BlueCross Travel Insurance + Ontario Health Card Extension

Research and word of mouth reveals that BlueCross Travel Insurance is the most comprehensive and valuable to Canadians traveling abroad.

Before you can apply for long-term travel insurance, you have to apply for an OHIP Extension. If ever you leave Canada for over 211 days you have to apply for one of these.

This can be done by visiting a ServiceOntario counter (not a kiosk!) and submitting a signed letter of direction stating:
- Reason for Leaving: Leisure or work. Work will require letter of employment documentation from the company sponsoring you.
- Countries you will be visiting.
- Estimated number of days outside of country.

* Bring your Health Card, proof of address (bill with your name and address on it), credit card passport and/or birth certificate.

While I was looking into Travel Insurance, I realized that my health card had expired. Replacing an expired Health Card can also be done at a ServiceOntario counter. Bring the same identification as noted above and notify the clerk you need to reinstate your OHIP.

Continue Reading...

Itinerary Planning

I've been referring to Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door for information on itinerary skills.

My notes taken from this book can be found in my Research wiki.

According to RS' Itinerary Planning, here's how I put together my trip.

1) Research and decide on the places you want to see. Make a list and circle the destinations on a map.

France - Alps - Italy - Cinque Terre - Greece - Germany - Romantic Road - Rhine - Netherlands

2) Establish a route and timeline. Figure out a logical geographical order and length for your trip.

I realized that Greece is too far out of the way for this trip.

Paris - Rome - Florence - Venice - Germany - Amsterdam

3) Determine the mode of transportation.

My trip is linear and consists of cities that are all on the train line. After researching the locations and timeline, a 15 day pass is the best option for both budget and convenience.

4) Make a rough itinerary.

I worked out a geographically logical plan that fit into a 22 day venture. (I took a lot of guidance from a sample trip I found in this book - it pointed out some great places to stay overnight in that were off the beaten path).

Paris (3)
Gimmelwald (3)
Cinque Terre (2)
Rome (3)
Florence (1)
Venice (1)
Munich (1)
Rothenburg (1)
Bacharach (2)
Haarlem (2)

Continue Reading...

Research

Before spending money on books it's worth checking them out at the library to see if they contain all the information you're looking for (i.e. maps, countries you're visiting, etc.).
Some books aren't even necessary to buy; skimming and scanning through them for information to compile in a wiki will suffice and save $$.

Mission to the Toronto Public Library...

Guidebooks: I have picked up the three top travel guidebooks - Lonely Planet, Let's Go and Rough Guides. I will have to choose which one I find most suitable for my personal travel needs.
Things to look out for: Usefulness of maps, city guides, accommodations in my price range.

Visual Guides
The Europe Book: A great visual guide to Europe, sorted by country. Gives an idea of what there is to see: Landscape, History, Markeplace, People, Trademarks, Urban Scene, Natural Beauty, Cuisine, Random Facts and Essential Experiences.

The Cities Book: 200 cities of the world broken down by: Anatomy, People, Typical Citizens, Defining Experiences, Strengths, Weaknesses, Imports, Exports and Urban Myths.

Cheap/first time travel guides:
Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door
Rick Steves' Best of Europe
The Rough Guide: First Time Europe

Online travel blog resources:
http://www.mytripjournal.com/
http://www.travelblog.org/
http://mashable.com/2007/08/14/travel-toolbox/

Continue Reading...