Jetting off on a luxury vacation to Florida is exciting for anyone, however, it can be extremely stressful keeping organized without a pre-holiday checklist. When travelling to America there are a number of things to consider and organise before you are ready to relax.
As we have travelled to Florida so many times, we like to think that we have our packing and organizing down to perfection, so we thought we should share our top tips to help our clients stop worrying about their vacation.
Visa Application
Before travelling to the United States, you must obtain the correct Visa. Most commonly those that are a national of a Visa Waiver Program country apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
We have previously explained everything you need to know about the ESTA application however make sure to apply at least 72 hours before you fly to the US as it takes this long for the application to be approved.
Get your boarding passes and passports ready
If you’re flying to Florida, you’ll need a boarding pass to access the plane and get through security. The night before you fly, get out your boarding passes and put them in an inside compartment of your hand luggage. This will make the morning of your vacation a little less stressful and ensure you don’t leave it at home.
Decide how you’re traveling to the airport
Whether you are planning on taking a cab or having a friend drive you, make sure that before you go on vacation you know how you’re making your way to the airport. Plan what time you need to set off and leave some extra time in case there’s a lot of traffic. Being organized will ensure you arrive at the airport in time for your flight.
Check your luggage allowance
Every flight will only allow you to take a certain amount of luggage with you and going over this limit will lead to added charges that can be very expensive. Make sure that you’re aware of your luggage allowance and only pack the things that are the most important.
Weigh your luggage on some household scales before you leave for the airport to make sure you haven’t exceeded your allowance. If you are over your limit, take some items out of your suitcase and put them into your hand luggage or leave some things at home. Our villas have bath towels that can be used poolside.
Pack your suitcase with all the essentials
The next thing on our pre-holiday checklist is packing your suitcase. When packing your suitcase, only take the items that you’re definitely going to need and try to leave space for any souvenirs you buy whilst on vacation. This will help you stay within your luggage allowance and means you can bring back things from your vacation without worrying about being charged an extra fee. Pack suitable clothing and any of your essential beauty products. Medications should be packed in your hand carry on in case your luggage goes missing.
Carry on restrictions
As you will already know there are restrictions in terms of what is allowed in your hand luggage, it is important to check your hand luggage before flying to prevent items from being removed from you at security.
Your airline will have a list of allowed items on their website.
Secure your home
Before setting off for the airport, check that all of the windows and doors in your home are locked and that any electrical appliances are switched off. This will prevent anybody from having access to your home whilst you’re away.
If your vacation is going to last longer than a few days, perhaps ask a neighbour or family friend to check on your home every few days to make sure everything is okay.
Book your Florida villa!
If you’re currently planning a vacation to Florida and are searching for a place to stay, browse our fantastic range of luxurious Florida villas.
All our villas are located near Florida’s most famous attractions and are suitable for families and groups of any size.
We’ve spent several years visiting Florida ourselves so understand the value that a welcoming and beautiful villa can bring to a vacation and want to share that experience with you.