Get Your Passport Now

The U.S. State Dept has announced new fees for passports and consular services effective July 13, 2010.  The new fees are shown below. Currently the fee for an adult passport is $75.

There are also reputable companies you can use to expedite a passport and visa.  A Briggs is one of them and if you need a passport in a hurry, they are quite helpful. 

Please check the State Department site for more information regarding passports and visa.

 

State Department Fees (July 13, 2010)	Execution	State	Expedite	State Dept
	Fee	Dept	Fee	Totals
Lost/Stolen Passport Book	$                25	$              110	$                60	$              195
Mutilated/Damaged Passport Book	$                25	$              110	$                60	$              195
New Passport Book (16+ years)	$                25	$              110	$                60	$              195
New Passport Book (Under 16 years)	$                25	$                80	$                60	$              165
Name Change (1+ year since issuance)	$                 -	$              110	$                60	$              170
Renewal Passport Book	$                 -	$              110	$                60	$              170
Secondary Passport Book	$                 -	$              110	$                60	$              170
Add Visa Pages to existing Passport Book	$                 -	$                82	$                60	$              142
Name Change (less than 1 year since issuance)	$                 -	$                 -	$                60	$                60

  

New York City: 3 harbor-area experiences

Fun ways to spend a day or afternoon in the city

New York City: 3 harbor-area experiences

More Hawaii Specials

Here are more specials for Hawaii but act fast.  This is a 48 hour sale, good for bookings made only tomorrow and Wednesday (6/29 & 6/30/2010). Click to learn more: http://tinyurl.com/2fhc9ba

Great pricing for Maui vacations

Maui for less than $2000 per person, double occupancy

Valid for Monday-Thursday departures in United T Class of Service 8/21 - 11/17/10; travel must be completed within time period listed. Airline baggage fees are not included and payable directly to airline. Subject to availability at time of booking. Conditions, restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Subject to change without notice.

http://www.allabouthawaii.com/aat-h.br?gid=21176&t=specials&m=land&l=http://www.allabouthawaii.com/specials/10oggkaa/oggkaa.htm

Spa Etiquette

Whether it is your first time at a spa, or 100th, it is sometimes good to go over the rules of spa etiquette.

• If you have a particular date and time in mind, make the appointment early so as not to be disappointed.  This is especially true when  you are on vacation.  Many resorts and cruise lines allow their clients to book the spa treatments prior to arrival. If this is so, great.  If not, go and book as soon as your check in.  While on a cruise, the sea days are, of course, more popular.  But the days while you are in port there are usually discounts being offered for the spa treatments.  Either way, book early to be on the safe side.
• Arrive about 30 minutes early.  There is usually paperwork to complete before you meet your massage therapist.  Many times you are offered use of the steam room, etc, prior to the treatment.  Take advantage of that!
• While drinking water is good for you, don't overdo it before your treatment.  You wouldn't want to have to interrupt your treatment because you have to use the bathroom.
• Be comfortable in your skin.  If this is your first spa treatment, you may not want to be completely nude under the sheet.  You can keep on your underwear if this is the case.  Once you get used to massages, you will probably give up those inhibitions.  However, even if you are nude, your body is almost completely covered at any given time, except for the specific area being treated. 
• Don't be embarrassed if you fall asleep and snore!  It happens all the time and the therapists are used to it.  It is actually a compliment that you were able to totally relax!
• Ask if the tip is included in the cost.  You don't want to shortchange the therapist, but on the other hand, if the tip is already included, you don't want to pay more than you have to.

  And remember, most of all, relax, enjoy, and drink that water after the massage, not before!

The smartest decision I made for my vacation… A review from PK, a client who traveled to Costa Rica and Jamaica

The smartest decision I made for my vacation…

Mary did an absolutely superb job coordinating my travel plans between Costa Rica and Jamaica. From the minor logistical difficulties of traveling from the NYC area to Costa Rica, to arranging for meetings with surf professionals, to guiding me to Jamaica with all the proper paperwork, she made it incredibly easy. 

The resort receptionists I met once I arrived in said countries provided first-class treatment once they saw the thoroughness and authority of her itinerary. These resorts treated me with white glove service, to the point of providing upgrades and amenities not generally offered to the typical traveler.

Mary covered every base, met with me to discuss my plans before I left, and delivered a packet of documents containing every detail necessary to make my vacation a true luxury. (The Costa Ricans even invited me back, they were so happy to have me.)

Mary is that rare professional who can roll out the red carpet when you want it.  Whether I’m going to Central America again, or to visit relatives on the West Coast, Mary will arrange my trips.

