Lay the whole content of your check-in luggage out on the floor and get one picture where everything is clearly visible. Put it in your online Dropbox. If your suitcase goes missing and you need compesation, you have proof of your belongings which makes insurance claims so much easier. Also do a close-up of jewelry, etc. if they aren't easy to see on the big picture.
Small tip but important. Run your garbage disposer. It's not nice to come back from a vacation and find the broccoli you had 10 days ago has fermented in the disposer.
Mark, very good information. Somethings I do just prior to leaving the house to go on my trip; 1- Empty garbage. 2- Shut off water main. 3- Shut off water heater breaker. 4- Adjust A/C temperature to a moderate setting. I then don't have to worry about bad orders, water leaks/brakes, or high electric bills , when I return.
We always unplug our wireless router before we go. Eat or throw out any food that will go bad while you're gone. And whatever you do, do not leave on a trip with dirty dishes in the sink!
Take a few days off earlier to pack and clean the house. This reduces packing stress and nothing beats getting back from your holiday to a clean house and a freshly made bed (to sleep off the jet lag) :)
Mark, one thing you mentioned a long time ago that I had never considered was prior to every trip, locate the U.S. Embassy in every city on your itinerary or at least find the closest one and note the contact info; very prudent advice and part of my pre-trip routine.
Also, if for whatever reason your nation's embassy isn't in the country you're visiting (rare, but it happens), find out if there are any other countries embassies or consulates that have agreements with your home nation to help you if you run into trouble. Same goes for doctors too - several western European nations have reciprocal deals with Australia (my home country) to provide emergency medical care if you show your Medicare card. Check it out, maybe your home country has similar deals in place with others. Very handy to know if it applies to you.
+Uncle Chuckles No. Fortunately I've never needed to. I recall that Mark's original advice to locate the embassy was in case one loses or has their passport stolen.
Thanks for the videos. You are also giving your sons a tremendous gift by showing them the world. Our family lived in Switzerland for a year when I was 8 years old (1972) and I still have fond memories of that year. God bless you and yours.
Take an empty 2L pop bottle. Pour a couple of inches of a coloured liquid into it and freeze. Repeat the process with different coloured liquids until you have multiple layers of different colours going all the way up the bottle. Leave it in the freezer and check it when you return. If the colours have run into each other, you know the power went off long enough to spoil your food while you were gone.
Doesn’t every where in the world use US plugs???? Sorry about the sarcasm because I’ve run into people while travelling with that problem. Usually our mates from the US are the worst offenders. Best wishes from Australia. Thanks, Mark, but you shouldn’t have to tell people this sort of info.............
Put a paper cup with water in it in the freezer ahead of time. Once frozen place a coin on top. If your power goes out while you were gone you will know by the flashing clocks, but you won't know for how long. If the coin is still on top your food remained frozen. If the coin is inside the ice you will know that your freezer thawed and then refroze the food.
Check your fridge for things like milk that have expiration dates and can cause a major stink. Use them up BEFORE you go. I've only had to go through that lesson once. Also, make your bed and tidy up a little before you leave your house so you're not faced with having to take out two-week-old trash when you get back from your fabulous and exhausting trip. Plus, a made bed is just nicer to come home to.
I remember going to Cyprus with an ex girlfriend and when we got back she hadn't done the dishes in her apartment and there was a layer of mold over the whole sink. Yuck
scott917 my phone company sends a text “ Welcome to “(=&+” You are part of the Roam abroad plan. For $8 or 5 whatever, you can have access to talk and text or just talk or just text. This runs from 12.01 am to 11.59pm so you decide what days you want your phone on/off. I think he needs to update this video because even my credit card company doesn’t require a heads up. Maybe it’s just a Canadian thing
I have a travel kit (including nail clippers) that stays in my luggage even when I'm not on holiday. That way I don't need to think when I pack before trips.
1) If using AirBnb: bring a small TORCH (or use your cellphone) I have only great experiences with AirBnb, but some places there are no or little light from the main door from the street up the stairs to the apartment. 2) Shopping fashion: if you travel light, like with a medium-size backpack like myself; pack some old clothes ready for trashing, use them during your trip, and then trash them. THEN you can shop some NEW shirts, jeans or whatever, and stuff them in your backpack, using the space the old items used up.
That's true. Bed & Breakfasts have regulations about how much light per square foot but Air BnB doesn't have the regulations. Thanks for that! I've not encountered a problem at any Air BnBs for that but never thought about it.
I keep a list in my suitcase of things to do before I leave and things to remember to bring with me. That way I cannot forget to check my list before I leave.
I have a sprinkler system so I never turn off the main line. I do turn the lines to the toilets and washing machine off. Also never have turned off the water heaterand have never had an issue
Make sure your bills are automatically deducted from your account. Set your phone to airplane mode and only use local wifi; otherwise get a local SIM card.
I definitely would never ever turn it on airplane mode (other than on the airplane..). There's the option to just turn off mobile data or even just to turn off mobile data in foreign countries in general. Just in case there's an emergency at home and someone needs to contact me - or if there's an emergency in the country I'm traveling in and my family or the ministry of foreign affairs needs to make sure I'm okay. Wouldn't want to find that call hours later when I turn on the connections.
One of the items people often overlook when preparing to travel is to notify their veterinarian of who will be caring for their pet while they are away, and that that person is authorized to make care decisions and incur expenses on your behalf.
Before I leave: I get a copy of my prescriptions and a copy of the info sheet from my pharmacist. Check the weather forecast at my destination. Clean the house, including changing the bed linens. (Sooooo nice to come home to.)
Set up a radio to a talk station on a timer with volume up fairly loud - like you would if you were running around the house doing chores. Just an added measure to the lamps on timers. Also don't forget to reprogram your thermostats to save on your utilities.
These are some "must do" before you travel ... Scan your passports, send to a relative or friend, so if you lose it, they can email it to you. Makes it a whole lot faster to get a replacement. PRINT OUT all your reservations, air, hotel, etc. They come in handy if you lose your cellphone or don't have a connection (this has happened to me many times) PACK, one change of clothes in your carry on, if you check luggage. You will then always have a least one change while you wash and dry the other BRING the bottles(with labels) and prescriptions of all medication you bring with you. Some countries it's illegal to have without them OUTLET CONVERTOR, you don't want to get into the hotel late at night to find you can't plug anything in! CREDIT CARDS! Always have a back up, a card that you never use (make sure you call to activate, etc). One that you will pack separately, with some cash and some sort of ID. I had a friend who got her wallet stolen in Paris, with all her credit cards, cash and id/passport. Talk about feeling naked and afraid!
These are wonderful tips. Thank you so kindly. And please have someone regularly checking INSIDE your place. My friend came home to the entire first floor of her house flooded from a water pipe that had broken while she was on a trip.
