Passport
Your passport is proof of your citizenship. It allows you entry into other countries. There's no crossing an international border without one. If you don't already have a passport, apply well in advance of your trip. Canadian passport offices usually process applications quite quickly, but you should still allow several weeks in case there are any snags. Canadian passports are valid for five years, but are not renewable. You have to reapply when your current passport expires.

Look in the telephone directory in the Government of Canada blue pages for the passport office nearest you. Post offices and travel agencies also have application forms. You'll need two passport-sized photos signed by your guarantor – a professional who's known you for two or more years. You'll also need proof of Canadian citizenship-like your birth certificate – and some other proof of identity, like your driver's licence. Photocopies won't be accepted. Call ahead to find out the current passport fee and what methods of payment are accepted.

Make sure your passport expiry date will come round six months or longer after your planned return date. Many countries won't let you in if your passport is approaching the expiry date.

Taking extra passport photos with you is a good idea. If you spontaneously decide you want to visit a country not in the original plan, you can sometimes arrange for a visa at the border, but the immigration officers will want a photo. Extra photos also come in handy if you need a permit to do a particular activity, like trekking.

If your passport is lost or stolen, report the fact immediately to the nearest Canadian embassy or consular office. Bring a photocopy of the passport and your birth certificate to help speed up the replacement process. In the section called Making Copies in this chapter you'll find out why having copies is so darned important.

Visas
No, not the credit card. Visas determine how long you're allowed to stay in another country. Determine where you're going first, then find out if you need a visa. You need to do this step well in advance of your departure date.

Tourist entry restrictions can change frequently, depending on the time of year, or on political or diplomatic situations. Visas can take a long time to process. Standard procedure will involve sending your passport to that country's embassy or consulate general — usually located in a major North American city. Don't worry, you'll get your passport back. The visa itself is a stamp or piece of paper pasted right into your passport, outlining what the country's permission to you is. Shorter visits may not require a visa and some visas are free. Call the individual embassies for current requirements and restrictions. Most Western European countries do not require a visa for Canadians staying less than three months. Eastern European countries will require visas. Australia requires a visa. If you are working or studying anywhere overseas, you'll need a visa.

Protection
Should you buy travel insurance? In a word — yes! Should you bring a copy of your policy with you? In a word — yes! Bad things can – and do happen. Being prepared means your trip or financial health are not ruined. Pack your up-to-date provincial health care card, too.

Discount Cards
If you are a student, you're entitled to discounts, even overseas. But your university ID might not be recognized or accepted abroad. Simplify your life and get the globally recognized International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and start chalking up the savings. Now you've got student-exclusive discounts all over the world on airfares, insurance, long distance calls, attractions and admissions. ISIC holders also have access to a 24-hour traveller's assistance hotline in case of an emergency.

If you're not a student – but you're under 26 – pick up the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC), also called the GO 25 card. If you're a teacher or professor, apply for the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC).

Become a Hostelling International (HI) member while you're at it. You'll pay a reduced rate at HI hostels worldwide.

For any of these cards and memberships, purchase them at home before you leave. They are cheaper and easier to obtain at home than abroad. All are valid for one year from date of issue.

International Driving Permit
Some countries require one. Some don't. An IDP is not a bad idea. It's not expensive and can be surrendered instead of your passport to the hotel and hostel front-desk clerks that are always asking for that precious document. Should you get into an automobile accident, same thing. Give the cops this temporary permit, not your passport or provincial driver's license. Contact your local branch of the Canadian Automobile Association for the current IDP fee and application requirements.

Making Copies
You've heard it before, now hear it again. Photocopy all your important documents twice, leave a set behind (with someone you can reach easily) and carry the other set somewhere separate from the originals — some like to stuff the photocopies in the bottom of their pack and forget about them. You'll only ever need the photocopies if something is stolen. You'll be glad you have them. Replacing things like rail passes, airline tickets or a passport can be a major hassle. Having a copy proves you really did own this stuff before it was lost or stolen and helps to smooth the replacement process along.

Put the real goods in your money pouch. It doesn't leave you. Not even for a minute.

If you can't be bothered to carry copies around then, at least, jot down serial and identification numbers in your travel journal or address book.

Web-lovers and minimalists will be happy to hear that ISIConnect offers ISIC members cyber storage for their valuable documents. It's called Telesafe™ and it's a great alternative to photocopies as it provides secure virtual storage. You can retrieve documents via e-mail or touchtone phone anywhere in the world.