9 Things to do a week before an international trip

Having that feeling of forgetting something? So check out this list of what to do a week before an international trip and travel with peace of mind!

I confess… I’m the type of person who thinks “I have experience, I don’t need a list” when talking about travel.

So, what happens? I get on the plane and I start thinking “Did I turn off the lights? Did I issue a travel notice on the card? Did I need any documents?”

Everytime.

But this doesn't have to happen to you.

After giving all the tips how to prepare for an international trip, this time I decided to put together a list of what you need to do before a trip, with everything you need to do to avoid getting on the plane and thinking “Puts, I forgot that thing!”

I'm sure this list will be useful for both beginner travelers and those who already have a little more practice but are a little more lazy (like me, I don't deny it, lol).

WHAT to do a week before an international trip

1. Take out Travel Insurance

Imagine that you are in the middle of your trip, at the destination of your dreams… and suddenly you trip and twist your ankle.

Or you get sick on the second day because of the change in temperature.

Or you arrive at the airport with peace of mind, but your bags don't.

With travel insurance, you can resolve all these situations quickly, cheaply and efficiently. This service covers you in the event of medical emergencies, and also helps in times like lost luggage and flight delays or cancellations.

How it works? On my second day in Paris, for example, I had severe tonsillitis due to the air conditioning on the plane, and I couldn't even get out of bed. I contacted my insurance and, in a matter of minutes, a doctor came to my hotel room to examine me and prescribe the necessary antibiotics, without me having to pay anything extra for it.

Needless to say, this episode convinced me how essential this service is for any adventure, right? No wonder it is the first item on this list.

If you are afraid of getting sick mid-trip and ruining your vacation, then take out insurance and count on medical assistance to get better quickly and continue enjoying your trip.

It is also important to keep in mind that in places like the United States – where getting three stitches can cost up to US$3,355.96 – insurance not only makes it easier to resolve your problem, but also helps you avoid spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Having insurance is the easiest way to get medical care in other countries without having to worry about huge bills later..

With Seguros Promo, you can compare the prices of the best insurance on the market, and choose the one that will let you travel with peace of mind and make the most of your vacation. And the best part? All insurance offered by the company works on the basis of paying for medical care for you, meaning you don't need to pay thousands of dollars beforehand and then hope for a refund.

Remembering that travel insurance is mandatory to enter European Union countries, such as Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, etc.

2. Confirm vaccine, testing and form requirements

Some countries have always required vaccinations from their visitors, especially those who came from areas at risk of certain diseases, such as Brazilians and Yellow Fever. With the 2020 pandemic coming to an end, many countries have made vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory, requiring an international certificate informing dates, doses and manufacturers.

Remember that you need to get vaccinated in advance, at this point you should just check if you have all the certificates in hand, or if you still need to issue something.

Here on the blog there is a complete post about vaccines for travel, but in general, just get the vaccine at your health center, and issue the international certificate (CIVP) online through the Anvisa website. The COVID-19 vaccine certificate can be issued through the ConnectSUS app.

Additionally, some countries are also requiring rapid and even PCR tests during these pandemic times, even for already vaccinated passengers. Others also require a “screening form” that must be filled out before boarding, with all the information about where you will stay, how long, when you will arrive, etc.

Confirm all requirements for entry to and return from your destination. I've seen countless people denied boarding, both when going out and returning to their country of origin, due to lack of certificates, tests and forms (seriously, I've seen all three cases more than once).

3. Exchange Money/Debit Card/Credit Card Notice

In the week before the trip I usually exchange money and, if I don't have any left, I buy a prepaid card. I like using the service Confidence Exchange, because they have a card called Cash Passport, which accepts up to six different international currencies. Although I use credit most of the time to accumulate miles, I like having a security option.

For coins that are not in high demand, you must order the quantity in cash in advance. Last time, I ordered Australian dollars on Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday night they were available.

I recommend exchanging money close to the trip only if the currency does not undergo major variations during the year. Otherwise, be sure to buy when the price is advantageous.

If you are going to take your credit card, don't forget to notify your bank about your trip.. This way, he knows that the card will be used in person in other countries, and can authorize purchases without suspecting fraud. It is possible to make the notice online, in just over a minute.

4. Create an online document with all travel information

A good idea is to create an online document, which can be accessed by your family, with all the travel information. Hotel names, addresses, travel dates, photos of documents, etc.

It's a form of security, because if you don't give news, someone will know where you are. should be, and serves to reassure those who will stay at home. My mother always thanks me when I send her an invitation so she can have access to the document.

I recommend using Google Drive, as it is online (you can edit from anywhere), as well as being easy to give access to other users, add images and print if necessary. I reiterate the idea of ​​including photos of your documents, as in case of loss or theft it makes it easier to get new ones.

5. Backup phone and camera photos / empty memory cards

Imagine if something happens to your cell phone and you lose not only the photos from the trip, but also the ones from before that? Or, just as bad, getting that annoying “insufficient memory” right in the middle of an incredible ride?

Make a backup of your cell phone and your camera's memory card and free up space on your devices! If you like taking lots of photos, I recommend bring an external hard drive to empty devices along the way.

6. Buy snacks for the flight

I find flying boring, uncomfortable and, even following all my routine and tips, pretty boring. But even worse is when the food on board isn't enough (when it's not bad) and I end up hungry and not wanting to pay an exorbitant price for more.

That way, I like to put one on my pre-boarding list. stop at the supermarket to buy snacks! My favorites are natural cereal bars and I also take some chocolates because no one is made of iron, and I need to feed my heart to endure so many hours of travel, haha.

Important: many people have severe allergies to peanuts and similar products. Therefore, if possible, opt for snacks that do not contain these allergens – I have seen cases where the plane pilot announced that a passenger would be at risk of death if someone ate something with peanuts because the allergy was so severe. It doesn't hurt to choose a snack nut-free, huh?

7. Update ebook reader / Spotify / download series

To try to reduce boredom on the plane, in addition to food, I usually update my ebook reader, download some series on my computer and even music from Spotify. Am I going to be the winning person whose entertainment system doesn't work?

I've already mentioned a few times that I use Amazon Kindle on every trip, as it is a way to save space in your suitcase and take several books at once. Lately I have also been using the app Headspace for guided meditation, listened podcast and watched tutorials to improve the blog #productivity and watched bad reality shows on Netflix, let's be honest.

8. Print important documents/tickets/insurance/visa

I'm on the team #electronics, and I think printing pretty much anything is a waste of paper. However, immigration in some countries tends to ask for documents such as return tickets, travel insurance, proof of accommodation, and at these times it is not possible to use your cell phone.

Take everything that proves that you are entering the country legally and that you intend to leave before your visa expires.. Having these documents on hand also helps when filling out the immigration form, where they ask for the address where you will stay, how long and the purpose of your trip.

Extra tip: take a pen to fill out possible forms in your destination country.

9. Buy medicine

Being sick at home is bad enough, imagine in another country where you don't know the name of the medicine you need? Or know, but it is not sold without a prescription? Don't give chance to chance, and take your medicines from Brazil now!

I usually take muscle relaxants, headache medicine, colic medicine and nausea medicine. Vitamins only if you have them at home, as they tend to be much cheaper abroad. Remember to check whether active ingredients are allowed at your destination. If you use controlled medication, take a medical prescription (preferably also a translation of the prescription into the country's official language).

And you, do you have a list of what to do a week before an international trip? Is it very different from this one? Tell me in the comments! 🙂

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