Travel Tips for Your Upcoming Vacation…

• Make certain your passport is up–to–date. A valid passport must have 6 months usage remaining on it after your return date (Actually, your passport is valid for 9 years, 6 months – not 10 years, as noted on the government page. Children’s passports are only valid for 4 years, 6 months – not the 5 years as noted.)
• Make three copies of your passport. Keep one at home; give one to a friend or relative not traveling with you; take the extra one with you – in case your passport is lost/stolen – and don’t put it with your passport. In addition, take a picture of your passport with your phone!
• Make certain you complete any required country travel documents and/or visas (when applicable). Some countries still are requiring travelers complete health documents following COVID. In fact, many countries now require that you have traveler medical insurance. (And travel insurance for lost/stolen items, missed connections, etc. also is advised.) Make certain you have all required forms, including vaccination cards, with you in either your personal item or your carry–on item.
• With your travel documents, include your personal physician and pharmacy information, as well as their phone numbers. (Many times, you can’t reach the doctor, but you can reach the pharmacy, who, in turn, can reach your doctor!)
• It’s always wise to check with your mobile carrier prior to departure. Many carriers offer vacation plans, so you aren’t spending more money than you had expected to spend while away.
• Make certain you pack the appropriate attire. Does your resort (or ship) require formal or semi– formal wear during a special time of the day or in a special restaurant? Do you have the appropriate walking shoes? In addition, check the weather forecast. Is it the rainy season? Did you pack a raincoat? Will the evenings be cool? Did you pack a jacket or sweater? Myweather2.com offers a 14–day forecast for most cities.
• Remember that other countries (and even resorts and ships) have different voltage than the USA. Make certain to check the voltage type prior to departure. You may need to purchase an adaptor specifically for that country (or resort or ship). In addition, do you need a power strip and/or an extension cord (Some hotels/resorts and ships have very limited outlets!)
• Remember that not everyone speaks English. It is advised (and appreciated by locals) that you learn a few words and/or phrases in the language of the country that you’ll be visiting. These words include (but are not limited to) … Hello, Good–bye, Thank you, Please, Excuse me, Can you help me?, Where’s the toilet?, I need directions to …, Do you speak English? Also remember that many people from other countries begin with the “niceties” instead of jumping into business
• If you need special assistance when boarding a plane, then make certain the appropriate party has contacted your airline carrier and advised the carrier of the issue. Of course, this can be done at check–in; occasionally, however, wheelchairs are limited. Therefore, it’s best to make pre–arrangements.
• Unless you are in first class and/or premium seats (and sometimes not even then), you will not receive many meal choices. Therefore, you may want to pack a few non–perishable items to carry you over on longer flights. In addition, you want to make certain the airline carrier has all information for any meals you will be served, such as your allergies, gluten–free, lactose– intolerant, etc.
• Know the countries’ restrictions. Don’t pack something that is considered illegal in the country where you’ll be visiting! You may get detained or even arrested! Remember, you are a guest in that country and must abide by their rules.
• You may want to invest in ametal water bottleto take with you. Of course, you can’t fill it up until you’re past security. However, these bottles are great for carrying with you when walking around various towns. Most European hotels provide a bottle of water daily to their guests. Put the water in your container and add some ice (if you can find it!). In addition, it is wise to hydrate while on the plane!
• Some airlines have cut back on entertainment options. You may wish to pack earphones (or headphones) and a charged laptop so you can watch movies or listen to music or listen to a book. Also, depending on your seat assignment, certain areas of the plane may be very noisy. Therefore, noise–canceling headphones often make the flight more tolerable.
• It’s a good idea to pack something to wipe off the airline tray (or even some restaurant tables), as well as your hands. Certain companies, such as Norwex®, have non–disposable towels, which not only save the environment, but they also save you money. However, you may also wish to take a pack of disposable wipes for one–time usage.
• Hand sanitizer is also a great item to have with you. I recommend you attach it to your personal item or your carry–on.
• Travel Carbon Monoxide Detectors are a great investment. These have been known to save
  people’s lives. They are available at local retailers, as well as on Amazon®.
• If you’re one who plans on traveling “light,” then make certain to take powder laundry packets that will allow you to hand wash your items daily (I suggest you keep them secured, as well, so they don’t puncture.) In addition, in order to make certain your items dry, you may want to pack fast–drying clothing. Companies such as Magellan’s® (magellans.com), TravelSmith® (travelsmith.com), and Exofficio® (exofficio.com) carry these types of clothing, as does Orvis® (brick and mortar and orvis.com). If you have space in your suitcase, then you may want to take travel hangers, as they cut drying time in half. These are available at local retailers, as well as on Amazon®.
• Some countries, airports, airplanes, and establishments still require masks. Make certain you take a few with you in case you are in a destination that requires them.
• Make certain to print out your schedule/itinerary and resort/hotel and/or ship information and leave it Stateside with a friend or relative. In addition, if you are boarding your fur–person family member(s), then make certain that the boarding company has your information.
• Pack an envelope for any receipts that might need to be saved – either for VAT purposes or for filing a claim.
• If you are one who collects breakable souvenirs, such as figurines or shot glasses, then you may want to take along a few bubble pack sheets and tape.

