Ideas to Ignite
Your Imagination
|
|
|
| If you travel a lot, send in a signed request for a larger, 48-page passport with your application. Thereīs no additional cost.
|
|
|
 U.S. Passport Travel
FREE Weekly Travel Newsletter
and RSS Feed filled with...
• Cost-Cutting Travel Tips • Travel Destination Articles • Travel Deals
• Travel Tool Reviews • Travel Warnings • Travel Document Updates
Travel Deals: Air France Winter Specials
Travel Destinations: Why an Algarve, Portugal Vacation?
Travel Documents: Saudi Arabia Visa Information
Travel Tips: Top 10 Tips for International Travelers
Travel Tools: Universal Currency Converter
Travel Warnings: Tsunami Waves Wreck Havoc in Asia
Air France Winter Specials
Discover Europe this Winter with these special Winter fares starting as low as $298 round-trip from the U.S. Depart between November 3rd, 2004 and March 16th, 2005. Hurry, this special ends January 4th, 2004!
- New York to Paris--> $290
- Chicago to Nice --> $293
- Boston to Amsterdam --> $298
- Philadelphia to Athens --> $313
- Los Angeles to Bordeaux --> $433
Visit
www.airfrance.com/us for more destinations on sale. Additional restrictions apply, please visit www.airfrance.com/us
Top
Why an Algarve, Portugal Vacation?
by: Jennifer Dodds
If a vacation, as defined by a dictionary is: 'leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure', then one taken in Algarve, Portugal must be the epitome of that term.
The southern-most region of Portugal, Algarve is a holiday-maker's dream. Wonderful year-round weather, great beaches, fabulous scenery and - best of all - the local people!
Algarveans are a tolerant, laid-back lot, who have seen much change in the several decades since their region started to become a tourist magnet. Some of the age-old ways of life (such as small-scale fishing) continue undisturbed by the leisure-seeking visitors who are drawn to this lovely area.
Most who sample the attractions of Algarve become converted enthusiasts. If you love warm places, sand and sea and generally relaxed holidays, then Algarve is your dream destination.
It's a compact area, only some 90 miles by 30 miles at its furthest extremities - but it's home to over 100 miles of gorgeous sandy beaches.
While, for those who don't mind leaving the coast behind for a while, the region is steeped in history, and has much to delight the visitor's eye. Much of the Algarve's heritage has been preserved, especially in the profusion of Moorish-influenced architecture on show. And the contrasts, between coast and mountains, sand and greenery, modernity and history, offer visitors many choices of how to spend an Algarve vacation.
The region's ancient past is positively celebrated, and most sizeable towns boast a local museum that shows relics from Roman times - and even earlier.
Algarveans are proud of their distinct culture and some of the diversion on offer to the holiday-maker is even free (concerts and gallery admissions spring to mind from my last visit). Whatever the month of year, there's usually a Saint's day that gives rise to a colourful festival, in which the locals take a whole-hearted part.
Public transport within the region is efficient and cheap, which serves to keep the tourist dollars and Euros circulating, while allowing holiday-makers to sample more than just the tourist areas.
Even a tour of either the western or eastern halves of Algarve can be undertaken within a single day (though it helps to have your itinerary sorted before you set out). And a meal at an inland restaurant during the return journey to your holiday accommodation will likely prove cheaper than one taken in the tourist-populated coastal areas (a bonus for the more adventurous tourist!).
Am I keen to get back there soon? You bet!
Which leads me to a rather obvious question: why am I sitting here writing this, instead of making a booking with my friendly local travel agent?
About the Author
Jennifer Dodds is the owner of www.algarve-beach-life.com, her enthusiast website, where she shares everything she loves (and is still discovering) about her favourite vacation spot. She publishes a monthly newsletter, Algarve Beach Life News to update subscribers about what's new on the site.
Top
Saudi Arabia Visa Information
A Suadi Arabia visa affixed in a valid passport is required for entrance into Saudi Arabia by U.S. citizens.
There are six types of Saudi Arabia visas: Business, Employment, Extension Of Exit Re-Entry Visa, Family Visit, Residence and Transit. The most frequently requested are the business and transit visas.
Saudi Arabia visa requirements include, but are not limited to:
- passport with at least 6 months validity remaining;
- recent 4x6 cm photo with white background;
- medical report (when required);
- completed Saudi Arabia visa application form;
- Saudi Arabia visa fee payment.
The Saudi Arabian Consular Office reserves the right to make other requirements as they deem necessary.
Get more information about Saudi Arabia Business and Transit Visas
Top
Top Ten Tips for International Travelers
1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required. Also, before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport!
If you need a passport to travel, you may want to read 16 Tips for Preventing Passport Problems.
2. Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit.
3. Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends at home, so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
4. Make sure you have insurance that will cover your emergency medical needs while you are overseas.
For help in choosing the best option for your travel needs, read How to Choose International Travel Insurance.
5. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws!
6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers.
7. While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do.
8. Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards.
9. Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques in order to avoid violating local laws.
10.When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.
Source: U.S. Department of State
Top
The Universal Currency Converter®, the world's most popular currency tool, allows you to perform interactive foreign exchange rate calculations on the Internet, using live, up-to-the-minute currency rates.
To start, simply type the amount of source currency in the input box. You may include commas and a decimal point. Next, select the source and destination currencies using the scrolling selection boxes. (Note that there are far more currencies available than the initial five displayed.) When you are finished, push the "Perform Currency Conversion" button, and the results of your conversion will be displayed.
To see how the currency converter works, go to Travel Tools
Top
A series of tsunami waves triggered by the fourth largest recorded earthquake struck coastal areas of Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
A Public Announcement made by the U.S. Deparment of State urged American citizens to avoid travel to areas affected by the massive tidal waves unless related to emergency relief. US citizens in these areas are also urged to depart as soon as safe transportation is available.
The tsunami waves caused great loss of life and destruction to buildings and infrastructure in the popular resort areas of Phuket, Phi Phi Island, Krabi, and other smaller islands in that vicinity of Thailand. There have been severe disruptions to normal services in these areas, including hotels and telephone services.
In Sri Lanka, many hotels along the southern and eastern coastal areas were damaged and are not operating normally. Tourists in coastal areas have been evacuated to hotels in Colombo.
In the Maldives, about half of the island of Male is covered in two feet of water. The Male airport remains closed.
Americans living or traveling in these areas are encouraged to register with the nearest US. Embassy through the State Departments travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, and 317-472-2328 from overseas.
Top
| U.S. Passport and Travel Visa Information |
About Us | Contact | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
© 2002-2004 U.S. Passport Service Guide All Rights Reserved
|
|
