by Contributor
(Jan. 15, 2021) — Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or hoping to spend more time with your family in a new and exciting destination, there’s nothing we look forward to more than a vacation. Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans often go awry and when the unexpected happens it’s enough to ruin that expensive and much-deserved break.
From misplaced hotel keys to flight delays, stolen wallets and language barriers – there’s a lot that can go wrong when you’re away from home. Here we’ll explore 4 things that will definitely ruin your vacation.
Covid-19 cancellations
We’re living in unprecedented times and even the simplest of acts such as booking a break and heading abroad is fraught with uncertainty and doubt. Due to constantly changing rules and health precautions, many holidaymakers are finding their dream break cancelled due to Covid-19 or indefinitely postponed due to their holiday provider going under. All this has the potential to ruin your vacation before you’ve even left the house.
Thankfully, Creditfix has created this insightful infographic, which details everything you need to know about full and partial refunds, rebooking your holiday and what to do if your holiday provider ceases trading. It’s never been more important to understand your consumer rights, so check out the infographic before you book your next break.
A family emergency
If you’re travelling with your children, then you know that anything can happen! Sudden illnesses and injuries can really throw your relaxing vacation off, and if you’re thousands of miles away from home it’s easy to feel a little panicked by the scenario.
Bringing along a simple first aid kit including band-aids, bandages and pain relief medicines will certainly help with those common aches and pains. However, you should also invest in health insurance before you travel, that way any hospital treatment required is covered by your provider.
You’re lost
A combination of getting lost and being unable to understand the local language is certainly an anxiety-inducing scenario.
There are several solutions here, and the most important piece of advice we can give you is to keep calm. You’re not the first person to get lost! You can try going into a café or a bar and asking the staff for help and you may find they speak English. In anticipation of getting lost, you should always carry your hotel’s address with you (consider a business card) so you can look out for the right street signs, show it to a cab driver etc.
You should also download local maps before you travel, and when out and about, take note of local landmarks, e.g. a certain store or monument, so you can find your way back. Before you travel, consider getting to grips with some language basics to help boost your confidence.
And finally, your cell phone doesn’t work
Never assume that your cell phone will work as normal overseas. You may not have the right international package. Being unable to access your contacts, your social media or make calls will make your vacation incredibly stressful.
So, before you travel reach out to your cell phone provider and find out what package you may need or settings you need to activate to use your phone abroad.