Burbank Guide Service- Travel Tips for Before You Go.

Hunter's Haven For Geese and Greenheads™, At Washington's Premier Hunt Club

Travel Tips

Before you travel**:

Before you leave:
Personal	Have a health check up.	Create a health history, listing previous surgeries, previous illnesses, current health issues, dates of treatment, etc.
	Create Drug History	Record of drugs (Name, generic name, strength, frequency, prescribing doctor and reason/illness.) Note any allergies to any drugs or foods.
	Documents	Copy your passport, license and any credit cards you are taking. Also copy all medical cards, etc.
	Car Rental	Procure an international License, if needed. Check with your credit card and insurance company to see the level of coverage you may desire. Realize that in foreign countries, purchasing complete coverage may be an inexpensive item, if needed.
	Personal/business	Have document in place to describe your wishes, incase you do not return for a while. Do estate planning just incase.
	Camera	Purchase extra batteries, storage cards, film and USB cords/chargers. Make sure you take a pic of your luggage you are traveling with and any valuables. You can leave this with your 'at home' contact. Take pictures of any accidents, etc with an item such as a news paper to document the date.
Destination	Research	Embassy locations, any travel warning, doctor referrals, country codes for calling out of the country, which cell phones work at the destination and fees, electrical configurations and plugs needed, bring surge protector for electronic or buy one upon arrival.
Financial	Choose 2 or 3 credit cards	Have spouse/friend carry one, or keep them in separate locations. Incase purse/wallet is stolen, you still have access to a credit card.
		Make sure the card(s) will be useable at destination.
		Notify CC company of upcoming travel plans, so they will know it is not fraudulent activity and shut the card down, while you need to use it.
		Purchase travel checks (check to see if they can be used at the destination and if fees will be charged), compare using travel checks to accessing ATM's, get extra cash for travel and for emergency fund and get some money in small denominations for tips.
		List credit card numbers to call to report lost/stolen cards from destination. Keep in separate location from cards.
		Not all CC's have offices to acquire emergency money in all locations. Am Express will wire money to any Western Union Office after contacting them....toll free and proceeding through their steps. Tip: You can only have money wired every 6 months, so if you truly need wired money get all you will need, plus some for further emergencies until your return home.
Family/Friends	Travel Plans	Leave an itinerary, copy of airline or travel tickets, along with hotel contact phone/fax numbers, credit card contact number, copy of documents, etc. List airline contact numbers for the country. Hours in foreign countries are more limited than in USA.
		Leave the email account you plan on using while traveling. Most countries have internet cafe's, or the hotels have an accessible computer to use (for free or fee?).
Household	Valuables	Put in safe location, storage or leave with friends. Do you leave true valuables, temptations or items in plain view. Leave some leave impostor/inexpensive items visible.
	Pets/Plants	Arrange for care.
	Newspapers	Terminate service.
	Mail	Have post office hold, or arrange for daily pickup.
	Security	Make sure all alarms are operational, and give company alternative contacts while you are away.
		Notify neighbors of your plan absence, so they can keep an eye on your home.
		Have mail/plant/animal person move vehicles.
		Install timed lights. Lock all doors & windows.
Travel emergencies	Plans?	Buy an emergency assistance plan? Read what they consider a valid emergency, what is pre-existing, what distance they will transport you to receive care, and if they pay or you pay up front!
		Know how your personal medical insurance works at destination. Preferred vs. non- preferred providers. Do you pay up front and then get reimbursements.
The day before you leave.
Electrical	Unplug	All appliances and computers you will not need to run in your absence.
		Turn down water heater settings, open doors under sinks to prevent freezing pipe,install anti freezing devices or have home monitored during extreme cold weather.
Security	Lights	Set timers for random
	Alarm	Set alarm when you leave, and make sure trusted person know the setting and name is given to security company.
	Answering Machine	Do not announce your absence. Have trusted person erase messages, if you can not call and do them from a distance.
Packing	Pack Light	Yeah, I always say this, but it is better than hauling a lot of stuff. Think layers and basic colors which will not show travel grim. Take light weight items which are easily hand washed (underware/socks/pants). Make sure your suitcase is in tact. Only lock with approved TSA locks and be away they can be cut at any time. Layout one comfortable outfit from your selection and wear for travel. Make sure you have pockets for personal items. Choose layers so you can adapt to temperature changes and plane climate changes.
	Liquids	Only ONE quart closing/sealing bag may be used to carry on the airplane through security. All liquids, gels and non-solids must be stored inside and any one item cannot exceed more than 3 ounces. Be careful with purchases in airports after you have cleared security. If you are not flying directly to your final destination, you may have your hand carrys screened again and will loose all items at security if they do not meet requirements. If you purchase larger perfume, alcohol etc during international travel, place in luggage after it is picked up at customs and before it is re-checked after leaving customs. Makre sure you list on custom forms and check on limits with customs before travel.
Guns	Double/tripple locking secure case.	Make sure you cannot pry the sides open, from either end. All locks must be operational. Procure all gun forms etc inadvance. Do not carry cleaning fluids/spays or ammo with guns. See further details provided before the trip on forms needes and country requirements. Always check with airline/train for current regulations. Don't mark GUNS on the outside of case. If possible, try to choose a case which does not screem 'guns inside'. You can discretely list your name, however. Notify airline in advance that you will be traveling with a weapon.

** Copyrighted by Suzanne Sullivan 2007. All rights reserved in USA and Internationally.
Please contact to receive permission to use, otherwise all permission will be considered not valid.
hunt@burbankgoose.com