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Preparing for Trips 2007-01
What ever the reason for traveling, there are a few common components of any trip. When are you going, where are you going, why, and who is going with you. The answer to these questions, determines how to prepare for your trip.
What is the weather like at your destination? Check the weather forecast a few days before you leave at http://weather.yahoo.com/. Knowing the temperature, rain or shine, will help you decide what to bring on the trip.
Are you flying or driving? This will determine how efficient you need to be with your packing.
Flying – are you checking luggage? If so, get there early. Bring something to read w/ you while waiting in line, it will help you pass the time. If you don't want to deal w/ checking luggage, use a luggage service such as http://www.luggagefree.com/
How are you getting to and from the airport? Are you driving, taking a shuttle or taxi? Regardless of the plan, think about a second option, in case the shuttle or taxi is late. If you are driving and leaving the car, plan out your route to the airport, and check out the airport's web site for parking information.
If you are taking a taxi or shuttle, make your return booking the same time you book your out going ride. And, book your ride 3~5 days ahead of time with a reputable operator.
Get driving direction at http://www.mapquest.com/ before setting out on your car trip. Be sure to take a few minutes to review the directions to avoid obvious mistakes. You can also use secondary driving direction web sites as a check.
On long trips, budget time for rest stops, especially if you are traveling with children or pets.
No matter what the reason is for traveling, you need to pack. The easiest way is making a list. But, how do you come up with a list of things you need?
The moretimeforfun method is simple, use a calendar.
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Sun
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Mon
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Tue
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Wed
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Thu
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Fri
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Sat
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7/1
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7/2
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7/3
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7/4
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7/5
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7/6
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7/7
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7/8
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7/9
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7/10
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7/11
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7/12
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7/13
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7/14
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7/15
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7/16
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7/17
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7/18
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7/19
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7/20
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7/21
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7/22
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7/23
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7/24
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7/25
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7/26
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7/27
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7/28
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7/29
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7/30
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7/31
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8/1
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8/2
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8/3
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Let us say you are going on a business trip from 7/16 to 7/18. On a piece of paper (or use Microsoft's Excel), start from day one of your trip, write down the events for that day (our template). As you start writing down the events, write down next to it what you need for that event. With this list, you can start packing what you need.
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Time
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Events
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Items Needed
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1 week ahead
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Arrange for pet sitting
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Neighbor's phone number
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1 Day ahead
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Drop off your pet
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Pet's food, toy, money for pet sitting
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Tue 7/16, 7 AM
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Arrive at Airport
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Airline tkt, passport, cash, Luggage(s), magazine
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Tue 7/16, 11:30 AM
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Arrived at Destination
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Rental Car Reservation#. Hotel's Address and reservation
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Tue 7/16, 12:30 pm
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Lunch Meeting
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Sales Report, presentation material
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Tue 7/16, 7:00 pm
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Formal Dinner
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Suite, Tie, shoes, belt
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Tue 7/16, 11:00 pm
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Before Going to Bed
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Medicine, toiletry kit, cell phone charger
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Wed 7/17, 9:45 am
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Golf with client
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Golf Clubs, shoes, gifts for clients, directions to golf course
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Wed 7/17, 7pm
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Dinner and shopping
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Shopping list
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Wed 7/17, 11:00 pm
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Before Going to Bed
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Medicine, toiletry kit, cell phone charger
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Thu 7/18, 9:00am
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Meeting with VP
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Presentation, sales report
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Thu 7/18, 2:00 pm
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Arrive at airport
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Map to Airport
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Thu 7/18, 8:00pm
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Arrive at home airport
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Key to car, where did you park
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Fri 7/19, AM
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Pick up your Pet!
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Print out all the reservation information and put them in one folder. Make a copy (or print twice) and give it to the person(s) that needs to know where you are going.
This may seem like a lot of work, but, it's the easiest way to determine what you need to bring with you for a stress free trip.
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Download
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