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How’s Your Passport?

Is your passport about to expire? You don’t know?

It’s time to take it out and look at it. Check the expiration date. Then, think about when you will be traveling.

You may need to apply for a new one. Check out this new information from the Department of State.

 

Effective April 2, 2018, the passport execution fee will increase from $25 to $35.  The $10 execution fee increase only applies to U.S. passport applicants using the DS-11 form, such as first-time applicants over 16, children under 16, and applicants who re-apply after reporting their previous passport lost or stolen.

The $10 fee increase does not apply to adults eligible to renew their passport by mail using the DS-82 form.  Renewal customers can mail their application and supporting documentation to the Department of State and should not apply at a passport acceptance facility or pay an execution fee.

Customers applying with the DS-11 form pay two separate fees: an application fee to the U.S. Department of State and the execution fee to the passport acceptance facility. Passport acceptance facilities such as post offices, clerks of court, or public libraries are designated to accept passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.  With more than 7,600 acceptance facility locations, customers applying for the first time can find a convenient location to apply for their passport. Some acceptance facilities are open nights and weekends and take passport photos on-site.

The Department of State generally sets consular fees at an amount calculated to achieve recovery of the costs to the U.S. government of providing the consular service. The latest Cost of Service Model showed that the costs associated with passport execution were higher than the current fee of $25.

The proposed fee change was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and public comments were accepted until November 18, 2016, 60 days after the Notice’s publication. The Final Rule, implementing the change, includes the Department’s response to relevant comments received.

For more information, you can go to the State Department’s website, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/passports/execution-fee-increases.html.

 

 

Other than the price increase, you shouldn’t wait to apply beyond April, because the time it takes to process a passport will be longer due to increased demand.

One more important note: for frequent travelers, when you apply for your passport, make sure you ask for the extended number of pages—about 50 instead of the usual 24.

Why? Because once you fill up that passport with country entry and departure stamps, the U.S. State Department will no longer add pages to your passport.

You’ll be forced to get a new one.

 

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Lists…Do You Need Them?

Frist thing…let’s talk about packing lists. Yes, lists.

It’s a good idea to keep a master packing list on your computer. You can modify it for short trips, longer ones, international trips, trips to visit family, and whatever works for you.

You don’t like lists? Okay with me. Skip this part. Me…I’m going to have a list.

Realizing the following list is quite comprehensive, take a look, and then modify it to fit your needs. If you were to take everything I’ve thought of, you’d need a small army to carry your bags.

Remember, these are just suggestions.

Here goes…

Documents

  • Itinerary
  • Passports
  • Visas
  • Separate info record of passport docs
  • International Driver’s License
  • Regular Driver’s License
  • Bank Cards
  • 2 separate credit cards
  • List of cancellation numbers
  • Print-out of addresses where you will be staying
  • Health plan cards/info
  • Cash, U.S.
  • Cash, local
  • Copies of passport photos

Let’s talk about these items and why it’s important to have them. Also, let’s talk about where you should keep them when you travel.

Your entire itinerary is handy to have on you, in your purse or carry-on bag, or a pocket in your jacket. Why? Looking up your confirmation number, hotel address, or flight number just got easier if this information is all in one spot or on one document.

Passports, driver’s licenses, credit cards, cash, and health care cards are best kept in your wallet. That way, they are easy to retrieve. My wallet and my travel purse are both RFID. What does that mean? Radio frequency identification is a technology that incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling. What this means for you is, this technology prevents readers from picking up the data in your wallet or purse. Supposedly, unsavory characters could walk by you and ‘grab’ your data from your passport, credit card, or bank card without you even knowing it. It’s like an electronic pick-pocket. With RFID, they can’t. That data is blocked.

Do you need this? Up to you. I just feel safer…and my wallet is cool. Plus, I could buy a new purse.

I digress.

Multiple passport color copies…again why take them?

If your passport was lost or stolen, you could take the copies to the nearest U.S. Embassy to expedite getting a temporary passport. Important if you want, or need, to get home quickly.

Stash your copies in a separate place from your actual documents, so if you lose one, you’ll likely still have the other. You could email your passport number to yourself or simply email the scans of the documents. I’ve created a travel document file in two of my cloud storage spots. That way, I can find them…as long as I remember the password!

Why is the list of cancellation numbers important and where do you keep this? If, your wallet was stolen, you need to cancel your credit cards. Some companies will notify you, especially if a large purchase is made or your card gets used in a country not on your travel list. That’s why it’s important to let the credit card companies know which countries you will be traveling to. Not a good idea to keep this in your wallet or purse, however. Stash it somewhere in your luggage or your carry-on bag.

