Eric Maryniak - Vacation checklist (English / Engels)

This is the English version of my vacation checklist.
There is also a "Vacation checklist (Dutch / Nederlands)".

This vacation checklist is meant to be general to a degree, but was compiled originally for personal use only, so obviously it bears the marks and traces of that: e.g. some items are specific to Europe, or the Netherlands, where I live and the kind of stuff and hobbies I have.
Using hard copy prints, e.g. of tickets, may not be environmentally conscious but is done because digital storage on your smartphone makes you dependent on your smartphone, which can be a problem in case of battery issues or theft.
English is not my native tongue, so corrections and feedback on this -- and on the content itself -- are of course welcome!

• Pre-checks
• Always take with you
  • The Basics
  • Body care
  • First aid and medicine
  • Clothing
  • Outdoors
  • Photography and video
  • Leisure
  • Departure time!
    • House
    • Final checks
• Specials
  • Hikes
  • Tropics
  • Picnic and camping
  • On your bike!
  • Diving and flying
  • Car on gas, diesel or electric

There's no page like home page.

· Pre-checks

• Triple check departure times on tickets (local departure time)
• Insurance -- car, travel, cancellation, llness -- in order?
• Visa needed? If yes, apply in time.
• Vaccinations and inoculations? Check RIVM, LCR, GGD en Thuisarts.
• Verify that hold luggage and hand luggage are not too large or heavy..
  Airlines and other carriers apply different caps..
  Often you can take extra kg of luggage with you at an additional cost.
• Route, also for homecoming: NS, 9292 and smartphone navigation app
• Print out tickets and vouchers -- plane, car, hotel etc. -- as hard copy.
• Phone numbers: note the most important ones in international format,
  see these lists of international call prefixes and country calling codes
• Buy tickets in advance if possible waiting times at ticket office
• Check with tour operator in time for changes in departure time, such as delays
• Verify ample validity (MM/YY) of bank card, credit card, passport, driving licence
• Turn on world coverage of bank card if travelling outside Europe
• Verify necessary PINs, e.g. those of credit card

· Always take with you >

> The Basics

• House keys and car key
• Smartphone (e.g. iPhone), tablet (e.g. iPad), laptop (e.g. MacBook)
• Small bag with electronics: adapters, chargers, power bank, cords and world plug with usb port
• Wallet or money belt with cash, bank card and credit card
• Passport and possibly visa
• Driving licence, including registration certificate and ANWB pass (roadside assistance)
• Notebook or diary, and pen
• Public transport cards
• Tickets and vouchers -- plane, car, hotel etc. -- hard copy prints
• Vaccination and vaccination certificates, incl. "yellow" passport
• Medical care insurance card -- European Health Insurance Card

> Body care

• Deodorant
• Comb and brush
• Nail clippers
• Earplugs, cotton buds
• Shampoo and soap in plastic box
• Toothbrush (electric: charge in advance), toothpaste, toothpicks, floss
• Tissues, toilet paper, paper handkerchiefs, flannels
• For her:
  • Facial care: make-up, creams, etc.
  • Ladyshave etc. incl. charging cord
  • Tampons, panty liners
• For him:
  • Aftershave, gel, lip cream, etc.
  • Shaver incl. charging cord and adapters, or blades
• Contraceptives

> First aid and medicine

• Anti-diarrhoea and hydration (ORS): Thuisarts > diarree
• Anti-mosquito, mosquito cream
• Anti-sunburn (>= factor 30-50), sun cream
• First-aid kit: plasters, tape, anti-blister, safety pins, bandages, etc.
• Medicines, incl vitamin, iodine, betadine, eye and nose drops, etc.
• Painkillers: paracetamol, etc.
• Vaccinations and inoculations: see > Pre-checks

> Clothing

• Spectacles with string, sunglasses, spare glasses
• Coats and jackets -- neat, airy or thick
• Shorts
• Long trousers -- warm or airy -- possibly zip off
• Neat clothing -- gala dress for her, dinner jacket for him, accessories
• Underwear (possibly isothermal)
• Ear warmer or hairband, gloves and scarf
• Shirts and plain shirts, bras and tops for her
• Shoes and slippers, Chinese moccasins
• Socks and tights for her
• T-shirts and plain shirts, including some with long sleeves
• Jumpers, sweatshirts and fleece
• Hiking shoes and sandals (e.g. Tevas)
• Swimwear and swimming shoes

