How to Prepare for an Extended Vacation

When you go away for a few days or a week, your main concern is to pack your bags and not forget anything. It's very different when you go on a longer trip. There are a number of things that you must first take care of.

1. Put together a calendar of everything you need to do before you leave on an extended vacation. Make sure it is somewhere you will see it - on your Blackberry, in Outlook on your desktop computer or even on the refrigerator. Mandatory items need to be in red and done first. Each day, check off each item you complete. If there's something you don't get to, circle it so you know it has to still needs to be done. Then make it a priority for the next day.

2. Make a list of what you need. It's easy to get carried away when packing so make sure you have a list of what you really need. Start this list a few weeks before so you have time to adjust it as you think of things. Rick Steve's has a good one on his website. It will have to be changed a bit to your specific destination(s) and length of travel, but it's a great place to start. Don't forget to include the most comfortable shoes you have - your feet will appreciate it.

3. Get the right luggage. If you are traveling on an extended vacation, the luggage you bring is very important. Make sure it's not too heavy, yet still sturdy enough to last through the trip. (There are some good tips on getting the right luggage at Road and Travel Magazine.) If you are getting black luggage - which is the most popular color -- purchase colored belts or simply tie some yarn around the handles so you can easily spot your luggage and not pick up the wrong black bag.

4. Purchase packing bags. Packing cubes and bags (like those sold at TravelSmith) are a great way to keep your items separated so you can quickly pack and unpack. You can also purchase ones that are waterproof or secure for items (like cameras and computers) that are especially delicate. In addition, packing bags will also help to keep your dirty shoes and clothes away from the clean ones. While you are making this purchase, be sure you also have a shoulder bag that is secure to carry valuables in.

5. Inform your friends and family. Be sure that at least two people (that live in different households) have your complete itinerary with contact information for each stop. Someone should know where you are at all times. It is also a good idea to leave a copy of your itinerary and passport in your house in case anything you are carrying is lost or stolen while you are away. Make sure someone has a key to your house and you always have that person's number with you so they can retrieve what you need.

6. Notify your utilities, mail and newspaper. Nothing invites robbers into your home than a stack of newspapers and an overflowing mailbox. You may want to consider temporarily disconnecting your phone, electricity, cable television, etc. Call each company and explain how long you will be gone and discuss whether or not it is worth disconnecting. Keep in mind that you never want to completely disconnect heat in cold climates because your pipes can freeze, making a very expensive mess. You can set up the hold on your mail right online.

7. Prepare financially for your extended vacation. Try to estimate what your budget is for your trip. Take into account what expenses are necessary and which ones you are willing to cut back on. Investigate the destination to see whether you will be able to use credit cards and/or travelers cheques and whether or not there is a fee to use them (many credit cards charge an extra percentage for using their cards overseas). Find out what the exchange rate is if you are traveling abroad. It is always a good idea to arrive with some cash that can be used at your destination so have a day's worth on hand.

8. Pay your bills. Make sure your bills are paid for while you are away on your trip. Many companies will let you set up payments in advance so you don't miss due dates. While you are doing this, inform and companies with credit cards you plan to use of your impending trip and where you will be. This will enable them to notice if there is unusual activity on your card and not to stop your use because it's out of the ordinary.

9. Confirm your modes of transportation. If you are flying, call the airlines and make sure there is enough time for connecting flights. Ask what the current policies (which are changing frequently) are for carry-on and check-in luggage on your flight. Make sure you have made arrangements for ground transportation. If you are taking a train or bus, confirm the routes. It is important to check requirements for every leg. If you can check two bags on the first plane, but not the second, you need to know that.

10. Thoroughly check out where you are going on your extended vacation. Borrow books from the library (or buy them if you think you will refer to the book during your trip), explore destination guides at sites on the internet like AOL Travel, consult your travel agent and speak to as many people as possible. Make sure you know everything you possibly can about where you are going. An informed traveler will have a safer and more satisfying trip.