I am going to Greece for my anniversary this year and I am so excited! When visiting another country, going for a couple-week trip, or just taking a long haul flight, there is so much to think about! Let me share my thoughts as I prepare for my trip.

Can I bring my medications?

It is very important to research all the medicine laws of the country you plan to visit. Certain medications that are legally prescribed in the United States are not legal in other parts of the world. For instance, I have ADHD. A very common prescription for ADHD is Adderall. Now, Adderall is a controlled substance. What this means for our “neurodeficit”, we need to make sure what the law is before we travel. Overall, talk to your doctor. Determine the appropriate prescriptions, determine immunizations, acquire proper paperwork, and essentially get a clean bill of health for traveling.

Be prepared.

Along with prescribed medications, determine which over-the-counter medicines can be brought. Benadryl or Melatonin are commonly used on long haul flights. Are you allowed to bring those to your destination? Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen is another common one. I don’t know about you, but I hate buying items that I know I have an abundance of at home.

What first-aid items are good to be packed? I like to make sure that I have Band-Aids, Acetaminophen, allergy medicine, sunscreen, Aloe Vera, Tums, etc. touristy areas sure know how to make a buck. Avoid it all together with a prepared bag of essentials.

Travel Insurance

ALWAYS GET THE TRAVEL INSURANCE! Did you hear that?! If you are spending hundreds or thousands of dollars, make sure that you can get your money back if something goes wrong.

Travel insurance saved my mama and I when COVID hit. Our big “girl’s trip” in Paris was canceled! It was a protection to have and it saved us hundreds.

Imagine living your best vacation life in a European city you’ve always dreamt of. All of a sudden, you realize that the expensive camera your parents saved up to buy you as a teenager was stolen. What are you gonna do? Okay…fine…I am totally projecting my fear when traveling BUT REALLY THOUGH?! What are you gonna do?! The answer should be filing a claim with your travel insurance.

“I don’t plan on bringing expensive items.”

I get it. No, really, I do. I have a beautiful wedding ring that I would love to show off in my travel photos but I am not willing on taking that chance while traveling.

So if you aren’t bringing expensive items, do I still need travel insurance?

Yes!

Travel insurance also covers if something unexpected happens. Nothing is worse (and I mean nothing) then having to deal with a hefty medical bill uninsured. I don’t even want a regular medical bill. Now imagine that huge bill on top of your vacation budget! No, thank you. Do yourself a favor and get some type of coverage. Something is better than nothing. Shop around and find the best price for your needs.

Plan on driving?

Sometimes, it is something you have to do. I mean, who doesn’t want to rent a Vespa in Italy?! A scooter in Greece? Now, it’s the same feeling as insurance. You want to be protected if something were to happen. You do not want to be on the wrong side of the law in a foreign country.

I’ve looked into AAA for our upcoming trip. It is $20 for a one-year international driving permit. The process takes “roughly 10 minutes”. Our AAA office assured that is all the time it takes. My husband has always wanted to drive in another country, so, is $20 worth the memories? To us, yes it is.

Lastly, do you have everything you need?

There is so much to think about when referring to another country. What costs $5 here could easily be 15€ in Europe. Is there discount items you could use? Do you have all of your common items that you cannot live without?

Cruises bring a whole new meaning to this. There are SO. MANY. ITEMS. that you need on a cruise that you would never expect or think about? Wanna know what I’ve bought recently for a cruise?!
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• Heavy duty magnets
• Tide pens
• Hanging toiletry bag
• ​Wrinkle spray

Some of those, you would never think about. Magnets? Why do you need magnets?! That is a common hack for cruise ships. All the walls are magnetic so use this to your advantage for extra storage/hanging space. Wrinkle spray? Yes. Irons are considered a fire hazard (therefore is banned on cruise ships) and you do not need to have wrinkled shirts in all you vacation photos. Hanging toiletry bag? This doubles for small bathroom space in cruise cabins but I was more worried about the airplane bathroom. This will be my longest flight to date and I’m gonna need a refresh. Hanging this up while using the airplane bathroom gives the space to change your outfit, brush your teeth, or even wash you face. (As long as you don’t use the sink water for your teeth). Use Pinterest to determine what everyone else has remembered. There is something you are bound to forget.

Is there something I’m missing from my list? What is something you always do before a trip? Let me know by DM on Instagram. I am always learning something new.