Whenever I’m preparing for a trip, I take a look at my handy travel checklist, developed over years of trial and error. I love to take the opportunity to be spontaneous when I’m exploring somewhere new, but there are some things I don’t want to leave to chance. I refuse to be one of those people who nearly misses their flight, doesn’t have a hotel booked for arrival and has packed all the wrong things! So here are five things on my checklist to do before I go jetting off around the world.
Check My Passport and Visa
If I’m leaving the country, the most important thing is ensuring I can get into my destination and back out again. That means my passport has to be up to date, and I need to have the right visa. Sometimes I don’t need a visa, which is always great, but if I do, I leave plenty of time to apply for one. My passport needs to have six months left before it expires, because that’s what a lot of countries ask for. It also requires enough pages for border officials to stamp on entry and exit. If I’m running out, I can go on this web page to order some more.
Check Health Requirements
Another step to do when leaving the country is to check if any vaccines are needed or recommended for the country I will be traveling to. The worst thing that could possibly happen is that I get extremely sick while on my trip and at my destination. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention keeps everyone updated on this important information. Look into requirements well in advance of your travel date, as certain vaccines require multiple trips to a doctor.
Learn Some of the Local Language
Learning a new language takes years, and there’s no way I could be fluent in each one I come across while traveling. I do think it’s important, however, to make an effort with the basics, just to be polite. So I always try to learn greetings and pleasantries. And I have to know the always helpful, “Do you speak English?”! If there’s time, I try to learn how to ask for directions, because getting lost when you’re in a foreign country isn’t always fun. Even if I’m not leaving the US, it’s fun to learn some of the local slang!
Pack Everything I Need
Packing for a trip is always fun for me because it’s different every time. I have to think about the climate and weather, as well as what I’ll be doing when I reach my destination. Of course, I want to stay fashionable at all times, but I need to be practical too. In addition to packing the essentials – clothes (bring items for multiple weather scenarios, you never know what could happen) and toiletries, I always pack sunscreen, my DSLR camera (must have those incredible shots!), an adapter if traveling internationally, a neck pillow for the plane, and a few first aid and medical items. You never know what could happen!
Quick Beauty Blitz
One of my essential things to do before I leave for a trip is to pamper myself. I need to look my best, especially if I’ll be spending a lot of time on the beach. So I make sure to do any necessary treatments, from waxing to getting my nails and hair done. Then I know I look and feel great, ready for my vacation!
There are some other things I do before traveling, but these are my most important ones. Once I’ve done them, I can jet off without a care in the world.
Learning some of the local language is so important and its one that most Americans don’t do. Sad