BEFORE YOU GO

Secure Your Home. When going away, make sure you cancel all newspapers, pay bills and get someone to look after your house - give them the spare key, and ask them to clear your mail. Also, if possible, park a car in your driveway. Put lights and a radio or TV on a timer.

Be prepared. Paperclip inside the back of your passport an emergency contact list and include the telephone number of your insurance people, credit card issuer, and home numbers in case of emergency.

Copy your documents. Go to a copy machine, take everything out of your wallet, put it on the copy machine, and copy it (front and back) twice. Leave one set home and store the second in a secret place in your suitcase. If your wallet is ever stolen, you will know exactly what you have lost and will have all the telephone numbers to call to cancel credit cards and the credit card numbers, etc. at your fingertips.

Or scan your documents. Before traveling, scan your documents (passport, travelers, identity and vaccination card) and send them to your email address. In case of problem you can print them everywhere in any cybercafe in the world.

Rolling luggage. If you don't have luggage on wheels yet, seriously consider buying a set. Rolling luggage is easily the greatest travel invention since the airplane.

How do you say bathroom? Being able to speak just a few words of a foreign language can help you get more from your holiday or business trip and endear you to the locals. Buy a beginners language tape and a phrase book.

Sending postcards? Don't take your normal address book - get a little one and add the people you'll want to send postcards to. You can also add all your new friends as you travel. If you loose the book, it won't mean loosing all your contacts. …OR….Type or write out address labels to send cards back home. It saves you taking your address book, which could be lost, and also saves you time when writing out postcards.

Check the Weather. Before you travel check the weather at your destination. Pack accordingly. Of course, www.weather.com is invaluable.

Changing money. The best exchange rate is always at a bank in the city you are visiting. If you want a small amount of foreign currency before you leave home, your local back can handle that for a fee. You can exchange money at the airport but the lines are sometimes long. If you have an ATM card check with your issuing bank about using it in the countries you plan on visiting.

What's Aunt Bea's dress size? If planning to buy clothing while on holiday, take a list of the garment measurements which you know will fit each person. This is especially helpful for children, since ages can correspond to totally different sizes depending on country. Then carry a tape measure with you wherever you go.

What's in the box? Do not pre-wrap gifts to be carried on board aircraft.

Wow! There is a new service TraveLite -Virtual Bellhop, Inc., 877-BELLHOP. They will pick up your luggage at home one day prior to departure and ship to your hotel destination. No special boxing necessary and charges are reasonable. www.VirtualBellhop.com.

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PACKING

Identify your suitcases. Write a name, address, phone and e-mail in your luggage, but DO NOT put your HOME address on the identification. Put your work address and phone only. Luggage thieves will know you're not home, know your home address and you may come home to an unhappy surprise.

Hey that's my bag! Wrap brightly colored electrical tape (red, blue, yellow, etc.) around the handles of your checked luggage. The first thing a person grabs from the carousel is the handle of the suitcase and if it is a bright color they will realize that it is not their bag.

Bring an extra bag for souvenirs. If you plan on shopping, pack a collapsible suitcase or duffel bag in your checked luggage. It doesn't take up much room and when returning home you can fill it with souvenirs and even dirty laundry.

Medications. Remember, all medications and vitamins must be in original containers when traveling overseas. You can get your pharmacist to label small bottles to put just enough medication in for your trip. Always carry these in your carry-on. Also, carry a couple of days extra supply of medication in case you are delayed coming back.

One color scheme. When packing to travel, it's helpful to use one color scheme (i.e., black, brown, etc.) This way you will not have to worry about coordinating your wardrobe.

The Wrinkle Trick. Place individual items of clothing in dry cleaners' plastic bags. Your clothes will NOT wrinkle. Sounds too easy but it really works! …OR… To help prevent creasing of suits and garments on hangers, roll up a small towel and place on the inside of where the garments will fold. This will prevent the horizontal crease caused by the fold.

Space Saver. To keep shoes/boots in shape when packing fill them with socks - it also saves space in the suitcase….Or…Ladies, put you shoes inside your husband's shoes. They'll be protected and they don't take up any extra space.

When in doubt, leave it out! You want to pack everything but can't? Make 3 piles: necessities, almost necessities and luxury items. Take all the necessities, none of the almost necessities and one luxury item. It will be all you need.

