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Use the Metro

When in Paris, use the Metro. It’s an easy and safe way to travel throughout Paris. Remember to pay attention to your purse or backpack.

If you know you will be using the Metro several times, buy a set of 10 Metro tickets. It’s a better value and comes in handy. You can also get a free app with a Paris Metro map. Probably easier than looking at a large map…

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Global Entry and Your Passport

If you have Global Entry and you renew your passport…you’ll need to update the passport number associated with your Global Entry memberships before you travel with your new passport.

It’s an easy process. Log into GOES, go to update the document’s number, and add your new passport number.

Also, if you have a name change or a status change, you’ll need to go in person to get that changed on your Global Entry. Go to the same place where you obtained your original one.

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REAL ID

REAL ID is a coordinated effort by the states and the Federal Government to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents, which should inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification. REAL ID implements a 9/11 Commission recommendation urging the federal government to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”
DHS is implementing REAL ID through a period of phased enforcement over the next several years. In particular, the date for implementing the prohibition on boarding aircraft travel will be set after an evaluation of earlier phases and will not occur sooner than 2016.
Check out more facts at http://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs. 
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Is Your Passport Full?

You probably already know your passport lasts 10 years before you need to renew. But, did you know there has been a recent change on adding pages?

It used to be, if your passport was full…no problem. Additional pages were inserted by the State Department. Not any more.

Now, if your passport is full, the State Department requires you get a new passport.

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Cheers!

Any fall trips planned? Do these include wine area trips? Perhaps Napa Valley?

Harvest in Napa Valley was early this year. With only about 75% of the normal rainfall this year, winemakers tell me that created smaller clusters of grapes with highly concentrated flavors.

Those fires that could have been close didn’t have an impact. In fact, the winds that could have brought smoke to the vineyards blew away. So, no noticeable smoke for the wines.

Quantities will be down due to the smaller clusters. Taste remains to be seen…but winemakers are optimistic. We’ll have to wait and see…or taste.

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Hopper

Many sites review and give info on the latest and greatest travel apps. Fathom listed their favorites a few weeks ago. Hopper was one.

Hopper is a travel planning app that gives price predictions for airline tickets. Nice, huh? How does it work?

Tell Hopper your destination and approximate dates. It will then tell you when you should book for the best rates within a few months of that. But, it also tells predicts when rates will fall or rise. How does this help you?

You could arrange your flight dates to coincide with the lower prices…if you are flexible on traveling. You might also get some peace of mind knowing you did a decent job of scoring a good fare.

Check it out and let me know what you think.