Part 5 - Final Checklist
Before traveling with the family on your next vacation you may wish to use our
Checklist of Tasks and Hints. See below for the list of things that you may wish
to consider taking and preparing prior to traveling, plus some hints to successful
and happy traveling.
Have you?….
o Booked and confirmed your travel? (flights, rail, bus, boat/ship)
o Booked and confirmed your hotel/accommodation?
o Chosen and booked your activities (hop-on hop-off bus, boat/cruises etc)
o Remembered to book and confirm your travel to and from the airport (bus shuttle,car, rail etc)
o Arranged pet-sitting (if necessary)
o Arranged a house-sitter (if necessary)
o Paid off the Credit Card
o Given your family or friends (a trusted person) an emergency number & itinerary
o Arranged traveller's cheques (or whatever your form of money will be)
o Cancelled the maintenance man, cleaner, pool service etc.
What Not to Forget to take with you..
o Everybody's Passports
(don't forget the extra passports for maiden names etc, if necessary)
Buy yourself a clear zip up bag - this should be the size a little larger than the size of your passports
that can also fit 1 pen, and your ticket stubs.
o Booking Reference Docs (for flights, hotel & activities etc) or all information saved online in your itinerary
Keep in mind, if places you are visiting require physical forms,
print these out and keep them with your documents.
o Essential medicines and thermometer for your children (& you)
plus a mini first aid kit; bandaids etc
o Spare batteries or at least the correct gear to charge electronics
(e.g. camera batteries)
o A copy of all paperwork
Passports, licences etc; in case you lose your bags/luggage, or at least keep a copy of these
securely on your device (Phone, tablet etc).
What to Research and Prepare for..
o Currency of region/country of destination
o Weather at your chosen destination
o Native Language spoken at your chosen destination (learn the basics)
Click here for recommended Translator Apps.
o Become familiar with the local cultures and practices
(for eg. consider respectful clothing choices for travel to places like the Middle East & Asia etc)
o Typical food and cuisine to expect when arriving at your chosen destination
(as parents, we get frustrated if the foods are not the kids' favorites)
A good idea to remember to DO..
o Typical Online Airline Check-In (if you wish to choose your airline seats)
o Think about a solution to 'if you run into financial issues'
(e.g.: if your purse gets stolen)
You may wish to consult with a friend/family member to be ready
to transfer money just in case !
Walking out the door….last Minute checklist. Have you?...
o Cleaned out the refrigerator - 'bin' all perishables.
o Checked the windows and doors, and set the Alarm
o Closed the drapes
o Informed a trusted person of your whereabouts
o Paid off the credit card
o Arranged the transport at the other end (shuttle/train/taxi at your first night of stay)
o Remembered to take all of the garbage out
Loosely pack your luggage / suitcases 1-2 weeks prior to travel.
Leave your open suitcase(s) on the floor, and as you think of it, throw in any items that
you think you may need with the plan to do the final pack a couple of days before your holiday.
This will determine what 'holiday' clothing you may wish to buy, or which toiletries you need to stock up on.
