Holidays. Aren't they great? A time to unwind, relax, experience something new, explore, and recharge the batteries. Yet, some aspects of a holiday can be incredibly stressful: sorting out travel, airport logistics, parking, connections, packing, currency, insurance, not to mention organizing your family. How can you reduce the stress of these parts of your holiday so it goes as swimmingly as you want?
Slow Travel is part of the growing global Slow Movement, a cultural shift toward slowing down life's pace. It takes inspiration from nineteenth-century European travel writers, who reacted against the cult of speed even back then and encouraged a more leisurely traveling experience. Slow Travel is a state of mind and doesn't necessarily mean taking longer breaks; it's about how you approach the time you have. By applying the ethos of Slow Travel and taking a few simple, sensible steps, you can reduce stress and hassle and have the holiday you truly deserve.
Pack Light
The most stressful part of a holiday is often getting to and from the resort, and lugging a huge suitcase full of things you will probably never need doesn't help. The secret is to be ruthless and honest with what you take. Only pack what you really need instead of what you 'might need' (be honest, how often do you bring back a suitcase of clothes you never wore, but then take on your next holiday 'just in case...'). A pair of socks for every day of the holiday? Two pairs and some travel wash take up a lot less space. Set aside some money deliberately to buy things when you are there (suntan lotion, etc.). It probably won't cost any more (it may even be cheaper) and saves on packing. If you have the spare cash, why not invest in an e-book reader to cut the weight of all those holiday reads?
Delegate
You may be one of those people who enjoys trawling the internet for deals and organizing your own holiday, booking your own flights, etc. But if that's not your thing, delegating as much of your holiday planning, booking, and preparation as you can will save you loads of stress and usually won't end up that much more expensive (sometimes, because of a travel agent's ability to bulk buy and negotiate a discount, it can be cheaper than a DIY holiday). Using an agent to arrange your holiday is not only much less stressful, but also comes with the additional assurance of cover if anything happens to the holiday; you should be insured and get your money back.
Plan Ahead
There's nothing more stressful than getting off a flight, tired, stiff, and disoriented, then trying to negotiate your way to your hotel or resort. If you've booked using a travel agent (see 'Delegate' above), you should have arranged transfers. If not, contact your resort or hotel before you travel and see if they offer a pickup service (there's nothing more reassuring than seeing a chauffeur holding a card with your name on it when you get off your flight). Or get details of recommended taxis and a rough cost so you know you aren’t getting ripped off. Arriving late? Pack some water and snacks, so you don't need to worry about finding them when you arrive. Buy a local guidebook (it's something nice to read at the airport and gets you in the mood for your holiday). Don't leave getting local currency until the airport; get it as soon as you book the holiday. There are plenty of places around now that do currency at no commission. And while on the subject of money, let your credit card companies know you are going abroad to avoid any embarrassment of your cards being canceled due to suspected fraud!
Get Comfortable
Airports are terribly uncomfortable places, and you often have to wait there for hours, even if your flight is not delayed. The secret to making your stay as comfortable as possible is to wear appropriate clothes. Travel in something comfortable (and smart – never underestimate the chance of getting an upgrade). Especially, make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes (easy to take off on the plane). Other simple things can be as easy as packing a travel pillow in your carry-on luggage, and packing wet wipes and tissues to freshen up.
Be prepared and pack light. How do you do that? Think of the little things. The big things that you prepare for will probably