More reasons to leave it out. Only pack and bring as much as you can carry or roll by yourself from the car to the plain/train/bus. This will cut down on trips back and forth and cut down on having to give big tips for help. This will also make you narrow down what you bring and avoid the unnecessary items.

Give clothes to Goodwill, or… pack "old" underwear, socks, T-shirts, etc. After use, just toss them out ... and you gain extra space in your luggage for all those "must have" souvenirs

Fresh tip! Place a dryer [fabric softener] sheet in your suitcase. This will keep your clothes smelling fresh while you travel!

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HELPFUL THINGS TO BRING

No sticky mess! Taking a box of baby wipes or alcohol- based gel hand cleaner along on a trip to clean and sanitize without water…..very handy!!!

Isn't it romantic! Take a scented oil (air freshener) and drop a few drops on your hotel lights bulbs 1 to 2 times a day. It creates a lovely scent. With all the aeromatherapy scents out now you can pick just the right one. And every time you need to "get away" at home, drop a few drops on your light bulb at home and **poof** your on vacation again!

Plastic bags. Take gallon-sized zip-lock baggies. The heavier duty the better. They are useful for packing things that may leak such as shampoo, lotions, etc. and you can use them again for dirty clothes or for the beach.

Take a universal sink plug - for doing wash or for taking a bath.

Don't count on hotel wake-up calls! Be sure to either wear a wristwatch that has an alarm, or take a small travel alarm clock. If the face glows in the dark, you can check the time in the middle of the night without disturbing others.

Quiet please! Foam earplugs are a must for any trip. You can purchase them at any pharmacy usually in multiple packs. They are great for the flight (to sleep). In addition to that, you never know when you will be in a hotel where renovations are under way.

A retractable umbrella!

Europeans like a smoke. Even if you don't smoke, take a pack of cigarettes with you on your trip, carrying them at all times. Offering a cigarette has lightened up many a tense situation when dealing with the locals (no pun intended). It also may get you a better deal on a shopping purchase.

It'll warm your heart. Don't forget a few photos of loved ones, including pets. When far from home, it is always nice to see smiling faces of those that mean a lot to us.

Washcloth. The American "washcloth" is not standard throughout the world ... take one along ... it's handy, nice to have when you arrive at your final destination ... it's lightweight and easy to dry out.

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FLYING

Which terminal? The Internet has wonderful maps of airports available. Print up copies and taken them along, making changing airplanes much easier. You can also look at the layout of the planes to see where your seat is located.

Check-in agents are only human. During airline check-in, especially for flights originating from airports outside the US, check the airline destination tag. If not, your luggage may end up in MNL (Manila) instead of MIA (Miami); DKR (Dakar, Senegal) instead of DAC.

Moving about the cabin. On long flights, especially in coach, take a few minutes to get up and walk the aisles. Or at least do some exercises ... move your legs and arms to simulate walking.

No smoking allowed. For all you smokers, on long flights bring a pack of nicotine patches or nicotine gum to curb the cravings. Follow the usage/safety directions.

Got a pen? When travelling abroad by plane always take a pen with you. During the journey you will need to fill in customs forms before landing - and if you don't have one you will have to wait until someone else or the airhostess lends you a pen.

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WORSHIP DURING YOUR TRIP

Places of Worship. More than 80 per cent of the Italian population is Catholic, so it is not hard to find a Catholic Church, but to find a mass in English, you need our help!
You can attend Sunday Mass anywhere in the country, and in the more important churches religious functions are celebrated throughout the whole week.
Almost all functions are in Italian, but some churches celebrate mass in English.

• In Rome, St. Patrick's church in Via Boncompagni, and San Silvestro's church in Piazza San Silvestro, are renowned for their English.services.
• In Venice, one may attend Mass in Latin in the Basilica of San Marco or Mass in English in the church of San Zulian, in Campo San Zulian, San Marco district (only from May 5 to Sept 29).
• In Florence, religious functions are in English in the church of St. James, in Via Rucellai.

For other Italian cities one can contact the various religious centres to obtain info regarding Holy Mass in English.

