Travel usually ends up being more stressful than it needs to be. From the booking experience down to catching the taxi upon arrival, it can be downright exhausting. The whole point of getting away is to relax so there is no need to pull your hair out. Check out these 25 tips to make your travel experience just a little more breathable.

1. Book your travel sooner than later. Don’t wait until the last minute because then you have much less time to prepare for the experience to come.

2. Try to make all inclusive reservations. Often times, when you book things in multiple places, you get mixed up with what booking is what. If something goes wrong it gets frustrating to call the correct parties. Trust a travel booking company to take care of all that for you.

3. Do not travel with people who do not make you happy. If you know someone is not a positive influence in your life, do not travel with them. They are going to bring down your mood.

4. Clean and inspect your home before you leave. When you are gone, you do not want to worry about bug infestations or other big issues in your home. Clean out food that will spoil and check for any leaks or issues prior to leaving.

5. Schedule car pickups. It can be so frustrating when you get to your destination and you are struggling to reach the hotel/resort. Go ahead and schedule transports ahead of time so you know you are taken care of.

6. Stay in nicer accommodations. If you have the extra money, it is worth spending on cleaner, more elaborate hotels. They often have impeccable room service and you get to have a much more hands free experience.

7. Set a budget before you go. There are going to be so many excursions and things to do when you arrive at your destination. Go ahead and decide how much you plan to spend on the trip so you are not crying when you get home because you went too far.

8. Do not stuff your itinerary. Having a ridiculously busy itinerary means you might as well go back to work. Trying to hit times and deadlines all throughout a travel experience is not fun.

9. Decide whether you want to take care of children. If you have kids and the vacation you are planning is really meant for you and your partner, consider letting the children stay with grandma. Really decide what type of vacation you are looking to take.

10. Google online itineraries. Get an idea of what other travelers say about your destination. They often provide reviews and pro/con lists so you do not have to make the same mistakes.

11. Plan to arrive earlier than later. If you want to make check in time or get to the hotel in time for events, just go ahead and fly to your destination earlier. Rushing after hours in the sky can be very stressful.

12. Know how to get around your destination. You should spend time researching the transportations of your vacation destination so that you do not put yourself in a risky situation. It is important to know if taxis are not good or if you should rent a car.

13. Pack painkillers, cold/flu, anti-diarrhea pills, and any required medications. The worst thing to deal with is being sick while traveling. Plan for the worst by packing medication as your destination country is not guaranteed to have it.

14. Fly comfortably. The airplane is not a photoshoot. Wear relaxed clothing and shoes because depending on how much running around and sky time you have, you do not need to wish you wore something different.

15. Do not pack so many electronics. It is stressful keeping up with expensive items like iPads and phones alone. Minimize how many electronic devices you plan to pack.

16. Leave jewelry at home. One of the saddest things is losing an important piece of jewelry when on vacation. It is not worth the risk. You are better off leaving it home in a safe than taking it with you.

17. Be mentally prepared for delayed flights or layovers. If you go in expecting your travels to be perfect, you are going to be disappointed. Go ahead and plan for the travel delays and possible ways to handle them so you are not shocked if they occur.

18. Stay off the phone. You left home for a reason whether it was to relax or to spend time with loved ones. Give your trip more attention than you give the home life. Make a deal with yourself to only check in a few times a day or less.

19. Talk to people you meet. You can meet some of the most amazing people when traveling. Get to know them and be open to connect. You never know who can become a lifelong friend.

20. Do not make everyday an early start. Unless you are strictly a morning person, be okay with sleeping in for a day or two during your trip. No need to be on a strict schedule.

21. Book some excursions or experiences in advance. Sometimes things are harder or more expensive to book at the destination country. Having some of the popular things pre-booked could save you time and money.

22. Learn a few words in the language. If you are traveling somewhere that knows nothing about your native language, take the time to learn a few key words. You do not want to be stressed out trying to find the bathroom or help.

23. Make sure you have access to a map. Everyone is bound to get a little off track when traveling in another country. Just make sure you have access to Google maps or a similar program to keep you relaxed and on track when you need it most.

24. Get rid of the paranoia. It is important to be vigilant when you travel but walking around in fear because of some crazy article you read is not worth it. You have to gain your own perspective of the country you are visiting.

25. Expect the unexpected. Attractions may be closed on your planned day. The weather may get nasty. Be okay with what goes wrong and continue to keep positive spirits. When you accept what you cannot change, travel really becomes stress-free.

Looking for a stress-free travel experience? Consider booking a Project Passport wellness retreat. With all of the major aspects of travel taken care of, your job is just to show up and experience travel in a new way.

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Project Passport is a mental empowerment retreat and event company created to help women connect with one another and gain the tools to improve their lives in the best way possible. Each retreat experience has a unique theme with carefully designed activities to help participants grow and experience transformation. We are making mental wellness the norm, one retreat at a time. Learn more at project-passport.com.