A practical travel guide: 7 basic steps to ensure a comfortable and relaxing holiday
Even those who are seasoned travelers will have had to face some small, but unpleasant hiccups and unexpected events happening on their trips, and which can upset the serenity of anyone’s holiday. Especially when you stay in a hotel, there is always something that happens to make our lives a little more difficult (or we find out that we have forgotten something at home, for example).
Following a few tips, however, it is possible to organize our trips much better by limiting, as much as possible, these potential inconveniences from cropping up in the first place. We have listed a few of these for you, with the certainty that they will come in handy - especially for those of you who are planning a well-deserved vacation in the near future.
Packing a suitcase properly is the first step towards achieving a care-free trip. The main advice given here is to always bring clothing appropriate to the location and climate that will be at the destination, and in quantities sufficient for all the days of the stay. Here, the tip is to combine outfits at home first in order to have a “look” ready for each day and/or occasion. Space-saving tricks, on the other hand, are to roll up clothes when putting them in a suitcase and to pack shoes - each individual one placed in a plastic bag - where there are free gaps in the luggage.
The second important element is the room where you will be staying. Whether it's a room in a B&B or an high-end luxury hotel, there will always be some detail that doesn't suit our needs perfectly. It is advisable to pay attention to the light that filters through the windows, to external noises, to the temperature, to any unpleasant smells in the air and, if you have children, to the power outlets.
For each of these details, if there is a problem, then there is a solution:
- The windows (and curtains) of some hotels do not create complete darkness at dawn and this, for some, can be a problem. External noise, if the accommodation is located in a city, can also be a big problem. An obvious solution to these problems is to always carry earplugs and a cloth eye mask (which can easily be replaced by a scarf) with you. And if you forget the mask (or you cannot wear one), you can always use a wardrobe hanger with trouser pegs to keep the curtains tightly closed.
- The temperature may be too high due to the heating system or too low due to the air conditioners. It is always a good habit to check this as soon as you arrive - check if you can manage / adjust these settings yourself or, in the case of a centralized air conditioning or heating system, if you need to ask the staff for assistance.
- Any bad smells can be remedied by taking some small scent diffusers - like those used in cars - with you.
- To avoid a potentially dangerous hazard, the power outlets and sockets at a child's height can be covered with adhesive tape and plasters which are, in any event, always wise to have with you.
The bathroom is another very important factor to consider. A way to determine if the hygiene of a room has really been taken care of properly, is to check around and make sure that there are no cleaning accessories such as rags, mops, toilet brushes or plungers laying around the room. The staff are responsible for cleaning and maintenance and the presence of these objects in your room indicates lack of care to basic hygiene standards. As for towels and other personal hygiene products, they are usually present in hotel rooms, but are not always suitable for everyone's habits.
The advice offered here is to always have the products of this type (and which you prefer) with you, just in case. This list includes:
- Multi-purpose sanitizing wipes (wet-wipes are always an asset on holidays).
- A packable travel bathrobe.
- A pocket-sized vial of shower shampoo.
To mitigate any problems with the TV and/or the WiFi connections (that inevitably arise), it is a good idea to pack an entertaining book to read. Take some glossy magazines with you, or any type of relaxing pastime (like a travel chess board) that you can enjoy engaging with over a drink. This is an excellent back-up solution when the internet fails - and while you are waiting for the service to be restored.
Carrying a small travel hairdryer can solve two problems of things missing in your hotel room: 1) the lack of a hairdryer and; 2) the lack of an iron. Few people know, in fact, that with a thorough blasting of hot air with a hairdryer, it is possible to make many garments become less wrinkled (especially if they are already a little damp).
A less well-known, and not at all obvious tip, is knowing what time breakfast is served so as not to miss it. Hotel breakfasts are famous for being varied and delicious. And starting the day with a good breakfast is the first step in spending a pleasant and peaceful time later.
Last, but not least, concerns the preparation of a detailed travel itinerary that will save time and energy and allows us to do what we have set out to do on our holiday. It is advisable to always inquire about the places to visit, the distances and the local means of transport available (in the absence of a hire car). Your vacation will certainly benefit from this forward-planning.
The tips listed above should be sufficient to make your holiday a peaceful and comfortable one. You can choose the ones that suit your needs best and make them your own. Have a great, safe trip!
