There’s been a lot of press in recent days about the negative effect DIY holidays could have on your holiday experience. I’ve booked package, DIY or dynamic holidays depending where and when I am going on holiday.

Here are some tips to help you ensure your DIY holiday runs smoothly.

The flight

Book the flight with the airline, make sure you the tickets before you travel and check that the money has come off your credit or debit card. It’s a good idea to call the airline 24 hours before you depart to ensure that they are no delays or issues with the flight.

Make a note of the telephone number for the airline in resort and back home, so that if you have any problems whilst abroad you can get in touch. I remember last year on my way to the airport from Paris, the coach got stuck in a traffic jam, and I contacted Jet2.com at the airport to inform them I was on the way, had I not done that I would have had to find alternative transport home.

The accommodation

I book a hotel online, but I always make sure that I have the telephone of the hotel so that 24 hours before I depart the country I can contact them to confirm the booking. Make sure you get their name, and confirmation that the hotel is booked for your party.

In the past I have even asked the hotel to fax confirmation through to me. To be honest the only time I have and a problem with a hotel was in London, for business, and the hotel had both myself and a female colleague sharing the same room.

It’s also a good idea to take a list of hotels or holiday apartments and map directions with you, just in case the worth case scenario that your hotel is overbooked, closed, or they can’t find a booking for you.

In resort

Before you depart, find the local doctors, hospital, and chemist, you can do this easily with Google Maps, and whilst it probably feels your being over organised, I do this all the time, just in case I am in need of medical assistance, and I can’t understand the local lingo.

There’s the usual precautions to take, like not walking down a dark street, getting involved in drugs, or drinking so much alcohol you can’t remember your way back to the hotel. To be honest, I drink very little alcohol when I am travelling alone, and abroad, because I want to be in full control of my body!

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