5 things you should do before you leave for summer vacation

You’ve found the perfect hotel, booked your airfare, and researched the best beaches and sightseeing tours in your destination. You’re all ready to set your inbox to “out of office” and finally go on your summer vacation!

Well, not so fast. Before you actually depart on that long awaited trip, there are a few extra things you should do before you leave for summer vacation to ensure you're fully prepared. It might sound like a drag to double check your passport expiration date or ask a neighbor to water your plants, but it’s an important part of having a smooth vacation—and can be part of the fun. “Preparing for a trip should feel like part of the excitement, and with the right approach, it can,” says Jess Capello Mathews, tailor-made team leader at luxury travel agency Scott Dunn, “a little organization early on goes a long way.”

Here, we’ve rounded up a convenient checklist for travelers heading out on vacation this summer, according to travel specialists. These simple tasks are guaranteed to make your life easier before, during, and after your trip and help you feel totally relaxed while you’re gone. Because vacation is about decompressing and disconnecting from daily life—not about worrying what’s going on at home.

Read on for the five best things you should do before you leave for summer vacation.

Verify your travel documents

You wouldn’t want to be turned away at your boarding gate due to an expired passport. That’s why you want to verify all your travel documents well before you depart. “The first thing I always remind guests to check is passport validity,” Capello Mathews says. Next, don’t forget to confirm any visa requirements. “These vary significantly by destination, and last-minute surprises can quickly overshadow an otherwise seamless trip.” You can consult the US State Department’s travel advisories page, which gives a rundown of all the requirements by country in the “Learn About Your Destination” search tool. As an extra precaution, take photos of key documents like your passport, visas, driver’s license, and travel insurance, advises Laura Alvarez, a specialist at Otelle Travel. This can be a huge help if any document gets lost along the way.

Check in with your travel specialist

Aside from intel on visas and documents, your travel specialist has additional insight that can be put to use while preparing for your trip. Check in with them before you depart for advice on specific items to bring along. “Every destination has its own practical considerations, and a little insider knowledge can make all the difference,” Capello Mathews says. “Traveling to somewhere like Borneo, for example, without a good pair of binoculars means missing out on incredible wildlife sightings, while packing a sports jacket would do little more than take up valuable suitcase space.” Taking this extra step can ensure you won’t be missing key items or be lugging around overstuffed bags.

Prepare your home to run smoothly while you’re away

Ideally, when you’re on vacation, you want your home to continue running as if you’re still there. This is an important security measure that can keep your property safe. Put your lights on timers to make it look like someone is home and ask a neighbor to collect your mail—or pause delivery with the post office—so it doesn’t pile up. It’s also a good idea to actively monitor your house during your trip. “Install a Ring camera, so you can keep an eye on your home while you’re away,” says Alvarez. Ring’s motion detector will send an alert directly to your phone when there’s any movement outside your house. With the camera’s two-way audio feature, you’ll also be able to hear and speak to anyone who approaches your property. “Before you leave, make sure the batteries aren’t running low,” Alvarez says.

Notify your bank and credit card companies

Being stranded in a new city without access to money is a bit of a nightmare scenario. But it can easily be avoided with one simple step: Call your bank and any credit card providers before you leave and let them know you’ll be traveling. Customer service agents can make a note on your accounts so that your debit or credit cards aren’t frozen due to unusual activity. Be sure to share the specific dates and locations of your trip to help each provider accurately monitor your account.

Ensure you packed the essentials in your carry-on

Before you head out, double check you packed any prescription medication in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage. You’ll also want to stow your portable power bank in your carry-on as well, per many airlines’ rules. As far as safety is concerned, Alvarez says one item is a must-have. “Never travel without a basic medical kit,” she advises. “You never know when you’ll need it.” In addition to those crucial items, you’ll want to bring along a few things to enhance convenience and comfort, too. “A universal travel adaptor eliminates the guesswork, and a quality silk eye mask can make overnight flights and long transfers considerably more comfortable,” says Capello Mathews.

These small and simple preparations, Capello Mathews says, “can have a surprisingly big impact on your journey.”