Remember that getting refunds for your traveller's cheques is not usually as pain-free as the commercials might have you believe. Be sure keep your cheques and registration numbers separate. It is helpful to have some local cash before you leave the airport, for buses, taxis, or food. Take some cash or traveller's cheques with you, as they can be easily exchanged for foreign currency at most international airports, currency exchange booths and banks. Try to avoid exchanging money at hotels, airports, or retail shops, as the exchange rate will usually be high.
Banks offer the fairest exchange rate.
You can expect to pay a commission every time you exchange currency. Avoid black market money dealers. They may offer exceptional rates of exchange, but the potential for being ripped off is high, and the police may not look upon your transaction with humour. If you have a credit or debit card that is on a network, you should be able to withdraw money from your Canadian bank account from most bank machines in Europe and many other regions. Ask your bank before you depart.