Trip Preparation

• Visas (if applicable)
• Passports – check the expiration date two months before your trip
• Trip Itinerary
• Travel reservations, take along airplane tickets
• Optional travel insurance to cover the duration of your trip
• Driver’s license, registration, insurance cards, (leave unnecessary cards at home)
• Money or foreign currency (cash, traveler’s checks, credit cards)
• Arrange for someone to water your plants, receive your mail, and take care of your pets
• Do not pack your travel documents or money in a suitcase that may get lost. Take your important documents and money in a wallet or purse that you can access at all times.
• Make sure that your luggage has a tag with your name, address and telephone number.
• Tie a colorful ribbon or attach distinctive stickers to your luggage so that you can identify it easily, and other travelers will not take them by mistake at a busy terminal.

Personal Items

• Suitcases
• Shirts, blouses, pants, dresses, hats, coats, sweaters
• Rain protection – travel umbrella or raincoat
• Underwear, socks
• Toiletries, cosmetics, shaving needs, deodorant, shampoo
• Dental floss, toothbrush, nail clippers, nail file
• Contact lens preparations
• Camera, batteries, charger, voltage converter
• Swimming suit, beach towels, sun block cream
• Cell phone
• A printed list of emergency phone numbers or address book may be handy if your cell phone batteries run out or you lose your phone.

First Aid

• First Aid Kit
• Aspirin or Analgesic
• Decongestant or cold/sinus medication