Make sure not to forget...?
 

We are leaviing on our trip in about 1 1/2 weeks. It is so hard to believe that it is almost here. I am trying to think of some major things that we can't forget before the trip regarding documentation. Am I forgetting anything?

1. Passports- we have the originals and copies for ourselves and a family member.
2. Check cards- we already have a seperate checking account and debit cards.
3. Credit CArd- the company knows that we will have out of the country charges.
4. Expedia airline itinerary- An extra copy for us and 1 for family.
5. A copy of all of our flights, hotels, and phone numbers for family.
6. Copies of confirmations for our hotels.
7. Driver's licenses

Anything else??

Hi ilovetulips, have you written down the contact phone #'s of your credit card companies and also your ATM just in case you did need to call them from Europe? Also, did you advice your bank (ATM/debit card(s) that you will be out of the country also. That is good to do.

Do not know how long you will be gone. Any newspapers that need to be stopped? How about mail? Will someone collect it for you? If there was a problem at your house does a neighbor know how to contact your family member? Also I always leave an extra set of car keys with family, just in case (in case of what not exactly sure but I do that)

I hate the last week - my mind is always going through the list too - over and over. Don't forget to eat properly and get enough rest before you leave. And most importantly, have a fun and beautiful vacation!

Put an extra copy of your itinerary inside each of your pieces of luggage - checked or not. In case the name tag comes off they will still know who - and where - you are.

Have you purchased any tickets in advance (theatre, tours, transpportation, etc...)? If so, keep them with your passport so you won't forget them.

Don't forget to stop your mail and newspapers, water the plants and have a great trip. :)

"Put an extra copy of your itinerary inside each of your pieces of luggage - checked or not"

...but not the copies of your passports or other personal information, especially if your luggage is being checked.

I always register my trip with the state dept. That way, they have me on a "list" if there is a terrorist threat in any city while I will be there. Yes, family and friends could find me--but I would much rather be on the first list the American embassy has if they're looking for citizens to shelter or evacuate.

Don't forget your maps and trip notes (in either paper or electronic form)

Do you need to arrange transportation from home to the airport?

Have a wonderful time and be sure to post a report when you get back!

scan copy of passport to web email account you can access in case of need.
much easier to get it printed yourself than have to contact poeple and ask for fax.

Turn off the water at the meter!

power converter(s) are a good thing to have along - the outlets in the bathrooms are often set up just for razors so if you're using a curling iron or hair dryer with converter, it will just turn off...use an outlet in the main hotel room. contact your credit card company(s) to let them know that charges may appear from certain countries; also - some ATM's in europe don't offer the option to withdraw from either checking or savings and just default to checking, so make sure you have $$ in the old checking account or an easy way to transfer funds if necessary. Have the name and address of your hotel handy to give a cab driver at the airport or elsewhere. Its easier to let them see the address and take off. Don't assume they know where it is by name - same with folks at the metro stations, etc. Buy any guidebooks here - easier to find and a better variety.

Set up timed lighting at your house.
Empty refrigerator
Take out garbage and clear disposal. Store valuables in a safe place.
Make sure answering machine is working properly.
Charge any batteries you may need on the trip.
Call airline and reconfirm flights.
Pay bills up-to-date.
Lock all windows and doors.
Leave for the airport 30 minutes before you really think you need to.
Relax, and get a good nights sleep.

Patience and a sense of humor - you may need a lot of both!

Thanks for all of the replies! WE will make sure we have the numbers written down for the credit cards and also call our bank so that they know we will be making foreign purchases. I will refer to the many tips before our trip.

Hi ilovetulips, you asked for suggestions and boy did we give them to you, LOL. I bet you are ready to beat your head against the wall ;;).

But all good suggestions.

What I do about a week before my trip is I take a legal pad and write all this stuff down. Then check it off as it is taken care of. Even though I do not like clutter around this is one time I leave this pad out where I can not miss seeing it.

Also, the night before the trip I have the suitcase by the front door, along with my carryon and my purse (unless I have the purse in my luggage and only have the carryone bag for the plane).
Everything is ready to go!!! I check and doublecheck. And then I do not open the suitcase, the carryon again. I find this works the best for me. I have my clothes laid out for the flight. And since I have duplicates of toilitries in my carryon I do not have to worry the day of the flight about remembering to put the hair brush in the carryon etc.

Do have a wonderful trip, and don't drive yourself crazy the last week as most of us do.

2 things that are great to pack for Italy: 3 of those teeny tiny flashlights that fit on your keyring (great for finding the bathroom at night without waking hubby)...And your favorite brand of lady's necessary supplies...In Italy they don't have the same brands or styles and I have my definite preferences!

And most importantly don't forget a good bottle of scotch in case you get hungup :)

just to elaborate on cmeyer54
comment. Credit card companies are always on the lookout for unusual spending behaviour on credit cards. Therefore as cmeyer54 rightly said you should always notify them that you will be using the card in ****** countries. They will then make a note on your account then hopefully you won't get your card blocked whilst your away.

My personal recomendation is to remember..T.C.P.
Tickets, Credit card, passport.
As long as you have these 3 things forgetting the rest will be dreadful but worse case just an inconvenience.
Enjoy
Muck

Put your itinerary and any important telephone numbers on an email to your own web email account. I send a copy of my flight confirmations etc. there as well.