I always get some cash ahead of time to use at my destination. Some banks will order Euros or other foreign currency for you. That way, you don’t have to get cash right after you land. Using the airport ATM or exchange counter might not be in your best interest as their rates are almost always higher.

 

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Pack…And You’re Ready to Go

 

If you’ve looked at any travel journals, blogs, websites, or guide books…you probably already know everybody and their mother has packing tips. Why?

Packing is an essential and important part of travel. But, you don’t HAVE to pack. You could buy everything once you get to your destination. Right?

I suppose. If you have the time and money to do that…go right ahead.

Seriously, it works both ways.

You don’t need to pack everything you might ever need. You really can buy some things that you didn’t pack. Let’s say you checked the weather and it says it never rains in Rome in July. This year, it does. Trust me…umbrella vendors will pop up like spring flowers. For a few Euros, pick up a cheap umbrella and don’t sweat the fact you didn’t pack one.

If you’ve traveled very much, you might already have a packing method you like. Or, maybe not. You could be one of those travelers who throws everything on the bed the night before and then crams it all into your suitcase, hoping everything will fit. If that works for you…go for it.

That’s just too much stress for me. That’s why I have a couple of different methods, depending on how long I will be gone.

So, whether you have a proven way of packing or want some new advice, new ways of doing things, and new suggestions…keep reading.

And, if you have some methods which work for you, let me know. I’m always open to new suggestions.

In fact, I always learn something every time I travel. I just learned something about airport parking from a shuttle bus driver… You just never know.

 

 

 

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You Can Never Have Too Many Travel Tips…Right?

Over the course of traveling, visiting with travel professionals, and getting tips from a variety of travelers I have compiled a whole bunch of information.

What was I going to do with it? Share with you, of course!

This valuable information will appear throughout the next several months. Some of it may be new to you. Some of it may be redundant.

You may even have better information. If so, please share it.

Have fun traveling…

 

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How Do They Run?

San Francisco Cable Cars

By Wendy VanHatten

“If it pleases Providence to make a car run up and own a slit in the ground for many miles, and if for twopence-half penny I can ride in that car, why should I seek the reasons of the miracle?” Malcom E. Barker

Mention San Francisco to people and images come to mind of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Painted Ladies Victorian homes, Alcatraz…and the clanging of the cable cars. This tourist attraction and yet viable means of transportation came about due to a man witnessing a horrible accident on a typically damp summer day in 1869.

Andrew Smith Hallidie saw a horse drawn streetcar slide backwards on a damp cobblestone street, causing five horses to lose their lives. He knew he needed to do something about it. His father held the first patent in Great Britain for wire rope, and he used this technology in California’s gold country, in building a bridge in Sacramento, and in pulling heavy ore cars out of underground mines.

Using this technology, he devised a cable car system where giant wheels pull a wire cable through a trench embedded in a roadway. The cars attach to the cable and are pulled along. His first ride downhill, August 2, 1873, was alone as no one wanted to ride with him. Once he demonstrated their safety, cable cars dominated the city’s transit scene for more than 30 years.

Then came the 1906 Earthquake and Fire and they were almost extinguished.

In the 1890s there were eight active cable car companies, covering the city with 127 miles of track. Today, there is one combined line with 10.5 miles of track in three branches. Thirty-one cars, weighing six tons each, travel at a speed of 9.5 miles per hour up a 21 percent grade.

Whether this is your first time visiting San Francisco or if you want to enjoy the City by the Bay from an iconic landmark, hop aboard a cable car. Want some insider tips on best to enjoy your ride?

For the best views, you want to be on the side that faces the bay. For the Powell cars, that’s the east side. If the car is leaving downtown, you would want to be on the right side. If you’re at Fisherman’s Wharf, the left side. If you don’t know, ask the driver.

Exit off the car and wait for it to pass. Drivers always pay attention, but if something should happen, they can’t swerve to avoid you.

Cable cars are pretty good about staying on schedule. Unless, it’s raining. You might have a short wait in this case.

Wear a sweater. Even on a warm day, it can get cold on the cars. The warmest spots are on the inside. You won’t get the best views there, however.

Don’t let anything…purses, backpacks, kids…hang off the edge.

Hold on and watch your kids.

There are three different cable cars routes. The Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason lines start at the busy intersection of Powel and Market. They head toward Fisherman’s Wharf. These are the most popular as they climb some great hills, giving riders fantastic views. The California/Van Ness line starts at California and Market and goes to Van Ness. You get different views from each line, so if you have time…ride more than one.

Cable cars stop almost every block on California and Powell/Mason lines.

Cable cars are not handicap accessible.

