I can't believe it! Pretty soon I will set off on an adventure through Spain! I have been wanting to get back to Europe for a while now and an opportunity to join some friends on a group trip presented itself. I haven't been to Spain before so I am super excited!
We are going on a journey organized by Gate 1 Travel starting in Lisbon, Portugal and then heading over to Spain to explore Seville, Ronda, Costa del Sol, Granada, Madrid and Barcelona. As I have shared before, I do love planning my own trips and truly enjoy doing the research to figure out what I want to see and do. But there is a definite advantage to booking a group travel trip and letting them handle the details of booking the hotels and planning the itinerary. All I have to do is think about what I want to pack (which as you may know is no easy task for me!). It is also nice to have them transport your luggage to each hotel room you stop at along the way. No lugging my huge suitcase up flights of stairs this trip! Phew!
In addition to packing, there is always a bunch of organizing to do before leaving home for an extended trip. To make sure I don't forget anything, I have a checklist of all the things I need to do before leaving for an international vacation.
My Checklist:
Doublecheck entry requirements (passport, visa, vaccination requirements) and make sure all documentation is in order. Passport must have an expiration date more than six months past the return date.
Make a copy or take a picture of passport and visa documentation in the event they are lost or stolen. This will provide all the information needed to obtain a replacement.
Make sure I have enough medication to pack for the length of my entire trip. Given the frequency of airline delays and cancellations these days, I always pack up to an extra week of medications in case I am delayed getting home. If I don't have enough for this time period, refill prescriptions the week before departure.
Make sure I have a sufficient supply of eye contacts to get me through my entire trip. If not, order new supply a week or two before departure.
Locate my universal plug adapter, voltage converter and determine the required plug types for my destination. If I don't have what I need, make sure to purchase.
Contact cell phone provider for information on roaming charges or international calling plans at my destination.
Research tipping standards for location I am visiting, consider services I will be receiving that will require tipping (tour guides, trip organizer, tour bus driver, etc), and secure enough cash to cover these gratuities. Which leads to the next checklist item...
Secure local currency for places I will be visiting so I have some handy for tips, small purchases, etc. Generally there are better rates of exchange overseas, but need to make sure I have enough to use when I first arrive. I usually find a bank ATM once I arrive to withdraw some cash. If you want to get currency before you leave, allow plenty of time to order the appropriate currency from your bank. This may take a few days.
Call my credit union/bank to find out about ATM withdrawal fees and to advise of travel plans so they don't deny my card for possible fraud while I am abroad.
Arrange for a pet sitter to take care of my cats while I am away. Make sure I have enough food and other supplies for the entire time. If not, restock.
Arrange for mail to be held while away.
Start to assess packing needs based on travel plans and climate of location so I can purchase anything I might need for my trip. A girl always needs a couple of new outfits when going on vacation!
Start gathering all my items together so I am not scrambling trying to find things the night before!
I am working on checking things off this list now so I can just relax and get excited for my Spanish adventure as it gets closer. If you don't already, be sure to follow me on Facebook (Rambleandroamblog) and Instagram (rambleandroamblog) to catch live and up to the minute updates of the beautiful sights of Portugal and Spain. See you on the flip side!
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