There's nothing quite like a well-earned break.
But whether you are driving to your nearest beach town or embarking on an adventure via a long-haul flight, simple mistakes can make a holiday memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Here are some common errors and how you can avoid them.
An overloaded and inflexible itinerary
When travelling people often rush around seeing as much as possible, says Michael Turtle, a travel writer and blogger who lives on Gadigal land in Sydney.
"[But] you're just so exhausted by the end of the day that you just don't enjoy it."
And you also risk becoming run-down, he says.
"The best way to approach holidays — especially one that involves a bit of sightseeing — is to basically have one or two main tentpole activities for the day," Mr Turtle suggests.
This could be as simple as planning a morning and an afternoon activity and letting "those serendipitous moments" fall into place around them, he says.
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Lauren McRae, a travel agent who lives in the NSW border town of Albury, on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, also recommends allowing for some flexibility and breathing space in your schedule.
For example, she says the weather in Bali might mean you wait until the day before to book an activity, like an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) tour.
However, pre-book anything you would be heartbroken to miss, Ms McRae says.
Booking unsuitable accommodation
Lucas Brancatisano says he's made the mistake of booking "rubbish" accommodation in an effort to save money.
Mr Brancatisano makes social media content about his travels and lives on the Gold Coast/Yugambeh language region.
Sometimes the accommodation is cheaper because the area is further away from the things you want to see and do, but you end up spending more on transport, he says.
Often, the budget price reflects the quality and "you really quickly realise why it's so cheap".
Spending an extra 10 or 15 dollars a night in some places can result in an "infinitely better experience", Mr Brancatisano says.
Ms McRae says bed configurations and capacity in hotels and resorts can cause unexpected problems, particularly for families.
You might assume you can ask for a roll-away bed on arrival, but there are hotel policies and even legal requirements that mean it's better to check in advance, she says.
"A lot of places in Fiji and even Bali will allow two children under 12 to stay in the room for free. However, it's based on existing bedding."
Packing too much
"I'm a chronic over-packer myself," Mr Brancatisano admits.
But he's learnt that unless you're going somewhere very remote, you can usually buy something you need.
"Go in with a lighter bag. If you can do just carry-on, honestly that's the way to go," he says.
Bringing along too many shoes is an easy blunder that adds weight and bulk to your luggage. He recommends taking no more than three pairs.
Ms McRae says "overpacking is a big mistake" as it wastes time and precious space.
If you're flying with checked luggage, Ms McRae and Mr Turtle suggest packing everything you would need for a day or so in your carry-on in case your checked luggage is delayed or lost.
This is particularly important if you take medication, they say.
Failing to notify your bank or compare exchange rates and fees
Forgetting to let your bank know you're heading overseas can disrupt your trip, Ms McRae says.
"They might flag that as a suspicious transaction and freeze your card, leaving you with no access to money until you call them and try and get it reactivated, which can take time," she says.
Ms McRae says your ordinary card could also come with high international transaction and ATM fees.
She uses a travel card instead.
Mr Brancatisano also prefers a travel card and suggests doing a little research beforehand to compare options, including their exchange rates and ATM fees.
Not checking your passport details
If you're heading overseas, Ms McRae urges you to check the expiration date of your passport.
"For most destinations when you're leaving Australia, you need to have at least six months' validity on your passport — especially for Bali."
Another mistake Ms McRae hears about often is the name on someone's passport not matching their flight booking.
"When you're booking flights, you need to have your name as per passport on the ticket."
Late visa applications
Mr Turtle once applied for an ESTA (electronic system for travel authorisation) just within the recommended 72-hour window before travelling into the Unites States, but it didn't come through in time and he missed his flight.
Ms McRae recommends checking entry requirements before you book as they may have changed since you last travelled.
For example, the United Kingdom introduced an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for Australian travellers last January, while Australian travellers to Bali need a health declaration (the All Indonesia Declaration Form), a visa and a tourist levy to enter.
Forgetting about insurance
"Always have travel insurance, regardless of where you're going," Mr Turtle says.
Ms McRae suggests taking out a travel insurance policy as soon as you pay for any expenses.
"You could come down with an illness, break your leg or something unforeseen might happen and … if you don't have travel insurance, then all those restrictive terms and conditions come into play and you could lose thousands of dollars," she says.
Ms McRae recommends checking the amount of cover, that any pre-existing health conditions are not exempt and that all destinations and activities are covered.
There can be an extra premium for skiing or going on a cruise, she adds.
Mr Brancatisano says travel insurance is an essential.
"You can get through unscathed, but you don't want to be caught out if you don't have it."