15 Things to Do Before Leaving for Holiday

Documents and Bookings (1–5)

1. Passport/ID expiry date: Most countries require 6 months' validity from the date of entry — is your passport valid until 6 months after your holiday date? 2. Visa status: Does the destination require a visa? Has the Schengen visa, e-visa or ETIAS application been made? 3. Flight ticket confirmation: Is the check-in time, baggage inclusion and gate information up to date?

4. Hotel and rental-car booking confirmations: Download all booking documents digitally to your phone so they're accessible without internet. 5. Travel insurance policy: Is it active, and is the emergency-assistance phone number saved?

Finance and Banking (6–8)

6. Bank notification: Notify your bank of the countries where you'll use your card; without notification, foreign transactions can be blocked automatically. Large banks offer a 'foreign travel notification' option via the app. 7. Sufficient cash or currency: Have a small amount of local money or dollars/euros ready for the first day. 8. A backup payment method: Carry more than one card so that if one is lost or blocked, there's an alternative.

Health and Safety (9–11)

9. Vaccination and health requirements: Some countries require a yellow-fever, typhoid or COVID vaccination certificate. For Africa and some Asian destinations, check CDC or WHO recommendations. 10. Prescription medicines: Enough for the holiday plus extra; an English doctor's note is essential in some countries to avoid problems at customs. 11. Emergency contact numbers: Turkish embassy numbers, the travel-insurance emergency line, hotel booking numbers — keep them saved somewhere accessible.

Home and Daily Life (12–15)

12. Pet care: Arrange a sitter or boarding in advance for cats, dogs or other pets; finding space last minute in high season is hard. 13. Home security: Are valuables in a hidden place? Are windows and doors locked? Inform a neighbour or someone you trust. 14. Bills and automatic payments: Is there a risk of a bill being cut off or overdue during the holiday? Check electricity, gas and internet bills.

15. Plant watering: For long holidays, set up an automatic watering system for plants or arrange someone you trust. Small, but it can be one of the disappointments waiting for you when you get home.