What to Do the Day Before Vacation

Months, weeks and days leading up to a vacation can be filled with hope, excitement and eager anticipation for the eventual moment when you’ve buckled your seat belt and are taking off to a faraway destination. But the final day before this adventure can be an overwhelming jumble of nerves mixed with pangs of anxiety regarding the unknown. In order to keep the day before departure as calm as possible, here are a few tips for a peaceful send-off.

Double-check reservations. Check in for your flight, re-confirm the address of your accommodation and make sure you’ve either printed or downloaded all tickets and vouchers you may need. Additionally, download the apps for every airline, hotel and other travel service you plan to use just in case you need on-site assistance.

Alert your bank. To avoid the nightmare of arriving in a foreign country with no access to money, notify your bank about your trip and mention the countries you’ll be visiting. It’s also important to inform your credit card companies so they won’t block your card when they notice unusual international activity.

Scan the weather forecast. Consult the forecast for your destination and pack accordingly. Although you may have already decided what you’re packing, the day before you leave is not too late to switch out a few items if the weather predictions change at the last minute.

Share your itinerary. In case of any emergency, it’s helpful if at least one other trusted person knows your travel plans. Forward your flight and hotel confirmation e-mails to a friend or family member.