Papal Audience. When visiting Rome, one may attend papal Audience, at the Pontificial's State discretion, either in St. Peter's Square or in the Nervi Hall. (When the Pope is in Rome, Audience is every Wednesday. In summer, one may attend the Papal Blessing in Castelgandolfo, the Pope's summer residence).

Other Religions. All major religions are represented in Italy. Here are some useful phone numbers for agencies to help you to find a house of worship, or to locate other religious functions:

• Jewish = Unione delle Comunità Ebraiche Italiane (Union of Italian Jewish Communities) Lungotevere Sanzio n. 9, Rome - Tel. 06 580 36 70
• Muslim = Centro Islamico Culturale d'Italia (Islamic Cultural centre of Italy) Viale della Moschea, Rome - Tel. 06 808 22 58

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FOR LADIES ONLY

Ladies ... lose the purse! Find a cute bag that looks great around your waist.

The blow-off.. When a man comes up and asks you - "Is this your first time in_______?", it is the first step in sizing you up. Say, "NO. We visit often." - and go on.

Hiding places. Try storing valuables in a tampon or maxi-pad box when staying in hotels. No one really wants to go digging in those boxes.

Earrings. To bring a selection of earrings on your trip, get a 25-cent felt square at a fabric store (they sell them pre-cut) and simply fasten earrings through the felt, and fold, fasten and fold. This allows you to bring lots of accessories, protects each pair from damage, and takes up almost no space! Fasten roll with rubber band to keep it from unrolling.

Double duty. Try to take beauty products with you that will double up for 2 or more uses. Elizabeth Arden's 8-hour cream works as a facial moisturizer, lip balm, hair tamer, and sunburn soother all in one. Shampoo can double up as travel wash, and those new chubby make up pencils from Clinique can multi-task for lipstick, eye color, and blush.

Wedding rings. Before your trip go into any department store (does not have to be A-1 quality, a store such as Target will do). Buy a cubic zirconia wedding ring set. They are relatively inexpensive and you don't have to fret if you lose your rings or if they are stolen. They're also handy if you're single, traveling alone and don't wish to be approached.

Necklaces. When packing your necklaces, place each one in a straw, by threading one end of the necklace through, and clasping it closed. This prevents the necklace from tangling up. (Use longer straws for longer necklaces, and cut the straw to exactly half the length of the necklace, for shorter ones.)

Make-up tricks. Cutting down on the amount of bottles and cosmetics that spill is always important. Use a stick foundation instead of a liquid. The texture is light, and many if the new sticks are oil-free. The foundation can also double as a concealer and an eyeshadow base. Look for perfume in a solid form as well. The containers are small enough to fit in a purse, yet smell strong. Kiss my Face makes a great peach-scented shave lather in a tube that eliminates aerosol cans. Invest in a good lipstick palette with a variety of colors. The palettes are small, and give you a good variety of colors for all skin tones -and cut down on the number of bulky tubes.

Flying Hair. To instantly calm down static-electric flyaway hair, slide a dry fabric softener sheet over it.

Bring your Sarong. Ladies, always bring a sarong on trips, in your carry-on. It can be used as a sheet, towel, skirt, dress, headdress (for mosques, etc), beach coverup, curtain, just about anything. Use your imagination!

Don't have time at home to spend on beauty rituals? When visiting department stores, stop by the cosmetics counters and ask for samples. Keep all your free "beauty goodies" in a ziploc. When packing for a trip, take along your goodies bag. While relaxing at the hotel, or working on your laptop, take advantage and try that new special mask or the new deep hair conditioning treatment. Small indulgences like this make your trip extra special!

Bring a scarf. When travelling abroad pack a very long oblong chiffon scarf. It is the most versatile item. It can dress up a simple black dress draped backward around the neck for evening; it is useful as a head covering for visiting shrines and temples and being appropriately respectful, even if you're not quite sure of the local protocols and traditions; in a pinch it can be an evening wrap and it takes up no space in a bag.

Spread the risk. When two women are traveling together, each of you should put one complete outfit in the other's suitcase in case one suitcase is lost or delayed. It doesn't hurt to carry a change of underwear and socks in your carry-on, either. It can make all the difference during a delay of any kind.

You smell wonderful! Instead of lugging bulky, breakable perfume bottles, soak some cotton balls in your favorite scent and stuff them into empty film canisters. Then just use them one at a time - the airtight canisters keep the fragrance fresh!

