You are going on an exciting trip – it could be your first one as a family, or the latest in a long line of adventures together. You’ve got everything sorted, and you’re ready to go and discover somewhere new.

Hang on, though, because you might not have arranged everything that you need to. Of course, you’ve booked the hotel and flights, but is that all you have to deal with? These might be small things that may have slipped your mind, or others you think you’ll be able to get once you arrive, but you may get a nasty surprise when the items you need aren’t available, or the service you’ve been counting on is fully booked. Here’s what you should look into before you depart.

 

Renting a Car

Think you can turn up at the airport and rent a car when you get there? You might be able to, but if you’re going during peak vacation time, then you could be disappointed and get a car that’s not suitable for you and your family needs – or none at all!

So your best bet is to reserve your rental car as early as you can before your getaway, so you can get a vehicle that will meet your expectations. Expert companies, such as Advantage Car Rental, will let you do so ahead of time, and give you a choice of vehicle groups to choose from. You can also pick up your rental car from the airport or, in some locations, popular city hotspots.

 

Pet sitter

Have you got a cat, dog, or other pet at home? If you do, you should book for your furry or feathered friends to be looked after by someone you trust. Many people arrange for pet sitters who can visit your home during your vacation to feed and care for them.

The earlier you do this, the better; this means you can have a meet-and-greet with your sitter, who can then meet your pet(s) before you leave and learn about their routines. Booking early is  recommended if your pet will need to be visited at least twice a day, require an overnight stay or boarding in kennels.

 

Excursions

So you’ve arrived at your destination, you’ve picked up your rental car, and the cat is being cared for at home. You can now relax and enjoy your time together. Or can you?

If you’ve got certain sights you want to see and trips to go on during your time away, then you should look into whether you need to book any tickets for these events in advance. You should be okay with most places, but there’s a chance that others have restrictions on the number of people they let in at any one time if your particular attraction is popular. You can also have special arrangements made ahead of time.

For visits to Walt Disney World in Florida, for instance, you need to plan in advance. It’s recommended that items such as FastPasses, dining reservations and other unmissable experiences are booked well before travel. Some are bookable up to 180 days ahead, so make sure you look into these before you go.