~ B.E.V.'s Wellness Cruises ~
Get Organized
with the
Before-You-Go Ultimate Check-list :
This list was shared with me recently, no doubt developed by a compulsive list maker, but we all know that trip details have a way of spinning out of control! This time-line guide will help you plan your trip.
R More Than One Year Ahead
R Start research, using websites and guidebooks.
R Figure a realistic daily budget for room, food, sightseeing, and entertainment.
R Start saving, if you don't have the trip covered. Consider opening a savings account just for your vacation.
R Consult a calendar of events for places you may want to go, or avoid, on your trip.
R If you are going abroad, consider taking a foreign language course.
R Six Months Ahead
R Check your passport if you are traveling outside the U.S. Make sure it is still valid. (Most countries require a passport that’s valid for at least six months from dates of travel.) Apply for a new one or renew it, if necessary.
R Buy hiking or walking shoes, so you have enough time to break them in.
R Do you need shots? Check with a doctor or a travelmedicine specialist early.
Some vaccines require several shots over a period of several months.
R Contact destinations to get information and maps.
R Test your camera equipment. Consider what else you’ll need to record memories.
R Request time off from work (Some workplaces may require longer lead times.)
R Three Months Ahead
R Book your cruise, air, and hotel reservations. (Earlier for peak travel time!)
R At work request time off and begina plan for your replacement do your job.
R Apply for visas, if needed.
R Sketch out a rough daily itinerary that includes what you’d like to see and do.
Include phones, addresses and costs. Include hours of operation.
R Start a file of important papers (with copies of confirmation numbers)
and keep it in a safe place (and one place only).
R One Month Ahead
R Set up an E-mail account accessible anywhere in the world.
R Check with your bank to see whether your ATM card will work abroad.
R Check out your luggage: Is it appropriate for your destination? Figure out a way
to distinguish it from all the other black suit cases on the baggage claim belts.
R If you are going abroad check with your cell phone service to see whether you can
make/receive calls abroad.
R Make kennel reservations for Fluffy and Fido or arrange for a pet-house-sitting service,
earlier if it’s a peak travel time.
R Finalize air, rental car reservations and hotel if you haven’t done them yet.
R If this is a driving trip, have the mechanic check your car and get maps.
R Consider your wardrobe. Do you have appropriate clothing for your destination?
If not, go shopping or plan to shop at your destination.
R One Week Ahead
R Put a vacation stop on your newspaper.
R Request a hold on mail delivery.
R Give copies of your itineraries to two or three trusted relatives or friends who will help
if there’s an emergency. Also give a copy to a neighbor so you can be reached if
there’s an emergency at your house.
R Check your prescriptions. Re-fill if needed. Make copy and file with important papers.
R Verify again hotel, car rental and airline reservations.
R Ask a neighbor to put out your trash and take trash tubs back in.
R Call for shuttle service (or go online) or arrange a ride to the airport.
R Make sure all your trip documentation is in one folder. (A bright colored plastic file
folder can be easily spotted in your carry-on.) Include copies of confirmations,
passports, maps, telephone numbers, addresses, prescriptions for meds and eyeglasses.
R Print yourself a copy of emergency contacts at home and put it in the same folder.
R E-mail yourself scans of your important document, such as your passport,
to that e-mail account you set up.
R Going out of the country? Call your credit card companies and let them know.
R Get some local currency through a bank, auto club or currency exchange house.
R Two Days Ahead
R Put lights on a timer.
R If you are driving, make sure you have games, audio books and music to amuse
yourself and kids, and emergency items (flashlight, spare tire) in case of problems.
R Check the long-range forecast (www.weather.com) and make sure you have appropriate clothing.
R lay out items to Pack. Now put back half of what you took out and leave it at home!
R Get rid of perishables in the refrigerator.
R Make sure you have a carry-on bag with essentials, in case your checked luggage is delayed or doesn’t arrive; this includes medication!
R One Day Ahead
R Put a copy of your itinerary with your name and contact information in your suitcase.
R Get cash or traveler’s checks.
R Check the camera batteries, put the camera manual in your bag and pack extra batteries or a battery charger.
R Take pets to kennel.
R Turn down furnace or turn up airconditioner.
R Put water heater on “vacation setting”.
R Water plants.
R Print your boarding pass.
R Put snacks in your carry-on (plus bottled water, but remember to drink water prior to Security Check!
R Stay calm and get a good night’s sleep.
R Have a great journey!
~ Use these Links for transportation options, if needed! ~
* Link to the world’s airports, airlines, and cities
* Link to all flights
* Link to Airlines’ Contracts of Carriage (list of rights regarding flight delays, refunds, etc.)
* Link to numerous hotel chains
* Link to rental cars
A final note:
There are emergencies, and then there are real emergencies. In other words, there are some things the folks back home can deal with every bit as well as you can. So don’t let minor problems ruin a trip; learn to distinguish between a true emergency and everyday problems. :-)
Enjoy your vacation!
