Travel Tips

Tips on Packing For Your Trip

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Tips for packing for your trip!  

Carry-on Baggage: 

The following are items NOT to pack in the suitcases checked at the airport: 

¨       Valid Passport and Visas or State Certified-copy of your birth certificate and a picture I. D.  

Remember:  ‘Entry documentation’ requirements vary by country based upon your citizenship.  Don’t wait until the last minute to secure the documents you need for this trip!

 ¨       Travel Documents and Itinerary (Airline tickets, Hotel vouchers, Car rental information, etc.)¨       Prescription medications and directions from your doctor in case they are lost.¨       An extra set of prescription glasses or contact lenses¨       Copies of the following, in the event they are lost while you are traveling:¨       travel documents and itinerary (Airline tickets, Hotel vouchers, Car rental information, etc.)¨       credit cards and a list of the card companies with toll free phone numbers¨       ID’s and proof of citizenship for each traveler¨       Emergency phone numbers for doctors and relatives¨       Travel Insurance Information and Confirmation 

General Packing Tips:

¨       Camera and or video camera with plenty of film and extra batteries¨       Pens and a small note book to jot down things to remember; a folder for brochures of sites you’ve seen Address book or pre-addressed labels for post cards to send to friends and relatives¨       Water bottle/Spray bottle¨       Essentials or ‘as needed’ items that may be expensive or unavailable at your vacation location:¨       First Aid Kit: Band aids, antibiotic cream, etc.¨       Medicine Kit: Cold medicine, Aspirin, Pepto Bismal, Tums, Benadryl, etc. Sewing Kit (Minimal)¨       Toiletries: soap, shampoo, toothbrush and paste, deodorant, etc.¨       Handi-Wipes¨       Travel alarm clock¨       About 20-$1 dollar bills for tips at the airport or when taking excursions¨       Plastic zip-loc bags¨       Travel Hair Dryer/Iron  - Dual Voltage Recommended¨       Fanny pack or Day Pack¨       Pouch for I.D./Passport, Travel Documents and Currency¨       Luggage Locks and Keys – see the TSA website for recommendations¨       Luggage Tags¨       Neck Pillow for traveling¨       Reading material 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has established specific guidelines for airport security including what you can and cannot take with you on an airplane.  “A must read for anyone traveling …” may be found at http”//www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp.
   

International Travel Tips:

 ¨       Access money through ATM machines for best currency exchange rate¨       Charge large ticket iems on credit cards to eliminate carrying large amounts of cash and allows for the best currency exchange rate.¨       Exchange U.S. dollars to Foreign Currency, a couple of hundred dollars before you leave the U.S. to provide local currency for tips, cabs, etc.  More can be exchanged in country, as needed.¨       Traveler’s Checks accepted in most major cities and businesses.  

Tropical destinations suggestions: 

¨       Light summer-weight clothing ¨       Resort style formal wear¨       Swim suits and Cover-ups¨       Essentials or ‘as needed’ items that may be expensive or unavailable at your vacation location:¨       Water shoes or Teva Sandals¨       Hat and/or visor¨       Sunglasses¨       Beach Bag¨       Sunscreen and Suntan lotion¨       Mosquito spray¨       Aloe Vera/Sunburn lotion¨       No need to pack beach towels, they are provided at most resorts¨       Waterproof or underwater camera¨       Snorkeling and/or Diving gear (Maybe available at resorts)¨       Comfortable walking shoes and sandals¨       Umbrella 

Cold weather destination suggestions: 

¨       Many people prefer to ‘layer’ their clothing for more flexiblility in colder climates ¨       Wool/fully-lined coat ¨       Rain coat or parka¨       Thermal underwear¨       Socks¨       Ski wear¨       Gloves/Scarf¨       Hat¨       Umbrella¨       Comfortable walking shoes¨       Water-repellent shoes 

Luggage allowances: 

Airlines, some escorted tour companies and some small-ship cruises have tightened their luggage allowance policies.  Most will now charge fees for checked suitcases weighing more than fifty (50) pounds and / or for more than two (2) pieces of checked luggage.  Carry-on bags may weigh no more that forty (40) pounds.

 

Check with your airline, cruise line and / or tour company for their

specific requirements and fee schedule.