Travel Tips
1. TRAVEL CHECK: Confirm your flight times, check your passports, and make photo copies of all
travel documents and pack them in a separate bag (just in case you misplace them later). Call your credit
card companies to advise them of your travel dates so that they won't put a hold on your card when they
see international charges.
2. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Delayed flights, illness, lost luggage -- they're all rare, but they do happen,
and they shouldn't result in a financial loss to your family. It may be a wise decision to purchase Travel
Insurance. Generally, it is affordable and well worth the peace of mind.
3. RAILWAY TICKETS: For traveling between two destinations, the train is a really fun option... and
you won't get lost! Rail Europe has schedules and tickets.
4. WEATHER: Definitely check it before you go, so you'll know what to pack. The lighter you can
travel the easier it will be moving around. Weather.com or the Weather Undeground are some options.
5. TECHNOLOGY: Here are some good sites for computers, internet, telephone, and electric
information/service.
- Dialer.net is a service that can get you internet basically anywhere. (www.dialer.net)
- Cyber Cafes: They have listings for 4,208 internet cafes in 140 countries. (www.cybercafes.com)
- Laptop Travel: products, information, and advice. (www.laptoptravel.com)
- WiFi Free Spot: a guide to free WiFi hotspots all over the world. (www.wififreespot.com)
- The World Electric Guide has information about voltages, electric plugs, international dialing codes, etc.
(www.kropla.com)
6. CELL PHONES: Taking a cell phone with you to Europe is almost mandatory. Getting lost is very
easy and with a cell phone you can at least contact your destination with the hope they may be able to
assist you. If you have a dual band or tri-band cell phone then you should be able to use it in Europe with
your current calling plan, or the more affordable approach is to contact your cell phone provider and
have them provide you with instructions to 'unlock' your phone so that you can purchase a pre-paid SIM
Card that will work like a local number while in Europe. If all of this seems terribly complicated, you
can also just rent a cell phone. For questions, SIM Cards, and phone rentals contact Cellular Abroad
http://www.cellularabroad.com/
7. WHAT TO PACK: Remember that (unless specifically stated in the property description), your rental
is self-catering, which means you'll need to provide your own supplies like shampoo and soap! Here is a
list of items previous clients were thankful to have brought:
- Zip-lock bags in different sizes
- Salt, pepper, and any other spices you plan to use (In the zip-lock bags!)
- Washing machine detergent (Also zip-lock... see how handy these are?)
- Laundry "stick" for spots and spills
- SPocket calculator
- Preferred music device (iPod, CD player, etc.)
- Travel alarm clock
- Ear plugs...because you never know!
- Small umbrella (in any season)
- Flip-flops for cold marble/stone floors as well as pebble beaches and hot sand.
- Converter for various plugs/outlets.
8. WHEN YOU ARRIVE: Keep in mind that most local grocery stores close early on Saturday and are
not open on Sunday. So try to make time to go shopping before you arrive at your property. Get some
toilet paper, bottled water, coffee, bread, cheese, fruit, and a bottle of local wine.
1. TRAVEL CHECK: Confirm your flight times, check your passports, and make photo copies of all
travel documents and pack them in a separate bag (just in case you misplace them later). Call your credit
card companies to advise them of your travel dates so that they won't put a hold on your card when they
see international charges.
2. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Delayed flights, illness, lost luggage -- they're all rare, but they do happen,
and they shouldn't result in a financial loss to your family. It may be a wise decision to purchase Travel
Insurance. Generally, it is affordable and well worth the peace of mind.
3. RAILWAY TICKETS: For traveling between two destinations, the train is a really fun option... and
you won't get lost! Rail Europe has schedules and tickets.
4. WEATHER: Definitely check it before you go, so you'll know what to pack. The lighter you can
travel the easier it will be moving around. Weather.com or the Weather Undeground are some options.
5. TECHNOLOGY: Here are some good sites for computers, internet, telephone, and electric
information/service.
- Dialer.net is a service that can get you internet basically anywhere. (www.dialer.net)
- Cyber Cafes: They have listings for 4,208 internet cafes in 140 countries. (www.cybercafes.com)
- Laptop Travel: products, information, and advice. (www.laptoptravel.com)
- WiFi Free Spot: a guide to free WiFi hotspots all over the world. (www.wififreespot.com)
- The World Electric Guide has information about voltages, electric plugs, international dialing codes, etc.
(www.kropla.com)
6. CELL PHONES: Taking a cell phone with you to Europe is almost mandatory. Getting lost is very
easy and with a cell phone you can at least contact your destination with the hope they may be able to
assist you. If you have a dual band or tri-band cell phone then you should be able to use it in Europe with
your current calling plan, or the more affordable approach is to contact your cell phone provider and
have them provide you with instructions to 'unlock' your phone so that you can purchase a pre-paid SIM
Card that will work like a local number while in Europe. If all of this seems terribly complicated, you
can also just rent a cell phone. For questions, SIM Cards, and phone rentals contact Cellular Abroad
http://www.cellularabroad.com/
7. WHAT TO PACK: Remember that (unless specifically stated in the property description), your rental
is self-catering, which means you'll need to provide your own supplies like shampoo and soap! Here is a
list of items previous clients were thankful to have brought:
- Zip-lock bags in different sizes
- Salt, pepper, and any other spices you plan to use (In the zip-lock bags!)
- Washing machine detergent (Also zip-lock... see how handy these are?)
- Laundry "stick" for spots and spills
- SPocket calculator
- Preferred music device (iPod, CD player, etc.)
- Travel alarm clock
- Ear plugs...because you never know!
- Small umbrella (in any season)
- Flip-flops for cold marble/stone floors as well as pebble beaches and hot sand.
- Converter for various plugs/outlets.
8. WHEN YOU ARRIVE: Keep in mind that most local grocery stores close early on Saturday and are
not open on Sunday. So try to make time to go shopping before you arrive at your property. Get some
toilet paper, bottled water, coffee, bread, cheese, fruit, and a bottle of local wine.
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