Christmas is one of the best times to travel, however, it can be quite a challenge if you are not prepared. Therefore, it is essential to follow a series of tips to travel at Christmas without stress and with as few complications as possible.
For example, LOCK & enjoy! becomes your ally for these dates in terms of organization. The reason is that we offer secure places where you can leave everything you need (suitcases, personal items, shopping bags, backpacks, etc.). We would like to mention that we are present in:
- Seville.
- Madrid.
- Valencia.
- Paris.
- Malaga.
- Barcelona.
- Las Palmas.
- Palma de Mallorca
- Benidorm.
- San Sebastian.
Christmas travel tips for maximum enjoyment
Nothing can go wrong at Christmas, hence the importance of following the advice explained in this article.
Check the vehicle
If you are going to travel by car, we advise you to have it serviced beforehand, as well as to make an appointment at your garage well before the day of departure. The reason is that at Christmas time there is more demand and there are also dealerships that close for the vacations.
At Christmas time it is usually cold in most places and there may also be snow, therefore, tires, wipers, lighting and battery are the key items to check.
This advice is very important because it is not the same to have a breakdown on any day of the week or month as, for example, on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
Avoid crowds
Keep in mind that the Christmas period runs from December 24 through January 7. However, the days of the week change according to the calendar. For example, this year Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are celebrated on a Tuesday, so it is more than likely that many people have decided to enjoy their vacations from the day before, or even the weekend before.
Avoid crowds is essential to arrive on time to your destination. We recommend that you do a little planning and avoid the key days (Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany), both to leave and to return.
Also set a specific departure and return time and, above all, the earlier the better, i.e. start your outbound and return trip as early as possible.
Light meal
Abundant or copious meals are not the most advisable, both before leaving and during the trip. The reason is very simple: eating a heavy meal implies a greater feeling of sleepiness and this detail in a driver can be very dangerous. In addition, sleepiness increases much more if this type of meals are eaten during nap time. The same happens with energy drinks, since they can cause a false sensation of control while driving.
Therefore, we recommend you to take a small snack before leaving and depending on the duration of the trip, you should replenish your energy at each stop. For example, a coffee with toast, a piece of fruit or an energy bar.
Planning
Planning a trip does not only involve sticking to the GPS. A number of other factors must be taken into account:
- Christmas is one of the times of the year more prone to strikes in the air or rail sector. Therefore, we advise you to be attentive to the possible news in this regard, since a situation of this type can be detrimental to your trip. To avoid this situation, it is important to have a plan B, i.e. to have an additional means of transportation.
- Weather conditions are also very important. The best thing to do is to check the website of the State Agency of Meteorology (AEMET)as it is one of the most reliable means in terms of forecast and level of alerts. Knowing the weather during the trip allows you to establish the necessary measures to be able to drive with caution.
- The state of the roads is also essential, especially after the events in Valencia. The General Directorate of Traffic informs which are the roads affected by cuts, works or any type of incidence related to traffic.
Travel insurance
Taking out travel insurance, even if it is only for the duration of the trip during the Christmas season, is also a highly recommended option. Most of the insurances establish an annual duration, however, there are also temporary ones for this type of getaway.
The aim is to have the maximum degree of comfort and peace of mind, both for you and your loved ones. During these weeks, the number of travelers increases considerably, therefore, the risk of incidents is much higher in all areas.
If you take out one with full coverage, you will be protected against all kinds of situations, such as flight cancellations, lost luggage, injuries or illnesses, etc.
Make a comparison between the different insurance companies and choose the one that suits you best based on your preferences, and even depending on the destination.
Documentation
Documents are essential for any type of trip. We explain a series of questions to take into account before starting your trip:
- The identity card must be in force, since it is an essential requirement to board the plane. To renew this document, an appointment must be made in advance and there is usually a delay, so do not leave it until the last day. The same applies to the passport.
- If you are traveling outside the European Union, each country has different requirements regarding the entry of tourists. Check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the documents needed to enter each country without any problem.
Following these tips for Christmas travel makes the difference between a smooth trip or one with unforeseen events. And, remember, if you don’t know where to leave your luggage, book our Lockers in the cities where we are present.Enjoy Christmas with LOCK & enjoy!
