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Did You Know?

Speaking of Passports…

Did you know…

US passports are made with an amazing 60 different materials provided by 16 vendors.

Benjamin Franklin is considered to have one of the first recorded US passports, according to the Smithsonian.

In 2016 the US Department of State issued 18.7 million passports. There were 131.8 million valid passports in circulation. In 2017, 18 million of those are set to expire.

The US was the first country to issue machine readable passports. This happened in 1981.

The President of the United States is required to travel with a passport.

All US citizens are required to use US passports when entering the United States, even if they hold dual citizenship.

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Need Your Passport Renewed?

There has been a great deal of information lately about passports, renewing them, and making sure they are up-to-date.

That’s a key if you travel outside of the US. Always check your passport before you make your reservations. Do you know where it is? When does it expire? Where do you go to get a new photo taken?

Here are some interesting facts and some tips for taking care your passport is absolutely in tip top shape.

If you need a new photo…don’t take a selfie. I had mine taken at Costco. The price was right and they made sure it looked exactly like the requirements.

On your photo…don’t smile, don’t wear your glasses, hats, temporary tattoos, uniforms, or headphones. Unacceptable photos are the number one reason passport applications are denied, according to the State Department.

Why would you need a new passport if your old one is not expired? If you’ve had extreme plastic surgery, tattooed your face, or lost or gained a large amount of weight…you could be required to get a new passport.

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Post by The Travel Ambassador

As a travel blogger and a traveler, I follow other viable travel professionals. One who always has good information is The Travel Ambassador, Angel Castellanos.

Check out his recent post on the Best New Travel Apps for 2017. It’s a worthwhile post with lots of great info.

Here is the link…copy and paste in your browser.

http://www.angelstravellounge.com/index.php/apps-2017/#more-4739

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Olympic National Park

Looking for a unique driving trip, complete with variety, simplicity, and history? How about the diversity of visiting rain forests, mountains, glaciers, coastlines, lakes, and rivers all in one place. Impossible?

Look no further than Olympic National Park, located on the Olympic peninsula in Washington. At almost one million acres and encompassing several different ecosystems, Olympic seems to have it all.

Hunters, whalers, explorers, and at least eight different Olympic Peninsula tribes of Native Americans have called this area home for a long time…over 2,900 years, at least. We now call it Olympic National Park…since 1938, that is.

Driving past and through an old growth temperate rain forest is humbling to say the least. Stop and experience a piece of that rain forest up close. These massive conifers stand over 25 stories tall. That’s hard to comprehend, even when you’re standing at the bottom, trying to find the sky above. Look closely to distinguish different shades of green from forest floor emerald green to treetop Christmas green. Listen to the quiet. Step over fallen trees that look like they contain enough lumber for a good sized house.

Continue driving and the Pacific Ocean appears, complete with fog and gray skies. With about 75 miles of wilderness coastline and 490 offshore islands, Olympic National Park contains one of the longest and most dramatic stretches of uninterrupted coast in the United States. While you can’t exactly drive all of that coastline, take the time to stop at strategically placed view points along the highway.  Most likely, you’ll pull out your camera to capture the rocky headlands, eroded arches, and off shore sea stacks. But, it just doesn’t do it justice.

Don’t forget your rain gear, either. They don’t report inches of rain here…they talk in feet. Fourteen to eighteen feet of rain every year is impressive and important to the green carpet beneath you and the canopy above you. Could be that’s why this is a rain forest, huh? This primeval temperate rain forest is unique in many aspects. Rain forests like this one used to exist from southern Oregon to southeast Alaska. Not so much, anymore however. Now, they only exist in Chile, New Zealand, and southern Australia. We’re fortunate to be able to visit up close and personal here.

Okay, you’ve seen the Pacific with its wild coastline and the trees just don’t stop. Looking for lakes? 
One favorite is Lake Crescent, the result of glacial action. It’s deep, over 600 feet, and cold. Bluish-green in color, it’s also so clear you can often see at least 60 feet down. Why? The lake has very little nitrogen, which limits the growth of phytoplankton, the algae found in many lakes. Weaving along the highway in and out of the forest offers glimpses of Lake Crescent, often postcard perfect. From a distance, blue-black trees huddle up next to the shoreline and seem to disappear into the dark water. 

Want to explore some more? Hike one of the eight trails around the lake and depending upon your level of hiking, you can climb up to a 90 foot waterfall, you can step over previous landside areas, you can wander through old growth forests, or hike to some ridge views that make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

With this much diversity and seemingly countless opportunities for exploring, Olympic National Park is more than a one day trip. Especially if you want to get to know this grand old park. US Highway 101 takes you around the entire park and you could hurry your way around it. Would you see rain forests, unspoiled coastline, glacier carved lakes that make you feel like you’re in northern Italy, miles and miles of old trees, and countless logging trucks? Sure…but not well.

Instead, take some more time to really get to know and explore this special piece of America. Visitor centers offer maps, exhibits, and rangers who will answer questions and give information. A great place to stop is at the one located in Port Angeles. Others are located in the Hoh Rain Forest area and Hurricane Ridge.

Why visit now? Our National Parks turn 100 years old in 2016, so this is the perfect time to visit Olympic National Park. Watch out, though…it will steal your heart like no other park. After all…it’s not like any other National Park we have. I think Einstein was correct…there is simplicity here.

