Because the best adventures start with smooth planning

Packing your suitcase is only one tiny part of getting ready for a 10-day international trip. If you’re like most women, balancing work, home, kids, pets, and a life—you know that preparing to leave for nearly two weeks can feel like a full-time job.

But it doesn’t have to be stressful.

This is my personal, tried-and-true, pre-trip system I use before every Suitcase Gals adventure. It keeps me organized, calm, and excited rather than overwhelmed. Follow these steps, and you’ll walk out the door knowing everything is handled.

7–10 Days Before Your Trip: Big Picture Prep

✔ Confirm the Essentials

Double-check your flight times (including layovers).
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates.
Review entry requirements for your destination (visas, arrival forms, health requirements).
Verify airport transfer details and hotel confirmations.
Print or save digital copies of all confirmations—flights, hotels, tours, transfers.

✔ Notify Your “Real Life”

Let a trusted family member know your full itinerary.
Set up pet care, house sitting, or plant watering.
Arrange a mail hold or ask a neighbor to collect packages.

✔ Start Your Packing Lists

This is when I begin three critical lists:

Clothing – broken down by outfits, layers, and weather.
Toiletries & wellness – prescriptions, hot-flash kit, skincare, haircare.
Carry-on essentials – passport, chargers, snacks, fan, wipes, etc.

Writing it early prevents the last-minute panic.

3–5 Days Before Your Trip: Tech, Money & Documents

✔ Set Up Your Tech

This is the biggest mistake travelers make, waiting too long.

Download WhatsApp (internationally essential).
Set up your phone’s international plan or buy an eSIM.
Download offline Google Maps for your destination.
Add your boarding passes to your Apple Wallet.
Make sure iCloud/Google Photos has enough storage.
Pack chargers, adapters, power bank, and headphones.

✔ Prep Your Finances

Notify your bank of international travel.
Check your card limits and expiration dates.
Order a small amount of local currency if needed.
Confirm that your travel insurance is active.
Photograph or scan passports, IDs, and payment cards and email them to yourself.

✔ Do a Light Home Reset

You will thank yourself later:

Wash sheets.
Take out trash.
Run the dishwasher.
Do a light tidy of kitchen counters and floors.
Walking into a clean home after 10 days abroad feels like a gift.

48 Hours Before Your Trip: Packing & Personal Prep

✔ Pack Your Outfits

Not pieces—outfits.

Choose mix-and-match neutrals.
Lay out each day’s outfit to avoid overpacking.
Pack layers for temperature changes.
Add one “nice” dinner outfit and one comfy travel outfit.
Roll clothes to save space.

✔ Build Your Wellness Kit

This is where women over 40 shine: we plan for everything.

Include:

Prescriptions + meds for emergencies
Electrolytes
Pain relievers
Eye mask
Compression socks
Hot flash essentials (fan, cooling towel)
Travel deodorant and wipes
Vitamins
Band-Aids or blister cushions

✔ Beauty & Self-Care

Get your nails done.
Wash and style your hair.
Pack your makeup bag.
Double-check skincare (travel sizes if possible).

24 Hours Before Your Trip: Final Details

✔ Check In

Check into your flight online.
Confirm seat assignments.
Recheck your passport location (yes, again).

✔ Charge Everything

Phone
Watch
Portable fan
Power banks
Earbuds
Camera

Put them all in one place so nothing gets left behind.

✔ Prepare Your Travel Outfit

Choose something breathable, comfortable, and layered.
Women 40+ know that “plane temperature” means nothing—you will need both warmth and the ability to cool down fast.

✔ Night-Of Checklist

Set 2 alarms
Put passport near your bag
Pack snacks
Hydrate well
Get a good night’s sleep (or at least try!)

Departure Morning: You’re Ready

Do these before walking out the door:

Turn off stove/irons
Unplug small appliances
Adjust thermostat
Lock windows & doors
Grab phone + passport + wallet
Do a slow walk-through of your home

Then take a deep breath, your adventure begins now.

View Upcoming Trips

Preparing for a 10-day trip doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a system, you eliminate the mental load and step confidently into your next chapter, whether it’s Italy, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, or Africa.

And the best part?

You don’t have to do it alone.
Suitcase Gals trips are designed for women who support, uplift, and understand one another on the road and in real life.

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10-Day Prep Checklist: Everything I Do Before Leaving for an International Trip