Vacation Checklist: 5 Things To Do Before You Go on a Hot Holiday This Winter

­Many people plan and prepare for activities on their next holiday. But there are several important things to take care of before stepping foot on an airplane. Read below for a vacation checklist and the five important tasks to complete before jetting off to warmer destinations this winter.

1. Buy Travel Insurance

If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. A year ago, I saved myself nearly $5000 on three claims while on the road because of insurance. It costs less than you expect and pays off if something were to ever happen while travelling. Make sure to read all the fine print on the insurance policy to guarantee you have the exact type of coverage you need. (I have had three insurance policies cover me at one time to guarantee all my outdoor adventure activities would be covered.)

2. Check Your Passport Expiry Date

Many countries require your passport to be valid for six months beyond your date of travel. Other countries require there to be more than one blank page in your passport for visas or stamps. I had to get a last-minute (and expensive) rush on a new passport before my trip to Africa because I only had a page and a half left. This wasn’t enough to guarantee my entrance into the half a dozen countries I was planning to visit.

3. Copy all Documents

Make print copies of all important documents: credit cards, debit cards, itineraries, health and travel insurance policies as well as your passport. E-mail a copy to yourself so you always have digital access to it. Then leave a copy with a trusted friend or family member at home. If something happens abroad, they’ll have access to all the necessary information which can help make accidents or mishaps easier to deal with.

4. Get all Necessary Vaccinations

TwinRix. Malaria, yellow fever and rabies. Do you need any or all of these vaccinations and medications before you go? Make an appointment with an international travel clinic to discuss what’s right or necessary before you travel. Some countries like India and Indonesia won’t let you in if you don’t have yellow fever vaccination proof with your passport (and are travelling in from an area with known cases of yellow fever.)

5. Look After Your Home

Ask a friend or family member to check on your house or apartment while away. They can water your plants, look after your pets and make sure your home is safe and secure. This is particularly important during the winter season in the event a pipe freezes or bursts. But mostly, it’s just for peace of mind while relaxing on your holiday.

Looking for tips on how to pack? Check out this post about how to pack efficiently and snag your own comprehensive packing vacation checklist here.

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