> Outdoors

• Smartphone (e.g. iPhone) incl. power bank
• Smartwatch (e.g. Apple Watch)
• Daypack
• Bicycle map holder
• Compass
• Navigation, maps and nature apps
  • Check software updates (Topo GPS, WorkOutDoors and Komoot)
  • Add relevant regions
  • Update offline maps and caches
  • Download GPX files of hikes
• Picnic blanket
• Maps, country and hiking maps: paper
• Binoculars and other equipment
• Bird guide
• Pocket knife and torch

> Photography and video

For short holidays, in many cases the smartphone (e.g. iPhone) will suffice!

• If smartphone (e.g. iPhone): Selfie stick, Gimbal, Tripod etc.
• Drone and related accessories
• Camera and lenses
• Telescope and tripod
• Spare camera battery
• Digital video camera
• Spare battery digital video camera, charger, adaptor

> Leisure

• Books, reading and study, comics, e-reader (e.g. Kobo)
• Magazines and articles, also possibly digital on e-reader
• Headset -- also for on plane (e.g. AirPods Max)
• Games -- Backgammon case, Earthworms (Dutch game: 'Regenwormen'!)
• Drawing stuff, paints, brushes, easel

> Departure time!

• House
  • Switch off central heating
  • Turn off gas tap
  • Electronic equipment (hi-fi etc): turn off and cover
  • Computer equipment and wifi: switch off and unplug switches
  • Windows and doors closed and locked
  • Give copy of itinerary to those staying at home
  • Dishwasher: done and turned off
  • Lights automatic and random via programmed clock
  • Washing machine and tumble dryer: ready, and tap closed and turned off
• Final checks
  • House keys
  • Smartphone (e.g. iPhone), charger and cord
  • Money, bank card, credit card
  • Passport, driving licence, tickets and vouchers, visa
  • Toothbrush, glasses, pants
  • Triple check departure times (local departure time)
  • If hired car: pay very close attention to damage!
    Verify that the tyres, including the spare (!), are in good condition.
    So especially the tread -- take your time with this!
  • Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy & your towel
  • Good mood, good sense and a :-) on your face

· Specials >

> Hikes

• Mountain boots and special socks
• Backpack
• Water bottle
• Rainproof clothes: trousers, jacket
• Old clothes for mud treks, etc.
• Cap, hat or safari hat with flap over neck
• Sweatband and sponge
• Solar eclipse: eclipse glasses (Mylar, aluminised layer).

> Tropics

• Anti-malaria. Check RIVM, LCR, GGD and Thuisarts.
• Night clamboo or mosquito net
• Mat
• Rain poncho

> Picnic and camping

Roof over head, cooking, drinking and eating utensils.

• Tent, glamping or motorhome -- guides by country with campsites
• Sleeping bag, mat, pillow or neck pillow, aluminium blanket
• Cans of food and soft drinks
• Burner, lighter, matches
• Bread, water
• Plates, cutlery (knives, forks, spoons) and other tableware, cheese slicer, cups (plastic), water bottle
• Champagne glasses (plastic), corkscrew
• Chocolate, sweets, liquorice, lollipops
• Nuts and sultanas
• Pans, can opener
• Plastic bags and bin liners
• Soup, instant soup and stock cubes
• Tea, coffee, sugar, milk powder
• Detergent, washing-up brush, towel, tea towel, clothes pegs, clothes line
• Waxine lights, gas lamp, petroleum
• Toilet paper, kitchen roll, aluminium foil, plastic wrap
• Salt, pepper, spices

> On your bike!

• Motorbike helmet and goggles
• Motorbike suit and boots
• Leather jacket

> Diving and flying

• Diving equipment
• Dive pass and dive logbook
• Pilot licence (PPL) and logbook
• Medical clearance and ICAO exemption or FAA

> Car on gas, diesel or electric

• Gas-powered car: LPG adapter
• Guides by country with overviews of refuelling and charging stations
• Insurance and roadside assistance: help on the road in case of breakdown

There is also a previous version of this checklist that I have kept for nostalgic reasons.
Dating from the 1990s it is obviously, well eh, dated and often just plainly wrong!
But it can be still be found here: "Vacation checklist (English / Engels) - Nostalgia".
And the Dutch version of it here: "Vacation checklist (Dutch / Nederlands) - Nostalgie".

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