If you go: Olympic National Park is open 24 hours a day, year round. Some roads, campgrounds, and trails are only open seasonally, however. Check the National Park Service website for additional information, http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm.
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Afternoon Prosecco…at Cantina Do Mori

When in Venice…Cantina Do Mori
No chairs…just a few stools. No tables…just a long wooden bar and some upturned wine barrels. 
Dozens of antique copper pots hang from the dark, wooden ceiling. Tour groups wander in…but don’t stay for even one glass. Locals stop at the same time each day…and the bartender never asks what they want.
Warm and cozy, this original bacaro has been catering to the workers of the Rialto Market, tourists, and even supposedly Casanova since 1462. Like so many things in Venice, it’s not easy to find. Even with a map. It’s tucked in an alley way between Ruga Vecchia, San Giovanni, and Calle Arco. Got that?
It’s definitely worth double checking the alleyways to find it. Or, stop and ask a shop keeper.
Stop in mid-morning and you’ll find a group of older, local men gathering here for their glass of vino. The bartender knows what each of them drinks. He even knows to pour mostly water into one guy’s glass and top it off with a little wine. They visit with each other and then with anyone who looks friendly. It doesn’t matter that your Italian is not good and their English is almost non-existent. You can still have a conversation.
Stop in the afternoon for cicchetti, crostini, or salami with your glass of young white wine or prosecco. Not sure which bar snack you want? Ask the bartender. His recommendations are right on. If it’s lunchtime, try one of the tramezzini, crustless, oversized sandwiches with your glass of red wine. Chances are, you’ll meet the same group of men from the morning, in for their afternoon glass.
They’ll remember you and start the conversation where they left off.
It’s just the thing to do.
IF YOU Go: Cantina Do Mori is located at Calle dei Do Mori, 429 San Polo Venezia.

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It’s a Long Flight

Let’s say you have a long flight ahead of you. Do you sleep on the plane? Can you sleep on a plane?
If not, why not?
Have you tried any of these to help?
An eye mask works to block out the light. For some, this is important. The cabin lights are usually dimmed, but you can still have some light that may bother you. Try an eye mask. If the ones given to you by the airline are too thin or slippery, pack your own.
Earplugs are a must for others. Noise-cancelling headphones may work as well or better. Again, if you don’t like the ones on the plane, bring your own.
Make sure you are wearing clothes which help you sleep. I’m not advocating dressing in your pajamas. Not at all. But, be comfortable.
If you really want to sleep, mention this to the attendant. Ask that they not wake you unless it’s an emergency.
If you don’t think there will be pillows or blankets, bring your own. I always have a pashmina with me to work as a shawl, blanket, or something to rest my head on.

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Before You Book That Tour…





Before you book your tour, here are some things to think about… If you’re not sure, ask. Get the answers in writing, if you still have doubts.

1. Is the tour tailored to beginners or experts?
If you are going on a specialty tour (history, art, cooking) and you already know a lot about the subject, you might be bored silly by information that a non-expert would find fascinating.

2. Does the tour guide speak throughout, or is it an audio tour with headphones or other media?
Will you be learning from an individual or listening to a taped expert played over headphones? Can you go at your own pace?

3. Who is your guide?
Are the guides locals? Trained historians? Degreed naturalists? Whoever the company could find who needed a job? Does the information tell you? If not, ask.

4. In what language(s) will the tour be given?
Definitely,an important fact to know before you book.

5. Is it all-inclusive, or will you have to pay additional admission fees?
If you will be visiting attractions during the tour, the price of the tour may be completely separate from the admission to those attractions. Again…ask.

6. Is food provided?
If the tour bridges a mealtime, ask if food is included in the price of the tour. If not, will there be time and opportunity to purchase something, or should you bring your own snacks? If food is available, what options are there? You’ll want to make sure the offerings suit your taste and dietary limitations.

7. What weather can you expect?
If your tour requires you to go up a gondola to a mountaintop and there is a temperature difference of 60 degrees…you’ll want to know ahead of time so you can dress appropriately.

8. How much physical exertion is required?
Unless it is a bus or boat tour, most guided tours require you to walk a bit. Find out how far, whether hills or stairs are involved and what shoes would be most appropriate.

9. Is the tour kid-friendly/handicap-accessible/etc.?
If you or anyone in your group has any special needs, even if they are as simple and common as being a young and restless kid, ask ahead of time if the tour will work well for that person.

10. Where does the tour pick up and drop off?
Many tours operate without official offices, so they might meet at street corners, near a famous statue, on the steps of a museum … you get the idea.

11. How long is the tour?
You know your own threshold for being led around and told stuff; some may want hours and hours of information, while others want concise overviews before going on their own again.

12. How much time is spent in each place?
Sometimes folks on tours complain of having been rushed through a place they really wanted to see and absorb, while others report having had to linger over something in which they had little interest. Do your research.

13. Are there other tours along the route?
Travelers who prefer to avoid the built-in crowds that tours bring with them can feel even more hemmed in when there are multiple tours all visiting and talking about the same thing at the same time. You could ask about this before you book.

14. What size is the group?
Do you feel comfortable in a large group or do you prefer a more intimate one?

15. Will you get to break off on your own?
Many tours will give you a lot  of information followed by a little bit of time to poke around yourself.

16. Is it safe?
If you’re not sure, check with the State Department about the city or country. Read reviews as well.

17. Does pricing change by the week or day?
Something that should be listed.

18. What’s the inclement weather policy?
If your tour is outdoors, will you get a refund in foul weather, will you be rescheduled to a different day or time, or do they expect you to show up no matter what the weather is like?

19. What’s the cancellation policy?
You’ll often have to schedule and pay for your tour ahead of time. Before putting any money down, find out what happens if you need to cancel or reschedule.

20. Is the tour well reviewed?

There will always be bad reviews. Read them all, regardless. Do they lean more toward the positive aspects or the negative ones of the tour?