If you’re planning your first post-pandemic vacation right now, you’ll be pleased to know that you are not alone.

With three million Americans having taken trips beyond their country’s borders in March of 2021 and even more projected to take their first post-pandemic trip in 2022, it’s safe to say that Americans are finally seizing a small aspect of their pre-pandemic normal and making it their own once again. With 63.6% of Americans being fully vaccinated, boosters providing additional protection, and COVID precautions still in place at home and abroad, it’s no wonder that we’re finally feeling safe enough to get back out there.

So, You Want to Go on Vacation

Many of us had to cancel plans back in March of 2020 when the first bout of the virus hit: now, almost two years later, we’ve finally regained the ability to make good on those plans. Whether you want to check out Villa Esperanza, or any other destination your heart craves, you need to be prepared. Before you hit the road to your chosen destination, however, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve checked certain things off to prepare you for a stress-free getaway.

Before you hit the road to your chosen destination, however, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve checked certain things off to prepare you for a stress-free getaway.

On your pre-vacation to-do list, you should have measures that prepare you for the worst, as well as ways to make sure you stay within budget. If you’re about to go on vacation, read on, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to do before you take off for the summer.

Make Sure You’re Covered in the Event of an Emergency

Sometimes, thinking about the worst-case scenario is a necessary evil. You don’t want to dwell too much on the negative (as you’re planning your dream vacation), but there’s nothing wrong with taking a few well-placed measures to ensure you and your possessions are safe in a strange land.

As such, here are some of the most common emergencies you should prepare yourself to deal with:

Car accidents. If you’re planning on taking a road trip to get to your destination, you should take note, as accidents can occur anywhere. Make sure you shop for a current, quality insurance policy, comparing prices from reputable providers to secure additional benefits that may come in handy if an accident occurs. Also, make sure your car is maintenanced before you hit the road: you’ll want your oil changed, your tires checked, and a cursory check to see if anything else is going wrong with your vehicle.
Theft. Depending on where you go and how much you stick out like a sore thumb, you may be labeled as a mark by local ne’er do wells. As such, you’ll want to have all of your more sensitive belongings secure either at your place of stay, your front pockets (if you have them) or in a difficult-to-steal-from container such as a frontward-facing belt pouch. Avoid sketchy areas of town at night, conduct research on sites in the location that are known to be seedier, and never travel alone unless you’re in a brightly lit, heavily populated area.
Getting lost. Obtain a map of the location before you go there, and make sure you have a cell phone on you at all times. It’s easier to get separated from your party than you may think, and that goes double for small children, so make sure that your kids have devices on hand to contact you with as well, just in case.

Pack Lesser-Known Essentials

While you might already have a list in the back of your mind of stuff that you can’t do without, like hygiene products, changes of clothing, and other common travel essentials, you might not be thinking about other items that may prove helpful.

Keeping the Crew Entertained

Especially if you’re traveling to your destination by car or plane, bring entertainment items that are meant to keep yourself and your family members occupied. Handheld gaming systems, books, and even travel-size board games are necessary for every long-distance trip.

PPE and other COVID-Era Priorities

Unfortunately, the Omicron variant is still spreading at home and abroad. You’ll want to be adequately prepared for engaging with people and spending time in unfamiliar places where your risk of exposure is higher.

Pack a set of N-95 masks, pocket-size bottles of alcohol-free hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes at a bare minimum, being careful to follow COVID precautions while away from home.

Chargers and Work Equipment

Nobody wants to address work issues while they’re supposed to be off-the-clock, but if you’re in a supervisory position, you know that’s not often how things work out. Bring the bare minimum of work equipment you’ll need to survive if something comes up, including laptops, extra phone chargers, and any notes you may want handy.

Outline Your Route, Budgeting Appropriately

Finally, you’ll want to make sure you have enough in the bank to hit everything you want to hit, including potential extras your family discovers along the way. Do your best to plan your route out from start to finish, scheduling and reserving spots at events, paying for hotels, and leaving money for souvenirs or extra activities.

Whether you find that you have to cut a stop or two from your list or that you have more than enough to meet your goals, having a plan before you set off is the best way to make sure you don’t go over-budget, spending money without accruing stress for your trouble.

Planning a vacation post-pandemic doesn’t have to be an arduous affair. Taking time to make sure your proverbial ducks are in a row before you head out will give you all the security you need to have a great time away from home, stress-free.