YOU JUST BOOKED YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE - NOW WHAT?

Congratulations, my friend - booking is the hard part and you did it

Heads up: two links below are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you - they're both things I use and recommend regardless, and everything else here is free advice with nothing attached

1. THIS WEEK - get your travel insurance

Do this before anything else. The coverage that matters most to us - trip cancellation for medical reasons, pre-existing condition waivers, cancel-for-any-reason upgrades - is often only available if you buy within a short window of your first trip payment. Wait until you're packing and that option is GONE. Read the terms on whichever plan you choose

2. THIS WEEK - check your passport

Find it. Physically. Check the expiry date - most of Europe wants at least three months' validity past your return, and renewal times are unpredictable. If it expires within six months of your trip, start the renewal NOW. Photograph the picture page and email it to yourself while you've got it in your hand

3. 30 DAYS OUT - sort your arrival day

Day one is the hardest day of any trip - you've landed, you haven't slept, and there's nobody to laugh about it with. Greether connects you with a verified local woman who meets you on arrival and shows you the city like a friend would. Book at least two weeks ahead, availability gets thin - and use code LGTC for 10% off your GreetHer booking!

4. BEFORE YOU FLY - sort your phone

Get your eSIM at home, not in the airport - ten minutes now saves you an hour of stress on arrival. I use Airalo, and my code gets you $3 off your first purchase

Code: ERIN5990 for $3 off

5. 14 DAYS OUT - the practical layer

• Bank notified, backup card packed separately from your wallet
• Meds in original bottles, in your carry-on, more than you need
• First night's address written on paper - phones die
• Remove a third of what you packed - you know it's true

6. QUESTIONS

Ask in the club - somebody in there has been exactly where you're going. Or email hello@freshwtc.com anytime