THREE MONTHS AHEAD TWO WEEKS AHEAD
Obtain your passports and visas, if
necessary. Pick up airline tickets and all
applicable vouchers from your travel
agent. Read all material carefully to
make sure the information is correct.
If not, your travel agent can correct it.
Consider signing up for travel
insurance if one of the following
apply: one of you has health issues;
you're concerned about your safety;
or the weather threatens to wreak
havoc on your honeymoon (hurricane
season, for example). Research
travel insurance coverage offered
by your credit cards, travel agent,
or an independent agency; secure
additional coverage for your specific
concerns if necessary.
TWO MONTHS AHEAD
Buy a camera and luggage -- or
register for them before your bridal
shower!
Research and book tours, theater
tickets, hot restaurant seats, and
any other activities that require
advance reservations -- earlier if
you're traveling during peak season
-- through your travel agent or soon-
to-be hotel concierge (get their name
and tip them when you arrive).
Get certified to scuba dive or begin
lessons for any other activity you
hope to pursue on your trip.
ONE MONTH AHEAD
Make a packing and shopping list.
Reconfirm all reservations.
Make kennel reservations or contact
your house or cat sitter to make sure
they're available.
Buy travelers' checks; stow numbers
someplace safe in case they're lost
or stolen.
Exchange about $50 (or at least
enough to get you to your hotel
from the airport) into small bills in
the currency of the country you'll be
visiting. There is usually an exchange
counter or ATM at the airport, but
it can be nice to have cash in hand
(it will also help you get used to the
exchange rate so it doesn't just feel
like "meaningless" Monopoly money).
ONE WEEK AHEAD
Arrange to have mail held at the post
office during your trip.
Stop mail delivery.
Make two to three sets of
photocopies of your passport,
credit cards, insurance, traveler
check numbers, wills -- basically
any paperwork people would need if
your wallet were stolen or something
happened to you. Give one set each
to a parent and/or a relative or friend,
pack one set in your luggage, and
leave one set in your safe deposit
box.
Ask stores where you've registered
to hold orders so gifts don't pile up
on your doorstep, or ask a relative to
collect packages.
Set out clothes to pack; buy what you
need.
Make sure you have extras of
everything you can't live without:
migraine tablets, allergy pills,
asthma inhaler, glasses or contacts,
etc. Carry all medications in their
original prescription bottles to avoid
questions at customs.
Touch base with your house or cat
sitter to reconfirm when they'll be
coming over, hand over the keys, give
them a copy of the vet's number and
your contact info, etc.
THREE DAYS AHEAD
Reconfirm overseas flights.
Order champagne to be awaiting you
in your hotel room.
Buy books and magazines for the
trip.
Transfer the addresses of friends to
whom you'll want to send postcards
plus important phone numbers
(house/cat sitter, doctor) into a little
travel-sized notebook or journal.
Make arrangements for your rides to
and from the airport.
Leave a copy of your itinerary and a
set of house keys with a relative or
close friend in case of emergency.
Check weather forecasts for your
destination.
Change your voice-mail and e-mail
messages at work.
Prepare your house or apartment
for your departure -- eat or dispose
of perishable food, water plants, set
timers, etc.
ONE DAY AHEAD
Reconfirm flights.
Make sure your luggage (carry-on
and checked) is labeled both on the
outside and inside with your name,
hotel address, and phone number.
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