It’s perfectly normal to be excited about your holiday, but it is important to keep a few things in mind in order to avoid simple mistakes. If you’re travelling for the first time, whether alone or with the whole family, you might make some common mistakes that are shared by other first-time holidaymakers.

We aim to help you have the vacation of your dreams, so take a look at the tips below and how you can avoid rookie errors:

Booking Everything

Sure, you’re thrilled to be in a different country and experiencing a new culture, but it’s crucial not to overbook every single thing. We understand that your first instinct is probably to book everything so that you can feel like you took advantage of your whole vacation and didn’t miss out on any opportunities.

This is also a way for nervous first-time travellers to feel in control and avoid having to worry about everything – if you reserved and booked every single attraction, dinner and transport, then you can relax. Again, we completely get it! You don’t want unpleasant surprises while in a different country.

However, time will be limited, even if you’re there for a week or two.

For this reason, you don’t want to overbook and then find out that you spent too much money on activities and places you might not even be able to visit. Planning is important, especially when it comes to the big things, but so is a degree of flexibility. Leave yourself some room for surprises!

Using a Travel Agent for Every Little Thing

While booking holidays in Crete, and other destinations, Greek or otherwise, through a travel agent is not wrong in itself – and might even provide a security net if you’re booking a holiday for the first time – you can also take care of things yourself. You’ll find that you’re likely to save money if you research your own accommodation and book your own flights. Nowadays, it’s incredibly easy to book a holiday yourself, so you’ll have plenty of help along the way, be it from family members, friends or Google!

Overpacking

It doesn’t come as a surprise that one of the most common mistakes that first-time travellers make (and, oftentimes, seasoned travellers as well) is overpacking. You don’t want to have only a certain number of shirts for a certain number of days and accidentally spilling something on one and having to repeat an item of clothing… You also don’t want to run the risk of encountering bad weather and not being prepared for it.

While there is nothing wrong with being prepared, there is such a thing as ‘too much luggage’. You don’t need to pack two full suitcases for a week-long holiday, especially because you’re already buying things abroad too. If there’s a sudden downpour during summer, you can simply take refuge or purchase a coat or umbrella from a shop.

This saves you space and ensures that you don’t have to carry around enough luggage for two families! If you’re unsure whether or not you’re overpacking, think like this: do you really need that extra third pair of shoes? Will you wear more than two or three jeans?

What you should take instead are a first aid kit and essential medications.

Give us a ring on +44 (0) 1444 880 404 and we’ll be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have about Crete and our fantastic villas, whether or not you’re already an experienced traveller or this is your first time booking a holiday.