What Should You Do Before Leaving for Vacation?

It’s finally here—the day before your long-awaited vacation! But before you kick back and relax in your Naples vacation rental, there are a few important tasks to tackle to ensure a smooth trip and a worry-free return. Here’s your checklist for a stress-free departure:

1. Alert Your Credit Card Company Let your credit card company know about your travel plans to avoid any issues while you’re away. If time is tight, give them a call instead of using online forms. Also, check that you have enough available credit.

2. Contact Your Cell Phone Provider If you’re traveling internationally, contact your carrier to find the best plan for calls, texts, and data. Many providers offer affordable day passes for U.S. customers abroad.

3. Notify Your Home Security System Operator If you’ll be gone for two weeks or more, inform your security company or local police. They may even do extra drive-bys to ensure everything is safe.

4. Confirm All Reservations Double-check reservations for flights, hotels, car rentals, and activities. Print or save confirmations to avoid any surprises at check-in.

5. Make Advance Payments on Bills Ensure bills like rent, utilities, and credit cards that are due during your trip are paid in advance to avoid late fees.

6. Check the Weather Don’t forget to check the forecast for both your destination and hometown to pack appropriately. If you’re parking a car outdoors, consider using a car cover.

7. Clear Out Perishable Food Eat, donate, or toss any perishables to avoid coming home to a smelly fridge. Also, take out the trash, run the dishwasher, and clean the sink to prevent pests.

8. Leave an Itinerary with a Friend or Family Member Share your travel plans with a trusted person, including your itinerary and emergency contact info.

Following these steps will help ensure you have a relaxing vacation and come home to everything in order!