Your escape plan

Here's your checklist for a great trip

So you're leaving soon. Congratulations!

What should you double-check before you go?

Here's what we do, but feel free to customize the list to your needs.

Airport terminal, gate, flight Know where you're going. But also know that your gate is likely to change. Don't get mad. Just roll with it. This happens all the time.

Visa/passport

Do you have with you all the paperwork you need to enter your destination country? Do better than we did, leaving our passports in the car 100+ miles away and in another country.

Black pen

You'll probably need to fill out a customs form before you land in your destination country. Pack a black pen so you can do that. Your neighbors will likely forget.

Money Contact your bank and/or credit card (use credit cards, not debit cards; they have more protection if you need to cancel any charges later); is a "vacation notice" on every form of payment you'll use? Take at least two forms of payment, by the way; three forms are better.

Airline luggage limits

How much does your luggage weigh and what are its dimensions? What does your airline allow?

Hotels

Are your hotels prebooked? Which ones are paid and which ones still need payment? This is an area where I could stand to improve.

Transportation during the vacation

How are you getting where you need to go?

Admission tickets

Where are you going while you're there, and have you reserved your space? Where and how will you collect your tickets?

Bills back home

Which bills will be due while you're gone? Give yourself a week to adjust to the time zone and more, and prepay them.

Animals back home

If you own animals, who's taking care of them while you're gone? Be sure this is squared away.

Apps, updates and passwords

Update your phone's operating system and any apps that need it. Download apps you may need for your transportation, hotels and so on.

Phone service

It's likely to be expensive no matter what, but don't go without your phone service, and avoid public WiFi and public charging if you can.

A good attitude This is the most important item on the list. Don't be a jerk to anyone - fellow passengers, tourists, locals, employees. Don't raise your voice. Don't expect things to be the same. Just don't.