Six tips to go on holiday with peace of mind

From booking to excursions and travel arrangements, going on holiday is not something you can improvise. Here are a few tips to help you avoid blunders during this long-awaited moment.

How can you make your holiday unforgettable? We put the question to Charlotte, an expert in travel organisation for customers of CFL-Evasion, the CFL travel agency. Here are some valuable tips.

• Rely on established players

It’s not always easy to know which company to rely on, given the plethora of online travel platforms now available. In the jungle of well-known names and newcomers, it’s best to rely on tour operators that are recognised as reliable brands and travel agencies that are well established. “As travel professionals, we regularly go on study trips to discover and test hotels, just as our clients would, so that we can then recommend them,” explains Charlotte. “I’m not sure that all the online players who focus on sales take the same approach.”

• Don’t bet everything on last-minute deals

While “last minute” deals were synonymous with systematic good offers before the pandemic, the time has now come for maximum anticipation. Widespread inflation and new pricing approaches by certain destinations have all played their part. “If you want to optimise your budget by having the best choice, especially if you’re travelling with your family, we advise you to book as early as possible, as prices are sometimes available nine months in advance. This anticipation is particularly interesting for flight prices, which gradually increase as the departure date gets closer.”

• Choose your travel package and hotel carefully

“All-in or half-board? Which package should you choose? “If you want to relax without leaving the hotel premises too much, the ‘all inclusive’ option will suit you, explains Charlotte. If you want to discover the local heritage and culinary delights, half-board is the best option, as it allows you to go out and explore during the day, while enjoying a meal at the hotel in the evening and relaxing there after a busy day”.

As for the choice of hotel, it’s best to opt for a relatively new or renovated establishment to ensure comfort. “You don’t want the hotel to be less comfortable than your own home… For families with children, if the budget allows, I would recommend two adjoining rooms rather than one large family room, so that everyone has their own space and privacy.” The presence of several swimming pools and water slides is also an advantage for children, especially in the all-inclusive package. “The stars are still an important indicator of a hotel’s standing, even if the devil is sometimes in the detail. It’s better to consult the list of services offered by the hotel rather than relying solely on the number of stars.”

• Avoid tour peddlers

The range of activities and excursions available at your holiday destination is as varied as it is tempting. In this case too, it’s best to go through a trusted service provider to avoid disappointment after you’ve spent a certain amount of money. “The tour operator guides in the hotels offer excursions that they know,” says Charlotte. “The same applies to hoteliers, who have no interest in offering excursions that don’t meet their quality standards. For more distant destinations, there are labels such as ‘Get Your Guide’ that allow you to find reliable local guides.”

• Make sure you’re insured

Cancellation insurance is another essential part of the preparations. “Customers often have good assistance insurance, but we strongly advise them to add cancellation insurance. Given the budgets involved, it’s better to be covered in the event of unforeseen circumstances that prevent you from leaving.”

• Think about luggage, vaccinations…and green plants

Once you’ve chosen your destination and booked your trip well in advance, it’s time to pack your bags. Here too, it’s all a question of anticipation and organisation. “You can find a number of standard lists online for preparing your luggage as well as thinking about the essentials for leaving the house in ‘holiday mode’, such as watering the green plants or looking after the dog. It may seem obvious, but some suitcases are packed up late the night before, and sometimes things are forgotten, which can prove annoying…” says Charlotte. And for technology aficionados, small GPS tags can be slipped into the suitcase to locate it remotely. Handy if your luggage has an unexpected stopover…

On a formal level, your travel agent will advise you on the official papers and other documents that are required depending on the destination. “Travelling to faraway countries in warm latitudes also requires prior vaccination, which you should also plan for, as do certain medications to prevent tourista or dehydration,” advises Charlotte. Ask your house-doctor if you have any doubts. 

All that’s left for you to do is enjoy the good times and disconnect if necessary 😉

Happy holidays!

If you’d like to plan your next trip abroad and find out about all the train travel options available, the CFL-Evasion travel agency is available to help you at www.cflevasion.lu or at its offices at Luxembourg Station (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm).

Pictures: Adobe Stock Images