Wow, too much worry & job to do before leaving for a deserved vacation overthere! In Italy we are luckier: no phone calls to credit card, cell phones companies or banks; we already pay a lot of money to have them working wherever we go!

My things-to-do-before-leaving is very short:

1- Packing

2- Collecting passport, IDs

3- Checking the wallet (money, credit cards)

4- Pee before going to airport/train station

5- Letting the vases on the windows getting dry (very high chance to have them replaced with new ones!)

6- Checking the fridge, eventually gifting the food to my parents before expiration date!

Ciao Daniela

A suggest for Rhodes and for all who have to take liquids with them:

soon after the security metal-detector control you can buy your contact lenses liquid in one of the shops of the Duty Free, and if you want also a bottle of wine. In the airport shops in fact all the liquids are sold packed in the plastic confections and carefully checked.

Ciao Daniela

Great topic!

Don't forget to pack a map and any guidebooks (I rip the pages out of my Rick Steve's books and put them in an envelope dedicated to each site).

I recommend the book "Water for Elephants." I can't recall offhand who wrote it - but its a bestseller and light, funny reading for a trip. I can't seem to get through my Angels & Demons book before I leave though I've tried repeatedly. (Frustrating, but true!)

They do sell 3 oz contact solutions - at Target - but also try getting a sample from your eye doctor. They always give me a tiny little one in a kit.

I also am going to laminate the addresses/contact numbers for each of my hotels in Italy to keep in my wallet. I don't want to be fishing around for the info on some obscure piece of paper "somewhere" in my backpack!

I am packing extra batteries and an extra memory card for my camera. I'll likely switch memory cards half-way through. It makes me nervous to have all of my pictures on one disk. I'll try to load them online if I get a chance too. That's my favorite souvenir - my pictures - and there's nothing that would upset me more on my trip than to lose them!

Like many people I'm sure, I have my home computer's web browser configured to "remember" my passwords and such so that I'm automatically logged in at various web sites I frequent.

But when I'm in an internet cafe in Rome, for example, I can't get into these sites unless I remember my password (which I normally have no need to do), or have made a note of it somewhere (which I've often neglected to do).

Now EC, we expect daily reports from you while you are in Rome - we'll forgive you if you're a little drunk on wine at the time. So either memorize or make note of your TA password!!!

jjkdc,

Who are you calling a "little drunk"...

I'm 6 foot 4!

:-)'

Daniela... #4!!!???!!!

I like #6... We definitely have to clear the fridge before leaving!... check!

Charmed,

I'll look into "Water for Elephants"... I always like to have a list of good books!

good list, mike!...hmmm, what can I add?

- pack an extra (charged) battery for the digital camera

- make sure I have the lead film bag for the film cameras (keep in carry-on, ask to hand-check at security)

- pack the voltage converter (I use a small one from tumi)

- keep a snack (like a nutrition bar) in my handbag for the journey, if we're picking up a rental car directly from the airport (helps me on winding roads when jetlagged!)

- pack a little bubble wrap (yes, of course they have it in italy, it's just easier for me to take a bit than to look for it there & it cushions extra purchases for the journey home)

- take printouts/copies of emails confirming hotels & any other reservations (dinner, museums, etc)

- make a little card (to keep in my wallet) showing current exchange rates for dollars vs. euros in various amounts (it's the graphic designer/art director within me, I can't help myself...) i.e. 1E, 5E, 25E, 40E, 75E, etc ...then I don't go crazy when shopping/dining!

- maps for navigating (I'm not the driver...I'm the navigator)

- practice saying "bellissima!"

Bellissima!.. Bellissima!.. Bellissima!

The last thing I want to know is the exchange rate (LOL)... I'll figure out the "damage" when I get home!

:-)'

This is a great subject thread! What I'd add is:

....remember to pack a couple of plastic bags for dirty clothes, etc.

Okay, I haven't flown in a while. I thought I could put my regular-sized shampoo, toothpaste, facial cleanser, perfume, meds etc. in a zip-lock bag and pack in my checked suitcase instead of my carry-on (as I used to do). Is this not allowed?!! How much trouble am I in?!

Allison 57: How does the Fresh Brew work??!! I, too, want coffee right after my eyes open.

A few years back I read of a "cure" for jet lag. I thought I'd try it on my trip. After the flight you lie on your back on the floor of your hotel with your fanny right to the edge of a wall. Your legs are to be straight up the wall. Keep the position for 20 minutes. Maybe it works.

I've decided I want a James Bond-type of suitcase to hide my photocopies next to the gold coins in the secret compartment. And the Lottte Lenya shoes with little knives to strike back at the gypsies.

And I'm going to pack little cork-topped glass vials that I'm going to fill with Roman and Venetian air. When I return I will uncork them and and breathe deeply.