When it comes to planning that big trip overseas, organisation is key. There’s nothing worse than turning up somewhere unprepared, and the amount of fun you have while you’re there can be directly proportionate to how well you’ve prepared for your visit. From the right travel insurance for your trip to an understanding of local customs and traditions, we’ve got a checklist for you to follow when planning your trip, which hopefully reduces potential headaches!

Packing

When it comes to packing, try to think less about having the right shoes to match that dress in every situation, and more about predicting the kind of clothes and items you’re really going to need. Do your research and find out a bit about the local weather at the time of year—even if it’s summer where you’re headed, it’s a good idea to pack a lightweight waterproof jacket just to be safe. Also, make sure you’ve packed enough sunscreen, a basic first aid kit and shoes that are suitable for walking big distances. A small overnight bag or rucksack is a great idea, especially for those day trips, so make sure you consider this when packing.

Planning

Firstly, you don’t have to plan every minute of your trip for it to be a success, but you do have to get a basic understanding of what you’ll be doing and what you want to make sure you don’t miss out on. For example, if you’re planning on being in Rio for Carnival (something we’d highly recommend!) you can’t simply expect to turn up and find accommodation that night. Hotels book out around major events, so advanced planning is key in order not to miss out on the highlights.

Culture

Having an awareness of the culture and traditions of the place you’re visiting can save a whole lot of trouble. Certain cultures may find things that you do every day highly offensive, and vice versa, so informing yourself about how to act while you’re a visitor in a country is advisable.

Safety

Safety is the most important thing and for this reason you need to take a few precautions before traveling overseas. First, get the appropriate travel insurance. Different types of overseas holidays require different levels of travel insurance coverage—for example if you’re off on a New Zealand jet boat and extreme sports adventure, your level of coverage is going to need to be a bit higher than someone who’s wine tasting in the South of France. Secondly, you need to make sure your loved ones at home have at least a basic itinerary of your trip, including flight numbers, so that they can get in contact with you if needs be. Finally, it’s your responsibility to keep up-to-date on the safety situation in a country. Check the department of foreign affairs website for travel alerts to specific countries to avoid a nasty surprise when you arrive.