Vacations are meant to be fun and relaxing excursions. Unexpected circumstances, expenses, and annoyances can really kill the vibe, making something that was meant to be a treat a little less exciting. That is why taking some of the following precautions before or during the trip will help safeguard your enjoyment a little more.

Transportation

It is very tempting to just wing it and take whatever, whenever, but doing more research into how you're gonna get around is vital. For example, if you decide to take a taxi, make sure that the taxi is safe and will not charge you absurd amounts of money. The same applies to Uber; by investigating if a city has a local competitor to Uber, you can almost always expect said competitor to be more cost-efficient. Ideally, you should always be taking public transport if it is available and convenient. It is going to be vastly cheaper on your wallet and, in most cases, faster than ride share and taxis. In most cities now, you don't even need to buy tickets for the metro or bus; all you have to do is add your card to your phone and tap as you get on.

Documentation

This might sound obvious, but making sure your passport is not about to expire, double-checking that your visas are in order if needed, and having everything ready when you reach passport control is crucial. Taking photos of important documents is a must as well, just in case you lose them. Having photos of all your paperwork might save you from trouble. On the off chance that you do lose an important document, such as your passport, immediately contact your country’s embassy.

Belongings

Learning what to pack will save you in so many situations. So, do a quick weather check on your travel destination. See if there will be any rain, chilliness at night, or a sudden shift in temperature. Having the right clothes and being equipped for the climate will make your stay a lot more enjoyable. Once you are finally packed, check for any baggage restrictions such as weight, luggage dimensions, or restricted items, depending on your mode of transportation and travel destination. Purchasing a portable luggage scale will aid you tremendously if you are traveling by air. This scale will help ensure your bags are not above the airline’s required weight limit, since if they are, you have to either pay an exorbitant amount in fines or lose the extra weight at the airport. You can also circumvent this by leaving extra room in your suitcase prior to traveling. Finally, electronics-wise, it is always handy to have a portable charger at hand just in case one of your devices loses battery. But it is a must to bring an international plug adapter, since most countries' plugs are different.

Phone

Your phone is such a powerful tool that not utilizing it is such a shame. One of the first things you can do is download the offline map for the destination you are traveling to. This will allow you to navigate without the need for an internet connection. But if you are in need of a cellular connection, you can very easily acquire it through the use of an eSIM. This is a virtual sim card that you can use in addition to your existing one and gives you the ability to purchase data to use at your destination. Using language translation apps like Google Translate as interpreters is very helpful when you are having difficulty communicating. These tools can also be used to translate written material like menus and signs with the use of your camera.

While these are nice steps to consider during or before you travel, you do not have to follow everything I listed. They are small things that, if you feel like doing, will benefit you in some way or another. Remember that vacations are there to help you relax and are not meant to be stressful; these tips will help you be at a level of preparedness to overcome most obstacles, hopefully aiding you in future vacation planning.