Last minute check list

Turn off your mail and arrange to collect it at the post office when you get back.

Ditto with the newspaper if you get one.

Call your credit card bank and your check card banks and let them know when you will be out of the country and where you are going so that your cards don't get declined by the fraud alert personnel.

Make a copy of all important information--the phone numbers in Europe to report lost or stolen credit cards, your itinerary information, the addresses of those who want to send postcards to, etc. etc. and email them to yourself. You can retrieve them if need be from Europe.

Pay recurring bills in advance so you don't have to worry about trying to pay online from unsecured computers.

Do a trial packing ahead of time, tote the bag around a bit to see if it is too heavy. It will be. So take out things that you aren't positive you will need. Your back will thank you.

Then pour yourself a tasty beverage, sit back, and watch a Rick Steves video of your destination.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!!

I don't have anything new to add to the checklist, unfortunately. The last poster covered a lot of good things. I do get a little nervous right before my trip. I am leaving on May 8, and even after 9 months of preparing, I am not feeling completely ready! Checklists are great for helping with that. Have a great trip!

I would add a few items: turn off your water at the main cut-off or at least turn off the hose leading to your washing machine. Turn the thermostat on your hot water heater to low. Unplug everything, especially computer, TV, etc. Set your thermostat to something appropriate for your climate (in humid Atlanta, I leave the air conditioning on a reasonable setting to prevent a mildew smell). Leave your closet doors open slightly to prevent a stuffy smell. Check all the windows and doors. Also, consider turning off your answer machine or you may end up having dozens of solicitation calls. Farm out your houseplants or just let them die. That's always a tough choice. Leave a key with someone you trust and your itinerary, too. Yes, I get nervous before a long trip, too. Luckily, once I'm checked in at the airport or am on the Interstate, I'm over it.
Have a fabulous trip! Brianna

All of these are good recommendations.

Last but not least, don't worry. Relax and enjoy your trip. There are very few things you can forget that will really wreck your trip (Passport and credit/debit card are the only things I can think of, everything else can be looked up or bought on the road).

Thanks so much! All of your replies helped! I will try to chill out, and make sure I have everything!

Something to add to Brianna's list: pour a cup of full strength bleach into each drain just before you leave. Keeps your kitchen, bathroom smelling fresh.

One thing I have done in the pass is let the local police know the dates you will be out of town and leave a local contact number, just in case they need to get in touch with someone concerning your home. Make sure that contact number is able to get in touch with your or know how to handle things if they can't reach you.

I thought about contacting the police or something like that, but all you need is someone at the police station to read the note and their is a perfect oppurtunity for burglary! I'm just paranoid, my inlaws live one minute from my house and will be checking on it and I may even have some family members stay there.

Nothing specific, but think about the things you use daily, and will continue to use until you leave (can't pack them ahead of time) those are the things I am most likely to forget...my example would be sunglasses, especially if you have prescription ones. Other items you can pack long ahead of time, and often pack too much of...but those little useful items will get you every time.

Have you checked that you have medical insurance that will cover you in Europe?

To tell you the truth I didn't want to find out if my insurance would work in Europe, because I was worried that it would indeed would not work. I just called though and I do have coverage for Emergency and urgent care, so I can't go to a clinic for a common cold, but if anything else happens I would be covered. At least that's how I understand it.