General Checklist (20 + 1 points)

Here is a quick summary of the stuff you should check while preparing the trip:

1. Create a Paypal account as an alternative payment channel. Also, if you are minded to write articles for other blogs or do some translations to earn extra money while travelling, you will always be requested to provide a paypal account. Free registration.
2. Create a new email address to be linked to your blog and your travel accounts. It will be also useful when having to provide an email address during the trip. We would recommend a gmail account as it allows you to tie together multiple Google’s functionalities and accounts.
3. Create a Couchsurfing account in case you feel like saving some accommodation money or meeting new people. Free registration with limited access (10 accommodation requests per week). For unlimited access, the charge is 54 € lifelong. Plus, it seems that since 2020, due to Covid pandemic, subscription now costs 1,99 € on a monthly basis; or 13,99 € a year. Still good value !!
4. Create a Blablacar account to have an alternative way to travel around Europe by car saving money and meeting people. Free registration
5. Create an Instagram account to store and share your pictures in the social network.
6. Create a Workaway account to help and meet local people in exchange of food and accommodation. 32 € registration fee for one year.
7. Create a Woof account to get access to volunteer opportunities in farms in exchange of food and accommodation. Registration fee might vary according to the country.
8. Print a copy of all the main documents (passport, identity card, driving licence, insurance policy, etc.) to hand out for info and deposit.
9. Get all the medicines you might need before setting off. This could save you some hassle. On the other hand, however, in some strict countries (e.g. Dubai) you could be subjected to “police issues” if a doctor prescription is not handed in.
10. Check your debit and credit cards to be sure you are able to pay and withdraw money in the countries you will reach. Better if you are equipped with 2 or 3 cards covering different circuits and modalities (debit / credit). In particular, to rent a vehicle, a credit card is often required.
11. Stipulate an insurance for your trip. You might be faced with very expensive bills to pay on the spot. I personally never did it myself. And I was lucky so far. However, for Africa or specific aereas, I would certainly think about it.
12. Make sure you are ok with all needed vaccins and you have your International Certificate of Vaccination updated depending the countries  you are going to visit. You should start getting ready with that at least 2 months before leaving.
13. Check if you can buy an Interrail train pass in Europe to save some money in transportation.
14. Bring with yourself any student card in order to get good discounts in museums, transport, etc. If your golden age has already past, you can also “forge” a photshopped document which is seldom carefully verified by the controllers.
15. Buy some credit for skype to call international phones at lower rates.
16. Download maps.me app and the needed offline maps.
17. Buy a complete Travel Guide for your trip, either digital or paper. I am personally still attached to Lonely Planet for instance. However, there is plenty of material available, for free or paid. I would recommend, anyway, to have an “offline” manual to be prepared under all circumstances.
18. Get some cash of the main currencies (Euros or Dollars) in case you have issues with POS and cash machines in remote places or you lose your bank cards.
19. Verify if you need an International Driving License. Some countries could demand it, especially in Asia and Africa. I eventually got mine for Vietnam from this website, 75 € for 3 years, both physical and digital, not bad.
20. Buy an e-reader or some inspiring books!
21. Prepare your backpack. Pack the main needed items for your trip.

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