Oil of Olay Daily Facials cleansing cloths are wonderful! They are dry and you can put as many of these practically weightless squares as you need in a recloseable plastic bag. They remove makeup, cleanse, and moisturize without taking separate cleansers, makeup removers, washcloths, etc. Just wet one, lather and wash, and then throw it away!

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MONEY MATTERS

Change some money. (repeated from section one) The best exchange rate is always at a bank in the town you are visiting. If you want a small amount of foreign currency before you leave home, your local back can handle that for a fee. You can exchange money at the airport but the lines are sometimes long. If you have an ATM card check with your issuing bank about using it in the countries you plan on visiting.

Learn the currency! Keeping track of currency, especially coins, when in foreign country can be a problem. On arrival try to obtain coins of different denominations and learn the difference. Then before you set out, count how much money you have in coins - so if you buy a less expensive item you'll know if you have enough coins to pay, or for more expensive items if coins can be combined with notes to pay. This helps speed up the transaction, plus helps prevent accumulating large amounts of coins. Also, try to have a few smaller notes to pay for the less expensive items. A vendor really doesn't want to get a $100 note for a $1 item.

Travel with a waterproof wallet that can be purchased at a scuba dive shop. Wear it under your clothes to carry money, ID, etc. It will be difficult to pickpocket and it 's great for the beach/pool.

Use the hotel safe or…. In a hotel room, split your cash in 4 and hide it in different suitcases and places, so that if you get robbed, you always have something left. Of course you'll have to remember where the money is!

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DOCUMENTING YOUR ADVENTURE

Buy your film and videotape in the USA, it's cheaper. Also bring 50% more film or tape than you'll think you need.

What's that a picture of? When on a long, multi-stop trip, take a photo of that part of your itinerary before heading out for sightseeing. Then, when the pictures are returned, you'll know exactly from which part of your journey they were taken - that day's/location's itinerary will precede each set of pictures.

Get organized. After using a roll of film, number the roll and the canister (1, 2, 3, etc.) with a permanent marker. This is helpful in knowing which rolls have been used. Then when having the film developed, write the number on the envelope. This will keep the photos in chronological order - which helps in identifying photos based on your itinerary. Numbering videotapes is a good idea, too.

Have a group journal and allow everyone in your group to write in it. It is interesting to read each person's viewpoint. Be sure to make copies of the journal for everyone when you get home.

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TRAVEL SAFETY

Fire! When you first go into your hotel room and before you throw down your bags and collapse exhausted - take a moment to look back out into the corridor and remember where the fire exit is. It takes only a moment. And - if you're exiting your room during a fire alarm - Remember! take your key with you - you may need to get back in if your exit is blocked by fire.

We're lost! Before your trip starts discuss the problems associated with getting separated in a strange city. Tell ALL of the people in your group that if you get lost or separated from each other to return to the last place you were together.

Have you seen my mommy? When travelling with your children, always prepare in advance with them whom they should ask for help, if separated, or where to meet. Also, for young children, make each of them a card which states their name, place they are staying, contact phone number, parents' names, medications they are taking, allergies, and what to do if lost. Then, the child should be told to give the card ONLY to a police officer should they become separated.

I lost my wife! On a crowded city street with a large tour group, and you are busy looking at history and your wife wanders off to the nearest shop? Men, carry a large patterned umbrella (big, bright flowers work well) and have your wife carry the same. Then, if you get separated, you can both open them up and raise them above the crowd and find each other in an instant.

Neat trick! When traveling carry ten $2 bills. If your wallet is stolen, call the police and tell them to alert banks for anyone changing $2 bills. Chances are nobody else is carrying them, and foreigners are usually too ignorant to question them.

Sticky wallet trick. Wrap a thick rubberband around your wallet. This will ensure that you will FEEL if someone is picking your pocket with the friction of the rubberband against the material of your slacks as they try to relieve you of the wallet!!

Carry a "mugger's wallet" when traveling overseas - with a big bill in front and a half-dozen or so smaller bills behind, along with a photo ID library card, some other papers, hotel coupons, etc, for bulk. This will not only be a source for small expenses, but you can surrender it easily in order to satisfy your mugger.

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