There’s so much that goes into planning a trip to France or Italy. Booking plane tickets, designing your itinerary and everything in between. It’s easy to focus on all the exciting parts of travel planning.
It stands to reason, some of the less exciting and mundane chores can be overlooked, but are still important. Consider this post a little reminder, or a checklist of sorts for the next time you’re planning your trip.
THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR A TRIP
1. Check your passport
Yes, obviously you know you need a passport; but what’s not so obvious is that many places require that you have at least three months remaining on your passport in order to enter the country. If you don’t – you should renew it before you leave.
2. Buy and break in new shoes
If you’re going to be buying new shoes for a trip, you should most definitely do this in advance. There is nothing worse than wearing brand new shoes that give you blisters or are too tight. Sure, you might say you’ll just stretch them out on the trip. Big mistake! Give yourself enough time to wear them around the house or out and about for at least a few weeks before you leave. Life is too short to have uncomfortable footwear. Your tootsies will thank you.
3. Stock up on converters/adapters
If you’re traveling abroad, chances are they will have different electrical sockets. At the very least, you’ll need an adapter to allow your plug to insert into their socket. Many laptops, phone and camera battery chargers will be fine with just the adapter- but for some small appliances (think hairdryer, electric razor) the voltage may not be compatible, so you’ll need an actual converter. Do your research and purchase what you need in advance and make sure you have enough of them for all of the electric devices you need to plug in. You don’t want to start a fire in your hotel room!
4. Check bag regulations and fees with the airline
Even if you fly often with the same airline – it’s always a good idea to get updated info on their bag regulations. Especially with things changing all the time. Some airlines are competing with low-cost carriers by offering rock bottom economy prices, but these cheap fares are often more restrictive than a full price ticket when it comes to bag fees. Know before you go.
5. Call your bank and credit card companies
It used to be that you needed to call to alert your bank and credit card company before traveling abroad, in order for your cards to be accepted. With the invention of chip technology, this isn’t as much of a concern, but I still think it makes good sense to do it. Better safe than sorry.
6. Get an International Driver’s License
If you’re going to be driving in Italy you’re going to need to get an International Driver’s License (France doesn’t require it). It’s basically just a copy of your current license, translated into the local language; but you may be fined or worse, the rental car company may not give you your car if you don’t have it. These can easily be obtained through the mail or in person at any AAA office.
7. Hold your mail
This is one thing travelers often forget. Nothing alerts neighbors or folks who may want to target your house for a break-in more than an overflowing mailbox! You can do this pretty far ahead of time by filling out a simple form at your local post office. Combine it with a trip for stamps or when you’ll be mailing a package and you won’t even need a special trip.
8. Update your cell phone plan
Just thinking you will seamlessly use your phone in another country isn’t a smart plan – you’ll be shocked with the overage fees that will apply to your bill! Most carriers will require you to purchase an international calling plan of some kind. Or, you can buy a SIM card for an unlocked phone and get a cell phone plan when you arrive. If you opt for a travel plan, make sure you take care of this before you leave and know exactly how to manipulate your phone settings to avoid surprises. Compare ahead of time and pick the best option for your situation.
9. Upgrade your battery life
If you’re a heavy smartphone user, like to take lots of photos and will rely on Google Maps instead of renting a GPS, you’ll definitely need additional battery power to get you through the day. You can buy an external battery or a battery case before you leave. It might even be a good idea to have the current battery in your phone swapped out for a new one – especially if it’s an older model.
10. Don’t forget your chargers!
It’s so easy to just grab your device and run, while leaving your lightening cable or cord chargers in the wall. Make sure you pack the chargers for every device you need to keep you up and running. This applies to cameras, laptops, smartphones – even portable noise machines. You can even buy a nifty gadget for road trips – it will charge your cell in the car’s cigarette lighter, if you have an older model car.
