Mistakes that could ruin your holiday

By THORN MULLI

You have identified the perfect holiday destination, made a reservation and booked your travel. You might be dreaming of a heavenly vacation, but it could turn into holiday from hell if you make these mistakes.

Overpacking

At home, you are free to run through work, work out and

clubbing outfits in a single day. But when your entire wardrobe is crammed into a couple of bags, the fashion rules change.

Research shows that two-thirds of travellers typically return from a trip with at least six unworn outfits. Lugging around a huge suitcase full of things you will not use, and paying for extra baggage, is far from fun.

You do not need a fresh set of everything every day; you can survive on a few basics. (Underwear is the key exception to this rule.)

Forgetting to arrange for transfers

Many people overlook port, airport, bus or rail stop transfers to their destinations, resulting in overwhelming inconvenience.

Transfer options differ, so get some information on the area you are visiting. The Nairobi and Mombasa airports, for instance, are close to major towns, so there are regular cab services that will take you directly to your hotel.

Do not overlook public transport, such as buses and ferries instead of taking a cab or hiring a car. Remember, if you arrive at rush hour, the taxi fee is going to be higher.

Not acquainting yourself with the local language and customs

Knowing a few words of the local language comes in handy. ‘Toilet’ is probably one of the most important. Have a local teach you how to pronounce the words.

Not learning local customs could result in misunderstandings, as they might think you rude, and behave accordingly. For example, in Japan, one is expected to take off their shoes while entering a home, and even in some public places. Failure to do so can offend your host, and embarrass the guest.

Lacking an itinerary

Whenever you visit a place, decide on a couple of things to do each day. If you try to see everything in a haphazard manner, you will mostly succeed in exhausting yourself. Leave enough time in your schedule to do spur of the moment activities, and rest.

Ignoring your health

Breaking your leg at Victoria Falls or crashing in the Arabian sand dunes is unfortunate enough without having to worry about the bills incurred during your rescue. Get medical evacuation insurance.

If you are on medication, take ten per cent more of it than you think you will require, in case you run into delays. Also pack non-prescription medication you think you might need, because it is sometimes hard to figure out what their names are when you are in a foreign place.

Street food

The rule of the thumb for roadside food is if there is a queue, consider the place vetted. Make sure the meal is cooked and still hot. If you can, avoid salads and unfiltered drinking water. Always pack snacks in your carry-on.

Under-budgeting

Even after drawing up a budget, financial plans slaughtered by baggage fees, airline surcharges, costs of meals and snacks, ATM fees, hotel service charges, car rental fees, Internet charges, taxes, tips, local payments and other pesky little fees.

Always read the fine print, and ask your service providers to outline exactly what is, and what is not, included in the price.

Plus, be aware that many hotels list rates per person, per night as opposed to per room, per night.

Not preparing for the worst

Unexpected mishaps, such as the theft or loss of an important item, could also ruin a well-planned trip. Always budget for miscellaneous expenses, such as a phone charger or an unplanned taxi ride, when traveling. Also have an online backup of all your files.

Ill-advised purchases

Do not buy cheap gear, just because your holiday will only last a week. Cheap sunglasses and sandals could harm your eyes and feet permanently.

When it comes to knick-knacks, it often pays to buy something you like as soon as you see it. You might look for something similar but cheaper but not get it.

However, do exercise restraint when buying bulky items that will be an inconvenience during your trip.

Not changing money

Be sure to research the currency value of whatever country you are travelling to before making pricey flight decisions.

Also, be smart about where you change your currency. Conventional wisdom is that only amateurs change all their money at the airport, because the exchange rate are better in town. It usually is, but not always.