city pass
Especially since most major cities around the world offer city passes, which usually include museum admissions, access to public transport, and entrance to many of their top tourist attractions. These passes can help save money and time, as you can plan your vacation days around the attractions included in the pass.
Understand the laws and ordinances wherever you’re going
It’s highly unlikely that you would end up in jail during your next vacation, but to keep that probability low, research some of the dos and don’ts wherever you’re going. Take Singapore for example, the country has a reputation for rules and social conduct , so you need to make sure you know the most important laws and customs related to tourists. Middle Eastern countries also have a few strict rules about how women should dress. In some places certain attires are not optional. Women should wear long pants and skirts, as well as shirts that cover the chest and nape. Ask around and do some research to be sure you won’t be violating any local rules.
These simple hacks will make your vacation 10 times better and ensure that you have a relaxing time off. Often the simplest preparations make all the different.
