Wheels Up In 2 Weeks: Ready, Set, Go

Does the thought of preparing for a trip send you into a tailspin?

We've all been there – the midnight packing frenzies, the last-minute passport hunts, the nagging feeling you're forgetting something. 

Whether you're a solo traveler or adventuring with friends, take a deep breath and keep reading… I’ve got you covered.

This seemed such a timely topic as I am in the midst of my countdown prep for my trip to the UK next week.

With over 2 million frequent flier miles I have my Final Countdown process down to a science now, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer.

I know it does sound rather travel geeky doesn’t it, but I’m all about keeping things simple when it comes to travel and reducing any potential for stress and anxiety.

So Let's Get Started With The Obvious - PACKING!

Oooh, bet you that has you thinking and thats a good thing.

I break my packing into four categories:

No. 1 My travel wardrobe for when I reach my destination

I start pulling clothes out of my closet two weeks before my departure date. 

Now if you have the space use your guest bedroom like I do…

That way you can lay your clothes out and mull over them for a few days as you put your outfits together and the inevitable…

Second guessing and changing your mind. 

If you want some tips on how to put together your travel wardrobe…

Check out the blog on how to 👉👉👉Build The Perfect Travel Wardrobe...

No. 2 My flying clothes

This sounds crazy but even after all the years of traveling I probably spend way too much time on making this decision than I need to, but like most I’ll put that down to I’m a work in progress haha.

And I have a process check it out in my free 👉👉👉Ultimate Packing GUIDE 👠👗👛

I keep in mind the following when making my decision:

• I only put together one outfit for traveling to and from my destination

• I pack separate pants to sleep in if it is along haul international flight

• I take into consideration what time I will be landing at my destination and how long I will be up staying in my travel outfit or need to change

• And I do take a look at the weather for where I’m landing 
  

On this trip I leave in the evening and arrive at my destination around 3pm where I’m being picked up by my travel buddies 

See my blog on 👉👉👉Traveling with your Bestie and her hubby and then driving for another 2-3 hours to our final destination so…

I will just stay in my flight clothes.

But… I will pack that separate sleepwear pants and t-shirt for sleeping in on the plane.

That way I don’t risk offending my friends and having to drive with the windows rolled down if you get my drift haha 😅🤣😂

No. 3 Carry On

First up is my carry-on bag. My bag choice is not just for carry on for my flights but also has to serve a purpose through out my stay at my destination.

Given my flight is only 8 ½ hours I plan on taking a regular tote bag vs. an weekender or roller bag.

And… I’m thinking ahead to taking a train and wanting to minimize how many bags I have to manage. This way I’ll only have my tote and my roller bag suitcase yay!

Next up is what to pack IN your carry on bag.

I have a list of “Must Haves” and the “Nice To Haves”.

The MUST HAVES…

• Money and credit cards

• Passport, Drivers License

• Other Travel Documents… copies of reservations, travel insurance etc.

• Prescription Medications and ibuprofen

• Electronics… phone including cables and chargers and adaptor plugs

• Clothes… pashmina and sleepwear including sunglasses!

• Wet wipes and tissues (and an old fashioned mans handkerchief)

• Comb and lipgloss

• Small notebook and pen
  

Now some of these are “no brainers” and others might have you scratching your head or raising an eyebrow.

Adaptor plugs. You’re thinking I won’t need those until I reach my destination.

Mmmm not so fast. I’ve been caught on some airlines that have aircraft that haven’t been upgraded with USB ports. 

And when I’m on a long haul international flight and for some reason can’t sleep I’m going to want to plug in 🙂

Sunglasses?

Yes, most of you know on long haul flights I like to sleep in a pod so why the sunglasses?

Depending on your flight and even with day/night windows in modern aircraft I can find that I just want to really rest my eyes and don’t want the bother of an eyemask. 

So my sunnies are my go to.

The mans handkerchief?

Thats almost become a lucky charm for me. 

While I always have pocket tissues I have found over the years (cough, cough, well actually decades) that I have found that handkerchief a great cold compress, face flannel, something to wrap a scrape or cut with and so much more.

I’ve never forgotten totally freaking out the Singapore Airline flight attendants on an overnight flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong.

I woke up in the middle of the night and stumbled through to the galley to the bathroom only to have them gasp with shock and come running to me.

Unbeknownst to me I had woken up with a nose bleed.

So I looked like something out of the Chainsaw Massacre movie and scared the bejeebers out of them.

While they gave me paper towels and tissues I found my trusty handkerchief was my security blanket if you will for the rest of the flight.

Now you might also in the era of technology why I include a very small notebook and pen.

Again, I have been caught landing at an airport in countries where I still have to fill out a paper arrival or declaration card.

Note: I am an absolute minimalist when it comes to beauty products in my carry on. 

Again I am relying on that amenity kit if I am in business or first class that will have a toothbrush, eye mask, lip balm and some moisturizing cream.

The Nice To Haves

• Laptop/iPad

• Book

• Journal

• Fresh change of clothes 

• Shoes
  

For really long flights where I know I might have both night and day hours on the plane I will choose a weekender bag to carry a few more things onboard with me to pass my time and…

Allow me to freshen up before I land.

No. 3 Health & Beauty Products

I work really hard to have any health and beauty products kept to a minimum and absolutely use travel size products and my trusty containers…

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Silicon Travel Bottles for Toiletries Tap the 👉LINK to view.

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And I have a final set of items that I pack literally the day of my flight i.e., my favourite hair brush etc.

