Last minute help!

[trigal]

DH and I are traveling to Italy for two weeks, leaving on Saturday. It is my first time traveling overseas and I want to make sure I've done everything. We have passports and all other documents we need, copies of them to give to my brother (who will be our emergency person), I've called the bank and credit card companies. This week, I have to get some euros from the bank. My brother will be checking on our house and shoveling any snow that may fall. I'm pretty much packed, except for a few toiletries. I have some time this week to do last minute stuff, but I want to try to get it done by Wednesday. What else should I be thinking of? Thanks!

[trigal]

Thank you! My parents are actually paying for the trip and they got travel insurance. And my sister is a US diplomat and she will be joining us on the trip. She's already handled things with the state dept. Very handy!

We've got chargers for everything and adapters too.

I will contact my health insurance company tomorrow. Thanks!

[wanderlustfoodie]

Why are you getting euros from the bank here? I would wait until you land in Italy and withdraw them from the ATM there - that's how you get the best exchange rate.

I'm envious that you packed so far in advance. I am a notorious last-minute packer but would love your sense of motivation!

Enjoy - Italy is fantastic - what a great first international destination.

[mdgirl]

Fill any prescriptions that will run out and pay any bills that will come due. I also make lists -- one for things to pack, especially items I tend to forget, and one of things to do before i leave (start the dishwasher, take out the trash). A lot of our flights leave super early so the lists help me a lot sine I'm usually half asleep and in a rush when I leave.

Two tips: pack band aids, and bring a smaller wallet if you can. I get blisters from walking around sometimes, and I've never found good band aids in foreign drug stores. And I like having a smaller wallet because it's easier to carry and I'm not dragging around cards and crap I don't need.

[GilliC]

Be sure to have a pen in your carry-on on the trip home (and keep your passport accessible) because you'll need to fill out the US customs form on the plane.

It's safer to leave non-essential electrics unplugged while you're gone.

If you're on an overnight flight to Europe, try to get some sleep if possible, because the more rest you get, the easier it will be to deal with jetlag. If you can't sleep, spend some time just relaxing quietly, because it will help your body rest.

[Deleted]

I take out any credit cards, "points cards" (ie grocery/drug store) and anything in my wallet I might use in Canada but wont use in another country. This lightens up the load considerably, and then if my wallet got lost or stolen I don't have to replace EVERYTHING.

I also take out old reciepts and that kinda stuff. Just clean it out.

I like to take a picture of my passport and scan it to email to my mom or someone I'm not travelling with.

HUGE DITTO on writing down phone #s for banks. When my wallet was stolen in Italy it was pretty easy to cancel everything because I had done that.

Another suggestion is to have one bank & credit card in your wallet, and then give 1 bank and 1 credit card to your spouse/travelling companion. Then if your shit is stolen you still have something to tide you over. I wish I had done that!!

Also, particularly in Italy, the purse/wallet snatchers are pros. I am not typically "wary" of that kind of thing, but I would say at least 25% of the people I know visiting Italy have had SOMETHING stolen just because the thieves are pretty smart.

[gt7301b]

Dec 15, 2013 17:37:16 GMT -5 wanderlustfoodie said:

Why are you getting euros from the bank here? I would wait until you land in Italy and withdraw them from the ATM there - that's how you get the best exchange rate.

I'm envious that you packed so far in advance. I am a notorious last-minute packer but would love your sense of motivation!

Enjoy - Italy is fantastic - what a great first international destination.

I agree with this 100%.  You can get Euros the moment you get to the airport.  If you are worried about the ATMs being down bring US dollars and you can exchange them at one of the booths in the airport.