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TRAVEL CHECK LIST
My personal suggestions for what I came up with when trying to get my family of 5 out the door on
the Big Day - but I think applies to most anyone travelling overseas, especially Italy or France...
2-3 Months Prior -
GET a Passport - can take up to 8 weeks with the huge back-up these days. Even 1 hour olds need
one so everyone travelling MUST have one.
3-4 Weeks Prior -
• Passport is VALID! -
• Order Euros and UK Sterling for the trip ( for London or for long connections fthru LHR) –
usually takes 1-2 weeks
• Purchase nylon duffle bag (Target - $20) – for any extras and stress-free packaging
• to take “extras” home in – EVEN if you don’t think you’ll need one
• Have all reservations completed for trip – email confirmations/rail tix, etc
• Decide on how are you getting to airport? Friends, Driving, Taxi?
• Check with cell phone company to get their international calling plans (if available)
• If not available – rent cell phone from Hertz, etc
• Buy a money belt, travel alarm if you don’t have one
• International plugs for charging cell phones, hairdryers, curling irons, shavers, etc.
• Arrange for special meal request onboard for your flight (i.e.– special kids meal, veggie, etc)
• Make sure your pets have a place to stay and are cared for.
1-2 Weeks Prior:
Animals/Home:
• Confirm all shots for boarding Dog/Cats
• Boarding confirmed – reconfirmed
• Instructions left for home – home sitter/pet sitter – KEYS
• Timed lights working okay – or get timers
• Extra keys to neighbour – inform neighbours of your absence - dates
• Newspapers – stop
• Mail – stop or arrange for pickup
• Cleaning ladies – notified
• Clean out fridge/ Arrange for Trash
Flight/Hotels/Passports/Cell Phones/Etc
• Re-confirm flight, and flight times, car and hotel reservations – child policies
• Check with airline company on restrictions for bags/carry-ons Check with airline and
partners to see if you can use their airport lounge
• Have seats on board together
• Printed off all reservations confirmation numbers to pack for carry-on
• Make 2 copies of passports/birth certificates – one for neighbour, one for us in separate
suitcase (also copy of birth certificates for children)
• Emailed detailed itinerary to friends/family – left our contact numbers in case of emergency
Money/Misc
• Pick up 200-300 Euros for taxis, tipping, meals upon arrival – Also, 50 British Sterling
Pounds if connecting in London (for use both ways for lunch, magazines, etc) AVOID
currency converters at airports!
• Have bank card that works overseas (most do)
• Have pin number for Visa/MasterCard to pull cash if needed
• Print off contact #s of friends, family, neighbours for you to call if emergency
• Kids – diapers, wipes, etc., to last one week
• Haircut apt. or try one while overseas? Fun, exciting, but never know what you’ll get!
A Few Days Prior:
• Check www.weather.com for local weather conditions
• Where I am going will determine what I wear to a certain extent (i.e. it is considered
offensive – VERY rude to walk into any church wearing shorts and sleeveless tops,
especially in Italy) – I bring a scarf to wear over my shoulders so the guards/monitors will let
me in.
• Dark sweater, cardigan, pants, shirt – navy or blacks
• Laptop or not?
• Line bottom of luggage with dryer sheets
• Print out a copy of the TERMINAL of the Foreign Airport - just so I can get around and know
where to connect, or where play structures or food is.
• Great walking shoes – that are NOT tennis shoes (Ecco, etc) – no more than 3 pairs
• Pack zip-lock baggies – come in super handy
• Wet wipes/Purell hand sanitizers
• Pack any necessary meds – check with Dr. keep in original container!
• Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, etc - ordinary items that work for you/family you may not be able to get
overseas or at least recognize with the different branding.
• Band aids, Neosporin, basic first aid stuff OR – babelfish the translation for headache,
stomach ache, etc in case you find yourself trying to do charades for a dozen Italians – it’s
funny about a year later – hahaha!
• Deodorant, brush, contact solution- easy to reach compartment of luggage (not carry-on any
more) Manicure Kit
• Downy wrinkle Reducer, small bottle of Woolite detergent if staying in hotels
• swim suit, wrap, sun screen
• Make sure copy of passports/birth certificates in suitcases!
• Baby powder – helps stay dry and fresh when walking 10 miles a day!!!
• Small scissors, small sewing kit, flashlight, screwdriver
• Envelope for all receipts of items purchased to make it easier at customs and to get back
any VAT if you qualify. – Also, pack these items upon return separately to make it easier for
you at customs and VAT kiosk.
• Bubble wrap if you know you want to purchase some things that may be fragile
THE BIG DAY:
• Call airlines to see about delays if weather is bad
• Arrive at Airport at least 3 hours prior to departure time!
• Lock all doors and windows, unplug unnecessary appliances, check thermostat
• Sky cap to help with bags (if you need it) – they cannot check you in to international
destinations, usually
• Have passports, driver’s license’s ready and handy
• Make sure you have your medical insurance card
• Have money belt with all your currency – US and EU
• Get thru security ASAP to avoid missing flights
• Shop Duty free now or upon return?
• Have emergency numbers in wallet -- I have Stresa ones for you below…
• Drink plenty of water so jet lag isn’t as bad (alcohol makes it much worse)
• Have your itinerary, all travel information in a folder/folio ready to go (we usually use a small
three ring binder with car, hotel info, maps, directions from Via Mcichelin,etc.
• Relax – have a positive attitude - it’s going to be a very long day – but that’s okay!
Remember, it could be worse, some of us are traveling with 3 young kids - ha ha ha!
My personal suggestions for what I came up with when trying to get my family of 5 out the door on
the Big Day - but I think applies to most anyone travelling overseas, especially Italy or France...
