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Travel Tips
TRAVEL ALERTS & UPDATES
Duty Free Shopping
Before You Go
Months ahead
Plan your trip
Start looking for special deals and other discounts especially if your travel plans are flexible
Do your research on the area you will be visiting, especially for foreign travel
Check the valid dates on your passport and / or visa
Take care of medical and dental checkups and inquire into vaccinations where necessary
Consider starting an exercise program to prepare for the extra walking. Always check with your physician first.
Make reservations
Several weeks ahead
Watch the weather so that you are prepared’
Check with your credit card company to arrange for additional available spending limit if necessary in an emergency
Check the expiry dates on your credit cards, debit cards, phone cards, drivers license
Check your insurance for items that you will take with you as well as those left behind
Purchase automatic timers to switch on at “the usual hours” in your home
Check cameras and purchase new batteries and film
Make arrangements with neighbours and relatives to check your home
Have a neighbour collect your mail or consider having it held at the post office
Arrange for the lawn/snow to be maintained to “look” normal
Arrange for someone to start your car in the cold weather
Arrange boarding for pets if necessary
Purchase and “break in” new shoes
Adding yogurt to your diet will help strengthen your digestive system. Consider checking with your doctor regarding “over the counter” remedies for digestive problems contracted in foreign countries.
Two weeks ahead
Reconfirm your reservations
Get traveller’s cheques and a small amount of foreign currency
If travelling by car, make sure the maintenance is current.
Put your valuables and jewelry in a safety deposit box or a very secure place in your home
One Week Ahead
Buy only the amount of perishables that you think you will need
Begin to organize your suitcases and begin packing
Clearly identify all your luggage inside and out
Make lists of a credit cards, traveller’s cheques, passport numbers, licenses and leave at home all credit cards that you will not need.
Notify your security company of your travel dates.
Set your automatic timers and test them for a day or two to ensure that they are functioning
Check prescriptions for necessary refills
Pay bills that may come due when you are away
Arrange to cancel your newspaper
Pick up all your items from the dry cleaners
The Day Before
Move houseplants away from direct sunlight, water thoroughly. Consider a few inches of water in a bathtub and then put the pots in the bathtub. They will water themselves for two weeks.
Empty the refrigerator of items that will spoil
Dispose of all garbage
Fill the car with gas, check the fluid levels and tire pressure.
Finish last minute packing
Ensure that your alarm is set.
Get a good night's sleep!
Finally the Last Day
Turn water heater to its lowest setting
Turn your air conditioner up in the summer. Although you want to reduce your consumption, you still want to protect your plants and electronics as well.
Turn your furnace down in the winter or off in the spring and fall. Again it will reduce your consumption yet still protect your plants and waterpipes.
Leave your shades and blinds as you normally would in the daytime.
Lock all doors and windows including basement and garage. Disconnect the automatic garage door.
Unplug electronic devices such as your computers to protect them in the event of a thunderstorm. Remember to unhook your phone line from the modem. Answering machines should probably be left on and don’t really pose a problem unless they are connected to the computer.
Pack the car inside the garage, with the door down, so people driving by won’t know that you are leaving
Please check back for More Travel Tips
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