My 10 steps to planning a chic and stress-free holiday
My checklist and foolproof websites that made planning for our holiday much more simple. #85
I forget how much content I have created over the past 10 years for the blog and today I came across this planning article that I wrote 6 years ago. It’s still valid so I updated some of the links and added a few more tips. Hopefully you’ll find that useful!
10 steps to planning your holiday in style
We all want the perfect holiday, the one where you get to a great location, stay in a relaxing accommodation, eat great food, discover local site for specialties and get along nicely with friends and family. So what’ my secret tip for a great holiday? Planning!
Yes it’s not exciting and it requires work before the holidays. However I can assure you that if you do a bit of this work months in advance you then be able to reap the benefits.
So here are the 10 steps to planning your holiday in style.
Note: I may earn a commission if you click on some of those links and proceed to book. It’s called an “affiliate link” and it doesn’t cost you anything.
1/One year to 10 months in advance
Book accommodation especially if it’s a villa. The best ones are reserved year on year. Places like Ile de Ré, Cap Ferret, Mallorca, Ibiza, Provence, Côte d’Azur, Sicily book fast in advance.
There are of course plenty of ideas on this newsletter for accommodations and you can also check the blog for all the villas and all the hotels. Paid subscribers can also get access to my Google map where you can easily shortlist the best hotels near the location you are considering.
Check the rental terms to ensure that you can get your money back if you decide to cancel 6 months before.
If the accommodation requires you to pay via brank transfer, I find Wise useful. Their currency rates are quite good.
Make sure that your passport will be valid at the time of travel, if not start applying for a renewal now.
2/ Nine months in advance
Figure out the best way to your destination. I personally love rome2rio.com and Booking.com flights feature as you can easily put different departure or arrival cities.
Book flights/trains to be guaranteed the best rates. Here are some guiding points:
Eurotunnel: 9 months in advance
Scheduled airlines: 10 to 12 months
Ryanair: 8 to 12
EasyJet : 6 to 9
I also recommend that you sign up to the mailing list of Ryanair or Easyjet as they usually send an email to alert when bookings open
Here is also a handy link in Skyscanner http://www.skyscanner.net/bttb/best-time-to-book-uk/
Book car rentals. Over the years we decided to just go with Avis as we accumulate points and get free weekend vouchers on time to time. You can compare prices on various sites.
3/ Six months before
Do your research for the activities or restaurants, places to visit around your location
Bonus tip: add them to Google MyMap like this one I did for New York
If you are going to Europe and don’t have a Europe health card, apply for it now. This link is for the UK but there are links relevants for each country.
Book car park at the airport if you’re going to go there with your car.
4/ Six weeks before
Crazy as it sounds, this could be the time to book restaurants and activities. From experience, it was absolutely essential in places such as Cap Ferret and Costa Brava.
5/ Four weeks before
Look into babysitter services. Your hotel may offer them or the owners of the villa may know some friendly young students free for the summer.
Book treatments at hotels
Order currency. In the Uk, I either use the Post office or John Lewis as they can deliver the currency to my home, which is really handy.
6/ Two weeks before
Check in with some airlines, some only allow check in 48h before though.
Start thinking of packing: what are you missing? Should you go shopping for it? It also means you’ll have less stress the day before travelling. I personally always find packing a bit stressful.
Plugs: are they the same, do you need to buy adapters.
7/ One week before
Start packing — again less stress, allows you to see what to wash, buy etc
Ask who would be kind enough to look after your pets
Ladies, it’s time to book your beauty treatments: waxing, nail polish, spray tan…
Plan meals if you rent a villa, you can always adapt on site depending on market but a general list/framework can help.
Do you need to have some prescription renewed?
Are there some regular deliveries (like newspapers) that you need to pause?
8/48 h before
Print directions to the accommodation
Check all papers: boarding passes, tickets, hotel reservations, instructions to get the villa keys, car rentals vouchers, travel insurance passport, travel directions, passports, phone numbers of people to join when arriving,
Download movies for kids to watch on the iPad in the plane
9/ 24 hours before
Online checkin
Charge all devices fully
Pack : main luggage, and what you take on the bag in the plane. I always prepare a separate snack bag as the plane may run out of food (plus it’s often expensive and not good).
10/ Day of travel
Relax!
Do you have other tips to help me and fellow travellers plan a relaxing holidays? If so I’d love to read about it in the comments.
5 Extra finds
Le Bois des Chambres, France
From 120 Euros - Check latest prices and availability
Located on a former farm, the hotel is an art-focused domains and provides spaces for living in and creating in. 20 rooms from 30 to 38 m2 with gardens, and 19 others from 22 to 31 m2, are ideal for loving couples, families and groups of friends alike. There is a restaurant serving "creative gourmet cuisine". No pool. Prices vary depending on season: from 190 to 290 euros a night from April to October and from 120 to 220 euros the rest of the year.
Nobis Hotel Palma, Mallorca
From 450 Euros - Check latest prices and availability
Nobis Hotel Palma is a five-star contemporary luxury hotel with 37 rooms and suites, a restaurant NOI, a magnificent lounge, a sun terrace adorned with comfortable loungers, a rooftop, and a tranquil SPA. The hotel occupies a historic gem, situated in one of Palma's oldest buildings, with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The spa has a heated indoor pool.
Matca Hotel, Romania
From - Check latest prices and availability
MATCA is a luxurious sanctuary located in Transylvania, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. The retreat offers 16 guest rooms, junior suites, and 2 private villas with views of the Transylvanian Forest and Bucegi Mountains, blending local style with contemporary comfort. There is a restaurant and a spa. Heated indoor pool.
Portella, Mallorca
From 310 Euros - Check latest prices and availability
Portella is an authentic 17th-century house nestled in the heart of Palma de Mallorca’s old town. It was renovated by interior design studio Festen together with the architecture studio Gras Reynés. 4 types of rooms can be adapted to your needs from standard rooms to an apartment with two bedrooms. Or you can rent the whole place. There is a lovely inner courtyard but no pool.
The Collective at Woolsery, Devon
From £275 - Check latest prices and availability
The Collective in Woolsery, a village outside Barnstaple in north Devon, is a farm, shop, a Michelin starred pub, and a series of rooms and cottages to rent. There are two bedrooms and two suites for two people each, and three cottages that sleep up to eight. Interiors are colourful and stylish. No pool.