With three weeks to go until I'm jetting off to Reykjavik, Iceland I've already started my pre-holiday preparation. I'm not always organised with everyday life but I'm always super organised with travel. I liked to make sure everything is in check from about a month before I fly so I have enough time to sort anything out. I do the checks again weekly to make sure nothing pops up and if it does I've still got enough time to fix it or somehow deal with it.
-Buy travel money: I've heard some rumours that you can't actually buy Icelandic Krona in the UK although the place that I always get my Euros from say they sell it, so I'll be popping in store within the next week or so depending on my schedule and I'll be getting £150 worth of ISK, I'll then be using my Halifax Clarity Card while I'm abroad for anything else. I normally always carry cash on holiday but as I'm staying in a hostel I'd rather have a credit card than cash and I've seen on some forums online that you can use a credit card everywhere in Iceland. With the Halifax CC you don't get charged for using your card abroad which is great for me.
-Reread my travel insurance: I got a yearly travel insurance with ASDA before my holiday to Berlin as I knew I'd be travelling a lot this year, last year I went on 7 holidays and I forgot to get insurance for one of the holidays and it costs me so much buying it for each holiday. As I got my insurance a while ago I can't remember what it covers and for how much so I'll be rereading and printing all my documents when I get the chance.
-EHIC card & app: I'm not actually sure where my EHIC card is right now so I'm going to look for it after I finish doing this post and if I can't find it reorder it. I'm also going to download the free app which summaries the treatments, costs, procedure for reimbursement and emergency numbers.
-Book my train to/from the airport: I'm still not sure if I'll be driving to the airport or getting a train, I'm lucky to live next to London Bridge which is a direct train to Gatwick and only takes 30 minutes. I have an awful flight home though which gets me back to London about midnight, so I'd rather drive home if I can. I'll have to look into prices and I'll be doing that this week so I can get it cheaper if I do need to buy a train ticket or pay for parking.
-Put my passport in a safe place: Mum normally looks after my passport for me but after my trip to Cyprus in July I've had my passport in my travel bag in my room. I've actually decided I'm not taking that bag to Iceland so I'm going to put my passport in mum's safe place so I don't lose it before my trip.
-Print my documents: Although I've already checked in online and have everything on my phone I'll be making sure I have a printed copy. You can never trust technology and it's always good to have printed proof.
-Shopping: I actually started this months ago but I still need to buy a few more things. This will be my first holiday that isn't based in a country that is hotter than the UK. If you asked me a few years ago I'd of said I'd never go to a country which is cold, I hate winter! I went Decathlon last week and got a few fleeces and jumpers which were very cheap, I'll be taking a 2nd trip there to get a few more things as well as looking on Amazon and eBay for some winter/Iceland essentials. I've heard Reykjavik is super trendy and stylish like London so dressing up to go to bars is a must. I've got a few skater dresses so I'm sure I'll need tights to keep me warm. I'm lucky to have 20kg in my luggage and unlimited in my hand luggage so I can take loads of jumpers and boots.
-Beauty treatments: I'm not sure if I'll be getting all my treatments done like I normally do as it's my birthday 3 days after I got back and it will be too costly to get it all redone. I'm likely to just get a mani/pedi and then do my full works of lashes and falsies when I get back. I'll also need to get my hair done a few days before I go.
-Airport shopping: I know I want a new lens for my DSLR to capture the Northern Lights so I need to make sure I have money to do my much needed airport duty free shopping, I'll do all my research a few days before I go so I know what I want and roughly how much it will cost. I also want a spare battery and memory card but they'll be cheaper on Amazon/eBay.
-Fit to fly: Getting a doctors appointment is like looking for a needle in a haystack, I'm not even exaggerating. I normally have to wait two weeks so I'll be booking one tomorrow morning and hoping for the best. As Iceland can be very cold and windy I need to make sure I have a full, in date asthma inhaler, I'll also go Poundland and buy 3/£1 tablets to make sure I have enough for my holiday.
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| Reykjavik |
I know I'm a little obsessive with my planning but I think I'd go insane without the structure. It actually feels really good to write this list as a reminder of what I need to do.
Do you have a pre-holiday check list? How long before your holiday do you start planning?
Such a good plan! Super jealous of your trip to Reykjavik, I'd love to go there.
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i need to get more prepared,i think i need to take a leaf out of your book lol
ReplyDeleteSome good tips here. It's important to have any medicines sorted out before a trip.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good list! I always have a folder with all my paperwork, tickets & passport in so I know where it all is!
ReplyDeleteBecca
QueenBeeBecca.com
This sounds amazing, but it makes me feel so sad that I'm not planning a trip any time soon!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a helpful post, you've reminded me to renew my EHIC card, I'm off on holiday in 20 days! I plan months in advanced although this trip to Hungary next month was a little rushed so I haven't had as much time as I would have liked.
ReplyDeleteUnlike you I am going somewhere a little warmer than the UK and it is weird to be buying summer clothes at the end of summer while everyone else is concentrating on autumn/winter fashion now.
Have a lovely time in Reykjavík, can not wait to read your post(s) when I return from my hols end of September.
Georgia x
Ooh you'll have a great time. I hear the northern lights are an absolutely beautiful thing to witness. Remember before you fly to let Halifax know you'll be taking your card for use abroad :) x
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ReplyDeleteWow am jealous. Have a fantastic holiday. I am sure you will.
ReplyDeleteWow amazing. Have a nice trip. Northern lights must be mesmerizing. Good luck
ReplyDeleteKhaistaBlogs
So jealous that you're going to Reykjavik! Hope you have fun!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great plan for a holiday prep. Have fun and do post the pics when you are back from Reykjavik.
ReplyDeleteStyle..A Pastiche! - New Posts - Beautiful Day
Fab check list - I didn't know there was an EHIC app - such a good idea! I'll be downloading before our next trip. I am so jealous you are going to Reykjavik - it's on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteOMGGGG ireland..I dreaming to go there one day..so envy of u....
ReplyDeleteI've never even heard of Reykjavik! That's sure a lot of pre-planning to be done, but how about your itinerary? please do share your travel experiences with us when you come back!
ReplyDeletetravel money in that way is a new term for me... i might try that next time. thanks for such informative post.
ReplyDeletedo drop by... GreenStory
Oh wow you are always traveling. Hope u have a great trip love.
ReplyDeleteyou want going to holiday again???
ReplyDeletebig what! you are such a cool person. enjoy your young age <3
Oh so jealous! This is a great list, I always forget to do half of these things.
ReplyDeleteCatstello | www.cattitudeandco.uk
I feel like having it all plan out is much easier to organise everything! Great post! =)
ReplyDeleteI like your planning :-)
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever plan and check things but I wish I did as it can make things easier at time and much less stressful
OMG you are such a planner. It makes me want to pack up and fly.
ReplyDelete- Heena, www.icynosure.in
I love travel posts and the tips are v useful .thank you for sharing
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