Buying a sim card in Europe just for the trip might be the way to go. From what I've experienced so far, American cellphone plans are always very expensive (like $40-80/month, even without traveling to a different country), but in a lot of European countries you only pay 10-15€ a month for (a limited amount of) calls, texts and data. Or you go prepayed an pay roughly 9ct/min. And the good thing is, as long as you don't leave the union, prices per EU call or text won't go above a certain limit (something like 15 cents I think), so you won't spend huge amounts of money. I even used my German sim card in the US because I had Wifi most of the time and calling people wasn't much more expensive either. Hope I could help!
+CrimeOnWings they are and if you have an unlocked phone and if you are staying in the same country I would just buy a chip (I have a chip for Italy, uk, Germany, Portugal, spain, Poland and lithunia) so I hear you :) thanks for the info!
+woltersworld knowroaming.com. Get your phone unlocked, and they will send you a tech film that goes over your chip. I come automatically, with a US and UK phone number, and you just get a local number for about 70 countries, through their app.
+CrimeOnWings Best tips ever! Especially about the fingernails! As to the phones...The past few years, I have found the best (well, cheapest) thing is to buy a local SIM card for my GSM phone (in the USA, AT&t or T-mobile) for about 10-20 dollars, with 1 gig of data, then e-mail folks back in the USA with a local number, or better yet, just tell them to use SKYPE, VIBER, or email to contact me, all of which just use internet data.
Leave your phone and other electronics at home. You are on vacation and you are there to enjoy the fun not wasting time with emails. You can do all that when you get home.
Check your calendar the days you will be traveling! Cancel or reschedule any appointments! Like a dental or doctor appointment. Some offices charge for a failed appointment.
I do this! And, I have the addresses of both the US and Canadian Embassies in the countries I'm travelling to--in case of emergency/lost passport (I have dual citizenship)
Great tips! One thing I would add that could really be a life saver would be to either get a bit of a base tan or pack lots of sun screen. If you're going somewhere sunny and you haven't been in the sun much, might do you good to walk around barefoot for a bit before. I've had sun burns on tops of my feet and other weird areas that I didn't think of that just ruined my vacations.
I love your videos Mark! When you talked about nails I thought: it would be amazing if Jocelyn could make a video about what women should do before travelling, like waxing or shaving , moisturizing the hair, taking care of eyebrows, etc., so we can be less worried during the trip.
I've made most these mistakes at all at once when I went to Japan for a month except the phone data package as I just rented a phone. Online check in, photocopying and scanning all important documents like passports etc., having the embassy number for your country saved, adequate supply of any important medications and exchanging currency beforehand instead of at the airport are few other things I tend to do
I like to have a meal or 2 in the freezer for when you come back & pass out. Maybe I should start making a shopping list, too, for those long trips. No good making housework plans post travel euphoria! Always a disaster for me...
Da Roadrunner We live in Florida and sometimes go on vacation during hurricane season. We use as much as possible in the the freezer and refrigerator, just in case a storm hits when we are gone. All we usually have left in the refrigerator is something for breakfast for when we get home. I also make sure we have pasta and sauce in the cabinet.
Definitely give yourself enough time before you go, and even day of. So many times I’ve rushed out wondering if I turned the oven off etc. If I went more slowly, I’m sure it wouldn’t happen. It’s tough though. The trip begins.. and ends…at home! Cheers happy and safe travels (and arrivals back home)
Europe tip: Data bought here is valid in the whole of Europe. So spend a little money to get a prepaid number, put some money down and buy a prepaid data package. I spend 20 euros a month for 5 gig of data that is valid for a month.
I think it is very good to create a packing list. You can start this list about a fortnight before you leave. First put everything on it that you can think of, then as other things come to mind put them on that list. Then when you pack the day before you go you will have this comprehensive list of the things you need. Take the list with you and use it when you are packing to leave, this way you won't forget anything. I keep my lists on my laptop. I don't throw them out, I keep them in a special travelling folder. When I am planning on going somewhere I copy the most recent packing list and use that as the basis for my new list. There are always some items to remove and some to add. I always take my laptop with me so the list travels with me of course.
Yes a packing list does indeed bring peace of mind. It ends all those doubts about whether you have packed the tickets for such and such. I first started doing packing lists when I started work as a freelance film maker. I had so much equipment with many small items to pack for every journey, so I created a list. The list making is so useful that now I do it even when I go for a weekend somewhere with only hand luggage and no video stuff.
I do the same, actually. For my upcoming trip I have a concise online Word document with several sections, one for a packing list (where everything I have yet to find in the house is in red color, so it stands out), 1 section for budgetting, one for travel ideas for the area I'm visiting and one is for different links and such that I have collected that I will look at when I arrive. I feel like preparing for the trip is half the fun, to be honest. And it makes you a lot less stressed about any possible mishaps, if you're openminded about your plans, at least.
I notified my bank about being abroad and they still annoyed me with calls on my first trip to Europe, more than once. The second time it wasn't as bad. I think they called once. That brings about another tip to mention: if you have a different number while abroad, make sure SOMEONE is receiving calls on your number at home so they can let you know if the bank IS calling you, because they might still bother you even if you do notify them.
You could also fill your freezer and pantry with a couple of instant meals and uht milk. Food shopping is the last thing you want to do on the first day you're back home and exhausted from jet lag. Also clean your home before you go. It makes coming back easier, especially if you've only given yourself a day or two before going back to work.
The finger nail thing is REAL. I've put clippers and a file in my travel toiletry bag bc I always seem to break a nail or snag them when I'm travelling. There is nothing worse than having scraggly looking nails and having no tools to fix it!
If you're going to be gone longer than a week, hire a neighbor kid to mow your lawn/shovel snow. Nothing says no one is home like a neglected exterior. Great video!
Make sure your water is off in your home. Came home to a waterfall coming down the front porch lol. Learned the hard way. Tolls, make sure tolls are paind and non delinquent.
I freeze a plastic cup of water & then lay a quarter on top of the ice. I place that cup in the freezer, I do this incase the power goes off & it indicates if the power has been off for an extended period of time.
Clean your house before you leave. Like do the dishes, vacuum, make your beds etc. There's no better feeling than coming back from a long trip to a nice clean house.
Solid video Mark! I'm one of those travelers with the local bank that doesn't have emergency hours. LOL. Mine flags any purchase that is not based in a country that I have told them I'm traveling to. Hence, I've had them flag me on Hostelworld (corporate is apparently in Ireland) and a few airlines carriers. But yeah, the rates are good. I have looked into getting a different card for travel tho. ;)
You can always turn off mobile data on your cell phone instead of purchasing an international data package. I always purchase a local sim card for the country I'm visiting. Many countries require passport size photos on sim card applications.
BIG TIP FOR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION NEEDS-If you use prescription medication and will be gone for an extended period of time, you will need to get a note from your doctor listing all of your meds and his/her contact info. You will then need to find an expat doctor in the city or cities that you visit ,make an appt. to get a prescription from a local doctor to take to a pharmacy to get filled. In England and Netherlands the cost is $80-90 US.for the appt.
