Fast Five Travel Tips: The week before you go

When the vacation is just around the corner, you have a lot to do. Here are 5 helpful tips IMHO.

1. Check the weather forcasts. This will help you pack better for your departure and arrival cities. It will also help you predict delays or other circumstances that might change your plans.

2. Contact the concierge at the hotel. Introduce yourself via e-mail, and let them know of your dinner requests or anything else that you might need. If nothing else, at least they should recognize your name if you DO need something while you're there. Don't be a last-minute Lucy.

3. Gather your frequent flier cards, confirmation numbers and itinerary. Photograph or photocopy for your house sitter or your "just in case" contact at home. Things are soooo much easier to find if you're not rushing at the last minute.

4. Gather your medications. Do you need any prescriptions refilled or labelled for travel?

5. Contact your credit card and place a travel advisory. Double check that your household bills or automatic payments are all set up before you leave. You don't want to miss a payment or risk insecure internet connections with your bank info when you are travelling. Only travel with the cards you need. Leave everything else at home or in your safety deposit box.

@cdntripseeker

Fast Five Travel Tips: Christmas booking time is now

1. Booking in September, for Christmas travel means you should get what you want, for the price you can live with.

2. There are still decent flight times, and flight prices available.

3. Find yourself a hotel haven. Grab a room at the inn, before you're left out in the cold, or on aunt Betty's basement couch.

4. A Christmas vacation is a gift in itself. Your shopping is done!

5. Last minute all-inclusive Christmas vacations are like eating 3 day-old leftovers.... iffy at best. Why take chances with your money, or your memories? Book the vacation YOU want, rather than take what nobody else wants.