The Sum of My Wisdom

Time to pull this all together: you now know what to know, here’s when to know it, with the links to my posts on each topic:

2 Years Out: Take a look at your finances. Can you afford this? Start saving, and start optimizing your reward programs. Set a target date for when you can go.

1 Year Out: Start narrowing down your destination choices. Catch up with your favorite travel books. See my short guides to France, England, Italy, Spain/Portugal, Scandinavia, Ireland, Germany (& Germany).

335 Days Out: If you have enough miles for award flights, start looking for booking them this far ahead.

9 Months Out: If you have your heart set on a rental apartment or vacation home, start looking now. For popular destinations, these book out well in advance.

8 Months Out: If you’re serious, start working on some language skills.

6 Months Out: Check your passports. Make sure they will cover your trip, plus six months beyond, some countries will not let you in if your passport is soon to expire.

5 Months Out: Check your wardrobe. Are your best clothes stashed in your “when I lose 20lbs” section? How good do you want to look in the trip photos? The best way to enjoy Europe is often on foot; you don’t have to be a marathoner, but being able to walk for an hour between wine bar stops is a plus. 5 months = 21 weeks = 21lbs on a steady diet. 20lbs is about a pant size for men (e.g., 36 vs. 38). No idea how it works with women’s sizes. Anyway, you can do it.

4 Months Out: Start looking for flights – optimum purchase time is usually 3-4 months out, seldom more than that. And make sure you can take the time off – clear that with your boss.

3 Months Out: You’ve booked your flight, so now you need to map out your sights and locations. Reread your books, and start the logistics. Once you know specifically what you want to see, book your hotels. And book your rental car, or any other transportation modes.

2 Months Out: Pick out your apps and scout for food, especially. Get your gadgets squared away – dedicated camera vs. phone. Correct converters and cords. Pick out your luggage.

1 Month Out: Confirm everything: flight, hotel, passports, rentals. Use a checklist for this.

3 Weeks Out: Work on a packing list and strategy. Make arrangements for your absence from home – watering plants, taking in packages, etc. Get a hold on your mail at the post office. And (if you’re over 60) stop your newspaper delivery.

2 Weeks Out: Make sure you’re all caught up at work, if that’s necessary. Don’t take it with you! Switch your phone plan over to the Euro Data package. Call your Credit Card companies to let them know you’ll be traveling, so they don’t cut you off.

10 Days Out: If possible, get everyone into quarantine. Start popping vitamin C boosters. Buy a case of hand sanitizer. Wear a surgical mask. You don’t want to get a cold three days before your trip.

1 Week Out: Get a haircut for everyone. Pack!

3 Days Out: Start shifting your sleep patterns, if you can. Try getting to bed as early as possible: 7:00 PM. If you wake up at 3:00, go with it. Bang out work, prepare supper for the evening, etc.

Night Before: Pray to whatever God you believe in that, against all common sense, a 300 ton chunk of aluminum and plastic can defy gravity for 9 hours.

Day Of: Smile! You’re on Vacation!