TRAVEL TIPS

See the world

"Last call for passengers travelling to…"

This announcement may signal the start of your trip, but you've got a ways to go before you hear it.

When, where and how?

Where do you want to go? You probably already have an idea, but if you still have doubts about the country you want to visit, there's nothing like using your favourite search engine to get the information you need to make the final decision.

For those who want to cover the spectrum of possible destinations, travel agency websites can provide a good starting point. A good one to get you started: www.routard.com or www.travelocity.ca.

As for when to go and for how long, you're the captain! Everything depends on your schedule and finances. Another decision that you will have to make is whether to backpack it or go on an organized tour.

The money thing...

Finances are important to consider at every stage of planning. When planning your stay, the first thing you need to determine is whether you have the funds to go. If not, you can probably count on us.

Next, you need to prepare a realistic budget to determine how much you can afford to spend in order to meet your day-to-day needs.

Finally, you have to decide whether you want to travel with cash or travellers cheques. Whatever you decide, make sure you can easily access additional funds by bringing your Client Card or Regular MasterCard.

Ideally, all of these important documents should be kept in a pocket that's within easy reach…but only to you!

Passports, visas and other minor details Travelling abroad means travelling with a passport. For some countries, an entry visa is required. To learn more about these and other travel requirements, you can take a direct flight to the Passport Office.

Travel healthy

You don't need to be inoculated before you visit Paris. But for more exotic destinations in Africa and Asia, you may need to take precautions that'll keep you healthy, both during your trip and after you return home.

Learn more about inoculation and other preventive measures by heading to Clinique santé-voyage.

Travel safely

To make your travel experience a positive one, here are a few basic safety precautions you should take.

• Keep a list of important telephone numbers on you at all times in case of emergency. Your list should also include your credit card, passport and travellers cheque numbers. You should leave a copy of the list with a family member or friend. Make sure that person has your itinerary. And if your plans change while you're away, send updates to that person.
• As soon as you arrive at your destination, contact the local Canadian embassy or consulate to let them know that you're in the region. To find the address of Canada's foreign missions, visit www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
• Get extended medical coverage.

You can find more tried-and-true travel tricks on the CAA-Quebec website at www.caaquebec.com.

Other places to visit

To see how much the Canadian dollar is worth in foreign currencies, go to our Exchange rates page. There are many online tools available so that you can translate words and expressions. Also, take a look at the maps on www.lonelyplanet.com.au. For your last stop, go to www.tourismej.qc.ca (in French only).