Tips for first time extended trip

[Aerides]

Take nice clear pics of your passport and licenses on your phones, back up to whatever service you use. That way if you have any losses of wallets along the way, you at least have your info to expedite replacements.

 

[Music Lover]

Don’t plan everything down to the last day. Keep in mind that for many, including us, spontaneous travel is one of the joys of extended travel.

There's no danger of that as we're not the type of people who feel the need to fill every day...this is really just an escape from winter. On nice days we'll mostly take it easy and on less pleasant days we'll look for something to do...if we feel like it

 

[Retired Expat]

T mobile has a good service including Canada and Mexico but don’t know if they are in Canada. I use Magic Jack which works great if you have good internet and has a free smartphone app so if there is WiFi or a Data connectionyou don’t need to even be near the device itself. Is even better when you start doing those extended vacations to Europe or other far flung locations.

 

[Nick12]

Don’t plan everything down to the last day. Keep in mind that for many, including us, spontaneous travel is one of the joys of extended travel.

The most stressed out tourists I have ever seen are when they vacation in Walt Disney World, Orlando. Some planning everything to the day, hour and even minutes. And heaven forbid if it rains which it does several times a day during the oppressive heat of the summer, I have seen kids and even their parents have a meltdown in public when their plans are forced to change.

 

[Bir48die]

Agree with many of these posts. Leave some flexibility. Plan the big stuff like how you're getting there and where you're staying. Car rentals, etc.

The one thing I want to comment on mostly is just to make sure you're aware of your surroundings. Keep up with other travelers. We were in back of a couple probably in their early 70's and they were printing out bag tags. Took forever. Then they decided to navigate how to put them on their bags in front of the kiosk so backed everything up. Another man and I suggested they put them on waiting in the bag drop off line. As I went to use the kiosk the lady wanted to get back on and print their boarding passes. I tell her you could have done that when you printed your tags. I try and be patient with people but there are fifty people in line trying to move along. Sheesh!

 

[Sunset]

T mobile has a good service including Canada and Mexico but don’t know if they are in Canada. I use Magic Jack which works great if you have good internet and has a free smartphone app so if there is WiFi or a Data connectionyou don’t need to even be near the device itself. Is even better when you start doing those extended vacations to Europe or other far flung locations.

Another choice would be the free skype app.
I have used the skype app on my phone when in another country to call home over free wifi.

 

[Chuckanut]

The most stressed out tourists I have ever seen are when they vacation in Walt Disney World, Orlando. Some planning everything to the day, hour and even minutes. And heaven forbid if it rains which it does several times a day during the oppressive heat of the summer, I have seen kids and even their parents have a meltdown in public when their plans are forced to change.

Your comment reminds me of this Youtube video. I found it hilarious:

I love his favorite ride!!!

 

[Music Lover]

We leave tomorrow.

Today I'll be swapping the winter tires for the all-seasons. I'm also picking up a dash cam...I've been meaning to get one for a while and found one on sale so I may as well get one for the trip.

Everything is packed...we are traveling light. Other than my passport, clothes and toiletries, I'm taking my acoustic guitar which I will declare at the border to prevent any issues coming back, and a pair of dumbbells so we can work out. We're staying in a furnished condo and will stock up on food and essentials when we get there.

All the hotels we booked on the way down have fridges and microwaves so we'll be packing lunches and be able to keep some groceries and drinks cool.

 

[Sunset]

We leave tomorrow.

Today I'll be swapping the winter tires for the all-seasons. I'm also picking up a dash cam...I've been meaning to get one for a while and found one on sale so I may as well get one for the trip.

Everything is packed...we are traveling light. Other than my passport, clothes and toiletries, I'm taking my acoustic guitar which I will declare at the border to prevent any issues coming back, and a pair of dumbbells so we can work out. We're staying in a furnished condo and will stock up on food and essentials when we get there.

All the hotels we booked on the way down have fridges and microwaves so we'll be packing lunches and be able to keep some groceries and drinks cool.

When I drive to FL, I pack HEAVY... why not since the car is going anyhow.

