Vacation planning made easier
Organization is the key to successful vacation planning. Use this checklist to remind you of important pre-travel tasks. It will help you get ready without getting stressed out.
2–4 months ahead
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Book your vacation dates at work.
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Check passports to ensure they’re still valid and order new ones if necessary.
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Book hotel rooms, cottage rentals, plane tickets, car rentals and so on.
1–2 months ahead
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Visit your physician to discuss whether immunization is necessary if traveling to a foreign country.
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Book a pet sitter and house sitter.
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Cancel newspaper delivery, if necessary.
4–6 weeks ahead
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Create a packing list of clothes, food and other essentials (for cottage or camping trips).
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Check expiry dates on credit cards.
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Check that suitcases and bags are clean, sound and ready for packing.
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Notify alarm company of vacation dates and provide alternate phone numbers in case of emergency.
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Assemble addresses for writing post cards.
2 weeks ahead
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Renew prescription drugs.
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Lay out clothes for each person in a spare room. The next day, review and pare down the items, using these guidelines:
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Choose items that do double duty.
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Favour non-wrinkle items over easily creased ones.
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Choose clothes that can be layered for greater versatility.
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Stick to a simple, neutral colour scheme so that everything matches.
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Limit accessories and shoes.
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Consider leaving behind non-essentials that can be purchased on vacation.
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Print out maps, sightseeing guides, itinerary.
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Make up instructions and lists of emergency phone numbers for your pet sitter and house sitter, and prepare extra sets of keys.
1–2 weeks ahead
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Ensure clothes are laundered or dry cleaned and shoes are in good repair.
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Shop for miscellaneous items: camera batteries, film, sunscreen, hand cleanser, groceries or snacks, bottled water.
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Download images from digital camera and charge battery.
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Visit bank to obtain sufficient foreign currency for the first few days after arrival.
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Install a timer so your lights turn on and off while you’re away.
2–3 days ahead
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Book transportation to airport.
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Pack clothes, following these tips:
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Roll clothes to avoid wrinkles and creases.
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Place shoes and heavy toiletries at bottom of case.
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Stash toiletries in zippable freezer bags for easy retrieval.
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Keep essentials like toothbrush, prescriptions and a change of clothes in carry-on luggage.
Day of vacation