# to do list before leaving for your travels ..

On my list before leaving :

When leaving for a short or a long trip away, for a holiday vacation with the family, or to up sticks and live off nothing but love under the coconut trees, for a fun adventure or business trip, there are a few vital details in need of attending to before leaving.

This ensures your abilty to be at ease and take full adventure of your travels in complete and utter Zen mode …

***I/ The* *formalities***

During the purchase of my plane ticket

– Verify that all the names, surnames and dates are exactly the same as those registered on the passport..

– Also, every credit card holder should buy his or her own plane ticket, in case of any problems or concerns (flight delay, loss of luggage, etc.), a file by bank card will be taken into account and only the card holder will be indemnified, even if he bought plane tickets for his spouse or family.. I have experience this first hand! The travel insurance of the bankcard only protects the owner. Now I always buy my own ticket, and my partner always buys his! (OK it is tiresome, because it involves buying tickets simultaneously on order to have seats next to each other, but in case of any problems , its handy and you will be thankful for it in the long run.)

Passport check

– Verify the validity of your passport, which must generally be valid 6 months after the date of the journey.

Visa or not visa ?

According to the chosen destination, a visa may or may not be necessary, and the delays can be long..

Inquire at the embassy of the country you will be entering, about the conditions of obtaining of a visa, the cost, the duration, and the type of visa required according to the stay.. If possible, do all of this in good time, to ensure that you are not without a visa at the time of the departure …

Make a copy of all importants documents ..

Plan also a file or folder with 4 passport photos + color photocopies of the passport, ID card, possible visa, social-security card, vaccination certificate, and blood group. This travel file can be life saving in case of theft or loss of documents;) I always have a copy of it in my suitcase, and I give one to my family before my departure.

II/ Monney :

Pay my bill $

In order to leave with all weights lifted from your shoulders, and especially if you are leaving for several months, remember to pay all bills, rent and any other required payments.

a bank account well in the black $$$

– Depending on the country, visa, and duration of stay, we are sometimes required to have a certain sum in our bank account. There also, anticipate well and verify the conditions with the embassies.

– This can be the case for example in the United States for a stay of 3 months with a tourist visa. We were asked every time, how much I had in my account, at customs.. If the sum seems to them to be insufficient, (which might hint that we will be working illegally), they might then check our bank accounts in detail, where we plan to stay, why, how etc etc (this also I have experience firsthand, so for 3 months, say that you have at least 3000 or 4000 euros)

– During our stay of 3 months in Cape Town, South Africa, with a work visa, we had to supply a certificate from our bank manager to confirm that we had at least 1200 euros in each of our bank accounts.

money money $$

In order not to be caught without money, always inform your bank when leaving he country.

– Depending on the country, we can have unpleasant surprises and find our bank cards blocked by the bank.This happened to me in Africa for example, I learnt that banks systematically block any payments made in Africa, if they are not warned in advance by the card holder that they are leaving the country, and they assume automatically that you are a victim of fraud. So always remember to contact your bank and inform them so that your card will be unblocked in the destination of your choice.

– Think also of signing a “withdrawal” option when abroad. Allowing you to make several withdrawals, and even unlimited withdrawals without being charged each time, according to the options of your bank of course. Signing this kind of withdrawal deal, avoids any unpleasant surprises upon your return. It can cost an arm and a leg without a special “fixed price” because of the different conversion rates.

III/ Stay in touch :

Stay connected (a little beat )

– Buy a universal adapter + small pocket charger so as not to be taken by surprise.

– For certain journeys (as in US for example) all devices (computer, telephones, iPad) have to be in charged in case of security checks.

– Download skype, whatsapp on your mobile to be able to contact close friends free of charge with WiFi.

– For long stays, do not forget to pass by the post office to give a forwarding address for mail.

Never leave your four legged friend

If your little pet is a part of the trip, contact the airline company to organize his journey in the hold, or in the cabin (so less than 5/6 kg according to the companies).

Generally, your animals ticket for the hold or in the cabin costs approximately 125/150 euros, without the special transit box approved by the IATA, required by all the airline companies = > here

It requires a little organization because companies accept only some animals by flights, and certain breeds are not accepted depending on certain companies and countries..

Specific carriers also take care of all our feathered and fury friends, and according to the chosen package, they also take care of necessary formalities. The journey is much more comfortable than in the hold for the animal, because these carriers are really dedicated to our animals journey, and they really take the best care of them. = > air animal transport (this company is very good)

Don’t forget vaccines, passport, and certificate of good health for the animal. For all these elements, contact the embassy of the country, and the vet to ensure not to forget anything, or to the carrier company = > more information here or do not hesitate to call air animal transport

– Bach flowers (Rescue) can also help to calm him during the journey whether it is by flight, boat or car. Put several drops of rescue behind its ears once or twice a day, and a few days before the departure . This natural remedy is also a big help for humans that suffer stress, anxiaty or a severe shock.