You might want to take bug spray for mosquitoes, if you do any trails in nature preservers or parks you will want it.

 

[Golden sunsets]

We spend 8 weeks every winter in Mexico. We eat out frequently but cook in regularly and I have found it helpful to bring small amounts of the spices that I cook with, so that I don't have buy entire bottles of numerous spices. I also bring my favorite knives, spatula, and tongs, so that I can cook the way I'm used to.


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[Sunset]

We spend 8 weeks every winter in Mexico. We eat out frequently but cook in regularly and I have found it helpful to bring small amounts of the spices that I cook with, so that I don't have buy entire bottles of numerous spices. I also bring my favorite knives, spatula, and tongs, so that I can cook the way I'm used to.

...

+1
That is certainly part of my packing HEAVY when I drive to other States, got fed up with buying more duplicate spices.
I also pack wine/booze just to save the bother of looking for a store to buy it in.
And Coffee and 2 kinds of filters (basket & cone).
And small amount of olive oil, example fill up my oil sprayer that I use for cooking.

Basically I throw a bunch of stuff into a cardboard box from the kitchen so I don't waste $30 with the hassle of finding and buying that stuff.

 

[Music Lover]

We spend 8 weeks every winter in Mexico. We eat out frequently but cook in regularly and I have found it helpful to bring small amounts of the spices that I cook with, so that I don't have buy entire bottles of numerous spices. I also bring my favorite knives, spatula, and tongs, so that I can cook the way I'm used to.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

We thought of the same thing...took the Instapot and filled it with our favourite spices.

 

[Scuba]

We spend 8 weeks every winter in Mexico. We eat out frequently but cook in regularly and I have found it helpful to bring small amounts of the spices that I cook with, so that I don't have buy entire bottles of numerous spices. I also bring my favorite knives, spatula, and tongs, so that I can cook the way I'm used to.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

We used to bring spices also, but last time we went to USVI, we decided to leave them at home. We discovered several delicious spices that were new to us, and in fact one of them is now our favorite spice at home!

 

[MichaelB]

We started researching last year around now for a stay in South FL from Jan-Mar 2019. We gave up, couldn’t find anything even with a realtor helping. Any tips on how to find a place? We are experienced users of VRBO, Airbnb, and HomeAway.

My sister in law is the one with the smarts for finding the places to stay. I’ll ask her and report back. One thing I know for sure is she is arranging their stay for next January now.

My brother and SIL came by the other day, on their way back to Chicago. I asked about getting one month rentals in South Fl. She said she saw quite a few listings using VRBO and AirBnB, but started her research 14-15 months in advance and was ready to sign a contract 12 months ahead of time. No other secret or advice. Good luck ..

 

[jimmyv65]

For the first time....6 weeks
Is there anything that we're overlooking?

I am in week 5 of something similar. In terms of what you may be overlooking, what will you be doing with your time? Longer trips have a different vibe than a 7-10 day trip. You may want to bring a hobby with you. You will have plenty of down time. Will you read, learn to juggle, write a book, work out, knit, etc? Not every minute will be, "Hey, let's go see the big ball of twine."

In a longer trip, you will want for some of the things you normally do at home to entertain yourself.

 

[Music Lover]

I am in week 5 of something similar. In terms of what you may be overlooking, what will you be doing with your time? Longer trips have a different vibe than a 7-10 day trip. You may want to bring a hobby with you. You will have plenty of down time. Will you read, learn to juggle, write a book, work out, knit, etc? Not every minute will be, "Hey, let's go see the big ball of twine."

In a longer trip, you will want for some of the things you normally do at home to entertain yourself.

We're not looking to do anything specific...it's just a break from the cold. We're going to find a local gym to work out at, and take it day by day with no pressure to do anything. I brought my guitar as one of my bandmates will be staying close by, and we have a few books.

 

[dixter]

so think about where you are going to...

do you want to swim, do you want to snorkel in the gulf, maybe ride bikes ? for clothes you won't need much besides a couple of bathing suits and a couple of nice beach shirts... bring one set of nice dinner clothes... most of the time you can just wear a nice bathing suit and nice shirt... don't forget the beach shoes.. have fun...

