Five Must Do Tasks when you arrive at your villa

You have just arrived at your vacation villa after a long journey. All you want to do is rest and relax. Before you do? Here are the five must do activities.

1. Inspect the Villa - I have previously written about the importance of a thorough inspection of the villa.

2. Mattress covers - This will cost around $10 per bed, and might be the best $10 you've ever spent.

3. Wash the linens - There is an excellent chance the bed sheets were washed before you arrived. Maybe. Or maybe not. To play it safe, I recommend stripping the beds and throwing them through the washer and dryer. Most Villas leave some sample detergent that you can use for this purpose. Alternatively, you can do what I do: I bring my own linens from home.

4. Move breakable decorations - The villas are usually decorated wonderfully. There may be plant units on coffee tables, vases, and other various items. Those decorations are in danger if you have children, and you'll have to pay for any damages. I recommend collecting decorations and putting them away someplace safe. I usually take pictures so I know how to put the items back in their original locations when I leave.

5. Wash The Dishes - You don't have to wash every dish in the cupboard. Just the ones you plan to use. There is no guaranty that anyone washed the dishes before you arrived, and, you don't know how long those dishes have been sitting in the cupboard. Simply load up the dishwasher and let it run. Most villas will leave some sample dish washer detergent that you can use for this purpose.

That's it! Do these five steps and then you are ready for some rest and relaxation!