Tips to abide by for your next big vacation
My husband does his best to keep the Post It note folks in business. Seldom do I get into his car without finding yellow sticky notes covering his dash. Rob has reminders to remind him of his reminders. Unsuccessfully, I have mentioned numerous times how the iPhone app would declutter his pimpled out bathroom mirror, but he never waivers.
Yet, for the first time, all the additional yellow squares added this week did not bother me because it means the countdown for our European getaway has begun. Since so many of you are also getting ready to head out, too, I thought maybe some of his last minute reminders might help you prepare for the fun journey ahead:
*Review flight arrangements--Be particularly vigilant in this area. Never assume the latest schedule change is the best available. Computers err. On our trip to London, Delta sent over a 9 hour layover in Atlanta, when a 3 hour wait in Atlanta was feasible. Be pro-active in your behalf, and, if the schedule change is unacceptable, remind the airlines of the rule about being able to depart from a sister city within 100 miles of Monroe--like Jackson or Shreveport--to avoid a bad travel day.
*Buy converters and adapters--Europe's electrical system is different from ours in two ways: the voltage of the current and the shape of the plug. American appliances run on 110 volts, while European appliances are 220 volts. In the British Isles, where we are headed, for example, an adapter will allow our American-style plugs (two flat prongs) to fit into their outlets which have three rectangular prongs. Check on where you are going and maybe even carry an extension cord, because our smartphones and other electronics do need to stay charged!
*Enroll in S.T.E.P--aka the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program helps U.S. citizens stay connected, stay, informed and stay safe when traveling abroad. After receiving an alert about a protest gathering in France to avoid, we always sign up for this free service.
*Get an international phone plan to reduce your costs. Planning to mainly rely on Wi-Fi and social media for messaging back home is being smart about your smartphone. Skype, Viber, FaceTime, and Google+ Hangouts are free apps to consider because they let you make both voice and video calls.
*Prepare for downtime moments. Download a few movies, travel books, or shows in advance as you might not be able to use streaming services overseas.
*Stock up on drugs. Everyone knows not to pack prescription drugs in checked luggage, but sometimes we forget to plan ahead and add a few extra days of our prescription drugs in case of travel delays. This goes for contact lenses, too, and, if you have an extra pair of glasses, add it to your must-have list.
*Ask your doctor about Paxlovid! Sadly, Covid 19 is still with us, and maybe getting this five-day course of pills-- just in case-- is worth thinking about. Paxlovid is said to be nearly 90% effective at cutting the risk of getting hospitalized because of Covid. Personally, I am for anything that would help me get back on my feet faster, feel better faster, and be less infectious faster. Wasting time on a vacation is not something I want to do, so ask your doctor for advice because this antiviral will need to be started immediately if covid happens. FYI: m y sister has a terrible lingering cough from covid, so maybe pack cough drops and all the over-the-counter drugs you like because who wants to shop for cure-alls in a strange place?
*Buy travel insurance. Call or email Monroe Travel Service and we will send you a quote.
*Make copies of all important documents--passports, credit cards, vaccination cards, travel confirmations, and serial numbers, makes and models of all electronics.
*Call the bank: check debit card limits. Since Europe is more of a walking society than us, ATMs are more readily available than here. If you plan to withdraw cash often or prefer to pay cash for most purchases, call your bank and check if daily limits need to be increased.
*Make timed reservations for everything--from Anne Frank's House to the Louvre, you must have an appointment time. Travelers returning home in June reminded me of this over and over again. Just showing up is a bad idea, so plan ahead to see and do more on your vacation by taking care of these details today.
*Download the MOBILE PASSPORT APP to make customs fast and easy.
*Get boostered, especially if it has been 270 days since your last vaccine.
*Travel.State.Gov is the travel Bible today. Review it religiously before you go for the latest news and requirements for traveling anywhere.
As much as I hate to admit it, most of my husband's Post It note reminders are worth the clutter. We want no surprises to mess up our long awaited travel plans. We both think Earl Wilson got it right when he said, “A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking.”
If those words sum up what you are feeling right now, then, why not give Monroe Travel Service a call and let's make plans. Considering travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer, isn't it time for you to get out of here, too?
Dianne Newcomer is a travel agent at Monroe Travel Service. For help with your next vacation, please call 318 323 3465 or email INFO@MONROETRAVEL.com. We would love to send you away.
This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Tips to abide by for your next big vacation
