Vacations are supposed to be fun. They’re supposed to be amazing, thrilling, eye-opening experiences. They’re supposed to be less stressful than work. Sadly though, most of us have experienced frustrating vacations and know how quickly a trip can turn from idyllic to disastrous. On the plus side, the more you travel, the more you can work to avoid mistakes that induce stress and threaten your safety. However, inexperienced travelers will want to have a look at these three travel-based errors. Eliminating these gaffs will –– at the very least –– ensure you avoid a few massive headaches while on vacation:

Forgetting Documentation

It may come as a surprise to some, but many people still forget to take everything they need for basic traveling purposes. Tickets, IDs, and passports are all essential for navigating through airports and border stations. Forgetting or losing any of these documents will put you behind the eight-ball right from the start, and pretty much guarantee your trip won’t be much fun.

Winging It

We can’t stress this enough –– it’s patently unwise to travel without having your accommodations sorted out first. Not knowing where you’re going to stay or how you’re going to get around town is one of the fastest ways to derail any trip. Yes, it’s important to allow yourself time to explore a new city, and yes, it’s also rewarding to immerse yourself and “get lost” in a new environment; but winging it completely will only lead to trouble. Sort out your hotel or Airbnb months in advance and make sure you have a sound grasp for how you’re going to move throughout a city. Check the bus and train schedules, investigate the taxi situation, or skip the hassle altogether and hire a private driver. (For more information on driving services, check out www.aaylimos.com.) The point is, don’t fly by the seat of your pants on holiday.

Seasonal Blues

Many times, when you go on vacation carries as much weight as where you go. Indeed, there’s an art to scheduling the perfect trip. Go during the summer or and you could risk getting stuck in exorbitant lines and traffic caused by fellow tourists. Go during the winter months and you might not be able to experience everything a city has to offer. Of course, traveling with children can limit the times you can realistically hit the road as well. Nevertheless, pro travelers find ways to circumvent crowds and still have a great time. Look for sweet spots during the travel schedule and be willing visit a city during an “off” season. You may be surprised just how much more enjoyable your escapades are as a result!