The Other Travel Planning

Airfare, hotel accommodations and rental reservations may be the trio of travel planning, but nailing down these aspects of your vacation is only the beginning of the trip planning process.

If you want to achieve a smooth, headache-free trip, consider these ideas:

1.  Contact the Kennel and House Sitter - Do this before you book your travel to guarantee availability. No sense incurring change fees from the airline because Fido can't find a Kennel to take him the week you booked your travel.

2.  Take care of "Stop" Orders and Advance Payments - Temporarily halt regular occuring deliveries and services such as postal mail, newspapers and housecleaners. Notify your neighbor to take in any packages which may arrive via UPS or FedEx. If you want a particular service to continue (such as landscaping or pool service), consider paying in advance if this is not your usual arrangement.

3.  Manage Your Cash Flow - Be sure to get enough cash from you bank before you leave for your trip, that way you won't arrive short on cash and have to search for an ATM. Remember, not all banks have a national footprint and you will pay ATM fees at machines run by institutions other than your bank. Traveling overseas? Purchase a small amount of the local currency ahead of time, and always notify your bank or credit card company to let them know your travel plans. Most keep track of spending patterns and may interpret an unexpected overseas purchase as credit card fraud.

4.  Pack Your Cell Phone Earpiece - Don't leave home without it! Local laws governing cell phone use while driving vary considerably, sometime from one county or municipality to the next; and fines or penalties can be steep.

5.  Check The Weather - We sometime take this one for granted. Of course it is going to be warm in Key West during spring - but there are always exceptions to prevailing weather patterns, especially during transitional seasons. A weather forecast can guide your packing strategy, and failure to check can catch you unprepared.

6. Plan Your First Day - The first day of your trip is ofter lost to logistics and unfamiliar surroundings. Hauling you and your belongings to a resting place, figuring out exactly where you are, and shaking off travel fatigue and jet lag can fry your nerves. Planning ahead will help you make the most of the first confusing day. 

Got more ideas? Tell us about them.