• Start researching your trip
• Determine Vacation Dates
• Decide on European arrival & departure Cities
• Make Frequent Flyer Reservations

6 months before your trip:

• Research the countries and cities you plan to visit.
• Contact Tourist Offices of countries you are visiting. Check if you need a visa.
• Contact SERVAS if you want to meet Europeans &/or have free home stay.
• Think about Home Security.  Best security is to have someone live in your home--house sitter or House Swap

5-4 months before your trip:

• Concentrate on developing your Itinerary
• Create and "Easy Entrance to Europe" in your planning.
• Make several drafts of your itinerary  (tools)
• Cover garage windows
• Set timers to control lights, TV, Radios, etc--practice.
• Place valuable in storage or safe deposit box
• Remove keys from "secret" places--house & car

3 months before your trip:

• See your Dentist--finish dental work.
• See your Dr.--ask for advice re. any special medical issues while traveling.
• Get extra prescriptions, including glasses.
• Finalize your itinerary as much as possible.
• Order your Pass Port.
• Make final airline arrangements.
• Make lodging reservations in large cities.
• Order your local transportation--Rail passes -car - tour.
• Walk an hour 3x week to get into physical condition and to break in your travel shoes.

2 months before your trip:

• Arrange to have yard taken care of regularly.
• Ask neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally.
• Also have them put a rubbish can in front of your house.
• Decide if you need trip cancelation insurance.  
• Make sure your home and life insurances are paid!

1 month before your trip:

• Arrange to have newspaper & mail delivery stopped, or to be picked up by neighbor.
• Arrange for your foreign money at local bank. (probably pick it up a week or two later)
• Set up automatic deposit of paycheck and bill payments--or arrange for someone to mail off pre-written checks.
• Locate ATMS in places you are visiting
• Pack your 1 small bag & rehearse carrying it for an hour or so down town or in your neighbor hood! (re-pack!)
• Find someone to take care of pets (Oahu travelers--TERC has a good referral)

2 weeks before your trip: (feeling the excitement?)

• Get your travelers checks or set up ATM.
• Remind your friends & family that you are leaving (as if they could forget!)
• Make 3 copies of travel documents & credit cards--give a set to a friend--pack others in bag or use online Vault.
• Do something physical to release adrenaline.
• Plan for Jet Lag

3 Days before your trip:

• Call airline and confirm your reservation. Order any special meals needed.
• Pay bills up to date.

1 Day before your trip:

• Check to see that NO mail or paper are delivered.
• Take pets to their caretaker.
• Double check the things you are taking with you.
• Relax & get a good nights sleep. (see jet lag tips)

Day of your trip:

• Water Plants
• Lock all windows and doors.
• Make sure you have your tickets, passport and other travel documents.
• Make sure all luggage is tagged and you have your claim checks for each piece of checked luggage.
• Register valuable jewelry and foreign watches and cameras with customs. Keep the stamped form for use on future trips.
• Leave for airport at least 30-60 minutes before you really think you need to.

Bon Voyage --Fasten your Seat Belt, Lean back and Enjoy!

Contributed by Roz Cole of Oahu, Hawaii