True. I actually always buy at least one maybe more books of the places I am going to and I study them in advance so I know where to go. Then I use Google Earth to find interesting places and add them to my GPS.

Nowadays most places do. Even the most exotic countries have ATM. You have to be alot more careful regarding security though.

Unfortunately I forgot this when I left for Peru. So I had to make a lot of calls from Peru to a friend of mine and to my landlord to arrange for him to let my friend into my apartment to check if we had accidentaly locked one of our cats in a room. The cat wouldn't have had access to water and food.

Hm. I guess you covered the most important items. I guess nowadays it is important to check with your airline what items you can bring on board and how early you have to be at the airport due to hightened security.

Make sure your credit cards are paid off, so you will have sufficient emergency money on your trip.

Andre

Travel Photography

I usually pull all plugs of electrical outlets.

This way I can be sure the coffee machine is off and it also reduces power consumptions, since most devices consume power even when they are off.

It also isolates them from lightning strikes.

Usually I make a list that I put on my door. So whenever I leave I can see if I did everything. The worst thing is to leave in a rush because you are out of time. You tend to forget things then.

I'd like to add to feed the cat (or whatever animal you have) and to programm the video recorder for your favorite shows.

CY 

A list of things that need to be done before you leave is a great idea cy.  

Another thing I do that goes along that same line is make a list of everything I intend to take with me.  Then I cross the items off as I pack them. 

And something I'm probably going to need to do before I travel again is call the airline to find out their rules regarding prescription medication.  I'm sure they'd have to allow it, but I've always prefered to put it in my carry on so I'd know they wouldn't lose it.  Nowadays I'm assuming I'd have to put it in the luggage I check.  If you haven't traveled recently, you might want to check that out if you have prescriptions.

I used to do that too, but eventually I got bored with it, after realizing that all I need is some change of clothing, photo equipment (its always in my photo backpack) and my credit card. The only time I did actually prepare a list was for my trip to Peru. It was my first time in South America and I took way too many items (even medical stuff).

Andre

Peru Photos 

I think making a list is the best ideea a friend has given me a long time ago. Before trying that I used to forget important stuff, such as coffee for a car trip or my tooth brush, or warm clothes. Of course you don't have to over do it and take the entrie house with you :D

If my trip is taking me on a really long flight I like to make sure that I have something to occupy me in my carry-on along with a change of clothes and some light toiletries.  It feels so nice to get a face wash and some clean teeth on those long international flights.  It is simply priceless.

Joe

Romantic Gatlinburg Cabins

How about shots? Sometimes it's safer to get medical vaccines or shots before you go.

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I usally always make sure i have a spare visa card, preferably a credit card just in case i either run out of money or have my other card stolen or lost.  Nothing worse than being stranded in a foreign country without money!

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Medicines. Allergy medicines.

and make sure you pack your phone charger!

hate when i forget it.

airline tickets