I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am a planner through and through. I always have been and always will be a planner. But I also understand that not everyone is a planner, and that's okay. That's why I'm here :)
When it comes to planning and preparing for my trips, I have a fairly standard process that keeps me organized, sane and sooo much less stressed out than I think I would normally be.
I'm giving some insight into that process with these 10 things you should do before your next trip:
Double check your flight times and airport
Who wants to show up to the airport at the wrong time or, even worse, go to the wrong airport?
Make a packing list
I promise this is a helpful thing to do and prevents you from scrambling around at the last minute trying to remember what to pack.
Check the weather
I admit I can be a little obsessive about checking the weather and I'm trying not to be, but I do think having a general understanding of the weather forecast helps you pack appropriately.
Look up visa information (if going out of the country)
I sometimes hear stories of people traveling somewhere only to be turned away because they needed a visa or their passport wasn't valid due to its expiration date. Don't be this person!
Print out copies of your itinerary
If you're traveling internationally, you may be asked to show or say where you're staying and when you're leaving, so it's good to have this information easily accessible.
Research things to do and places to eat
Some people like to show up and go with the flow, and that's nice and all, but I'm a big believer in having a basic idea of things to see and do.
Hold your mail
If you know you'll be gone for a period of time and there's no one to pick up your mail, make sure you hold your mail delivery, which you can easily do online.
Inform your credit card issuers of your travels, if necessary
Give your debit and credit card issuers a heads up if you know you'll be using your debit card at an ATM or using your credit card while traveling.
Send your itinerary to family and/or friends
You want to make sure someone you trust knows where you are and has a way to contact you, especially if you're traveling by yourself.
Get excited!
Corny but true! Traveling is amazing and exhilarating! There's nothing quite like the excitement leading up to a trip, so get excited because this is worth it!
What are some things you always do before a trip?