2-3 Months Prior -
GET a Passport - can take up to 8 weeks with the huge back-up these days. Even 1 hour olds need
one so everyone travelling MUST have one.
3-4 Weeks Prior -
• Passport is VALID! -
• Order Euros and UK Sterling for the trip ( for London or for long connections fthru LHR) –
usually takes 1-2 weeks
• Purchase nylon duffle bag (Target - $20) – for any extras and stress-free packaging
• to take “extras” home in – EVEN if you don’t think you’ll need one
• Have all reservations completed for trip – email confirmations/rail tix, etc
• Decide on how are you getting to airport? Friends, Driving, Taxi?
• Check with cell phone company to get their international calling plans (if available)
• If not available – rent cell phone from Hertz, etc
• Buy a money belt, travel alarm if you don’t have one
• International plugs for charging cell phones, hairdryers, curling irons, shavers, etc.
• Arrange for special meal request onboard for your flight (i.e.– special kids meal, veggie, etc)
• Make sure your pets have a place to stay and are cared for.
1-2 Weeks Prior:
Animals/Home:
• Confirm all shots for boarding Dog/Cats
• Boarding confirmed – reconfirmed
• Instructions left for home – home sitter/pet sitter – KEYS
• Timed lights working okay – or get timers
• Extra keys to neighbour – inform neighbours of your absence - dates
• Newspapers – stop
• Mail – stop or arrange for pickup
• Cleaning ladies – notified
• Clean out fridge/ Arrange for Trash
Flight/Hotels/Passports/Cell Phones/Etc
• Re-confirm flight, and flight times, car and hotel reservations – child policies
• Check with airline company on restrictions for bags/carry-ons Check with airline and
partners to see if you can use their airport lounge
• Have seats on board together
• Printed off all reservations confirmation numbers to pack for carry-on
• Make 2 copies of passports/birth certificates – one for neighbour, one for us in separate
suitcase (also copy of birth certificates for children)
• Emailed detailed itinerary to friends/family – left our contact numbers in case of emergency
Money/Misc
• Pick up 200-300 Euros for taxis, tipping, meals upon arrival – Also, 50 British Sterling
Pounds if connecting in London (for use both ways for lunch, magazines, etc) AVOID
currency converters at airports!
• Have bank card that works overseas (most do)
• Have pin number for Visa/MasterCard to pull cash if needed
• Print off contact #s of friends, family, neighbours for you to call if emergency
• Kids – diapers, wipes, etc., to last one week
• Haircut apt. or try one while overseas? Fun, exciting, but never know what you’ll get!
A Few Days Prior:
• Check www.weather.com for local weather conditions
• Where I am going will determine what I wear to a certain extent (i.e. it is considered
offensive – VERY rude to walk into any church wearing shorts and sleeveless tops,
especially in Italy) – I bring a scarf to wear over my shoulders so the guards/monitors will let
me in.
• Dark sweater, cardigan, pants, shirt – navy or blacks
• Laptop or not?
• Line bottom of luggage with dryer sheets
• Print out a copy of the TERMINAL of the Foreign Airport - just so I can get around and know
where to connect, or where play structures or food is.
• Great walking shoes – that are NOT tennis shoes (Ecco, etc) – no more than 3 pairs
• Pack zip-lock baggies – come in super handy
• Wet wipes/Purell hand sanitizers
• Pack any necessary meds – check with Dr. keep in original container!
• Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, etc - ordinary items that work for you/family you may not be able to get
overseas or at least recognize with the different branding.
• Band aids, Neosporin, basic first aid stuff OR – babelfish the translation for headache,
stomach ache, etc in case you find yourself trying to do charades for a dozen Italians – it’s
funny about a year later – hahaha!
• Deodorant, brush, contact solution- easy to reach compartment of luggage (not carry-on any
more) Manicure Kit
• Downy wrinkle Reducer, small bottle of Woolite detergent if staying in hotels
• swim suit, wrap, sun screen
• Make sure copy of passports/birth certificates in suitcases!
• Baby powder – helps stay dry and fresh when walking 10 miles a day!!!
• Small scissors, small sewing kit, flashlight, screwdriver
• Envelope for all receipts of items purchased to make it easier at customs and to get back
any VAT if you qualify. – Also, pack these items upon return separately to make it easier for
you at customs and VAT kiosk.
• Bubble wrap if you know you want to purchase some things that may be fragile
THE BIG DAY:
• Call airlines to see about delays if weather is bad
• Arrive at Airport at least 3 hours prior to departure time!
• Lock all doors and windows, unplug unnecessary appliances, check thermostat
• Sky cap to help with bags (if you need it) – they cannot check you in to international
destinations, usually
• Have passports, driver’s license’s ready and handy
• Make sure you have your medical insurance card
• Have money belt with all your currency – US and EU
• Get thru security ASAP to avoid missing flights
• Shop Duty free now or upon return?
• Have emergency numbers in wallet -- I have Stresa ones for you below…
• Drink plenty of water so jet lag isn’t as bad (alcohol makes it much worse)
• Have your itinerary, all travel information in a folder/folio ready to go (we usually use a small
three ring binder with car, hotel info, maps, directions from Via Mcichelin,etc.
• Relax – have a positive attitude - it’s going to be a very long day – but that’s okay!
Remember, it could be worse, some of us are traveling with 3 young kids - ha ha ha!
CHARLES DE GAULE TERMINAL
INFORMATION
http://www.gofox.com/flights/airportm
aps.php?code=CDG
INFORMATION
http://www.gofox.com/flights/airportm
aps.php?code=CDG