There’s nothing like spending three months arriving at the office before the sun rises and leaving it after the sun sets to make you want to rip your own hair out. Face it: sometimes you just need a vacation. And especially mid-winter, a little getaway can really help you remember that nice rational person you were before the winter solstice blues set in. Our friend at Contiki, Vy-Uyen Truong, gave us these valuable tips for your pre-vacation think-through so that last-minute flight to Florida can make your cubicle dream of relaxing on the beach real, instead of making you even more stressed out and exhausted.

1) Take your vitamins (before you leave and during your trip)

Long hours at the office, last minute shopping, and a late night of packing for your trip can take a stress toll on your body. Stay healthy with a consistent regime of Echinacea and multi-vitamins, starting a few days or even weeks before your trip. If you plan on burning the candle at both ends during your trip take vitamins the whole time, you’ll be glad you did!

2) Take a picture of your passport and email it to yourself

In addition to packing a photocopy of your passport, this extra step will guarantee access to your passport in a pinch - even if part of your luggage gets lost or stolen (with your photocopy in it). Use a hotel computer or an internet café to check your email and print a copy of your passport. Ask your Tour Manager to help you contact the nearest US Embassy; you’ll need their help if you plan on flying home!

3) Fight jetlag

The trick to avoiding jetlag and adjusting your internal clock is to stay up all day. Even if you’re flight gets in at 8am, fight the urge to sleep. Have an espresso or two, walk around and sightsee! After 8pm you’re safe to get some sleep and start your tour fresh the next day.

Of course, it also helps to get some sleep on the flight over.

TIP: Before you board the flight, have a beer or glass of wine at the airport bar and buy the most boring magazine you can find - you’ll be conked out in no time!

 4) Be kink-free!

Two words – Neck Pillow. This brilliant invention is worth the extra room in your carry-on. It’s perfect for the long plane rides and the Contiki coach, where you can score some extra nap time while heading from place to place. Combine this with earplugs and you’ve got yourself the perfect pair!

5) SunTAN. Don’t sunburn.

There’s nothing worse than getting sunburnt on your first day of vacation. Bring at least SPF30 sunscreen (don’t worry you’ll still get a tan). Key areas to hit: face, back of neck, tops of feet, ears, nose, and shoulders. Chapstick or lipgloss with SPF in it is also a good idea.

6) Bring a watch

Since you probably won’t have your cell phone with you overseas, a watch will prove to be a good investment. You’ll always be on time for meet-ups, and you won’t have to pay that extra cab fare for missing the coach! A small travel alarm clock is also a good idea to help you wake up in the morning after a hard day of sightseeing, eating and shopping.

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For more info on what to pack for your Contiki trip, click here »