We unplug electrical things. We set the alarm! And we also makes 5 copies of our passports, drivers licence, credit/debit- cars etc. 1 for each of our handbags, same with suitcases, and the 5th stays at home so someone can help us if we are really unlucky! We also make a packing-list, this one is different from country to country we are visiting, that way we dont forget anything. I pre-order my medicines and get the permission for them to take with me. We always leaves some cups, plates and other things so that from the outside it seems like we are home :)
Set up your bills on auto pay then you don't ever have to worry about it. If you can't pay your bills and afford to travel then you should probably wait anyhow.
Most nail trimmers are very compact & can go into your toiletry bag w/o a problem. Unless there is some reason the airlines don’t want you to pack them, it doesn’t seem like much of an issue to me. But the rest of your suggestions are good ones!👍🏻
Check how the weather will be where you are going and be sure to take mostly weather appropriate clothing, but take 2 outfits with you that are for the opposite weather that you are expecting just in case of weird weather. Make sure to bring a voltage adapter if you're bringing electronics. If you're planning on taking lots of pictures, be sure to bring extra film if you're using an analog camera, or several extra sd cards for your phone or digital camera. It's easy to take so many pictures that your card gets filled up, especially if you're there for awhile. Make sure to bring a dressy outfit just in case you decide to go someplace fancy or meet a new friend while there and get invited someplace fancy. Take 4 pairs of shoes. (One pair of dress shoes, one pair of everyday shoes, either house shoes or slippers for in the house, and a pair of sandals in case you go swimming or go to the beach) If you're going to be gone for a really long time, then pick out a barber or hair stylist that's there ahead of time along with 2 backups just in case, and bring a picture of how you want your hair cut. Don't forget to bring a compact umbrella just in case! Don't forget to bring an extra charger for your phone, and a battery backup or 2 for it!
Yeah, a stack of newspapers building up is a sign burglars use to know if you are away. Also either have someone you trust pick up your mail or have the post office hold it until you get back.
Turn *ALL* the alarm clocks in the house off, the day that you leave. Your housemates will thank you for giving them a morning sleep-in that first day... ("What's that? You missed your college final exam because you slept in? Really you should plan better than that!")
we always get a credit card just for that trip then when the 3 or 4 week trip is over we cancel it a couple weeks after we get home,every time we have gone to Italy our credit card gets jacked and we still have the card so watch your statements when you get home ...even if you still have your card and keep receipts
Homeowners - remember to shut the main water line. You don't need to come back to a flood due to a busted water line and turn off your water heater as well. Also if you have a security monitoring system, they need to be notified as well that you'll be away.
Also, you can notify your local police department that you won't be home & ask them to watch your home. Forms are typically available online ir at the local station.
Put a wood stick in your glass sider! Turn off the water to your washing machine -- they do break while you are away Leave a radio on so people outside can hear it -- not a TV since they go off and waste more power. Lock the garage door with the dead bolt lock so it can not open automatically Lock all screen doors , even if the main door is locked-slows them down! Unplug the TV and computes - for electrical surges Get someone to cut the grass Get someone to shovel or plow the drive way -- ask the guy next to my office who came home to 3 feet of snow after being in Disney for a week
If you’re a photographer or have good photography gear, take a picture of all your gear and the serial numbers, store the photos on like a Google drive folder and that way you have proof of ownership if it gets stolen or if you run into issues with customs.
In regards to credit cards and ATM cards, the big companies let you do it online. Also, most companies also have it so you can go online and set up automatic bill payment - either with the service provider or directly through the bank. You forgot to mention having someone water your plants (if you have any) - a big deal if you have potted plants. And let the neighbors know a friend will be watering your plants, so the neighbors do not freak out. If you get a newspaper, have them hold deliveries until you get back. They may have a program where the papers are donated to a local school or library. Also, I am surprised about the whole nail clipper thing. I mean doesn't everyone have a little ditty bag that you keep essential toiletries in, and that you restock when you get home from your trip, so for the next one, you just get it out and toss it in your luggage? Essential toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, dental floss, nail clippers, disposable razor, travel sized bar of soap, travel sized deodorant. And make a list of what you need o do before you go, as well as one for what you need to take, as they really help. Ideally, you have a staging area so you can slowly organize things before packing. Or maybe that is me.
I find this video to be amongst the most intelligent and useful of the whole range; mr Wolters, you ought to request a raise in salary, because you are certainly worth it ! The closing item about clipping the nails is actually priceless... and unique: I have never encountered anything like it - yet - but, how about including nail clippers, scissors, file etc. in one's toiletries tote ? Just a tought. At any rate: an unqualified BRAVO ! You actually DO seem to foresee everything; beware however that you are fighting a losing war, not just a battle against "stupid". Besides one cannot forestall Murphy. All the best.
We always ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on things, but we also notify the local police and request that an officer who patrols the area drive by the house periodically so there is a more frequent police presence on our street while we're gone.
Take an extra smart phone if you have one an I did this in Amsterdam and Spain I took it to a phone store got a European chip put in it for 20 euros they gave me phone number. I gave it to my kids in the states, turned the roaming off of my phone I use at home so when I landed they could turn it back on. This works great. Also I put all of my bills on auto pay most of them on a credit card just in case there is a dispute, (also I get points for cash or travel they add up fast) this means I don’t have to worry about paying anything when I get home. I always have a to go bag with nail clippers and all essentials you need on a long haul trip even though they in my checked bag
I buy a cheap prepaid phone when I travel and leave my cell phone at home. I download everything I need for my trip. I actually enjoy my time off because I am not checking work emails, logging on to my job remotely, worrying about bills, catching up on correspondence.
You might want to have your bank temporarily raise the limit on your debit card so you don't have to use the ATM as often. Don't forget that if you have, for example, a $300 withdrawal limit on your debit card, the conversion to euros or other currency usually will be a higher amount. The first time I went to Paris I tried to get 300 euros from the ATM but it refused to honor my request because that was over my limit of 300 USD, duh. Also, go to your bank before your trip and get some currency for wherever you are visiting so you don't have to go looking for an ATM at airport or foreign bank right away, especially if you're taking a cab from the airport to hotel or apartment.
Four more things to better not forget: 1. Turn off all the electrical devices you don't need while not at home. Paying for my TV, PlayStation, computer and so on being in standby or even in full mode is a total waste of money! And the longer you are away the more expensive it will be. 2. As a woman: If you take the pill, don't forget to check that the amount you have is enough to last the whole journey AND don't forget to take the package with you. 3. Best bring all the instruction leaflets of every medicine you take regularly, because if you get sick or have to stay in hospital or simply run out of the medicine, this will help doctors and pharmacists find out what you need or may not take and so on. This is important, because the names of medicines, the concentration of ingredients and the package design may vary from country to country. If you have to take many different medicines, I would advise you to also prepare a list of all the things you take, the dosage and against what you take it. Keep this list on you all the time. This will be really helpful in any emergency. 4. Don't forget to look after your plants and pets before you leave. I mean not only ask someone to feed/water them while you are gone, but also check that they are healthy and in good condition before leaving. Nothing ruins a trip like getting a call "uhh, is it normal that your dog's eyes are running all the time." Of course animals can get ill while you are gone, but leaving behind a pet that shows symptoms of illness without seeing what you or the person in whose care you give it can do against the illness, is making unpleasant calls very likely.