If there are long lines, walk a few blocks to the next stop. The car will probably be full and you’ll have to stand, but the wait is shorter. Your call.

You are allowed, with a ticket, to get on a cable car at any stop along the route. It will stop for you.

Cable cars start operations about 6 am and run until about 12:30 at night. They usually run every 10 minutes and run all year.

Fun Facts: Cable cars are the only moving National Monument in the world. There have been two women in history who have served as a gripman.

IF YOU GO: Visit the Cable Car Museum at 1201 Mason Street. This free museum offers you a chance to see the inner workings below the street, to watch the gigantic wheels that pull the cable cars, watch the sheaves, which are the pulleys, and view an original car from Andrew Hallidie’s Clay Street Hill Railroad.

 

 

 

 

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445,000 Visitors

In 2017 La Cite du Vin welcomed 445,000 visitors. Impressive…

In 2017, La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux welcomed 445,000 visitors of 176 different nationalities, more than 1,000 French and international journalists, 1,100 groups and 400 private events. La Cité du Vin has seen a great success with its first two temporary exhibitions: Bistro! From Baudelaire to Picasso from 17 March to 21 June welcomed nearly 40,000 paying visitors, and the Invited Vineyard exhibition Georgia, cradle of viticulture welcomed more than 50,000 visitors from 31 July to 5 November.

——————-

Key attendance figures

· 445,000 visitors visited La Cité du Vin and the events in the cultural programme, to which can be added visitors to the free-access areas (La Boutique, the reading room, the gardens…) and the restaurants;

· 86% of the visitors were individuals, 14% visited in groups;

· More than 2,800 subscriptions have been sold: visitors convert their visit into a subscription so as to profit fully from the offer at La Cité du Vin.

Sales at the ticket counter

· 77% of visitors were French and 23% came from abroad.

· Among the French: 42% were residents, 40% French tourists and 18% were day trippers.

· Considering just the tourists, 43% of them were international and 57% French.

French visitors

· Bordeaux Métropole residents represent 42% of the French visitors and 87% of the visitors from the Gironde.

· Day trippers represent 16% of total sales, of which 42% Gironde, 11% Haute-Garonne and 13% Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

Breakdown by region

· The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region represents more than half of French sales (57%)

· Ile de France accounts for 1 French visitor in 10 on average (11%) and Occitanie 5%.

· Three regions stand out for their strong growth: PACA (+26%), Brittany (+38%) and Normandy (+60%).

Breakdown by conurbation

· Paris stands out (3% of visitors) followed by Toulouse (1% of visitors).

· Nantes, the south Arcachon basin and Lyon come next, with nearly 2,000 visitors (0.5% of the total).

· Levallois Perret is the headquarters for many works committees, which explains the high number of tickets, but the exact provenance cannot be identified.

In the Gironde

· The visitors live in a catchment area concentrated on a diagonal from Libourne to the south Arcachon basin.

Internationally

· 176 nationalities are represented: outside France, the English are in a majority, followed by the Americans and then the Spanish.

· 5 foreign countries account for 50% of sales: United Kingdom, United States, Spain, Switzerland and Italy.

· Top 7 European countries: United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.

· Top 7 countries outside Europe: United States, Canada, Australia, China, Brazil, Japan and Mexico.

Visitor satisfaction

A survey undertaken by Kedge Business School last August, in the scope of regular measures of visitor satisfaction, revealed that 96.5% of visitors were satisfied or delighted by their visit.

Opinion makers

More than 1,000 journalists and bloggers, French and international, were received at La Cité du Vin, generating more than 1,300 press mentions.

Temporary exhibitions

La Cité du Vin has seen a great success with its first two temporary exhibitions: Bistro! From Baudelaire to Picasso was held from 17 March to 21 June and welcomed nearly 40,000 paying visitors.

From 31 July to 5 November, the Invited Vineyard exhibition Georgia, cradle of viticulture welcomed more than 50,000 visitors. These exhibitions generated more than 300 articles in the press.

Private hire, an offer intended for companies and institutions

La Cité du Vin offers private hire of various areas for the organisation of corporate or institutional events. The Thomas Jefferson auditorium (250 seats) equipped with a control room and translation booths, and the belvedere (with a capacity of 200 people) situated at a height of 35 metres and offering an exceptional view of the city and the Garonne, are the core of the offer for private events. Added to these areas are the modular reception rooms with a total capacity of 250 people, as well as several meeting rooms with capacities from 12 to 70 people. In 2017, La Cité du Vin hosted 400 private corporate events, offering more than 27,000 professionals some unique experiences: private hire of the belvedere, the permanent tour, tasting workshops and private tours of the temporary exhibition.

