Ready to embark on your long-awaited holiday? Make sure you pack well so that you do not have to turn back home or buy extras while on holiday. The key to a stress-free holiday is preparation! We’ve put together a checklist of all your holiday essentials so that you don’t forget a single thing. We will not touch on clothing and shoes, mostly because the clothing you pack depends on the type of holiday you are preparing for… and only you know that.

Important Documentation

* Your ID document or passport (if you are travelling abroad) and driver's license are essential (if you are embarking on a road trip or planning on renting a car at your holiday destination).

* Travel insurance documents.

* Depending on the country you visit, you might need to show vaccination certification. You will not be allowed to leave the country without this documentation, so prepare this in advance.

* Have a print-out of your hotel and car rental booking confirmation and keep it with with your identity document or save the confirmation email on your smartphone. Purchasing a passport holder may come in handy to keep all your important documentation stored in one place.

* Money (in the correct currency) will always come in handy. Remember  to pack your bank card and call your bank to make sure that you can use it abroad.. If you do not notify your bank, they will most likely block your card for security measures. For local holidays, there is no need to worry about this.

Electronic Devices

* Your smartphone is a vital item because of its many uses. You can use your phone as a GPS device and a camera to capture special holiday memories. It is also essential for making calls and sending SMSs (to save costs, switch your phone off roaming and utilise local WiFi spots when travelling abroad).

* You cannot use your smartphone without a charger, so make sure you pack this in... and then make sure again. Purchasing a new one can cost more than you would like to spend on something you already have.

* Travel adapters. If you are travelling overseas, make sure you purchase the correct adapter.

* If you are specific about your hair dryer or hair straightener and cannot live without it, remember to pack those in too.

Toiletries

Do not forget your shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving essentials, deodorant, face wash, hair brush, contact lenses and contact lens solution. Then, sunscreen, after sun and insect repellant will be necessary for hotter vacation spots. On that note, if you are going on a beach holiday, take with you your sunglasses, sun hat and beach bag. For the ladies, sanitary towels and makeup are some added extras to remember. The most important item to remember is the medication you rely on, especially chronic medication you cannot function without.  

With your checklist in toe, feel peace of mind as you leave for your vacation. Happy holidays!