Oh and number 5: Again for the women: if you know that you're going to have your period during the journey take the sanitary products you use with you. You might not find the products you like where you go. And in many countries there are no 24/7 opening hours so it is better to have stuff with you than sitting e. g. in a caravan in Germany at 2am in the morning wondering how you will get the bloody mess out of the bed.
Number 2 and 5 are oddly specific, haha :P But I totally agree. Number 5 is a good tip in general, if you have a certain amount of regular purses, always carry 1 or 2 feminine products in each so you're sure no mishaps happen. Sometimes they happen for other people, and I've never seen a woman so relieved as when you offer her a pad because she's missing one. Using toilet paper as an alternative is NOT fun.
Do a last minute walk around inside and outside your house to check if everything is ok before going to the airport. Check every room as well. You never know what was turned on and left running while you were on vacation.
check with your local police dept to see if they'll check your house. my local will drive by my house 2 or 3 times a day and look for anything suspicious, and there's no charge for it.
I didn't know you were on FB too. Have subscribed to you for over a year maybe two and shared your videos with many traveling friends. Thank you, I enjoy them very much!
Turn the hot and cold water to the washing machine off. The two hoses have full pressure, for years usually, and may finally fail when you're traveling. Major flooding!
Love your videos! A big YES on finger and toenails! When you said that I was sitting here watching and nodding vigorously! Thanks for your videos, keep up the awesome work.
I have a cool neighbor. I am storing all my valuables with him while I am on holiday/vacation. Make sure you make photocopies of the following and carry the photocopies with you in case your documents are stolen or lost: Passport Debit/Credit cards (front and back) Drivers License (front and back) Bank routing number and account number (different than debit/credit card number)
Uhm, but that's super dangerous, because if you carry those copies on your body they are likely to get robbed just as much as the actual papers. I personally have a copy of my passport that is always in my checked in luggage (because it has my picture, so it's not easy to misuse) and that makes sure everyone knows who I am, if the suitcase is lost. But I would definitely never ever carry around copies of my credit cards. I would however carry stickers from my bank with their phone number on it to make sure I know who to call if they were stolen!
You make a good point about copies of the credit/debit card but it's better to have a copy of your passport stolen than the real thing. No one can do anything with a copy of your passport.
Imo, the best and safest solution is to just take pictures of your cards/docs, and then email them your yourself. If you get robbed and then need that info, most police reporting stations have a computer and printer you can use to access your email from so you can download/print the pictures you saved. You can also save the pics on your cellphone (and/or cloud account) as a secondary back-up.
After you make sure your phone will work in Europe and not bankrupt you, make sure the neighbor who is watching your house knows how to contact you while in Europe. I use Skype, Viber, and e-mail but there are other ways---just find something cheap and easy. And due to time differences, I think actual voice calls are the worst way to try to communicate.
If you have a pay as you go electric meter, make sure you have charged enough or rather over charged it so that you dont run out of electricity for your fridge. Also have some pre-prepared frozen meals for when you come back, and need to eat something quickly without cooking.
Stop the mail is one I will add to my list. Here is one to add to this list: Make 2 copies of your passport (give one to a trusted family member or friend and travel with the other but keep it separate from your actual passport - you can even take a photo of it with your phone). This way if it is lost or stolen you will have all the information to get it replaced (and travel back home).
Two things I do too before I travel: Give my house keys and an external harddrive with my most important files to a trusted neighbour. The first came in handy, when my stuff was stolen in Naples, including my house keys. At least I could enter my flat when I got home. The second is for in case there would be a break in and my electronics got stolen. My computer and stuff could be replaced; my files, the work of countless years, could not (too many and too large for cloud backup).
Lay the whole content of your check-in luggage out on the floor and get one picture where everything is clearly visible. Put it in your online Dropbox. If your suitcase goes missing and you need compesation, you have proof of your belongings which makes insurance claims so much easier. Also do a close-up of jewelry, etc. if they aren't easy to see on the big picture.
Billythachikk Great tip and I do the same. However, on trips I don't wear much jewelry, only a simple watch and one pair of earrings.
Super smart! Thank you :D
Don't put your jewellery in your check in language or anything really expensive put it in your carry on.
Very useful tip!
@@holger_p but if you're an honest player, it'll remind you of what you put in your luggage... So you know what to try to claim.
Small tip but important. Run your garbage disposer. It's not nice to come back from a vacation and find the broccoli you had 10 days ago has fermented in the disposer.
I am guessing this is from personal experience ;)
HAHAHAHA
Mark, very good information.
Somethings I do just prior to leaving the house to go on my trip;
1- Empty garbage.
2- Shut off water main.
3- Shut off water heater breaker.
4- Adjust A/C temperature to a moderate setting.
I then don't have to worry about bad orders, water leaks/brakes, or high electric bills , when I return.
We always unplug our wireless router before we go. Eat or throw out any food that will go bad while you're gone. And whatever you do, do not leave on a trip with dirty dishes in the sink!
+Nate Lloyd ...Or you might find your very own penicillin culture in the kitchen sink when you come backXD
Haha! Or, you can draw up a plan to charge the new life forms rent!
Reminds me of a way to mess with your neighbors. Leave an anonymous note on their door: "Have you been on vacation? Your wifi is not working!"
Nate Lloyd Yes!!!!!!
Take a few days off earlier to pack and clean the house. This reduces packing stress and nothing beats getting back from your holiday to a clean house and a freshly made bed (to sleep off the jet lag) :)
Mark, one thing you mentioned a long time ago that I had never considered was prior to every trip, locate the U.S. Embassy in every city on your itinerary or at least find the closest one and note the contact info; very prudent advice and part of my pre-trip routine.
Also, if for whatever reason your nation's embassy isn't in the country you're visiting (rare, but it happens), find out if there are any other countries embassies or consulates that have agreements with your home nation to help you if you run into trouble.
Same goes for doctors too - several western European nations have reciprocal deals with Australia (my home country) to provide emergency medical care if you show your Medicare card. Check it out, maybe your home country has similar deals in place with others. Very handy to know if it applies to you.
Tosh T Hey Tosh did you go to the Embassy??
+Uncle Chuckles No. Fortunately I've never needed to. I recall that Mark's original advice to locate the embassy was in case one loses or has their passport stolen.
Tosh T oh cool
Do you have any experiences in Europe? or favorite cities there
I do this!
Thanks for the videos. You are also giving your sons a tremendous gift by showing them the world. Our family lived in Switzerland for a year when I was 8 years old (1972) and I still have fond memories of that year. God bless you and yours.
I'm not even joking this video reminded me to turn off my oven lol
Dingus
Doofus
Lolo
Take an empty 2L pop bottle. Pour a couple of inches of a coloured liquid into it and freeze. Repeat the process with different coloured liquids until you have multiple layers of different colours going all the way up the bottle. Leave it in the freezer and check it when you return. If the colours have run into each other, you know the power went off long enough to spoil your food while you were gone.