And something else; the VERY VERY BEST plasters for blisters are those by a brand named Compeed; you can just continue walking all day with blisters, and don't even notice them. I won't leave home without them now!

copy down your credit card #'s to go along with the credit card phone # you have. Keep this info in a separate, safe place. This way, if they get lost or stolen you have the account number. Color me crazy, but I even encrypt the numbers when I write them down with my own little system. (once you do this and get used to it, it is very easy to decode them almost instantly).

Don't forget film and a little notebook to turn into a mini travel diary. (believe me, it's easy to forget the spelling or exact name of something you may want to journal into your album/scrapbook later!)

Have fun!!!

Hi ilovetulips: I always make a list of the contents in my suitcase. This came in handy this pas Feb. when my luggage got lost between Spain and Toronto. At the AF counter they asked me if I could provide them ith a list if needed. Got the luggage back 2 days later. Nothing missing.
Have a wonderful trip.

Hi Tulips(I like your screen name ha, ha!) Can you find the Compeed at a local Wal-Mart, Walgreens or grocery store? I was thinking of packing some bandaids, but if Compeed works it will come in handy.

Compeed brand name is sold exclusively in Europe. It was originally made by a (I think) German manufacturer for either professional athletes or olympians. J & J has bought the retail rights in the U.S., and the product is sold as "Advanced Healing Blister Bandages."

I had purchased Compeed in pharmacies on two trips to Europe. When I returned home, I searched everywhere for the brand in the U.S. to no avail, and disappointment. But now, you can buy the same product sold under the Band Aid brand. They come in different sizes and they are extremely comfortable.

I wouldn't go walking long distances without it. I will be in Disney World soon, and these will be in my backpack (especially with my grandchildren's tender feet).

When I was checking luggage, I took a photo of each piece in case it got lost by the airline.

We don't check anymore unless the golf club bag goes.

Like moonchild, I always make an approx. list of the contents & value in our checked bags - maybe not necessary, but it makes me feel better. Do you have any verification of car rental that you might need to bring? I also make a list of names & addresses of those we plan to send postcards. And, a list of people and possible ideas of gifts to bring back for them. - Thank God for PCs! :)

Recall your credit card company the day before you leave and confirm that they know you will be using it in Europe. Last summer I also called my company two weeks before leaving, While in Europe they cut of my credit. It took an entire day to finally contact them (get there international number as well 800 numbers do not work). Apparently the customer service dept fialed to conatct the fraud department. It ruined an entire day

David

I think Compeed is available in many European countries; I've certainly seen it in France.

It is really not necessary to buy a special product for blister prevention. Just get an ordinary roll of sports tape at Walmart or the like. As soon as you feel the 'rubby' spots on your feet, peel off a piece of tape and cover those spots. Do this every day and you will not get blisters.

Of course, this may not work so well if you are wearing sandals where the tender spots (covered w/piece of tape) would show.

Air tickets or e-ticket confirmations.

I've always needed my driver's license to get through security when using e-tickets.

Medical insurance cards.

Copy of travel insurance policy left with family member, if you bought it.

Moleskin works fine if you can't locate the Compeed bandages. Forget band-aids for serious blisters.

Another thing we have just started to do is to mail ourselves the email addresses of those we want to contact from abroad, along with the physical addresses for postcards. That way, when we check from Europe it is easy! No carrying anything around.

I might as well continue demonstrating my naivete, but here goes: How do you check your personal e-mail while traveling? (I told you.) Thanks, all. J.

These are all very good.

Also, tell your neighbours (if you trust them) who has access to your house and to call your family member if they see anyone else.

If you have a pet and are using a pet sitter, introduce them to your neighbour. Leave a blank cheque or credit card number with the sitter for ANIMAL EMERGENCIES...

Shuting off the water is a good one. My parents came home to a flooded basement last year.

Attach a bright ribbon to your luggage so you can easily identify it...

Any more...?

Checking your e-mail when traveling can be tricky or simple, depending on your "mail server". But the foolproff way is to set up a "web-based" e-mail address... hotmail, yahoo, netscape, and countless others. Those can be accessed at (almost) any computer anywhere, without any special modifications. In public libraries, just to give one example, some computers are intentionally set up to block e-mail access, even from web-based services. I have seen some libraries which have separate coin-operated computers which permit e-mail access, and keep other computers for free access, with the e-mail blocked.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi Everyone,
I am definitely anal since I keep check lists of everything trip related on my computer including "to do" lists, packing lists, lists for the dog sitter and one for my neighbor who waters the garden. Then I don't have to start from scratch each time I travel - I just update the list and print before leaving. I also e-mail copies to myself "just in case".

Make sure not to forget...

anything that is prescription! including medications, eye glasses, contacts &/or sunglasses.

How to check email...

For JMW: Set up a free 'hotmail' account before your trip.

Then you go to an internet cafe, rent time, log onto www.hotmail.com, enter your name and password, and voila!

This should also work for your regular home email account (you go to the site just like you'd come here to Fodors), but I have had problems not being able to access mine in the past, so the Hotmail's a sure thing.

Suze, good point regarding the RX; so many people from out of town come to our office for RX because they left it at home. Dr's office cost money and people do not want to take the extra time to look for a Dr's office, then either make an appt. or wait for hours.
some of the medicines can not be call in from their dr. either.

You have gotten some great advice and I hope you have a wonderful trip! Some more thoughts: double check your carry onfor corkscrew, scissors, etc.; make certain you have med insurance info that covers you outside the U.S.;we always turn off ice maker and toilet tanks.