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Packed for Life | Family Travel

✈️ Travel Talk Tuesday

Published 10 months ago • 3 min read

Hey Reader,

Happy Tuesday! How is your week shaping up?

We are in the middle of downsizing, and packing up our life into about 6-8 boxes, in preparation for our temporary move to Victoria, BC before our big 6 month trip to South East Asia in December.

I've always had big travel dreams and a desire to explore the world, learn new languages and now share that with my kids. There are definitely people in my life who don't "get it" including my family. Luckily my partner Derek is on board with my crazy ideas.

And we've made some pretty unconventional choices over the last 5+ years to be able to make this happen. Although it took much longer than I hoped, the pieces are finally coming together. Yay!

If you have big dreams, don't give up.

Sometimes we need to pivot, and look at new or so-called unconventional ways to make things happen. No matter what the Negative Nellies in our life say.

I believe in you!

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🌻 Community Updates

I've been focusing on vacation planning lately; vacation & summer meal planning & keeping the kids happy on the road. As we're going to be heading out on a 3-4 day road trip from Yellowknife to Victoria at the end of the month.

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💡 Tip of the Week

Some do's or don'ts of passport travel:

  • Do: Check Expiry Date: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date, as many countries require this. Friendly reminder to check the expiry date today, regardless. Always better to be prepared for travel opportunities.
  • Don't: Ignore Renewal Timelines: Don't wait until the last minute to renew your passport. Start the renewal process at least six months before it expires.
  • Do: Photocopy Important Pages: Make photocopies or take photos of the identification page of your passport. Keep one copy with you and leave one with a trusted person back home or somewhere safe online.
  • Don't: Pack Your Passport in Checked Luggage: Kind of a no-brainer as you'll need to present it during your travels, but a friendly reminder just in case. Always carry your passport on you or in your carry-on luggage to prevent it from getting lost or stolen.
  • Do: Know the Visa Requirements: Research if the countries you are visiting require a visa in addition to a passport and apply well in advance. I usually start at Canada's travel advice / advisory page for that destination as it has basic info on entry & exit requirements and then confirm with the embassy exact requirements and process. Your country will have a similar page.
  • Don't: Forget to Check Entry and Exit Stamps: Double check that your passport is stamped properly upon entry and exit to avoid issues with overstaying or future travel complications. And to confirm date you will need to leave by.​

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✈️ In the News | Around the Web

  • ​Travel by Train this summer - Save 25% With Amtrak's summer sale on their US Northeast Regional and Acela tickets. Book now through June 20 and save on travel June 28 - September 2, 2024.
  • Apple Maps has made it easier to explore national parks this summer with their latest update​
  • US travelers can now renew their passport online (with some conditions).

Ok, that's all for today. As always, if you have any questions, or something travel related you'd like to see more of, send me an email. I personally reply to every one.

Traveling soon? Use these helpful links:

Emails may contain affiliate links. If you sign up or buy something through an affiliate link, I may get a little commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you! This helps support my family & supports me to make free resources available for everyone.

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Packed for Life | Family Travel

Donna Garrison

An ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with my family. I give families the tools to experience the joys of travelling, no matter your budget. Through quick, practical solutions. Join me if you'd like to make more memories confidently travelling with your kids, without straining your finances, going into debt, or feeling like you'd have to sell off a kidney to fund your next vacation.

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