Dropping off the face of the planet has an exotic ring to it. You are on holiday, after all. But don't be the cause of unnecessary worry. Check in once in a while.

Calling Cards
Check with your provincial long distance provider to see if they have calling cards you can use overseas. Most do. For example Bell, Telus, Sprint and AT&T offer direct dial services back home to Canada. Check the wallet card provided for dialing instructions.

You ISIC holders can also use services provided when you purchase ISIConnect. Once an ISIConnect account is activated, you've got access to student-priced long distance calling rates, voice mail, e-mail, fax mail and Telesafe™ for virtual storage of document copies

Stay in contact around the world with ISIC Connect

It's much more than just a phone card

Cybercafés
With the proliferation of e-mail there are tons of free web-based e-mail account providers. Hotmail, Yahoo!, MailCity and Eudora are just a few. Open an account before you leave so you can stay in touch easily and cheaply while on the road. ISIConnect also provides free e-mail.

Have Mail Sent To You
A letter or package from home – what could be better? The secret is Poste Restante, universally recognized for "general delivery." If friends and family don't have an exact street address for a post office, tell them to use a number 1 after the name of the city to indicate delivery to the main post office. They'll also need to underline your last name and write Poste Restante just below your name and above the mailing address. HOLD should also be clearly marked on the outside. Mail will usually be held for a few weeks. Pick up in person with your passport.

If you have an American Express credit card or are using American Express traveller's cheques, you can have mail sent to AmEx offices in major cities.

Postcards
Send them! People love getting a postcard in the mail. Sending postcards will be a real drag and eat up all your time if you think you have to send cards from everywhere you've been to everyone you know. But maybe your grandma doesn't have an e-mail address yet. Maybe your sister doesn't. Some travellers like to develop film as they go along and mail a photograph home just like a postcard.