IMHO:  Print out the recommended repair shops at
http://www.vanagon.com/vendors/shops.html   Also get
the extended AAA towing service.

Get 2 different credit/debit cards and keep them in
different places,  and some travellers cheques just in
case your wallet is lost or stolen. Get a Hotmail account
(or any other web based email account) and put all of
your credit card info, t-check infor etc in an email to
yourself.

A few simple spares (alt belt), and a few tools.

Get the car up and running with new oil, air and fuel
filters, oil and tranny coolant fluids, plugs, brakes, align &
balance tyres.  Pressure test the coolant system and the
cylinders.

Any economy here will be false economy if your vacation
is interrupted for 4 days while you sit and get your van
fixed.

my 2 cents worth (M2CW)  Malcolm