Plan your vacation like a pro: tips for smooth travel

This quote from Cervantes, written in 1617, is still relevant today. Traveling is educational, but it also requires common sense and foresight. Beyond the excitement of discovering new destinations, traveling entails a series of preparations that shouldn't be taken lightly. Foresight ranges from basic issues like passport validity to flight and accommodation cancellation policies. It also includes decisions like carrying digital copies of documents to anticipate potential setbacks.

Taking all these elements into account allows you not only to avoid surprises, but also to enjoy the trip with peace of mind and greater awareness.

It is worth reviewing basic aspects that are often underestimated:

• Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry, a common requirement in many countries.

• Vaccinations also require attention . It's not enough to simply check the vaccinations from your first destination: some subsequent countries may require certification if you have traveled to specific regions. After visiting Brazil, for example, Colombia or South Africa may require the yellow fever vaccination.

• Carrying physical and digital copies of key documents (passport, visas, reservations, insurance) is useful in case of loss or theft.

• Approved locks or plastic seals are also recommended to prevent tampering during transit.

Another key aspect is insurance and ensuring that it includes all the coverage we need:

• Travel policies generally cover sports activities, as long as they're not practiced at a professional level. However, some activities, such as skydiving or scuba diving, may require signing a waiver of liability, which could invalidate coverage. It's essential to read the terms carefully before agreeing to these conditions.

• When purchasing insurance, it's a good idea to check the insurer's reputation on comparison sites, social media, or even run a quick check on artificial intelligence tools to get a summary of reviews and common complaints.

• It's also important to remember that many gold or premium credit cards include travel, medical assistance, or cancellation insurance. But they often come with conditions: you must have paid for the ticket with that card, and they may exclude certain countries or activities. Reading the fine print is key to avoiding surprises or paying twice for the same thing.

• When booking flights or accommodations, beware of confusing cancellation policies, hidden fees for late check-in , cleaning fees, or currency exchange fees. These practices have become common on low-cost airlines and rental platforms.

• Renting a car also has its tricks. Many companies offer additional insurance that doubles coverage you may already have through your card or independent insurance. Checking whether the basic insurance includes vehicle damage, liability, or assistance can help you avoid overpaying.

On flights with stopovers, it's vital to know whether baggage is automatically transferred or must be collected and rechecked. It's also a good idea to leave realistic margins between connections, especially at large airports or those with immigration controls, as not all fares include free re-accommodation if you miss the next flight.

Planning must also consider what we leave behind:

• To prevent your home from appearing empty, it's helpful to ask someone you trust to collect the mail or open and close the blinds. Light timers or cameras connected to your phone add extra security.

• On social media, it's recommended to avoid posting in real time that you're away. Publicly announcing that you'll be traveling or sharing live locations can put you at risk if your profile is public. The wisest course of action is to share content once you've returned or limit visibility to people close to you.

Once at your destination, the challenge is to avoid tourist traps:

• Restaurants with inflated prices next to monuments or inauthentic souvenir shops are some examples.

• Free walking tours can be a good option for exploring the city, especially if you're traveling on a budget. However, not all guides are certified, and the service relies on tips, so it's a good idea to compare options and research previous reviews.

Fortunately, today's tourism industry is seeking authenticity and is more aware of the impact it creates. That's why more and more people are choosing local-designed options: home-cooked meals ( Eatwith ), meet-ups ( Timeleft ), alternative urban tours, or even transformative talks like those at The Human Library.

Platforms like Airbnb Experiences, Get Your Guide, Flytographer , and Withlocals expand these options with creative workshops, photo shoots, and guided tours led by residents.

More than just visiting, it's about connecting. And to do that, talking to locals, attending cultural events, or consulting specialized blogs and forums can make the difference between a superficial experience and a truly enriching... and safe trip.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Dr. María Sánchez de Mora Vidal is the Coordinator of the Degree in Tourism and Leisure Management at the European University of Valencia, Universidad Europea; Corneliu Alberto Budica is CEO and Marketing Professor, Universidad Europea; and Patricia Fuentes is Marketing Professor, Universidad Europea.