Trip Guide: Before You Go — Packing, Money & Peace of Mind

Hi, it's Aya! This is the guide I send my clients in the weeks before their vacay. It's everything I'd tell you over coffee if we had an hour together before your trip, organized so you can skim to what you need.

Your itinerary covers the where and when. This covers the little things that make the trip feel easy.

Packing: less, but smarter

After ten years of planning trips, here's my honest take: almost everyone overpacks, and almost no one regrets packing light.

• Start with the weather and the plan. Check the forecast for every stop on your itinerary and think through what you'll actually be doing — beach days, city walking, dinners out, excursions.
• Build around two or three colors. Pick one main color and one or two accents so everything mixes and matches. Fewer pieces, more outfits.
• Roll, don't fold. Rolled clothes take less space and come out less wrinkled. Packing cubes keep everything grouped so you're not digging.
• Dress for the culture, too. Many churches, mosques and temples ask that shoulders and knees be covered. A light scarf or wrap solves it — and doubles as a blanket on the plane.
• Leave room to bring things home. A foldable tote or duffle takes up almost no space on the way there.

Your carry-on is your insurance policy

If a checked bag runs late, your carry-on is what gets you through the first day. I always pack:

• All medications (in their original containers) and anything you can't easily replace
• One change of clothes, plus a swimsuit if you're headed somewhere warm
• Passport, ID, and copies of your key documents
• Chargers and a portable power bank
• Toiletries in containers of 3.4 ounces or less, all in one clear quart-size bag (TSA's 3-1-1 rule still applies)

My tip: drop a tracking tag like an AirTag in each checked bag, and snap a quick photo of what's inside before you zip it. If a bag goes missing, you'll be glad you did.

Headed to an all-inclusive?

A few things my clients always thank me for reminding them about: more sunscreen than you think you need, aloe for just-in-case, an insulated cup with a lid (drinks stay cold and you make fewer trips to the bar), a pool bag, and at least one or two dressier outfits. Many à la carte restaurants have a dress code for dinner, especially for men — think long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Documents: copies are your best friend

• Check your passport now. Many countries want it valid for at least six months past your return date.
• Make copies. Keep a photo of your passport, license and the cards you're bringing on your phone, one paper copy in your bag, and one copy with someone at home.
• Download your itinerary for offline use in the Itineraries by TravelJoy app, so your confirmations are there even without a signal.
• Once you check in, lock your passport in the room safe and carry the copy while you're out exploring.

Traveling abroad? Enroll in the U.S. State Department's free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). You'll get safety alerts for your destination, and it helps the U.S. embassy reach you in an emergency. While you're at it, save the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate's contact info in your phone.

Money: a few simple habits

• Tell your bank and card companies you're traveling, so a coffee in Lisbon doesn't get flagged as fraud.
• Bring two cards and keep them in different places. If one gets lost or compromised, you're not stuck.
• Get a little local cash on arrival. An airport ATM is usually the easiest way. It's handy for tips, taxis and small vendors while you get settled.
• Use a credit card, not a debit card, at check-in. Most properties place a hold for incidentals, and on a debit card that money is frozen in your bank account until the hold is released after you leave.
• Ask about resort fees. Some properties charge a nightly resort fee or local tax that's paid on site and isn't part of what you've already paid. I'll always flag the ones I know about, but it's good to expect it.

Phones and getting around

• Confirm your international plan with your cell provider before you leave. A quick call now can save you a very unpleasant bill later.
• Download offline maps for each city on your trip. Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze all work — one may be stronger than the others depending on where you are.
• A currency converter app makes menus and markets a lot less mental math.
• Share your itinerary with your emergency contact at home so someone always knows where you are.

About those timeshare and "travel club" pitches

If you're headed to Mexico, the Caribbean or Florida, there's a good chance someone will invite you to a "short presentation" in exchange for a free excursion, a spa credit or a nice dinner. Here's my honest advice:

• You never have to go. A polite "no, thank you" is enough — and a firmer one if they keep asking. This often starts right after customs at the airport.
• "90 minutes" is rarely 90 minutes. These are high-pressure sales presentations, and your vacation time is the most valuable thing you have on this trip.
• Never sign anything on the spot. Take the paperwork home, read the fine print, and ask about annual maintenance fees and the extra nightly charges owners still pay.
• Know the risk. A contract signed outside the U.S. may not come with the consumer protections you'd expect at home.

If something sounds genuinely interesting, send it to me before you agree to anything. I'm happy to give you a second opinion.

If something comes up while you're away

Your property's concierge or front desk is your fastest help on the ground for reservations, transportation and local questions. Your tour operators' and suppliers' emergency numbers are in your itinerary app. And I'm always a text or WhatsApp message away. My regular hours are 10am–7pm ET, and I'll get back to you as quickly as I can.

Travel stretches us a little, and that's part of the beauty of it. If plans shift, take a breath. We'll sort it out together.

Questions about your trip, or not booked yet? Send me a note at letsgo@dreamincolortravel.com and let's start planning.

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