Living There
Two weeks of sun, sea and sangria ahead. You can’t wait. You’re counting down the days. You can barely contain your excitement. However, there is one thing you’re putting out of your mind. That hump in the road before you reach your destination. That evil little fly in the ointment that we all know and loathe so much. That’s right, the 4am flight. Groan. You live two hours’ drive from Gatwick, and you have to check in with time to spare. That means you’re going to either have to pull an all-nighter, or be up and ready to leave the house at some ungodly hour after midnight. Why do they do it, these airlines? Why?
These are the sorts of things in life that are sent to test us. It’s a small hiccough, really, when you consider what you have ahead of you once your plane touches down in sunnier climes. After all, there are ways you can minimise the pain of an unsociably timed flight. Here are a few tips for making sure you get your holiday off to the best of starts:
- Rather than take on a gruelling night drive on little sleep, check into a B&B or guest house near the airport. Choose a friendly, accommodating Gatwick B&B that will provide you with transport to the airport when it’s time to go. Check in during the day and perhaps even make it a fun addition to the rest of your holiday, spending the afternoon before your flight enjoying some of the gorgeous local countryside or with a slap-up meal at a nearby restaurant.
- Make sure you’ve pre-booked transport from the airport to your accommodation once you arrive in your holiday destination. There’s nothing worse than scrabbling with local cabs and foreign languages, especially after a long flight. Consider a private transfer to be on your way quickly and safe in the knowledge your driver will be ready and waiting to take you straight to the door of your hotel.
- Refrain from drinking alcohol before bed. Even with a comfortable few hours’ sleep in your B&B, you’re still going to have to get up in the early hours. Switch to water from about five o’clock, and have a light, healthy dinner. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and heavy food will help make rising at the witching hour less horrifying.
- Dress comfortably. Remember, a flight is not a fashion show, and you’re going to feel a whole lot less grumpy if you’re comfy in what you’re wearing. Pick some loose fitting trousers and a hoodie with trainers for the journey. Not only are these clothes easy to pull on when your alarm wakes you, but you’ll be much more inclined to snuggle up and catch some shut-eye on the plane if you’re nice and cosy. A hoodie with a t-shirt underneath is a good idea, so if it is already blazing sunshine when you arrive on your holiday, you can unzip and not be too hot and sweaty after the chilly, air conditioned flight.
- Pick your alarm call wisely. Whether you’re a deep sleeper, or could wake to the sound of a pin drop, having the right tone for your alarm can really make all the difference to your mood. Take the time to select an alarm tone on your phone that is both rousing and soothing, such as the sound of a harp or birdsong. Sirens, car horns and lively music are not a nice thing to awake to. Choose to wake for your holiday as refreshed and happy as possible: your fellow travellers will thank you for it!
So there you have it! You can’t make the 4am flight go away, but you can certainly do your best with what awaits. Just remember that, with a few simple tricks in place, you can reach the beach smiling, relaxed and ready to enjoy your holiday right from the start. Why waste a moment of your holiday feeling tired and grouchy? You earned this break… make the most of it!