Suitcase Travel Tips

• Before you begin packing, read the luggage requirements – either from your airline carrier and/or from your tour operator, as all tour operators have different requirements.
• Always put all medicines in your carry–on luggage. These need to be labeled. If you don’t want to take them in their original containers (which can be bulky), then take the pharmacy print–outs with you and keep those with your medicines.
• Keep your travel documents, including insurance information, in your carry–on luggage (or in your personal item).
• Keep any jewelry (or any other valuables) in your carry–on luggage (or in your personal item). OR – purchase some costume jewelry to take with you. Therefore, if it gets lost or stolen, you’re not heart–broken that you no longer have your item.
• Keep your telephone charger in your carry–on bag or personal item.
• If you are taking a carry–on and a  checked bag, then place essential clothing in the carry–on (in case your checked luggage is lost). It’s best to take two or three outfits, as well as any “specialty” shoes for dinners/evenings out, etc. And ifyou’re going on a beach vacation, then don’t forget to pack your swimsuit in your carry–on.
   
• If you have a medical device, such as a CPAP machine or a nebulizer, etc., then you will want to make certain you have a medical luggage tag attached to the item. These are available on Amazon.
• Type (or write out) your schedule/itinerary and place it in your checked suitcase! That way, if/when your suitcase doesn’t make it with you, your schedule will be with your checked suitcase.
• Know what is in your checked suitcase! Some people will take pictures of their items, so they have a “list” to present if your suitcase doesn’t arrive with you! Others actually will make a list of what is contained in their checked bags. These items will be needed for insurance purposes should your bag be lost for good!)
• Should your suitcase not arrive when you do, then go to the baggage claim area and complete your claim. Make certain to get a copy of the claim you complete. There will be a number on that claim slip that you will need for tracking your suitcase’s whereabouts. (It’s often helpful to have an extra schedule/itinerary to attach to that luggage claim!)
• Meanwhile … get on the phone to the transfer company (or find a representative if traveling with a group), and advise the person of the “lost luggage” situation so the representative doesn’t leave the airport without you.
• Once you have that claim number, call the travel insurance company (the 24/7 number) and provide the representative with the specifics. The company has a department that tracks lost luggage, so you don’t have to continually check while on your vacation!
• Know how much money your travel insurance allows you to spend on items that you no longer have. When you purchase these items, make certain to save the receipts, as you will need to turn in the receipts when you file your lost luggage claim.
  
  

Safety Is Number One

• When away from the resort/hotel and/or the ship, always have the appropriate contact numbers with you, along with the insurance 24/7 telephone number. All cruise ships are great about knowing who goes off the ship and who returns – and when. However, in case of an accident, you need that number. In fact, you should keep a list of all addresses and phone numbers, as well as your insurance information, easily accessible
  
• Watch your personal  tems. We suggest RFID, anti–theft cross–body purses (with the wire reinforcements) or the backpacks with wire reinforcements – ones that don’t have the main pouch exposed to those around you, as well as RFID wallets and “murses” for men. Some brand names are VaultPro®, PacSafe® (varies stores and pacsafe.com), and Travelon® (various stores and travelonbags.com); however, other popular companies, such as Vera Bradley® and Baggallini® also sell these type of items. Many of the RFID/anti–theft items can be found on Amazon®, as well as TravelSmith® (travelsmith.com) and Magellan’s® (magellans.com). Some brick and mortar stores also carry them, i.e. the Container Store®, Orvis®, etc. However, these stores also have websites. (In fact, our passport holders are RFID, and we have RFID credit card holders.)
• Allergies … If you suffer from life–threatening allergies, then it’s advisable to create a laminated “picture list” to carry with you. After all, not everyone speaks English, but most people understand pictures. Of course, for any group trips (or cruises), then you need to make certain you have informed the appropriate parties of your allergies prior to departure.
• Remember, if you’ll be on or near the water with your mobile phone, then take extra precautions. Some people carry their mobile phones in those water–proof lanyards … just in case. (And, yes, on two of our three river cruises, we have watched as people “lost” their mobile phones in the water while attempting to take pictures.)
  
• When in Europe, and even in some Central American countries, the pavement if often very uneven. Look down when walking (I’ve seen a few people in Europe break and/or twist their ankles as they were looking up at the church towers/spirals and other buildings while walking.)
  
• Make certain to use the hotel’s/resort’s/ship’s in–room safe for any valuables. You should also place your passport copy in the safe. (Some people choose to carry the copy and keep the passport in the safe. We choose to do the opposite. We want our passports with us in case of an emergency.)
• While posting on FB is a great idea, remember that criminals stateside can discover your personal information and target your empty homes. You may want to save those pictures until you return
  
• While crime elsewhere in the world typically isn’t as high as in some of our US cities, crime still exists everywhere – in some places more than in others. Therefore, be aware of your surroundings. Pick–pockets love to target tourists