Leaving in 4 days and I feel so unprepared...help?

Judey, I used to panic just as we were leaving the house to go to the airport, wondering what I had forgotten.

Now I just remind myself that all we REALLY need are plane tickets, passports, and credit and debit cards. Everything else can be reconstructed from the internet, or purchased there.

Oh, and make sure you have someone to check your house and bring in the mail, or stop it at the Post Office.

Actually, it sounds like you are fine. Bring your guidebook and a lot of the planning can be done on the plane or once you get there. Make a list of things you want to be sure an bring, and start packing now, checking them off as you go.

RS has a packing list, so do many other sites you can find with google. Go thru one or two, see if you're bringing the items that apply to you. However 700 million people live in Europe and they aren't dependent on care packages from the US for daily life :-) Most things you need you can buy; some are harder to come by like your passport, ATM card, and credit cards.

Also I would suggest calling your bank(s) to let them know you are traveling so that they don't refuse charges from abroad.

Probably one of the most important things to do now if you haven't, is to notify your bank and c.c. companies that you will be in Europe. You don't want them to freeze your account based on 'suspicious' charges. Capital One has a great automated system for doing this, unfortunately I can never remember the phone number or find it on the website. However, their regular agent should be able to tell you/transfer you.

Judey,

Listen to Lola and Mike (and Liz)!

Here are some links:

Money 101

Rick's Packing List

Packing List for Women

Packing Light and Right

Packing Tips for Women

I was planning on going to my bank today to talk to them about my trip and ask about raising our daily ATM withdrawal limit as I think it's $300 and that won't even get us through a few days, considering that the first hotel will be 300 Euros total for 3 nights. (Actually, since we both have our own cards it might be $600--I hope.) I'm going to ask them if I can get some Euros before I leave, although I'm unsure of how much to get.

Yes, it's a good idea to have your bank raise the limit to the maximum on each ATM card you will take with you. Withdraw the limit each time you use your card. Fewer transactions means fewer fees.

Some people like to bring some euro with them. I prefer to stash a few hundred US dollars in my money belt as an emergency reserve and get euro from an airport ATM when I arrive. If for some unforeseen reason my card won't work in an ATM, I can always use some of my dollars to get euro at an airport exchange bureau to tide me over until I find an ATM that works. (I've never had to do that; but it's good to have one's bases covered.)

I like to have some euros upon arrival myself--around 50 or so.

Make sure that the money you will be withdrawing by ATM's is in your checking account. European ATM's don't give you a choice of withdrawing from checking or savings; they only take from a checking account. My husband didn't realize that and had all his money in the "savings" side of his account, so he could not access it the whole trip. He just thought the card didn't work and we didn't figure out the problem until later. I think it was just a plot to make me get all the cash from my account. ;)

Most important? Relax and enjoy your trip.

,,,,are both huge procrastinators ...... Unfortunately that is probably the operative word. I have some similar problems but fortunately not my wife. Our key has to been to develop "To Do" lists AND stick to the list. Our lists are very detailed down to turning back the hot water heater. In the winter we actually shut off the water to the house. What helps me is to make the list and keep it with me at all time. When I am tempted to jump to another thing, I put that thing on the list and helps me to stay focused on what I was doing. Good luck.

I would suggest changing $100 or so into Euros (about $140 if you want 100E). Get it in bills no larger than 20E if possible. This provides easy spending money when you arrive; something to drink and eat, money for a taxi or subway or whatever, etc. I keep a some money in a pocket for the day, the rest in my money belt. So showing up with 20E apiece in your pockets and the balance in the money belt would be fine.

In addition to notifying your bank and credit cards, I would suggest you bring the phone numbers with you for their fraud divisions. If for some reason the card is not working they may have frozen it, even if you notified them that you would be in Europe. It happened to me. I had to call them to straighten it out. I then put the number in my wallet in case I needed it again.

Fast forward to the end of that trip. Crowded RER train in Paris, desperate to get to the airport on time to go home. Low and behold...my wallet was stolen out of my purse. Luckily my passport was more secure. Of course that number to report fraud was in my wallet. I tried to call my credit union at the regular number to report my debit card being stolen. The only problem was it was midnight at home and they were closed. I now have my numbers all stored in my cell phone. They are listed in such a way that no one else would be able to detect what they are for.

Leave a copy of your passports and itinerary with someone...just in case.

Breathe and relax, and most of all have a great time!

Double check to be certain that you have suffcient amounts of any prescription medications (and at least 2 or 3 days extra) and go ahead and pack them. Make a detailed medical info sheet for each of you and keep it with your passports (should have meds you take (prescription - brand name AND generic name or chemical name, and otc)include dose,and why you take them, medical conditions,allergies, recent procedrues (where, when, why and by whom) and doctor and pharmacy names and contact numbers as well as contact number for friend or family for emergencies. Take and extra pair of glasses/contact lens and a copy of that prescription. Take your insurance card and phone number (in case of emergency and you need ot ask questions) and info for any trip/accident/medical insurance you purchased for the trip.

Most people suggest that you take debit/ATM cards on 2 different banks so that if one doesn't work the other might. Be sure to notify both banks and credit card companies and take non 1-800 phone numbers.

All of the previous suggestions are right on. Lay out the clothes you think you will take, including any accessories. If you have time, put a list of what you actually take in a word doc so you can refer to it for subsequent trips. I highlight the items I take in my carry-on tote.

Take a copy of your itinerary, passports,CCs,reservations w/ phone #s, plane/train tickets, etc with you as well as leaving a copy w/ 1 or 2 people at home.

I cut out the pages from RS books and other sources + maps and put them in ziplocks, labeled by city or area. I also put like items in ziplocks i.e. laundry,picnic,electrical.Extra ziplocks in several sizes are always useful.

RELAX, Bon voyage!!!!!!!

If you and your husband do not have health care insurance that can pay for expenses at a medical center and clinic in Europe, get insurance. Health care insurance (part of Traveller's insurance) can easily and quickly be acquired, via Telephone.

Great suggestions everyone! Gah, I only got 50 Euros at the bank and totally spaced the cost of the train ride from the FCO airport to Roma Termini...does anyone happen to know the cost of it?

Nevermind, I found it. 14 Euros for one person for a 30 minute train ride? Ouch!

Hi Judey: Read your post about needing lots of Euros for the hotel. Couldn't you pay the hotel with a credit card?

Agree with the previous poster about having a checklist and checking things off as you go along. Helps allay the frazzled feelings. Part of the checklist might include things you want to make sure you've taken care of at home before leaving: e.g. turning off the stove, that kind of thing. (Just so you aren't worried on the way to the airport.)

Have a great trip!

You can use a credit card to purchase tickets for the Leonardo Express train via the automated kiosk at the airport, which will leave your cash intact a little while longer.