There’s a great big world out there for us to see. From big cities and bright lights to tropical islands and dry deserts, there’s so much to be explored. Naturally, life can sometimes prevent you from traveling as much as you’d like. Your job, home, families, and finances don’t always line-up to allow you to get out there and experience it all. So, when you have the time and the money to travel, who wouldn’t want to jump at the chance? There’s certainly nothing wrong with having the traveling bug and wanting to get away from the normalcy of life, but, there are some things you probably want to consider beforehand.
Your Home
If you plan on being gone for a while, home security should be of the utmost importance. You never know what could happen while you’re away, and it’s always better to be proactive than reactive. Here are some things you might prepare for:
- Burglaries – thieves are everywhere and they pay attention to patterns. While you’re out exploring the beautiful sandy beaches of Dubai, you don’t want someone stealing your things. Make sure that you have a good home security system. Also, ensure that all windows and doors are locked before you leave.
- Natural disasters/home emergencies – It might be bright and sunny in Amsterdam, but it could be storming where you live. Should a natural disaster or another home emergency like a burst pipe or mold issue occur, are you protected? Cheap renters insurance or homeowners insurance would provide peace of mind. Should something happen to your home or apartment beyond your control, your belongings and assets are protected financially.
Moreover, you may want to ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to check on the property and pick up the mail, so that it doesn’t draw attention to the fact that you’re not home.
Your Family
Unless the entire family is going on vacation you’re going to need to make sure that you’ve taken care of their needs in your absence. This might include:
- Getting a sitter – Perhaps you’re going alone or it’s a couple’s retreat. You’ll need to have a loved one care for the children while you’re away.
- Alternate Routines – Your children’s daily routine should not be disrupted if you can help it. Therefore, you may need to ask friends, family members, and other adults that you trust to pitch in while you’re away. This may include transportation to extracurricular activities or help getting them to school in the mornings.
Your Job
Finally, you’ve gotten to a point where you have enough days saved up to take time for yourself and travel. Before you leave, however, it’s important to tie up any loose ends at your job. There’s nothing worse than getting calls from the office when you’re trying to relax at The Spa at the Twelve Apostles in South Africa. Here are some things to do at work before you start traveling:
- Finish Projects – If there are time sensitive projects that you were working on you want to get them completed so that you’re not worried about deadlines while on vacation.
- Delegate Work – While you’re away, you’ll need to have someone as coverage or backup for you. Delegate any outstanding tasks to someone you can rely on to stay on top of things. Meet with them prior to your trip to ensure they understand what’s expected and what needs to be done.
- Change Email and Voicemail – Last but not least you’ll need to change your email and voicemail message to let your clients know you’re out of the office for a while. While you don’t want to say, “Gone to Fiji, I’ll be back”, you do need to let them know when you’ll return to the office. Provide alternative contact information should they have an emergency.
You may have been gazing at travel magazines and deciding on which tropical island or eclectic country you’ll visit first. However, before the side effects of that travel bug bite kick in all the way, it’s a good idea to take care of the things you treasure most. These steps will help to ensure that while you’re out there exploring destinations like Bohol, your home, family, and job are all taken care of.