PK

(Red Bank, NJ)

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Apprentice Trips

Fairmont Hotels (a favorite of mine) has put together several "Apprentice Trips" where guests can acquire or enhance a particular skill.  Here is just one package being offered by Fairmont:

Samuel Adams Behind the Scene Boston Brewery Package
Included in the package:
Overnight accommodations at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
Private behind the scenes Samuel Adams brewery tour
Private tasting of Samuel Adams Boston Lager and limited edition brews, including Utopias, and other experimental beer varieties in the brewery’s barrel room
Three-course beer pairing dinner (at the hotel)prepared by Chef Stefan Jarausch in the hotel’s celebrated Oak Room with a Samuel Adams beer expert
In-room Samuel Adams “Bucket of Cheer” amenity including a collection of Samuel Adams Boston Lager Pint Glasses and apparel
Good for bookings September-December, rates start at $429 per night.

Other destinations include:
FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA (Riviera Maya, Mexico) - Green Adventure Package
FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE and THE FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS - Tees to Greens
FAIRMONT LE CHÂTEAU FRONTENAC - “Parlez-vous français?” French Immersion Package
THE FAIRMONT MONTE CARLO - Magic of Aromachology package
THE FAIRMONT WASHINGTON, D.C. - How to Pass a Bill In Washington Package
THE FAIRMONT MONTE CARLO - Magic of Aromachology package
THE FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE - Mountain Adventure package
FAIRMONT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH - Surf’s Up Montreal
THE FAIRMONT KEA LANI, MAUI - Eco-Learning Package
THE FAIRMONT SONOMA MISSION INN & SPA - Sommelier Experiential Package
FAIRMONT TURNBERRY ISLE - Gal Pal Experience
THE FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER - Higher Learning
All Apprentice Trips by Fairmont packages are subject to availability, priced per room, per night, exclude taxes and are based on double occupancy unless noted otherwise.

Women's Travel Safety

It can't be said enough...ladies, be careful while on vacation. It is a shame what has happened in Peru with Joran van der Sloot and the young woman, Stephany Flores, he killed. The only good thing that hopefully will come from this is he will be convicted of killing her and spend time in jail. After what happened with Natalie Holloway, this will hopefully give her family a little peace of mind, but only if he is convicted of 1st degree murder. If 2nd degree, the time spent in jail will not be long enough.

This article, Joran van der Sloot confesses: 10 critical tips for women for travel safety is well written and has important tips for women who are traveling, although many can be applied to everyday life. Read all the way down to the comments, because some additional points were made by readers. You can never be too careful and being overly cautious is better than the result of what happened to two unfortunate young women who trusted Joran van der Sloot.

Monday's Travel Specials from Newark

New! Save up to $100 at Catalonia Hotels in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic...Book by 6/19/10 for travel between 6/13/10 - 9/30/10

New! Save up to 50% on a stay at Couples Resorts in Jamaica...Book by 6/30/10 for travel between 6/8/10 - 12/25/10

New! El Cid Resorts savings of up to $100 in Cozumel, Mazatlán, and Riviera Maya, Mexico...Book by 6/19/10 for travel between 6/13/10 - 9/30/10

New! Save up to $250 at Venetian and Palazzo Resorts in Las Vegas...Book by 7/10/10 for travel between 6/13/10 - 10/31/10

Kids get complimentary tours in Jamaica and stay at no cost at Riu Ocho Rios and Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resorts...Book by 6/30/10 for travel between 6/8/10 - 9/30/10

Save up to $200 to Jamaica, plus receive resort and spa credits, complimentary greens fees, and more...Book by 6/30/10 for travel through 11/30/10

Save $75 to Secrets and Dreams Resorts & Spas in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica...Book by 6/19/10 for travel through 9/30/10

Security Tips for Travelers

Security Tips for Travelers

Ondrej Krehel, information security officer at Identity Theft 911, recommends that travel agents remind their clients of the following tips:

[1] Scan important travel documents and store them in your e-mail account — This allows you to easily access your passport, passport photos, visa, airline tickets, itinerary, etc., securely via e-mail.

[2] Pack only one or two credit cards — Decide on one or two credit cards that are accepted worldwide and leave all other cards at
home. Call the credit-card vendors and let them know which countries you will be going to and also the timeframe of your travel.

[3] Don’t pack your Social Security card or bank checkbook — A Social Security number (SSN)and address are the only information needed to steal an identity, and a stolen check is a gateway to a banking account. Leave behind any other cards or documents you may routinely carry that contain your SSN.

[4] Store valuables in the hotel safe — Valuables include your cash, credit cards and, especially, your passport. After all, what could be more valuable than your ability to return home?

[5] Avoid free wireless networks — Do not check your financial information, such as online banking activities, from street cafe computers or free wireless networks. There could be malicious software installed, and your account could be compromised.

[6] Safeguard documents not traveling with you — Leave the following documents in a safe deposit box or in a fireproof safe at home: Social Security card, birth certificate, copy of your passport, checkbook and deposit slips, bills and statements, medical cards, extra credit and ATM/debit cards and any other financial or identifiable documents.