Olga Nohra great hack!
If you're gone a couple of weeks, that's plenty of time for the food to refreeze. You wouldn't know the power had gone off or for how long.
you can't just check frozen food. as dude said, it would refreeze and you would have had no idea
Thats the point of the bottle woth the layered frozen liquids, if your freezer went off you'd notice a dofference in the bottle
Great idea!
Thank you!
Live long and prosper!
Moira
Bring an international electrical outlet adapter plug
Pam Bennett genius! Actually first person that mentioned it :o good point!
I would have totally forgotten about that and then been screwed when I arrived.
Thank you for reminding me
Doesn’t every where in the world use US plugs???? Sorry about the sarcasm because I’ve run into people while travelling with that problem. Usually our mates from the US are the worst offenders. Best wishes from Australia. Thanks, Mark, but you shouldn’t have to tell people this sort of info.............
Put a paper cup with water in it in the freezer ahead of time. Once frozen place a coin on top. If your power goes out while you were gone you will know by the flashing clocks, but you won't know for how long. If the coin is still on top your food remained frozen. If the coin is inside the ice you will know that your freezer thawed and then refroze the food.
Check your fridge for things like milk that have expiration dates and can cause a major stink. Use them up BEFORE you go. I've only had to go through that lesson once.
Also, make your bed and tidy up a little before you leave your house so you're not faced with having to take out two-week-old trash when you get back from your fabulous and exhausting trip. Plus, a made bed is just nicer to come home to.
I remember going to Cyprus with an ex girlfriend and when we got back she hadn't done the dishes in her apartment and there was a layer of mold over the whole sink. Yuck
On your mobile phone turn off automatic updates. So it wont update while you are paying for the more expensive data....
scott917 YES, this comment is underrated
Or just switch your phone on flight mode
Nathan Alder
Your phone 📱 automatically tells you to shut off cellular data. And turn on WiFi. At least my phone did.
scott917 my phone company sends a text “ Welcome to “(=&+” You are part of the Roam abroad plan. For $8 or 5 whatever, you can have access to talk and text or just talk or just text. This runs from 12.01 am to 11.59pm so you decide what days you want your phone on/off. I think he needs to update this video because even my credit card company doesn’t require a heads up. Maybe it’s just a Canadian thing
I have a travel kit (including nail clippers) that stays in my luggage even when I'm not on holiday. That way I don't need to think when I pack before trips.
+Tosh T Such a no brainer... just have two sets.. one for home and one ready for travel. The items never go bad. (I have three... one at work as well)
1) If using AirBnb: bring a small TORCH (or use your cellphone) I have only great experiences with AirBnb, but some places there are no or little light from the main door from the street up the stairs to the apartment.
2) Shopping fashion: if you travel light, like with a medium-size backpack like myself; pack some old clothes ready for trashing, use them during your trip, and then trash them. THEN you can shop some NEW shirts, jeans or whatever, and stuff them in your backpack, using the space the old items used up.
it's not a torch. Torch has a flame. It's called a flashlight
ahahh
Jim Crabtrey, he's using British terminology. A FLASHLIGHT is called a TORCH in Great Britain.
That's true. Bed & Breakfasts have regulations about how much light per square foot but Air BnB doesn't have the regulations. Thanks for that! I've not encountered a problem at any Air BnBs for that but never thought about it.
Not in UK.
I keep a list in my suitcase of things to do before I leave and things to remember to bring with me. That way I cannot forget to check my list before I leave.
Fantastic tips. Also, TURN YOUR MAIN WATER VALVE OFF. TURN YOUR WATER HEATER OFF!
I have a sprinkler system so I never turn off the main line. I do turn the lines to the toilets and washing machine off. Also never have turned off the water heaterand have never had an issue
Make sure your bills are automatically deducted from your account. Set your phone to airplane mode and only use local wifi; otherwise get a local SIM card.
I definitely would never ever turn it on airplane mode (other than on the airplane..). There's the option to just turn off mobile data or even just to turn off mobile data in foreign countries in general.
Just in case there's an emergency at home and someone needs to contact me - or if there's an emergency in the country I'm traveling in and my family or the ministry of foreign affairs needs to make sure I'm okay. Wouldn't want to find that call hours later when I turn on the connections.
@@Mikirlav Yes. Turning "Mobile Data Off" does not affect you receiving calls.
unless u have tmobile ur good to go... love tmobile free text and internet mostly in europe 😊
One of the items people often overlook when preparing to travel is to notify their veterinarian of who will be caring for their pet while they are away, and that that person is authorized to make care decisions and incur expenses on your behalf.
I leave a letter with my pet sitter giving them authorization
This is so smart! Never thought of this for my pup. Thanks 🐶
Before I leave: I get a copy of my prescriptions and a copy of the info sheet from my pharmacist. Check the weather forecast at my destination. Clean the house, including changing the bed linens. (Sooooo nice to come home to.)
Set up a radio to a talk station on a timer with volume up fairly loud - like you would if you were running around the house doing chores. Just an added measure to the lamps on timers.
Also don't forget to reprogram your thermostats to save on your utilities.
These are some "must do" before you travel ...
Scan your passports, send to a relative or friend, so if you lose it, they can email it to you. Makes it a whole lot faster to get a replacement.
PRINT OUT all your reservations, air, hotel, etc. They come in handy if you lose your cellphone or don't have a connection (this has happened to me many times)
PACK, one change of clothes in your carry on, if you check luggage. You will then always have a least one change while you wash and dry the other
BRING the bottles(with labels) and prescriptions of all medication you bring with you. Some countries it's illegal to have without them
OUTLET CONVERTOR, you don't want to get into the hotel late at night to find you can't plug anything in!
CREDIT CARDS! Always have a back up, a card that you never use (make sure you call to activate, etc). One that you will pack separately, with some cash and some sort of ID. I had a friend who got her wallet stolen in Paris, with all her credit cards, cash and id/passport. Talk about feeling naked and afraid!
These are wonderful tips. Thank you so kindly. And please have someone regularly checking INSIDE your place. My friend came home to the entire first floor of her house flooded from a water pipe that had broken while she was on a trip.
Buying a sim card in Europe just for the trip might be the way to go. From what I've experienced so far, American cellphone plans are always very expensive (like $40-80/month, even without traveling to a different country), but in a lot of European countries you only pay 10-15€ a month for (a limited amount of) calls, texts and data. Or you go prepayed an pay roughly 9ct/min. And the good thing is, as long as you don't leave the union, prices per EU call or text won't go above a certain limit (something like 15 cents I think), so you won't spend huge amounts of money. I even used my German sim card in the US because I had Wifi most of the time and calling people wasn't much more expensive either. Hope I could help!
+CrimeOnWings they are and if you have an unlocked phone and if you are staying in the same country I would just buy a chip (I have a chip for Italy, uk, Germany, Portugal, spain, Poland and lithunia) so I hear you :) thanks for the info!
