Happy holiday travel trips

It's that time of year when travel is inevitable, and hopefully, you are off to spend time with family and friends or headed somewhere exotic. As much as we look forward to traveling and the anticipation of all the fun ahead with a bit of relaxation squeezed in, it can be incredibly stressful. There are a multitude of things to remember and organise and there is nothing worse than being on your journey when that sinking feeling hits as you remember something you forgot. But don't worry; we have got you covered.

Depending on how long you are travelling and especially if you have pets, now is the time to look for a trustworthy housesitter or to make those all-important kennel bookings. And don't forget to drop your plants off at a friend with green fingers. If you're lucky enough to have a house sitter its always wise to leave them well-prepared with a list of emergency contacts, including your security company and your preferred electrician and plumber.

Holiday destinations tend to be crazy at this time of year, and there is nothing worse than anticipating a great night out only to find your favorite restaurants are fully booked. Booking restaurants ahead might seem extreme, but you will thank us later.

This is especially crucial when it comes to New Year's eve celebrations, book ahead and that includes your Uber, as they generally tend to accept bookings ahead of time – you definitely don't want to be left stranded at the end of the evening after a couple of glasses of wines or a few handcrafted cocktails.

Packing with gifts
Your best option is to pack a carry-on bag, and as you know, our Jekyll and Hyde range has the perfect selection. Carry-on luggage will save you endless time and frustration – no carousel madness for you!

Gifts can be awkward to transport, and if you're travelling overseas, wrapping them can be a waste of time if you are unlucky enough to get chosen for a customs inspection. If you're travelling locally, it may be easier to make use of services like Postnet and simply collect them when you arrive. But if that is not an option, rather carry them in your hand luggage – at least if your luggage goes missing, you're still arriving bearing gifts.

Charge your cell phone and battery packs and get ready to start winding down or preparing for the party that lies ahead.

For those of you who are lucky enough to be flying, just breathe and relax. Grab that book you have been planning on reading all year and head off to the airport. Give yourself plenty of time to check-in before you head off to the business class lounge for that last stretch of your legs. Missing your holiday flight is never an option.

If you're in for that exciting road trip, we recommend taking your car for a pre-holiday inspection and making sure your spare tyre is ready, just in case. Update your playlist, input your destination into Waze and take it easy. And if you're travelling with kids, arm them with activities and snacks, and best to advise them that there are prizes for anyone who doesn't ask how long it will take or if we are there yet!

We wish you safe travels and a happy festive season. And on that note, we would like to thank you for being part of the Armitage family and for your support throughout the year!