Do you enjoy the airport, or do you loath it?
There are people that fall into both camps, with a few in the middle that are quite indifferent about the whole palaver! Whichever side you’re on, I always think it’s best to try and enjoy every single drop of your time away, from the moment you leave the house, to the moment you return.
If you’re one of those people who constantly worries about problems with travel plans, then it’s a good idea to reassure yourself before you leave the house. How can you do that? Well, it’s easy, simply head online to check your flight status in the days and hours leading up to your departure. This way, you can find out about any potential problems, and you can adjust your mind-set accordingly. Easy! To add further peace of mind, you will of course have remembered to book your travel insurance. Please tell me you always remember to do this!
It’s easy and doesn’t cost the earth, and it’s simply not worth travelling without it. The only thing to remember is to always declare any pre-existing conditions for travel insurance, and you’re good to go!
Once you’re at the airport, parked up, checked in, you’ve watched your suitcase trundle off down the conveyer belt, giving a silent prayer to anyone listening that your bags arrive in the same destination as you, at the same time, and you’ve cleared security, it’s time to enjoy yourself!
Just a word of caution – don’t let the enjoyment make you forget to check the screens regularly, just as a reminder. Keep checking, and when you see your gate number, head there immediately; these things have a habit of moving along very swiftly indeed!
That aside, it’s time to enjoy the glittering halls of duty free, the restaurants, bars, cafes, and of course, those rather nifty massage chairs that everyone loves so dearly!
I like the idea of having a sit down meal at the airport, because it makes the whole day seem more special, rather than a drag, or necessity, and more than a way of simply getting from home to your holiday destination. If you have kids, this is a particularly good idea, to try and keep over-excitement at bay, and also to get a decent meal inside them, rather than snacking on junk food for the entire day.
As for duty free, come on, it has to be done! I tend to set myself a limit, and I don’t go over it if I can help it, although I will admit that sometimes it is difficult to rein it in! Remember the golden rule, just because it’s cheap, if you weren’t going to buy it anyway, it’s not a bargain, because you wouldn’t have spent it in the first place. Having said that, if you need it, buy it!
Making the most of the airport means your holiday begins sooner, and that’s what it’s all about.
