We’ve been traveling together as a couple for little more than two years now and we already have a “strategy”. Of course, like in any democracy , in our couple we divide the “work”. So let’s take a look at what each of us does.

Pre-Trip: couple of months before

Both:

• come up with a list of possible destinations
• based on Cris’s preliminary research, we decide where to go
• go through the list of places to stay and decide on top 3

Cris:

• preliminary research: transportation and accommodation costs
• look for places to stay; come up with a list of 5-10 places
• look up things to do, including FREE things to do and walking tours
• preliminary budget
• best / worst time to visit and what to pack
• book hotel/hostel/apartment, buy train / plane tickets

Pre-Trip: the day before leaving

Alex:

• charge all rechargeable batteries
• make sure the cards are empty
• make sure the netbook is working properly (and Cris has loaded books on it!)
• decide which electronics to pack (i.e. lately we prefer to leave the tripod home)

Cris

• re-check: transportation info (check in if needed THE SOONEST POSSIBLE)
• in Evernote add: flight nr / airline locator; departure hour and decide when to leave home; address for accommodation and how to get to from the airport / train station; things to do
• packing for both of us; make sure toiletries and medicines are packed
• make sure I take the smartphone’s charger with me!

The day of the trip

Both:

• make sure the house is secure and we know who would come to check on stuff
• leave home in time to get to the airport / train station without being stressed

Cris:

• make sandwiches; make sure we have healthy things to eat during the train/plane ride
• re-check: departure time!

During the trip

Both:

• have fun!
• set aside the money needed to get back to the airport / train station; decide , based on the time it took to get to the accommodation, when it’s best to leave to get on time so that we don’t miss the train / flight back home
• improvise based on the itinerary
• act like kids and be in love
• get cheap, cute souvenirs

Cris:

• take notes for articles

So far we haven’t forgot anything at home. And thankfully we haven’t carried too much luggage either. But each time we travel I get better at packing!

>>also read about: Packing Light