+woltersworld knowroaming.com. Get your phone unlocked, and they will send you a tech film that goes over your chip. I come automatically, with a US and UK phone number, and you just get a local number for about 70 countries, through their app.
+CrimeOnWings Best tips ever! Especially about the fingernails! As to the phones...The past few years, I have found the best (well, cheapest) thing is to buy a local SIM card for my GSM phone (in the USA, AT&t or T-mobile) for about 10-20 dollars, with 1 gig of data, then e-mail folks back in the USA with a local number, or better yet, just tell them to use SKYPE, VIBER, or email to contact me, all of which just use internet data.
Leave your phone and other electronics at home. You are on vacation and you are there to enjoy the fun not wasting time with emails. You can do all that when you get home.
You can pay as little as $2/month in Europe for basically unlimited everything. At least in Ukraine. I would love to have those prices in the US.
you have no idea how much your videos are helping me out thanks for everything!!!!!!
+Melissa Maya that is really nice to hear. I am really happy to hear we can help!
Dude's awesome.
Find someone to feed your flowers and water your cat.
Check your calendar the days you will be traveling! Cancel or reschedule any appointments! Like a dental or doctor appointment. Some offices charge for a failed appointment.
Don't forget prescription medications.
take a photocopy of passport put in a separate place
I do this! And, I have the addresses of both the US and Canadian Embassies in the countries I'm travelling to--in case of emergency/lost passport (I have dual citizenship)
Okay Mom.
Scan passport and all reservations and put them on google drive or Dropbox or somewhere you can access them.
Email them to a relative.
Great tips! One thing I would add that could really be a life saver would be to either get a bit of a base tan or pack lots of sun screen. If you're going somewhere sunny and you haven't been in the sun much, might do you good to walk around barefoot for a bit before. I've had sun burns on tops of my feet and other weird areas that I didn't think of that just ruined my vacations.
I love your videos Mark! When you talked about nails I thought: it would be amazing if Jocelyn could make a video about what women should do before travelling, like waxing or shaving , moisturizing the hair, taking care of eyebrows, etc., so we can be less worried during the trip.
I will ask her. She is a bit camera shy so it might take a bit but I will try to get her to help :)
I've made most these mistakes at all at once when I went to Japan for a month except the phone data package as I just rented a phone. Online check in, photocopying and scanning all important documents like passports etc., having the embassy number for your country saved, adequate supply of any important medications and exchanging currency beforehand instead of at the airport are few other things I tend to do
Take out trash and throw away or eat food that will expire
forgot todo that for 2 wks. Had to through out the trash can. Gross
Take out the cat and feed the recycle bin.
Unplug all electrical stuff
"Jocelyn wants you to know that this is a Mark problem, not a Jocelyn problem." 😂😂😂
I like to have a meal or 2 in the freezer for when you come back & pass out. Maybe I should start making a shopping list, too, for those long trips. No good making housework plans post travel euphoria! Always a disaster for me...
Da Roadrunner We live in Florida and sometimes go on vacation during hurricane season. We use as much as possible in the the freezer and refrigerator, just in case a storm hits when we are gone. All we usually have left in the refrigerator is something for breakfast for when we get home. I also make sure we have pasta and sauce in the cabinet.
Put a cup of water in the freezer with a coin on top once frozen. If no coin on top when you come home you know the power has been off a long time.
Definitely give yourself enough time before you go, and even day of. So many times I’ve rushed out wondering if I turned the oven off etc. If I went more slowly, I’m sure it wouldn’t happen. It’s tough though. The trip begins.. and ends…at home! Cheers happy and safe travels (and arrivals back home)
Europe tip: Data bought here is valid in the whole of Europe. So spend a little money to get a prepaid number, put some money down and buy a prepaid data package. I spend 20 euros a month for 5 gig of data that is valid for a month.
I think it is very good to create a packing list. You can start this list about a fortnight before you leave. First put everything on it that you can think of, then as other things come to mind put them on that list. Then when you pack the day before you go you will have this comprehensive list of the things you need. Take the list with you and use it when you are packing to leave, this way you won't forget anything.
I keep my lists on my laptop. I don't throw them out, I keep them in a special travelling folder. When I am planning on going somewhere I copy the most recent packing list and use that as the basis for my new list. There are always some items to remove and some to add. I always take my laptop with me so the list travels with me of course.
+brighton dude I do that actually. have my list and check it off one by one
Yes a packing list does indeed bring peace of mind. It ends all those doubts about whether you have packed the tickets for such and such.
I first started doing packing lists when I started work as a freelance film maker. I had so much equipment with many small items to pack for every journey, so I created a list.
The list making is so useful that now I do it even when I go for a weekend somewhere with only hand luggage and no video stuff.
I do the same, actually. For my upcoming trip I have a concise online Word document with several sections, one for a packing list (where everything I have yet to find in the house is in red color, so it stands out), 1 section for budgetting, one for travel ideas for the area I'm visiting and one is for different links and such that I have collected that I will look at when I arrive. I feel like preparing for the trip is half the fun, to be honest. And it makes you a lot less stressed about any possible mishaps, if you're openminded about your plans, at least.
Wolters World Me too, especially when I stop in different cities. Check it off at each destination. It’s a lifesaver!
I love having packing list too. This way you don't forget anything.
T-Mobile is the way to go, has always worked throughout Europe, 3G data speeds, no extra charge, only calls are like 25c
If you make a last second bathroom trip make sure you turn the faucet off correctly, i had friends come home to a disaster after a 2week vacation.
I notified my bank about being abroad and they still annoyed me with calls on my first trip to Europe, more than once. The second time it wasn't as bad. I think they called once. That brings about another tip to mention: if you have a different number while abroad, make sure SOMEONE is receiving calls on your number at home so they can let you know if the bank IS calling you, because they might still bother you even if you do notify them.
I do love having the mail slot in my front door. Just piles up inside, no worry of an overflowing mailbox.
You could also fill your freezer and pantry with a couple of instant meals and uht milk. Food shopping is the last thing you want to do on the first day you're back home and exhausted from jet lag. Also clean your home before you go. It makes coming back easier, especially if you've only given yourself a day or two before going back to work.
What I learned while travelling: ALWAYS bring your nail file you.
The finger nail thing is REAL. I've put clippers and a file in my travel toiletry bag bc I always seem to break a nail or snag them when I'm travelling. There is nothing worse than having scraggly looking nails and having no tools to fix it!
If you're going to be gone longer than a week, hire a neighbor kid to mow your lawn/shovel snow. Nothing says no one is home like a neglected exterior. Great video!
Make sure your water is off in your home. Came home to a waterfall coming down the front porch lol. Learned the hard way.
Tolls, make sure tolls are paind and non delinquent.
I freeze a plastic cup of water & then lay a quarter on top of the ice. I place that cup in the freezer, I do this incase the power goes off & it indicates if the power has been off for an extended period of time.
