Preparing for Departure

While I will take care of booking your accommodations, ground transportation, and some of your activities, there are a few things I will not be able to arrange for you! Here is a detailed list of suggestions for things to take care of around your home before you leave. Please also look over the list below carefully and make sure these items are arranged in time for our departure.

Check on your passport. EU entry requirements state that passports need to be valid until at least three months after the date you intend to leave. For us, that will be October 27. If you need to apply for a new passport or renew an old one, make sure you allow enough time to get that done and receive your new one.

Due Date: February 28

Book your flights! We like to book with Air Canada. They have routes that can get you to Vienna with only one layover, usually in Toronto, sometimes in Montreal.

Due Date: March 31 (suggested)

Complete your ETIAS application. Starting in 2025, Canadians need to apply for and receive a visa waiver ahead of arrival in the EU.

Due Date: May 31

Have travel health insurance arranged before we leave. If you have health insurance through your employer, you may already be covered. If not, you can buy a policy for this trip from providers like CAA, Blue Cross, or Manulife. Your bank may also have plans you can buy.

Due Date: June 30

Know how you plan to use your phone while you’re away. Providers usually have plans that allow you to use your phone like you do at home for a flat daily fee. Another option is to download an e-sim from a provider like Orange, Airalo, or Holafly which will provide you with data for a set period and allow you to make calls on your messaging apps.

Due Date: June 30

Send a copy of your itinerary, passport, driver’s license, credit cards, and any other important documents to your emergency contact. I will provide you with an itinerary summary for this.

Due Date: June 30

Provide me with your information – contact, passport, health insurance, emergency contact, etc. – using this form.

Due Date: June 30

You do not need to buy currency before our arrival in Vienna, but if you prefer to go with some cash in hand, make sure to buy with enough time in case your bank needs to order what you need.

Due Date: June 30