Trip Planning checklist- Am I forgetting anything?

Lock the door when you leave is all I see not listed. ( or will house sitter be there before you leave?)

I wonder how many folks are going to print your list as a planning template. I suspect more than a few

Enjoy!

Wowsa! You've been compiling for a while - very complete list.

Great list! You have probably done this before buying trip insurance, but:
Check what your regular health insurance covers, and what steps you need to take for reimbursement.
Check what your credit card insurance covers.

Also, double-check expiration dates on your credit and debit cards. If you have any bills on autopay, make sure the expiration date has been updated on the vendor's records. (I got a notification from an insurance company that my monthly payment had been rejected -- couldn't get on the website from Italy -- ended up emailing my daughter who had to put the payment on her credit card.)

Something that I bought (and some others feel is unnecessary) was a pair of small binoculars for looking at ceilings, architectural details, and other amazing things -- mine were about $20 at REI, and they have been great. Bought about two days before we left.

Have a great trip!!

Great list! Literally the only thing I'm not seeing that is on my pre-trip list is to have your mail held if your pet sitter won't be bringing in the mail.

Also buy travel size toiletries - either specific small packages or buy empty bottles and fill with your preferred products (the container store is great for cheap, good bottles )

Thorough list....you plan well.

If you do not have someone staying overnight in your house, consider turning off the faucets to your washing machine, flipping the breaker to your water heater (or put in pilot only if gas), and turn off your icemaker (even better if you can shut the water off to it). If you have a way to just shut off the internal water to your house (specific shut-off valve), good to do that, but sounds like water will be needed for the pet sitter to use for the pets? We've heard too many stories (from our plumber) re: people coming home to water surprises. Make sure the toilet finishes filling and shuts off before you leave the house, too (so it doesn't run the whole time you are gone). Have you left emergency contacts (preferred repair people/decision makers) for your house/pet sitter?

Any plant watering to schedule?

Have you done a back-up for your home computer files and stored that off-site (good idea weekly anyway, even if home)?

Great list! I would also scan and email copies of your documents to your self just in case something happens to your phone. Make sure there is someone at home who has all the info on your trip and copies of all your documents and who can take care of anything that might happen while you are gone . Also don!t forget to let your vet know that you will be gone and the name of the person who can authorize care for fur babies..

Don't forget your money belt and last HAVE F U N.

We both have valid/up-to-date passports and photo IDs (and will take
pictures of them on phone and bring photocopies as well; will also
leave a copy at home for our emergency contact)

Confirm that your passports are valid for the time period required by each of the countries you will be visiting or through which you may be transiting.

For instance, "Entry into any of the 26 European countries in the Schengen area for short-term tourism, a business trip, or in transit to a non-Schengen destination, requires that your passport be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure."

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/schengen-fact-sheet.html#FAQ

A week, sometimes a few weeks depending the destination before leaving I collect everything with the list together at a place in my house. But just for leaving and closing the door behind me I have a little list with items “how to leave the house behind me” sticked at the inside of the front door. Like are all windows closed and doors locked, gas and electricity off, (antenna) plugs pulled etc. just to avoid fire, burglary or a possible lightning strike ruins my receiver or TV. Usually I make coffee just before leaving so to be sure the hot tray is off I put that on that little list too.

Excellent, you are well-organized and with all that in place it's much easier to relax and enjoy your trip. I've made 7 trips now and do all this pre-planning and logistic stuff by rote, but the first time I just winged it--had a great time, but I now know I could've done so much more.

One thing that really helps me during my trip--I travel solo so only myself to rely upon--is taking a little notebook (about 4" x 6", not thick, fits easily in my purse) that I enter pertinent travel details in: all flight codes and related info, one page for each day of the trip with the complete hotel info on first page of each country section, and I try to have a basic plan for each day noted, though it doesn't always go that way. I take notes as I go--useful for later trip reports or a return trip--and the blank pages are used as a travel journal. I also print a currency conversion chart right before I leave if travelling to countries that don't use the euro, like Hungary, Czech republic, Poland, etc. and that gets taped in my book. Of course I have info stored in my phone but find having this backup book very useful.

Wow, we have been traveling to Europe on and off since 1976 and my list isn't as complete or complex. Not having any pets or plants helps. We will definitely be referring to your list for future trips. Guess we have just been lucky.

I'm not sure if you are saying to take two days of meds in your carry-on, or two days of clothes and all your meds in the carry-on. Take all your meds in the carry-on. You never know how long it might take to get lost luggage to you. A friend got her lost luggage on day 13 of a 14 day trip!

Good list.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their wonderful responses, additions, and encouragement about my planning!

Joe- I definitely hope people will use this as a starter list- it’s the least I can do to give back after the time everyone has taken to answer my questions on here! :)

Christi- Thank you so much- yes, I’ve been trying to be really good about researching as much as I can before I ask questions. Plus, the whole planning process (as tedious as it can be for an over-thinker like me) has actually been a welcome relief because it’s been providing some temporary distraction from an otherwise crazy work year… all I can say is that I NEED this vacation lol :)

Laura, Mira, Maggie, Barbara (CA), Lane, Christa, and Wil- Thank you for all of the additions- those are actually all things that apply to me (the plants, notifying the vet and authorizing a person, keeping a notebook with important info, emailing docs, etc.), so I’ll add it to the big list! Good thinking!

Barbara (NY)- Lol, I tend to be more on the “over-prepared” side with this stuff. I’ve been making lists since the age of 16, because otherwise my brain is somewhere between a 24-hour three ring circus and what Penn Station is like during Rush Hour haha :). Knowing me, I would forget something that would be REALLY bad of me to forget lol. Plus, since it’s my first time to Europe (and I’m jumping in without a travel agent or anything like that), I want to make sure I’m doing everything right. Hopefully in a few years when we go back, all of this will be a piece of cake (and now I’ll already have a list to go by)!

Stephen- Thank you and excellent point- I’ll definitely put meds in the carry-on for the entire time!

Thank you all once again- you all are lifesavers!

Some random thoughts:

Get a road map when you're in Europe, better choices and cheaper.

It's International Driver's Permit (not License), not really a big deal.

I think it's a good idea to read your credit card agreements to see what they require from you if a card is lost or stolen or if a transaction is fraudulent. If you use a credit card for your car rental insurance, know your requirements for reporting a claim. These are contracts and both the bank and you have to play by the rules outlined in the contract.

I don't like buying new shoes for a trip. You really don't know they will be comfortable until you've had them for awhile. I'd limit yourself to what's already in your closet.

I like a neck wallet more than a money belt because there is more room under my shirt than my slim fit pants. It's personal preference but it can be a leg wallet, hidden pocket, money belt or neck wallet - any will serve the purpose of putting your most important items somewhere they can't be easily stolen.

Don't stress too much about forgetting something, part of the fun of travel is getting past things you didn't plan for or mistakes you make. The most perfect trip is when everyone can let go of stress, not when you stress about everything being perfect.