Packing and Planning: Must Knows Before You Go

If you are going on a trip, whether it is a weekend jaunt or a month long journey, there are quite a few things that you must know before you go. Writing a list out as soon as you know that you are planning a trip is a very good idea, and can end confusion and heart break later. The longer the trip, the more planning will be involved, and the longer the list. Once the list becomes longer than four or five items, split it with your travel partner and make sure that you are both aware of who is responsible for which part of the list. Good communication is paramount at this stage of the trip.

First things first: do you know where and when you are going? Is this a place that you are familiar with? Is the trip one that will be planned well in advance or is it a spur of the moment, spontaneous thing? Will the trip itself be for pleasure or for business? Who will pay for what, and how will payment be made? These are the preliminary questions that must be answered before any planning can be made. Don't skip ahead to the shopping and packing portion before these issues are in hand.

If you know the place that you are heading to, you will know the basic weather conditions and acceptable dress, but if you have never been there you will probably need to do some research. You can do this yourself by reading a travel guide about the city you will visit, or by calling a good travel agent for some tips and pointers. Remember, there are some dress codes for certain parts of the world; you would do best to do know these things before hand.

If it is a business trip, then you may have an expense account and you will more than likely know what type of wardrobe is expected of you. Will you also have a companion with you? Is there a chance that this companion will not reflect well on you for this trip? Will you have any free time at all, or will your days be pretty well filled with meetings, etc.? Knowing your itinerary before you depart can avoid misunderstandings between you and your mate once you arrive.

Will you need a passport and/or a visa for your destination? Are all of your papers current? Have there been any outbreaks of illnesses reported, and if so, should you ask for immunizations against these diseases? Are there any areas of the country that you should avoid for safety? Do not find out the answer to these questions through a potentially dangerous event- know these things before you go.

Many people fight over the money that they spend on vacation, so if your trip is one for pleasure, then set a budget and faithfully stick to it. If you know that you will be tempted by a local specialty, agree on a set amount of money you will spend on this must have item, and then walk away. Take pictures of the things you could not buy and keep these as beautiful memories. Don't allow a spat over money ruin your trip, possessions are only things after all.

Finally, remember that eventually you will be coming home, and you want things to be just as you have left them. If you are going to be gone for an extended stay, have the mail and newspaper stopped, the gas shut down and hire a neighbor to water the plants or feed the fish. Deter thieves by installing timers on your lamps and a radio to give the illusion of someone being in the house. Make sure that you shut down and unplug your computer, and unplug your television as well. Ask someone to mow your lawn and consider calling the police with the dates that you will depart and return and give them a number where you can be reached if there is a problem. Tidy the house before you go so that you do not come home to a mess that will destroy your post trip euphoria.

Remember that most trips are fun, but there is no place like home!