You already booked a flight and hotel and you can’t wait to start your trip. I put together a list of must-do’ items, so that you don’t forget anything. You should not forget the following 10 things before your trip.

Cash is really important before going on a trip. You should take some with you. Why is it important? Imagine you can’t find an ATM nearby or your credit card isn’t accepted. I already had this experience. Important tip. If you go on a trip – tell your bank, I’ve already heard from friends and family, that their credit card was disabled, because the bank thought that their card was stolen. Another tip. I always withdraw money at the airport. If you do that at home, the bank will charge you very expensive exchange rates.

I think travel insurance is something you consider unimportant until something happens. Believe me – something can always happen. What if you have to cancel your flight!? That why I recommend a credit card. You can use this for online shopping anyway or to pay invoices on flights, hotel or something else. With the Gold Mastercard you have protection all over the world for yourself and those traveling with you, including cancelling your trip. Even if you don’t use the card – the insurance still protects you.

A lot of deseases that aren’t common in Austria, are common in other countries. That’s why vaccinations are good. Contact your doctor or a tropical institute for information about the required vaccinations!

Do some research online before you start your trip. Most countries allow a stay up to 90 days without a visa. Most of them, not every country! Don’t forget this! This process can take several hours, days or months and if you don’t have a visa, you have to go back home. Avoid this annoyance and prepare well.

I always take a copy of important documents with me and I save important e-mails on my phone. If something happens, I have everything with me. I also copy my passport, my e-card and my insurance documents. I also put a note into my purse with all the important telephone numbers in case I lost my phone or creditcard (embassy, card blocking, mobile phone blocking, hotel address).

Inform yourself how much your suitcase can weigh before you start packing. Weigh your suitcase first. I own several big or middle-sized suitcases. I choose the suitcase based on where I am going and how much I’m allowed to carry. For example if 23 KG are allowed, I’m taking a big one. If it’s less, I’m taking the middle sized one to save some weight. For the hand luggage don’t forget to use a see through plastic bag for your liquids. Note the amount of your liquids. Put everything bigger than 100ml in your suitcase.

Before going on a trip, I charge every device, so that I can be sure that the battery won’t die on the first day. I also have a second battery for my camera and two chargers for my phone.

The is nothing worse than inconvenient clothes while on a long flight. I’ll never understand women wearing tights, nice dresses or skirts and hig hheels on a long flight. I always look homeless in my sweatpants. I prefer comfortable and casual clothes when flying. I put on several layers, so I can take clothes off if I’m too warm.

Plan the first day at home, so that you know what to do when you arrive. Thanks to the internet this won’t be a problem. Plan the transfer from the airport to your hotel. It’s really stressful doing that after arriving in another country.

Last but not least, relax on your holidays! Enjoy your stay! Don’t let yourself get stressed and stay cool. It’s your holiday and it shouldn’t start with stress.