Moving On... Travel Documents

Two weeks out I start pulling all my travel documents including my passport, printing off reservations, ticket etc.

I love technology and absolutely have my boarding passes etc. in my apple wallet.

But I’m all about a plan and a process and paper is my backup.

You just can’t 110% rely on technology.

I’ve been caught with no cell signal or wifi or my battery draining like crazy.

If you’re checking luggage you need somewhere to put the sticky baggage claim tag.

And I like to be as “hands free” as possible when boarding. 

I find the whole juggling to keep my passport open and my iphone screen up while holding a carry on a pain in the you know what!

So I just slip that paper boarding pass in between my passport and I’m good to go.

Take a look the next time you are boarding a flight and watch the people who are struggling…

Chances are they are juggling 3-4 things in their hands and failing!

Now 1-2 weeks before departure is too late to check things like your expiry date on your passport.

This is something I check when I first make my reservations when planning my trip!

But do double check everything one more time, your passport dates, your drivers license if you are going to be renting a vehicle, your dates for your medical travel insurance. 

The real intent here is to make sure all your flight days/time, hotel reservations etc. line up.

Case in point check out the blog on 👉👉👉Red Eye Flights for some great tips on dates and days and a hard lesson learned many years ago! 

I find it really useful to walk through my flights, reservations etc. with hubby. Have them read or listen to you read out loud your dates.

Or call a friend…

Visa / Immigration!

Some of us are very fortunate to live in or come from countries where there are visa waivers with so many other countries.

This saves a lot of hassle having to apply for visas etc.

Even so I made a rookie mistake recently.

I was off to Thailand and knew that I could just be given a tourist visa on arrival BUT!!!

I forgot to check how many days I was going to be staying. And you guessed it

I tipped over 30 days which meant either…

I should have applied for an electronic visa which would have given me a longer stay.

Too late, by the time I realized my mistake there was not enough time for the visa to be processed.

So instead during my stay I had to visit an immigration office to have my stay extended.

Family And Friends

There are two parts to the final countdown when it comes to family and friends.

Part 1 - Visiting or Traveling With Family Or Friends

If you are going to be visiting or traveling with family or friends confirm with them that they are still on track to have you visit or meet them.

If you are traveling with a friend or friends and you are not traveling together make sure you discuss exactly how and where you will meet and…

If one of you has a delay what is the Plan B.

My bestie and I travel a lot together so I’m flying in from Canada and she is flying in from the US.

We have each others flight details…

One of us (typically me lol) has checked out the airport to see if we are landing in the same terminal or not and figured out where to meet.

Also, make sure you are on the same page or should I say the same app for communicating.

Part 2 - Family And Friends Back Home

Is all about making sure everyone can live without you back at home and… they know where you will be and how to find you.

Hubby has all my travel details and if I’m traveling with a friend or friend he has their contact details.

And.. ssssh, 🤫 fingers crossed he isn’t reading this but…

I also organize with friends to keep an eye on him.

Again this is all about both of us being safe and not worrying about each other.

Oh and BONUS TIP!

🔥🔥🔥HOT TIP🔥🔥🔥

Feel free to leave your spouse a “Honey Do List”, I’m amazed how much hubby can get done in my absence haha.

Prescription And Over The Counter Medications and Supplements

Ok ladies, this is a blog for women over 50 and there is a good chance that some of you including me may now take medications and probably for sure take supplements.

Please take the time to research the country you are traveling to and what they require for you to enter with your prescription medications and supplements.

• For medications the practice is always have them in your carry on.
  

• Keep them in their original bottle
  

• Have a copy of your prescription. I take photo of mine and have them on my phone if I need to prove what the medication is.
  

Now supplements can be a whole different can of worms.

Again check to see what you can take or not.

What might be an ok over the counter medication in your home country may be completely illegal in another country.

I’ve seen customs in Mexico confiscate supplements off passengers.

I remember my husband and I driving across the border into Washington state from Canada and I thought he was going to get arrested at a drug store when he asked for a muscle relaxant.  

Not sure what the deal is these days but back then they were prescription only in the US!

Money

Last but not least in your two week countdown is making sure…

You have your credit cards and cash…

It can be costly to exchange money in foreign countries.

And today some banks make it super easy for you to order foreign cash online and pick it up before you depart.

Just make sure you allow enough time for them to process your order.

Apps & Entertainment

T-minus 2 days before I depart I start downloading my favourite podcasts, movies and tv shows and books.

Yes, many flights have wifi now but I'm cheap so I'll take a bit of time to download content to keep me entertained onboard.

Likewise I do a double check of any travel apps that I want to add to my phone for trip. This includes local city maps or transit apps, airport apps, local guide apps etc.

And I always have all my airline,

Final Tip - Yellow Post It Not

There are always those items that you can only pack a few hours or less before you leave the house.

I have for years always had a yellow post it note with those items listed either stuck on the bathroom mirror or the top of my carry on bag.

Trust me this will save you the grief of getting half way to the airport and realizing you left your phone in the house!

Wrapping up…

There you have it a stress free ramp up to your wheels up on departure day.

My joy of traveling starts the minute I have an idea that I want to go to a location.

The minute I start stressing I'm taking away from the very pleasure, memories and experiences I'm looking to create...

And I want that for you too so happy travels 😀

If you found this blog valuable head on over to my YouTube channel and take a look, here's the link👇:

Female Travelers Over 50 By Raewyn Crist: @FemaleTravelers50Plus

And if you like what you see please consider subscribing to the channel or giving a video a like :-)

So cheers to wheels up to winging your way to your long dreamed of destination.