So you have spent weeks, no months or even years planning your holiday, you have done all you can to make sure that you have done everything possible to make it a trip of a lifetime, or at least stress free!

An unbeatable twilight sunset @ lake Taupo

The last thing we want is a travel disaster, I have met people that have had their trip wrecked because they lost their passports, or dropped the itinerary, or at worst got sick and have insufficient insurance.

So travelMonkee has a list of all things you should cover before you head off in to the wild blue yonder.

1. Spend time and make sure that all you flights and accommodation bookings are on the right days, often times you are traveling to another time zone, this can make the dates confusing, esp if you are crossing multiple time zones.
2. Check that your name is correct on the tickets, and that your passports are up to date, if you are recently married, you find that you want to travel on your married name, but your Passport is in your maiden name.
3. It is easy in this day and age to rely on the internet for all our information about a region we are travelling to, this has been a boon for the modern traveller, however there is nothing quiet like the experience of someone that has travelled there. Their experience will be invaluable for you, often times the guides only highlight the main attractions, whereas you might just pick up a tip on a secluded location that will wow you.
4. I know it is tedious but make sure your insurance covers you for most eventualities, a broken leg may put a damper on holiday, but a serious incident or illness may cost you tens of thousands.
5. Ask the locals, get off the beaten track, where you are staying ask your hosts, the thing you must see in that area, often times these places are free, and it will give you that something special to tell your friends about.
6. Be sure to keep your documents secure, if there is a safe in the accommodation you are staying at be sure to use it, if you have to leave your car parked in a remote location, take your documents and money with you, or leave them with someone you can trust, i.e. if you are going white water rafting, check if you can leave your information with the reception.
7. Back up your photos, there are plenty of online storage facilities to load your photos onto, make sure you use them, you can replace that lovely digital camera, but not the photos that you had on the memory sticks.

Well that is enough to start with, please feel free to add anything that you think is crucial to achieving a trip of a lifetime!

Read also http://kiwitravelwriter.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/kiwitravelwriter-healthy-travel-good-luck-or-good-management/