Support the cultural seasons at La Cité du Vin with the Fondation pour la culture et les civilisations du vin: http://fondation.laciteduvin.com/en

About La Cité du Vin:

La Cité du Vin is a unique cultural facility located in Bordeaux, dedicated to wine as a cultural, universal and living heritage. It offers a spectacular journey around the world, through the ages and in all cultures. Visitors can purchase tickets at www.laciteduvin.com and at La Cité du Vin.

Ongoing events at La Cité du Vin:

· Visit of the Permanent Tour with the interactive travel companion and a world wine tasting in the Belvedere.

· Temporary exhibition: following the success of the major temporary exhibition Bistro! From Baudelaire to Picasso in 2017, La Cité du Vin will be presenting Wine and Music, harmony and dissonance from 23 March to 24 June 2018. The exhibition will include 150 works from regional, national and European collections, as well as a selection of musical works illustrating the association between wine and music, based on themes ranging from the mythical to the profane, epicurean to moralistic.

· A rich and varied cultural programme, with a steady stream of high-quality performances, concerts, screenings and debates.
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Auto Insurance…Do You Know What to Do When Traveling?

Following is some great information I received from Reviews.com

 Auto insurance for foreign and domestic travel

For many people, auto insurance is a monthly expense that probably doesn’t get a second thought when the fee comes out of one’s account. But for travelers, the world of auto insurance can be very complex. Safe driving is key to a great trip, whether you’re traveling within your home country or internationally.

When traveling inside the U.S.

Auto insurance is absolutely essential for a domestic road trip. If you’re due for a policy update, be sure you’re covered in these basic areas, as outlined in Reviews.com’s guide to auto insurance.

  • Bodily injury liability – covers injury to people caused by the policyholder
  • Collision – covers damage caused by a crash with another car or object
  • Comprehensive – covers damage or theft caused by something other than a crash with another car/object
  • Personal injury protection (PIP)/medical payment – covers injury to the driver or passengers of the policyholder’s car
  • Property damage liability – covers damage to other people’s property caused by the policyholder
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) – covers costs of an accident involving uninsured drivers, underinsured drivers, or hit and run drivers.

Remember that price shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when choosing your insurer. Cheaper isn’t always better, and since the average driver gets in an accident once every 18 years (maybe 3 times in their life), being fully covered will save you money in the long run. For more information on finding a great policy, you can check out their full guide here: https://www.reviews.com/auto-insurance/

Driving through to Canada and Mexico

When crossing the border between the U.S. and Canada, an existing U.S. auto policy typically will cover your international travel, according to DMV.org. Always confirm your coverage before you leave for your trip to ensure you fulfill minimum coverage requirements.

When crossing the border between the U.S. and Mexico, an existing U.S. auto policy typically does not cover you. Most drivers will need to purchase temporary Mexican auto insurance to ensure they’re covered in the event of a collision and to avoid breaking insurance laws. You can read more about temporary auto insurance in Mexico here.

Renting Internationally

Overall, it’s important to make sure that you have auto insurance that fully covers you for whatever may happen in your travels. In the event of an accident, minimum coverage may mean that you’re still paying out-of-pocket costs for medical coverage or property damage. Typical U.S. auto insurers do not cover overseas travel. The only way to know is to ask your current insurer, who may be able to help coordinate coverage for you if you aren’t currently covered.

Check with your credit card company for additional coverage, as this is a benefit for many who book their car rental through their card. This is a great perk that comes with your card, but dive in deep before you rely solely on this coverage. Sometimes these policies only cover the car you’re in, but not other drivers hurt in the accident. Be sure to contact your credit provider for a full explanation of coverage. Nerdwallet has a great list of questions to ask to make this a successful and informative conversation.

Rental car companies typically offer insurance as part of your rental package. If you feel uncomfortable with the coverage (or lack thereof) from your current auto policy or insurance from your credit card provider, this may be a great way to go. The most important part here is to do your homework before you travel, as this is a big upsell for rental companies and you may truly not need it.

What are your thoughts? Have you had experiences with insurance?

 

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You Should Go

National Geographic, America’s renowned magazine, has just published its choice of the 11 best museums in the world. With more than 3.5 million copies sold monthly and 20 million visitors to its website each month, it offers travel enthusiasts a selection of the world’s finest museums. La Cité du Vin ranks alongside London’s Design Museum and Tate Modern, the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

La Cité du Vin is a unique cultural facility located in Bordeaux, dedicated to wine as a cultural, universal and living heritage. It offers a spectacular journey around the world, through the ages and in all cultures. Visitors can purchase tickets at www.laciteduvin.com and at La Cité du Vin.