GET TRAVEL INSURANCE!!! Plan ahead!!!
Also another tip a friend told me is to check your health insurance coverage if it extends to overseas
Clean your house before you leave. Like do the dishes, vacuum, make your beds etc. There's no better feeling than coming back from a long trip to a nice clean house.
Solid video Mark! I'm one of those travelers with the local bank that doesn't have emergency hours. LOL. Mine flags any purchase that is not based in a country that I have told them I'm traveling to. Hence, I've had them flag me on Hostelworld (corporate is apparently in Ireland) and a few airlines carriers. But yeah, the rates are good. I have looked into getting a different card for travel tho. ;)
You can always turn off mobile data on your cell phone instead of purchasing an international data package. I always purchase a local sim card for the country I'm visiting. Many countries require passport size photos on sim card applications.
Hey Mark! Are you ever going to go back to Ireland? Updated videos about Dublin and Ireland in general would be awesome!
BIG TIP FOR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION NEEDS-If you use prescription medication and will be gone for an
extended period of time, you will need to get a note from your doctor listing all of your meds and his/her contact
info. You will then need to find an expat doctor in the city or cities that you visit ,make an appt. to get a prescription
from a local doctor to take to a pharmacy to get filled. In England and Netherlands the cost is $80-90 US.for the appt.
We unplug electrical things. We set the alarm! And we also makes 5 copies of our passports, drivers licence, credit/debit- cars etc. 1 for each of our handbags, same with suitcases, and the 5th stays at home so someone can help us if we are really unlucky! We also make a packing-list, this one is different from country to country we are visiting, that way we dont forget anything. I pre-order my medicines and get the permission for them to take with me. We always leaves some cups, plates and other things so that from the outside it seems like we are home :)
Set up your bills on auto pay then you don't ever have to worry about it. If you can't pay your bills and afford to travel then you should probably wait anyhow.
Most nail trimmers are very compact & can go into your toiletry bag w/o a problem. Unless there is some reason the airlines don’t want you to pack them, it doesn’t seem like much of an issue to me. But the rest of your suggestions are good ones!👍🏻
Check how the weather will be where you are going and be sure to take mostly weather appropriate clothing, but take 2 outfits with you that are for the opposite weather that you are expecting just in case of weird weather. Make sure to bring a voltage adapter if you're bringing electronics. If you're planning on taking lots of pictures, be sure to bring extra film if you're using an analog camera, or several extra sd cards for your phone or digital camera. It's easy to take so many pictures that your card gets filled up, especially if you're there for awhile. Make sure to bring a dressy outfit just in case you decide to go someplace fancy or meet a new friend while there and get invited someplace fancy. Take 4 pairs of shoes. (One pair of dress shoes, one pair of everyday shoes, either house shoes or slippers for in the house, and a pair of sandals in case you go swimming or go to the beach) If you're going to be gone for a really long time, then pick out a barber or hair stylist that's there ahead of time along with 2 backups just in case, and bring a picture of how you want your hair cut. Don't forget to bring a compact umbrella just in case! Don't forget to bring an extra charger for your phone, and a battery backup or 2 for it!
Download offline maps to your phone before you leave. That way you don't have to rely on data connections every time you have to look for a place.
Suspend your newspaper subscription if you have one (especially if it's daily)
Yeah, a stack of newspapers building up is a sign burglars use to know if you are away. Also either have someone you trust pick up your mail or have the post office hold it until you get back.
Clippers are available at any local pharmacy in europe.
Gunter V yes but who wants to stall everyone's tour or activity to find a pharamacy for clippers
I live in a shared house, so turning alarm clocks off is also on my list :P
Turn *ALL* the alarm clocks in the house off, the day that you leave.
Your housemates will thank you for giving them a morning sleep-in that first day... ("What's that? You missed your college final exam because you slept in? Really you should plan better than that!")
we always get a credit card just for that trip then when the 3 or 4 week trip is over we cancel it a couple weeks after we get home,every time we have gone to Italy our credit card gets jacked and we still have the card so watch your statements when you get home ...even if you still have your card and keep receipts
+theuniplex never thought of that. cool
Thanks for the tips man good work! I watch all your videos
Great information from this cool man!
Also if you subscribe to a newspaper, arrange to have delivery paused while you are away.
Homeowners - remember to shut the main water line. You don't need to come back to a flood due to a busted water line and turn off your water heater as well. Also if you have a security monitoring system, they need to be notified as well that you'll be away.
Use smart plugs or outlets to turn lights on and off when gone..Most have built in timers.
Great advice. I've been to Russia three times and China twice and I'll testify to the validity of those suggestions.
We clean up before we go, it's much more relaxing to come home to a clean house!
I do the same thing, too.
Also, you can notify your local police department that you won't be home & ask them to watch your home. Forms are typically available online ir at the local station.
Cheryl Crowder is that an USA thing? You are a second or third person that mentions it and it sounds just so simple yet amazing :o
Put a wood stick in your glass sider!
Turn off the water to your washing machine -- they do break while you are away
Leave a radio on so people outside can hear it -- not a TV since they go off and waste more power.
Lock the garage door with the dead bolt lock so it can not open automatically
Lock all screen doors , even if the main door is locked-slows them down!
Unplug the TV and computes - for electrical surges
Get someone to cut the grass
Get someone to shovel or plow the drive way -- ask the guy next to my office who came home to 3 feet of snow after being in Disney for a week
Thanks a lot for all those advices
Hamburg is a great city. Vastly underrated.
If you’re a photographer or have good photography gear, take a picture of all your gear and the serial numbers, store the photos on like a Google drive folder and that way you have proof of ownership if it gets stolen or if you run into issues with customs.
great video Mark.. i keep finding more and more great videos.. Thank you.
In regards to credit cards and ATM cards, the big companies let you do it online. Also, most companies also have it so you can go online and set up automatic bill payment - either with the service provider or directly through the bank.
You forgot to mention having someone water your plants (if you have any) - a big deal if you have potted plants. And let the neighbors know a friend will be watering your plants, so the neighbors do not freak out. If you get a newspaper, have them hold deliveries until you get back. They may have a program where the papers are donated to a local school or library.
Also, I am surprised about the whole nail clipper thing. I mean doesn't everyone have a little ditty bag that you keep essential toiletries in, and that you restock when you get home from your trip, so for the next one, you just get it out and toss it in your luggage? Essential toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, dental floss, nail clippers, disposable razor, travel sized bar of soap, travel sized deodorant.
And make a list of what you need o do before you go, as well as one for what you need to take, as they really help. Ideally, you have a staging area so you can slowly organize things before packing. Or maybe that is me.
I find this video to be amongst the most intelligent and useful of the whole range; mr Wolters, you ought to request a raise in salary, because you are certainly worth it ! The closing item about clipping the nails is actually priceless... and unique: I have never encountered anything like it - yet - but, how about including nail clippers, scissors, file etc. in one's toiletries tote ? Just a tought. At any rate: an unqualified BRAVO ! You actually DO seem to foresee everything; beware however that you are fighting a losing war, not just a battle against "stupid". Besides one cannot forestall Murphy. All the best.
