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Never Forget These Three Things When Traveling

6/11/2025

Wine tasting in a little town outside Malaga, Spain

There's a lot to remember before heading out on your next adventure. That's why I always use a checklist to remind myself of all the things I need to pack before I embark on my next trip. Keep reading to discover the three must-have items you need while traveling!

Use this handy packing list to make sure you are prepared for all of your traveling needs!

After all the packing is done and just before I head to the airport, I double-check to make sure I have these three things on me. Without these items, I may not even make it to my destination, or at a minimum, my traveling experience will be considerably more difficult. If all I have are these three things, I'll be able to get by and can always purchase anything else I need.

#1. Don't forget your passport
If you're traveling internationally, you won't even make it on the plane without your passport. Even if you somehow manage to slip through all the check points and make it to your destination, they’ll put you on the next flight home as soon as you land. I've seen it happen a number of times. The traveler who forgets their passport has to go back home to get it, no exceptions. Their travel plans are delayed, plus they incur stiff fees from the airline to re-book their airfare.

Bonus Tip: Make sure your passport doesn't expire until six months after the date you return home, or they might not let you go abroad.

#2. Don't forget your money/credit card
I was pickpocketed while traveling once. They took my wallet with all my money and credit cards. They were so talented that I didn't even realize it until the next day! The worst part? I was only halfway through my month-long journey. I begged my parents to send money via Western Union at each new city I went to so I didn't have to come home early. Thankfully, they agreed, but it was quite the process. The time difference between us was about 10 hours, which made communication while traveling extremely difficult. I wasn't sure how much money I needed for the rest of the trip and typos in my name made it difficult to collect the cash. All-in-all, lesson learned: do not forget your money or credit cards while traveling!

#3. Don't forget your phone
With the world’s shift from paper to digital almost complete, your most important travel information is now on your phone. Plus, your family and friends expect to hear from you frequently while you travel to make sure you're alive and well. We've grown so dependent on our smart phones, it's hard to travel without them. To top it off, many of us no longer use a physical camera; it's now just an app on our phone. Can you imagine traveling to all these beautiful sites and not being able to take pictures of any of your food? Lame!

Before you leave for your next trip, double-check to make sure you didn't forget your three most important travel items: your passport, money and phone.

Matt Wahlgren

ADVISOR / AGENCY OWNER

I work with both new and experienced travelers in order to provide them with an unforgettable experience.

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Dear fellow traveler,

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In this summer issue of Postcards, we’re pleased to feature Pól Ó Conghaile, author of Secret Dublin and Travel Editor at the Irish Independent, who gives us his guidance for visiting the Irish capital. Rebecca Barnes traces an 11-night Crystal Cruises itinerary that departs Bali and heads north along the Makassar Strait before hopping between the Philippines’ emerald islands and ending in iconic Hong Kong. And the gastronomy of the Ionian Islands of Greece comes into focus thanks to Emily Brown, who shares her favorite seafood tavernas.

Sand, sea and celebration: long dinners outdoors, building sandcastles and splashing in crystal-clear waters are the things of family lore, and our agency is here to help you make the most of it. Backed by our specialized resources, we can turn your travel dreams into reality. All you’ll need to do is switch to airplane mode and head into endless summer. Happy travels!