What type of research should I do before I travel?

• Check to see what type of weather the area has so you can plan accordingly.
• Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget. 
• Don't forget to budget for taxes and tipping.
• Check the dates of local major holidays or festivals, since services may be limited on those dates.

What additional research should I do when planning foreign travel?

• Find out if you will need a passport to enter the country. Make sure your passport is up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, extend it, if you are close to expiration.
• Find out if you will need any visas to enter the country.
• Do some research with Canada Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.
• Build some basic language skills in the local language

Make Copies - Just in Case

• Just like you back up all your critical files on your computer (you do do that, don't you?), you'll want to make at least two photocopies of your itinerary, your passport information page (the one with your picture and passport number) and copies of your credit cards showing the numbers. Give one copy to your mom, or someone else you trust and can get a hold of any time of day or night. Keep a copy of your passport and credit card info with you but in a different place than the original items.

Call Your Credit Card Companies

A couple of days before you leave for your vacation, call the 800 number on the back of the credit cards you're taking with you.  Make sure the credit card company knows you will be charging things in different countries on your vacation.  Otherwise, your charges will very likely be refused.

Protect your home while away

• Make sure that someone knows your travel plans and can deal with emergencies (do they have a key?) in your absence.

• Suspend your mail delivery.
  
• Cancel your newspaper delivery.
• Make arrangements for the care of any pets in your charge.
• Adjust your thermostat settings as appropriate.
• Clean your toilets, and anything else prone to "growing" stuff when you're not around.
• Dispose of your garbage.
• Water your plants.
• Check your refrigerator & other storage locations for food that could spoil.
• Schedule the payment of any bills that might come due during your trip.Inspect all your doors and windows to ensure that they are secure; garage doors can be "locked" by inserting a large bolt through one of the tracks in which the door rides (there are usually holes for this; if not, drill one). If you use an alarm service, notify them of your plans, and let them know who to contact for emergencies.
• Unplug stuff (don't just turn it off); your computers will be safer and more rested, and there's no reason to pay for electricity to keep your remote controls functional while you're away.
• Turn off taps, on washing machines and anything else that could leak or freeze while unattended.

Print a PDF copy these travel tips.   CLICK HERE.