TIPS FOR GETTING AWAY – AND GETTING ALONG!

Sometimes the stresses of going on holiday seem to outweigh the good times.There’s often so much planning, preparation, packing, travelling and getting organised in a new place.   And of course, there’s the cost of it all.
But holidays don’t just cost money.  Many people end up counting the cost on the family unit, on relationships and on their own emotional wellbeing.Vacations are meant to be good opportunities to wind-down and recharge the batteries, but they don’t always meet our expectations.
The economic uncertainty has forced many people into taking shorter, domestic holidays where budgets are under close scrutiny.  This can add to the stress levels.
Has anyone had the perfect holiday?  Here are some suggestions for avoiding some potential pitfalls to give you the best chance at a holiday that’s remembered for all the right reasons!
• Plan, plan and plan.The more you plan – the better for everyone. 
* Align the type of holiday with your needs.If it’s been an extremely stressful year, then perhaps your family holiday should be at a quiet beach resort rather than coping with a jam-packed tour of Europe.  Full itineraries can exacerbate stress levels.
* Look at various accommodation options.  Sometimes serviced apartments can be a better option than a hotel because they offer flexibility, independence and space – all good aspects for holidays – especially where energetic children are involved!
* Start a ‘holiday box’ about a week before you’re due to leave.  Put a large cardboard box in a visible position in the house.Any item that needs to be taken on holiday can be put in the box (eg. Video cameras, phone chargers, maps, directions, tickets etc).This prevents the last minute rush.
* Spend some time organising your home.Enlist the help of a kind neighbour to keep an eye on things, collect any post, water any potted plants etc. Cancel or suspend subscriptions and memberships, eg gym, newspaper, magazine and ensure all accounts have been paid.  Leave a few prepared meals in your deep freeze for your return.
* Have copies made of all important documents and keep them in your carry on luggage.  This way, if your passports, air tickets, credit cards etc. get lost of stolen, you’ll have the back up to sort things out more efficiently.
• If possible, try and take as long a break as possible.It always takes a bit of time to destress and get into the holiday mode, and a longer break is better for your physical and mental health.
* Check your insurance.Check the contract carefully to see if you are fully covered – medical, luggage, missed flights etc.
* Pack some emergency medical supplies eg. sticky plasters, medication for nausea, headaches etc and antiseptic cream.These can be expensive (and difficult) to find in a strange location – especially when you need them afterhours.
* Have a back-up plan in place – particularly if kids are involved.Think of alternatives ahead of time.This will help alleviate any tension.
* Keep a few tricks up your sleeve.If you have younger children, keep some simple distractions as a backstop. paper, crayons, activity books, DVDs etc that can rescue any ‘rainy day’ situation.
• Be flexible.Always look for the best way of doing things.Think about doing some independent activities to take the pressure off – ie splitting the parents and kids up to do different things.
Money issues are often the primary cause of tension during a holiday, says Simon Barker, owner of self-contained apartments Fremantle.  “Staying in self-contained apartments enables people to manage their costs more effectively.They can choose where and when they want to eat, plus they have the freedom to self-cater.People are less likely to go out to be entertained as they have their own space to move around in, relax, invite guests over and entertain.After all, we should be remembering the gains from the holiday, not the costs.”