With the summer here and school’s out after a long and challenging year (yay!), more Americans are travelling this year as opposed to last year. According to TripAdvisor, 67% of Americans plan to travel this summer. Before you set off for fun in the sun, here is a checklist of nine things to do before leaving. These will ensure a stress-less vacation and return home.

Ask the Right Questions about Your Destination

What are some of the historical and cultural significance of the area? What foods must you try in the area? What are activities in the area that are age appropriate? To get the answers to these and other questions, contact the destination’s local tourism agency. You can also get great information from that area’s tourism website and bloggers local to the destination as well.

Check for Events Happening While You are There

Is a festival or large happening at your vacation destination the time you are planning to go? To find out if any festivals or large events are happening, check out the destination’s website for their calendar of events. Also you can also follow the destination on social media. For example making a Pinterest board of the destination with sights, places and restaurants you are interested in visiting. Knowing these can help you in deciding whether it is the right time to visit.

Keep up-to-date on Weather Conditions

Check the weather for your destination frequently until your vacation. Knowing the most current weather forecasts can help you in effectively preparing for your trip or even delaying it due to severe weather.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Everyone wants a problem-free vacation, but being prepared with a travel checklist can give you peace of mind whenever a crisis can spring up during a vacation.

  • Some ways to be prepared:
  • If you are taking a road trip, carry an actual paper map with you. You might be traveling through an area without adequate signal for your GPS.
  • Keep a paper copy of emergency contacts inside your wallet.
  • Make a photocopy of your important travel documents.
  • If traveling by plane, pack a change of clothes, chargers, toothbrushes, and medication in your carry-on bag in case your checked luggage gets lost.

Buy Travel Insurance

Along the lines of being prepared, having travel insurance is a great way to cover your pre-vacation expenses in case of an unexpected emergency. While having to postpone or cancel an anticipated trip is heartbreaking, losing the money you spent adds onto the heartbreak. Travel insurance can give you that added peace of mind in case you have to cancel that vacation you have been waiting to go on.

Read Online Reviews and Suggestions

Reviews of an activity or accommodation can give useful tips of places and things to see and avoid when checking reviews ahead of your trip. Find reputable websites or travel writers you trust. You can find the best restaurants by reading reviews.

Avoid Overpacking: Use a Packing Checklist

Do you end up packing half of your closet for vacation and end up only using half of its contents? Plan your activities ahead of time and this can help you pack appropriately. Mix and match shoes and accessories to maximize suitcase space. Using a packing list helps you plan accordingly and not forget anything.

Make Sure You Can Access Your Money

It is always good to let your bank/ credit card company know you are planning to travel. This helps them anticipate charges that are not of your normal activity and be flagged as suspicious. Also it is good to carry some cash just in case and in a place separate from your wallet such as a money belt.

Prepare Your Home

As important as it is to prepare for your trip, it is just as important to prepare your home while you are away.

Here are some pre-vacation prep for your home:

  • Leave a penny in the freezer. Here’s why.
  • Have a neighbor gather your mail or request a Hold Mail through your local post office or online.
  • Arrange pet care. Pet boarding or finding someone to care for your pet from Rover.com are two good options.
  • Make sure the bills due while you’re gone are either paid or set on auto-draft.
  • If you do not have a security system, consider purchasing a Ring doorbell from Amazon, that way you’re at least notified when someone is at your door while you’re away.
  • Take out the trash! No one wants to return to a smelly home.
  • Adjust the thermostat.
  • Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electronics or appliances.

Retrieved on June 15, 2021 from TravellingMom.com