Yes
We always ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on things, but we also notify the local police and request that an officer who patrols the area drive by the house periodically so there is a more frequent police presence on our street while we're gone.
Take an extra smart phone if you have one an I did this in Amsterdam and Spain I took it to a phone store got a European chip put in it for 20 euros they gave me phone number. I gave it to my kids in the states, turned the roaming off of my phone I use at home so when I landed they could turn it back on. This works great. Also I put all of my bills on auto pay most of them on a credit card just in case there is a dispute, (also I get points for cash or travel they add up fast)
this means I don’t have to worry about paying anything when I get home. I always have a to go bag with nail clippers and all essentials you need on a long haul trip even though they in my checked bag
Some good advice about things I didn't think about...
I buy a cheap prepaid phone when I travel and leave my cell phone at home. I download everything I need for my trip. I actually enjoy my time off because I am not checking work emails, logging on to my job remotely, worrying about bills, catching up on correspondence.
diva70smusic lol that’s a you problem though, not a phone problem.
You might want to have your bank temporarily raise the limit on your debit card so you don't have to use the ATM as often. Don't forget that if you have, for example, a $300 withdrawal limit on your debit card, the conversion to euros or other currency usually will be a higher amount. The first time I went to Paris I tried to get 300 euros from the ATM but it refused to honor my request because that was over my limit of 300 USD, duh. Also, go to your bank before your trip and get some currency for wherever you are visiting so you don't have to go looking for an ATM at airport or foreign bank right away, especially if you're taking a cab from the airport to hotel or apartment.
I love this channel!
Four more things to better not forget:
1. Turn off all the electrical devices you don't need while not at home. Paying for my TV, PlayStation, computer and so on being in standby or even in full mode is a total waste of money! And the longer you are away the more expensive it will be.
2. As a woman: If you take the pill, don't forget to check that the amount you have is enough to last the whole journey AND don't forget to take the package with you.
3. Best bring all the instruction leaflets of every medicine you take regularly, because if you get sick or have to stay in hospital or simply run out of the medicine, this will help doctors and pharmacists find out what you need or may not take and so on. This is important, because the names of medicines, the concentration of ingredients and the package design may vary from country to country. If you have to take many different medicines, I would advise you to also prepare a list of all the things you take, the dosage and against what you take it. Keep this list on you all the time. This will be really helpful in any emergency.
4. Don't forget to look after your plants and pets before you leave. I mean not only ask someone to feed/water them while you are gone, but also check that they are healthy and in good condition before leaving. Nothing ruins a trip like getting a call "uhh, is it normal that your dog's eyes are running all the time." Of course animals can get ill while you are gone, but leaving behind a pet that shows symptoms of illness without seeing what you or the person in whose care you give it can do against the illness, is making unpleasant calls very likely.
Oh and number 5: Again for the women: if you know that you're going to have your period during the journey take the sanitary products you use with you. You might not find the products you like where you go. And in many countries there are no 24/7 opening hours so it is better to have stuff with you than sitting e. g. in a caravan in Germany at 2am in the morning wondering how you will get the bloody mess out of the bed.
Number 2 and 5 are oddly specific, haha :P But I totally agree. Number 5 is a good tip in general, if you have a certain amount of regular purses, always carry 1 or 2 feminine products in each so you're sure no mishaps happen. Sometimes they happen for other people, and I've never seen a woman so relieved as when you offer her a pad because she's missing one. Using toilet paper as an alternative is NOT fun.
Also some towns offer police watch on your house while youre gone. I know my town does.
Do a last minute walk around inside and outside your house to check if everything is ok before going to the airport. Check every room as well. You never know what was turned on and left running while you were on vacation.
check with your local police dept to see if they'll check your house. my local will drive by my house 2 or 3 times a day and look for anything suspicious, and there's no charge for it.
12799MaDeuce omg that sounds so cool!
Paranoid much?
I didn't know you were on FB too. Have subscribed to you for over a year maybe two and shared your videos with many traveling friends. Thank you, I enjoy them very much!
Thanks Jennifer! I appreciate all the follows :)
Here in Australia people tend to get a neighbour, friend or family member to collect the mail when gone
Turn the hot and cold water to the washing machine off. The two hoses have full pressure, for years usually, and may finally fail when you're traveling. Major flooding!
Love your videos! A big YES on finger and toenails! When you said that I was sitting here watching and nodding vigorously! Thanks for your videos, keep up the awesome work.
I have a cool neighbor. I am storing all my valuables with him while I am on holiday/vacation.
Make sure you make photocopies of the following and carry the photocopies with you in case your documents are stolen or lost:
Passport
Debit/Credit cards (front and back)
Drivers License (front and back)
Bank routing number and account number (different than debit/credit card number)
Uhm, but that's super dangerous, because if you carry those copies on your body they are likely to get robbed just as much as the actual papers. I personally have a copy of my passport that is always in my checked in luggage (because it has my picture, so it's not easy to misuse) and that makes sure everyone knows who I am, if the suitcase is lost. But I would definitely never ever carry around copies of my credit cards. I would however carry stickers from my bank with their phone number on it to make sure I know who to call if they were stolen!
You make a good point about copies of the credit/debit card but it's better to have a copy of your passport stolen than the real thing. No one can do anything with a copy of your passport.
Imo, the best and safest solution is to just take pictures of your cards/docs, and then email them your yourself. If you get robbed and then need that info, most police reporting stations have a computer and printer you can use to access your email from so you can download/print the pictures you saved. You can also save the pics on your cellphone (and/or cloud account) as a secondary back-up.
Excellent advice! Thanks, Wolter!
After you make sure your phone will work in Europe and not bankrupt you, make sure the neighbor who is watching your house knows how to contact you while in Europe. I use Skype, Viber, and e-mail but there are other ways---just find something cheap and easy. And due to time differences, I think actual voice calls are the worst way to try to communicate.
If you have a pay as you go electric meter, make sure you have charged enough or rather over charged it so that you dont run out of electricity for your fridge. Also have some pre-prepared frozen meals for when you come back, and need to eat something quickly without cooking.
Adamma Oguh most places don’t have those! What a pain if you do.
Thanks a lot!! Good advise!
Stop the mail is one I will add to my list. Here is one to add to this list: Make 2 copies of your passport (give one to a trusted family member or friend and travel with the other but keep it separate from your actual passport - you can even take a photo of it with your phone). This way if it is lost or stolen you will have all the information to get it replaced (and travel back home).
Two things I do too before I travel: Give my house keys and an external harddrive with my most important files to a trusted neighbour.
The first came in handy, when my stuff was stolen in Naples, including my house keys. At least I could enter my flat when I got home.
The second is for in case there would be a break in and my electronics got stolen. My computer and stuff could be replaced; my files, the work of countless years, could not (too many and too large for cloud backup).
Great attitude! Wonderful contributions to the To Do List.....especially the finger and toe nails.