The following checklist can help you to prepare for your trip.

oVisas

oPassports - check the expiration date two months before your trip

oVaccinations

oHotel reservations, take along confirmation numbers

oTravel reservations,

oAirplane tickets

oTravel insurance to cover the duration of your trip

oDriver's license, registration, insurance cards

(leave unnecessary cards at home)

oMoney or foreign currency (cash, traveler's checks, credit cards)

Carry some emergency Car keys, house key. (Leave unnecessary keys at home)

oStop the newspaper and mail.

Turn down thermostat at home

oTurn off computers, modems and other electrical equipment that does not need to be on.

oJust before stepping out of your door, make sure that all faucets are turned off, and that the water in toilets that you flushed has stopped running.

oCheck the refrigerator and discard or give away foods that will spoil if you are gone for several days.

oArrange for someone to water your plants and take care of your pets.

Don't forget to leave the keys and itinerary.

oDo not pack your travel documents or money in a suitcase that may get lost. Take your important documents and money in a wallet or purse that you can access at all times.

oMake sure that your luggage has a tag with your name, address, and telephone number.

oTie a colorful ribbon or attach distinctive stickers to your luggage so that you can identify it easily, and other travelers will not take it by mistake at a busy terminal.

Personal Items

•Shirts, blouses, pants, dresses, hats, coats, sweaters

•Rain protection - travel umbrella or raincoat

•Undergarments, Socks

•Toiletries, cosmetics, shaving needs, deodorant, shampoo

•dental floss, toothbrush, nail clippers, nail file

•contact lens preparations

•camera, batteries, recharger, voltage converter, small flashlight, travel alarm clock, hair drier

•swimming suit, beach towels, sun block cream

•slippers

•sleeping bag, backpack

•Cell phone and charger

A printed list of emergency phone numbers or address book may be handy if your cell phone batteries die or you lose the phone.

•Food supplements

•vitamins

First Aid

•Aspirin or analgesic

•decongestant or cold/sinus medication

•antiseptic spray

•mosquito repellent, anti-itch cream

•anti-diarrheal

•other special medications

Car Trip

•Check tire air pressure, including spare

•Tools for changing a tire

•Check oil and gas level

•Check the weather forecast. Avoid side roads when there is snow or bad weather.

•Flashlight

•Maps

•Global Positioning System (GPS)

•Sun block, sunglasses

This is important on a long trip when the sun may be shining on your arms and face for a long time.

•Trash bags, moist towels, napkins

•Insulated bag for cold drinks and fruits

•Take water for drinking, for the radiator, or windshield washer.

Soft drinks may be OK for you, but they cannot be used for the car.

•Granola bars or other emergency food

You may be stuck in traffic for a long time when you least expect it.

•Cellular telephone

Traveling with kids

Children get bored easily and have very little patience for travel. Planning a vacation to a holiday destination that is suitable for your children is easy. The real difficulty is the journey. Make sure your children are wearing loose fitting comfortable clothes, have plenty of snacks and drinks, and lots of things to keep them entertained, modern technology allows the whole family to watch movies online that will entertain them for hours.

Safety measures to handle your Cash!

When traveling, stay aware of your surroundings to avoid being a victim of pickpockets. Do not travel with more than two credit cards, and notify the card companies that you will be traveling so that they will not put a hold on the cards when they start seeing charges from unfamiliar places. If you don't have access to a hotel safe, use a money belt or neck wallet under your shirt to hold your passport, travel tickets, and extra cash. Only carry in your wallet what you will be using for the day. If you run out of money in your wallet, go into a bathroom, and lock the door to retrieve extra money from your money belt. In crowded places, it is better to carry your wallet in a front pant pocket rather than in a back pocket that can be picked more easily.

There are people who are experts when they learn forex trading or manage their finances at home, but it all goes out of the window when abroad. this is a great way to ruin your holiday, so make sure you are not one of these people.

Sometimes thieves work in teams. One of them distracts you or pushes you, while another one picks your pocket. So be alert always.