Vacation Checklist

For more fun and less worry: The Vacation Checklist

The Vacation Checklist

Vacation's coming up. You have a thousand things to remember. Here’s a checklist to help you get ready. Print out this list, use it as a starting point, and then mark it up as you see fit. The list is divided into four sections:

Things to Do in Advance
Things to Do When You Are Almost Ready to Leave
Don’t Forget to Bring
As You're Leaving

Then we conclude with some helpful travel links.

Things to Do in Advance

Get information about where you are going:

Maps

Learn about places to see and things to do

US Government State Department Advisories

Talk to others who have been there for good places and good tips
__ Check usenet groups on the internet

Get tickets and reservations

Renew passport or obtain passport if needed

Arrange for your shots if your destination warrants it

Arrange for pet care or boarding
If boarding, be sure pets have any necessary shots

Arrange to have the lawn cut

Ask a neighbor or friend to keep an eye on things and to pick up any drop off, leaflets, etc. left at your door.

Be sure that you will have enough prescription medicine. Order if required

Planning to rent a car? Check your auto insurance to see if you're fully covered where you're going. You may not need that supplemental insurance offered by the rental company.

Buy extras you might need
        Sun Screen
        Insect Repellant- DEET works if your skin tolerates it.
        Anti-nausea pills
        Money/passport bag
        European power converter
        Entertainment for kids, yourself during travel time.
        Camera batteries
        Camera film

Things to Do When You Are Almost Ready to Leave

Stop the mail

Stop the newspaper

Update voicemail at work with absence notification

Update e-mail at work with auto reply absence notification

Get money and/or traveler's checks ( Note that many places, even some banks, are not accepting traveler's checks)

Pay upcoming bills that can’t wait

Put name and destination phone number or destination address in luggage. Don’t put the address of your vacant home.

Remove non-essentials from wallet or purse. (Sadly while you take a holiday, crime does not.)

Record phone numbers for reporting lost or stolen credit cards or debit cards and put them in a location other than your purse or wallet

Record emergency phone numbers to leave with neighbors, relative, or pet boarding facilities

Don’t Forget to Bring:

Tickets

Passport

Reservation Confirmation

Prescription medicine

Contact lenses, lens case, and extra solutions

Extra eyeglasses or lens prescription

Umbrella or raingear

Camera

Note: If leaving the country, proof of purchase of expensive camera equipment can avoid customs problems.

Hint: Bring a bag for dirty clothes

Hint: If you plan to bring back souvenirs, leave some room for them in your luggage.

As You're Leaving:

Close and lock all windows

Unplug small kitchen appliances (toaster, can opener, coffee maker)

Turn off water to external faucets

Turn off water to washing machine (especially if your hoses are old!)

Did you want your A/C or heat On or Off?

Hint: If a credit card is stolen, you can report it and stop additional charges. If your debit card is stolen, stopping additional charges can freeze your access to cash. Consider using your credit card when away from home.

Links

Where to Go	Save $$$ Getting There (Be sure to understand all conditions)
Frommer's Budget Travel On-Line	Expedia
Fodor's Travel Publications	Travelscape
	Travelocity (Note: This link will take you to our joint page with Travelocity and provide access to the Travelocity features and bargains.)

HAVE A GREAT VACATION!

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