Taking a trip to Germany/ Switzerland/ Italy and Austria.
Looking for the cheapest way to call home.

I brought my unlocked Rogers cell phone to Europe and bought a SIM card there. Cost me 8 Euros and I called home every day for a week.

Unfortunately I'm with Virgin mobile.
Not an option since I don't have a GSM phone.
I was thinking cheaper to buy a phone card I can use from there back to home... or a recommended phone card to buy from there.

VOX for Skype. Just axed my long distance plan on my cell because of Skype.

If you have a Bell landline, you call Canada Direct. Canada Direct is available via a local phone call in most countries. You are then billed on the basis of long distance rates (calling card) in Canada, instead of the country you're in.

http://www.infocanadadirect.com/

Note that these rates can still be significantly higher than "some plans", since this is a calling card rate. Still, a lot less expensive than a long distance call from the country, especially if you're in a hotel where the rates can be 10X what you'd pay here.

I was in Belgium (mostly) over Christmas and we got a phone card for 5 Euros which allowed us over 300 minutes of phoning. You can get them anywhere so you need not worry.

Taking a trip to Germany/ Switzerland/ Italy and Austria.

Geez, guy becomes a moderator and next thing you know he's going on vacation! ;)

But seriously, what is your provider at home? With Vonage, you can call other Vonage subs from parts of Europe using a local access number

Geez, guy becomes a moderator and next thing you know he's going on vacation!

So being a moderator pays that well?

It must, there are more mods than posters here now. LOL

Nah, my wife is the "sugar momma" so to speak in our relationship. I'm in charge of the domestic frugalities (i.e. the household budget) and am always looking for the deal. Telus is our home phone provider and Canda Direct does not seem to be the cheapest way to go. I guess I'll be looking for a phone card to call back home when I get there.