Travel Tips

2+ WEEKS BEFORE DEPARTURE

Get a head start: The following list contains some early ways to be ready for your short or long soccer vacation:

• Make sure you order your soccer vacation package from SoccerTravel.com.
• Do some research on the area you'll be visiting and on the way you'll be getting there.
• Check the valid dates on your passport if you are planning on leaving the country.
• Make sure if the kids are coming or staying they are done with schoolwork.
• Take care of medical and dental checkups and vaccinations if necessary.
• After consulting your physician, consider starting an exercise program to prepare your body for the extra exertion you'll experience while traveling.
• Start watching the weather, so you'll know what to expect and can pack accordingly.
• Check with your credit card company for available spending amount; ask your bank for an increase if needed.
• Don't forget about the deposits that will be charged and leave some room on the card for emergencies. Check the valid dates on your credit card to make sure they will remain valid while you're traveling.
• Notify the Credit Card Company that you'll be traveling, so they will expect charges from your destination.
• Check your ATM and debit card for both daily and total limits.
• Remember your PIN numbers or get new ones issued for all your credit, debit, ATM and phone cards.
• Check your driver's license to make sure it will remain valid while you're traveling.
• Check cameras, purchase new batteries if necessary, and film. Arrange for someone to start your car during very cold or very hot weather.
• Start breaking in the shoes you'll be taking with you on your trip.
• Add some yogurt to your diet to strengthen your digestive system.
• This is especially important if your plans include travel to foreign countries where you will be exposed to elements that are hostile to your digestive system.
• Arrange for lawn care or snow removal.
• Ignoring these areas will make your house stand out in the neighborhood and announce to everyone that you are gone.

1 WEEK BEFORE DEPARTURE Create a packing list:

Depending on where you live, the weather may be a shock to the system when you get there. Use our Weather Forecast program to see what the weather will be like on your soccer vacation on the day of departure and the long term weather forecast.

Remember that no matter what time of year, the temperature near the Equator has the potential to reach in the 80s or 90s, so shorts and light clothes are always a must. Also, a comfortable pair of walking shoes and a cap or hat with a visor is recommended. In colder climates and seasons you must be prepared for very cold night-time temperatures requiring a very warm jacket and several layers of clothing. Late night soccer matches can also turn quite cold and/or a storm could unexpectedly arrive so make sure to pack a rain jacket, rain gear and/or headware. Be sure to check out our Travel Checklist to make sure you've packed all the right essentials for yourself and your new temporary environment.

Prepare for your absence at home: The details you have to take care of when you take an extended vacation can be overwhelming, especially if you own a home and have children. The following list will help you keep your sanity as you prepare for your trip. Feel free to print it and use it as you prepare.

• Stop/hold the newspaper delivery.
• Stop the mail or arrange for a neighbor to collect it for you.
• Reduce the amount of fresh items you buy at the grocery, such as milk, fruit and other perishables you'll need to throw out before you leave.
• Have someone record those favorite shows you love so much.
• Make arrangements for your pets. For birds and fish, make sure someone comes to feed them.
• Pay any bills that would be due in your absence.
• Get traveler's checks from the bank.
• Make arrangements to purchase some foreign currency if you are traveling abroad.
• Check your insurance for expiration dates and coverage for your automobile, home and the valuables that you'll take with you, as well as those you'll leave at home.
• Put your valuables and jewelry in a safety deposit box. If you don't have, or can't get access to a safety deposit box, you still want to hinder a hurried burglar by hiding valuable items in your house. Let a neighbor know that you'll be gone, give them a number where you can be reached in an emergency.
• Notify the local police and security system company to immediately consider any alarms as real.
• Leave with them the names of anyone responsible to watch over your house.
• Pick up all your items from the dry cleaners. If a friend or neighbor cannot collect your mail, make arrangements for it to be held at the Post Office.
• If you're driving, make sure you have a good road atlas or maps.

1 DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE

Pack early: The last thing you want to be doing a few hours before you leave is packing. Under that kind of pressure, you're likely to forget something very important. So it's even a good idea to pack the day before you leave and decide which clothes you'll wear while you travel. If you have to do laundry for the whole family before packing, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time. Check the latest currency exchange rates between your currency and the currency of your vacation destination at our Currency Converter. Getting this knowledge before you depart will make you much less susceptible to going for the first, and maybe worst, currency exchange counter you find.

Few more checks:

• Walk around with your packed luggage to evaluate your comfort with the weight of the luggage.
• Be sure your luggage is marked with identification on the inside and out.
• Empty the refrigerator of items that might spoil. Move houseplants away from direct sunlight, water thoroughly and wrap pots with plastic.
• Most plants can then live without further watering for two weeks.
• You might want to turn your refrigerator to its lowest setting.
• Start adjusting your sleeping and eating habits closer to your destination's time zone to help avoid jet lag.
• Make at least two lists of credit card numbers and travelers check serial numbers.
• Make several copies of your passport.
• Leave one list at home and keep the other with you in case you lose your passport.
• Do not keep the copies on your person, rather keep a copy in your suitcase and/or give your traveling companion a copy.
• Check prescriptions for necessary refills; bring a list with the drug's generic name listed since the brand names available can differ in other areas.

DAY OF DEPARTURE

Confirm your airline reservations: If you're flying, it's always a good idea to call the airline before you leave, just in case there are any delays. It could be a beautiful day where you are or your destination, but if there's a blizzard in a connecting city, your flight could be delayed. If there is a delay, contact the hotel or resort you have reservations with and let them know. If you cannot contact them for some reason be sure to contact us at SoccerTravel and we'll let them know for you.

Ways to safeguard your home while away: The following list might seem a bit extreme, but better safe than sorry.

Turn water heater down to the lowest setting

Turn your heat down or off in spring or fall. Be sure to leave the house warm enough in the winter. You may want to reduce your bills, but you may need to keep the house from getting too cold to protect your pets and water pipes

Turn your air conditioner up in summer. You want to reduce your bills, but you may have to keep the house from getting too hot to protect your pets and electronics

Plug a cheap radio into a timer so you can have some noise in the house during part of the day

Unplug electronic items, such as, your computer to protect them if you have a storm while you're gone. Remember to unhook your phone line from the modem. Unfortunately, you may have to leave it all hooked up if your computer is your only answering machine. Make sure your surge protectors are properly installed

Leave shades or drapes as you normally do

Pack the car inside the garage, with the door down, so people driving by won't find out you're leaving

Disconnect the garage door. Unplug it if you can, don't pull the fuse for the garage door until you verify the fuse isn't hooked up to something that needs to stay on, such as, your refrigerator or maybe a freezer in the garage

Lock all doors and windows including basement & garage

If driving, make sure you have your maps ready: You might even want to pack them in the car the night before, making sure they're in a place where you can get to them easily, like the glove compartment or console. If you cannot find a good map in time, check out Mapquest.com and customize your driving itinerary to and from the airport, hotel or soccer stadium. Knowing where you are and where you are going ahead of time while traveling abroad can save major time and heartache later on.

Get to the airport early: Plan to arrive at the airport at least 1½ hours for a domestic flight and 2 hours for an international flight just in case you have a problem at check-in. If you think you might run into traffic en route to the airport, leave even earlier.