Looking for a check list to help you plan your trip abroad? Check out these helpful hints.
Check your cell phone coverage. Do you have a plan that covers you in Europe? Do you need to add a plan? Or, are you planning on buying a SIM card once you land?
Make copies of all your documents. All. Email a copy to yourself and store it in the cloud. Give paper copies to your traveling partner, if you have one.
Register for STEP. I’ve mentioned this previously. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program was created by the US Department of State to notify local embassies about your travel plans. You will be contacted in case of an emergency or security advisory in your destination. It’s free and easy to register. Though you may not need to enroll every time you leave the country, I always do.
Notify your bank and credit card companies of your plans. No sense having a credit card or bank deny a transaction because they didn’t know you were in Paris and not at home in Denver.
Download any offline maps you can. That way you will always be able to look at a map.
Pay attention to the exchange rate. If you don’t get any money ahead of time, you will want to know what it will cost you once you land.
Before you leave, charge all your electronics. Everything. If you have everything plugged in…don’t walk out the door without the devices and their chargers.
Remember to take a plug adapter to use in Europe or wherever you are going.