Top Tips to Travel With Peace of Mind

Every time I travel, I dive right into the city, its culture, history, and traditions. While I’m out, I take as many pictures and make as many memories as possible to remember the trip. 

Once I’m about to leave my current adventure, I need to scratch that travel itch again and think about all the other places I’d like to visit. 

This excitement gets me going, and I make exciting plans in my head and lists of all the exotic places I want to explore before I head to bed. 

If you plan on going on an extended trip, there are a few hints I have to share that will keep your home safe and give you peace of mind on your journey. 

Safety First

When you begin to dream of your perfect vacation, the one thing you probably don’t envision is something terrible happening along the way. I mean, c’mon, it’s the ideal vacation! Bad things won’t happen – hopefully

With that said, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Start with health screenings and vaccinations. You should be vaccinated against COVID-19 before going on any international trips in 2021.

Let others know where you’re going and make sure you have a way to contact them in case of emergency. They should also have a way to contact you in case something happens while you’re away.

Plan Before You Pack

Deciding where to travel is only the first step. If you’re planning on traveling to a foreign country, you need to have a slightly different set of things scheduled for than if you were traveling around at home. 

Traveling around the country, especially on a road trip, can be tremendous. Checking out some historic cities, you know I like to take a “bird’s eye view” and visit the tallest building for the best views. 

If you go out of the United States, or any country for that matter, you need to check with your embassy and notify them ahead of time. 

US State Department Travel Tips

You should be aware of local and national advisories, policies, and specific laws for visitors. The United States State Department offers a list of things to prepare for when traveling overseas.

  • Get Informed: Know all the safety and security needs of where you’re traveling\
  • Travel Plans: Have an itinerary that you can share. 
  • Crisis Planning: This is crucial, make a plan, have options, and share your travel itinerary before you go. 
  • Money: How will you access funds in a crisis? Have a plan with someone that can assist you from home if needed. 

Obviously, as you begin to pack, you want to plan for the type of weather and activities you’ll be having on your trip, but you also need to plan for having documents in place required for many locations. 

  • Documents, Passports, Visas: These are a must! Know what you need. Get them all ahead of time. 
  • Medical Clearances: Some countries may have different laws regarding medications you may take with you, so know them ahead of time. 
  • Health Insurance And Travelers Insurance: Do you need travelers insurance to protect you and your belongings? What about additional health coverage out of the country?

As you plan your trip, don’t forget the little things at home to keep your house and belongings safe. The worst thing is to go on a fantastic journey and come home to broken pipes, a stolen car, or some other issue. 

To prevent issues at home while you travel, here are some suggestions for making your house safe such as:

  • Notify neighbors that you’ll be gone
  • Make sure your pets have someone to look after them
  • Set timers on house lights
  • Alert your alarm company (if you have one)
  • Set-up auto pay for specific bills
  • Notify your bank and credit cards of your travel
  • Put a hold on mail and other deliveries
  • Lock the garage

And if you have concerns over your cars, there are several accessories you can get to make your car, truck, and SUV safe and secure. Many local dealers and manufacturers offer a ton of security options for your vehicle, like truck accessories, for example. 

Taking time to prepare for your trip needs to include a plan for those things you’re leaving behind. Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst will give you the peace of mind to enjoy your travel experiences without worry about something bad happening while you’re away.