Know before you go
Details
We’ve done the hard work of planning. These tips help make your travel days and on‑the‑ground experience smoother.
Your documents
- Read through your itinerary and vouchers before you leave home.
- Understand baggage allowances, transfer logistics, and airline rules in advance.
- Make two copies of your passport and itinerary:
- Leave one with someone you trust at home.
- Keep one in your hotel safe.
- Tuck a copy of your itinerary inside checked luggage so the airline can contact you if a bag is misplaced.
- Carry your actual passport on you at all times while traveling. A photocopy is not a substitute, and in some countries you can be fined for not having the original.
At the airport
- Plan to arrive at least 3 hours before any international departure - especially in Europe.
Money matters
- Call your credit card companies and place a travel notice before you leave.
- Carry some euros in cash for small purchases (water, coffee, tips, public bathrooms).
- If using your credit card at an ATM, make sure you know your PIN.
- American Express is not accepted everywhere in Europe, particularly at smaller cafés and boutiques. Have a Visa or Mastercard as backup.
Staying connected
- Check with your wireless carrier about international plans before you go.
- Verizon’s Unlimited Travel Plan is noted as about $10/month and allows calling and texting globally.
- Alternatively, rely on Wi‑Fi and use iMessage or WhatsApp for messaging.
Pack smart
- Leave valuable or irreplaceable jewelry at home.
- Keep your extra cash and anything irreplaceable in your room safe when you’re out.
Be a good guest
- Remember you’re visiting someone else’s home country.
- Slow down, be curious, be courteous.
- A smile and a “thank you” in the local language goes a long way.
Stay aware
- Use common sense in crowded and highly touristed areas.
- Thieves often target distracted tourists.
- Keep your bag in front of you and your phone in your pocket, not your hand - phones can be snatched easily.
If something goes sideways
- Hotel issues (wrong room category, noise, etc.): go to the Front Desk first; they can usually fix things faster on site. If they give you push back, contact the in-destination rep to see if they can help. Loop me in if necessary.
- Flight delays or cancellations: get in line with an airline agent immediately and call the airline at the same time. Once you’ve started the process, contact me so I can handle adjustments to transfers, guides, or accommodations.
- Travel insurance: keep your 24/7 assistance number handy. For most situations, you will pay out of pocket and be reimbursed—keep all receipts.
Travel day mindset
- Be prepared, unhurried, relaxed.
- Get to the airport early, handle logistics first, then find a coffee or a drink and let the trip begin.
- A smooth start often leads to a better overall experience.