 

[meleana]

We live in upstate NY but we never leave our home in winter more than a week as too much can go wrong and we have no one to check on the house.

 

[Sunset]

We live in upstate NY but we never leave our home in winter more than a week as too much can go wrong and we have no one to check on the house.

There are things you can buy to monitor it, and you can do things to reduce the possible issues, like turn off the water where it comes in the house (unless you have boiler heating).

However, I too would have been very nervous given the extreme cold Chicago just had of -25 at night and a high of -20 in the day. Big chance of frozen pipes for people.

Frankly it's always a risk, even if you go away for 4 days, the furnace could die, just as you leave, or what happened to us, the toilet shutoff tap blew itself open and sprayed water all over the bathroom for 2 days.
That is why we now shut off our water if we are leaving for an overnight or longer

 

[meleana]

There are things you can buy to monitor it, and you can do things to reduce the possible issues, like turn off the water where it comes in the house (unless you have boiler heating).

However, I too would have been very nervous given the extreme cold Chicago just had of -25 at night and a high of -20 in the day. Big chance of frozen pipes for people.

Frankly it's always a risk, even if you go away for 4 days, the furnace could die, just as you leave, or what happened to us, the toilet shutoff tap blew itself open and sprayed water all over the bathroom for 2 days.
That is why we now shut off our water if we are leaving for an overnight or longer

Yes, I know.Thanks We do have boiler heating though my husband says the water already in the system (baseboards) and stays in it and just recirculates?


We take a 2 week vacation in the summer and we do shut the main water line down. At times we have also shut the boiler off- but in summer.


We just had our hot water tank start leaking and noticed it exactly on the day we were supposed to be visiting relatives about 2.5 hour away. It is in a closet right off our den. along with the boiler. Thank goodness I happened to go in there because I heard something "funny".

 

[Music Lover]

We live in upstate NY but we never leave our home in winter more than a week as too much can go wrong and we have no one to check on the house.

I can monitor the house temperature on my phone. I also have someone checking the house every day/second day.

 

[sgstaley]

We usually take a small 12v cooler for sandwiches and drinks while traveling (there seems to be a Walmart on every corner anymore.)
Considering that you might be around water and beach, I would seriously consider investing in a decent "drybag." They are a lifesaver around water or when you get caught out in an afternoon shower. >> https://www.backcountry.com/dry-bags

 

[landis207]

We've done a couple world cruises (120+ days) and I've found that I can pack for a 10 day trip, with perhaps a tux or some other formal wear, and as long as I have access to a washer/drier, I'm fine. Make sure you have extra prescription meds and any sunscreen and bug repellent you need. You might also need a fanny or small backpack depending on your daily walking regimen. Also, I must admit that even though I brought my slr camara, I used my phone for 90% of our pictures. Also, if your looking for an alternative cell-phone provider, look into Google fi. We changed over prior to our last world cruise and loved it. 1/2 the price of comcast and it works in over 100 countries with no issues. We arrived in Papa New Guineai and our phone turned on and said "welcome to Papa New Guinea" your data plan is the same price as at home and phone calls are 10 cents a minute! No contract as well.

Have fun and don't sweat it as long as you have a credit card you'll be ok!

 

[brett]

We seldom go to Florida, etc or do Caribbean cruises since retiring. For us it comes down to winters in Costa Rica/Panama, Thailand, or Mexico. We pack carry on only and do a fair amount of spontaneous travel. At some point in the future I suspect that we do some longer term condo rentals in either Puerto Vallarta or on the Costa Rica Pacific coast.

It is -20 C and snowing at the moment where we live. Plus 30, blue sky, and fabulous deserted ocean beach where we are at the moment. The thought of a winter at home is depressing.

 

[Cut-Throat]

How did you find a place that would rent only the one month of February? I thought that was next to impossible? Where are you heading in Florida?

Let us (me ) know how it goes!

North Florida is pretty easy to rent, as it is much cooler there... South Florida is much more difficult.