Traveling to mexico be sure to understand the new travel requirements

Making plans to travel to Mexico this year? Is a Mexico family vacation in your future, or are you looking to take a little time for rest and relaxation on the sandy white beaches of Cancun or Puerto Vallarta? Well, your timing is right. It promises to be another fantastic year south of the border for all of the major Mexico resort hot spots! In fact, 16 million Americans will probably visit Mexico this year.

Be sure you are prepared before you travel, as there have been some new requirements issued by the U. S. State Department. Although it’s a minor change from prior travel requirements, it affects all U. S. citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. Essentially, all that is required is a passport, which most frequent travelers have anyway. The goal? To make it safer for you and to strengthen United States border security.

Here are some important facts you should know:

• The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.

• In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines.

• The proposed timeline will be as follows:

o December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

o December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

The Easy Way to get a Passport

First, when applying for a passport, make sure you allow enough time! It typically takes 6 weeks to process a passport application. Where can you apply for a passport? The State Department provides a handy search tool to help you find the Passport Acceptance Facility nearest you. What’s the busiest time for passport processing? Usually between January and July. Of course, if you have an emergency and need to travel to Mexico right away, the State Dept does offer some options. Go to their website at travel. state. gov/passport/passport_1738.html, or call the U. S. National Passport Information Center: 1-877-4USA-PPT

Additional Tips for Travel to Mexico

• Be sure to leave your travel itinerary and passport information with a friend or relative in case the originals are lost. It can also be helpful to carry a copy of your travel documents with you in a separate location from the originals.

• Avoid traveling with large amounts of cash. Credit cards are widely accepted and most areas visited by tourist will have an ATM machine. These are great options because they are safe, convenient and you get a favorable exchange rate. Another option is to use traveler’s checks.

• Using a fanny pack or travelers wallet for your cash and passport is a great idea.

• While they are making great strides in improving the water quality throughout Mexico, it is advisable to drink bottled water. In addition, avoid drinking beverages over ice as the ice may have been made from tap water.

• Wash vegetables and fruits in a purifying solution of some type.

• Before leaving, check with your health insurance provider so that you are aware of your coverage.

• If you are planning to drive over the border be sure to obtain a temporary import permit and all the necessary insurance.

So now that you’ve been informed, what are you waiting for? Mexico is a land of incredible beauty and natural wonder! Whether you’re going to sunny Cancun, festive Acapulco, or even Puerto Vallarta, your perfect Mexican vacation getaway is just a flight away!

Finding a cheap car rental when traveling to other countries

Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, there are many reasons to rent a car when you reach your destination. While public transportation will usually take you to major tourist attractions or to the centers of large cities, relying only on trains and buses can be time-consuming. After all, you are forced to travel according to the carriers' schedules, rather than having the freedom to come and go as you please.

Taxis, of course, are always an option - providing you don't want to travel too far off the beaten path. If you're on holiday in Spain, for example, and decide to venture over to the Spanish coast or countryside, a taxi is out of the question and public transportation won't take you where you want to go. Indeed, a car hire is the only way to ensure that you have the flexibility to see the sights on your own timetable and on your own terms.

For those who think that renting a car in another country will be impossible or cumbersome, it's time to think again. Not only is it easy to rent a car in European countries and the U. S., but it's actually easy to find discount car rentals.

The ground rules for a car hire are basically the same across all car rental companies. For example, you typically have to be 23 years old, have a valid driver's license, and have a credit card. When you reserve a car, you normally get to choose what class of vehicle you'd like, such as compact, mid-size, full-size, or a van. However, you don't usually have the opportunity to specify make and model. Nonetheless, most car rental agencies will accommodate your wishes if they have your preferred make and model available when you pick up the vehicle.

The choice of whether or not to purchase extra insurance can be made when you collect the rental car. Before you leave for your destination, it's important to check with your own car insurance agency and see if your coverage extends to rental cars in the country you'll be visiting. If not, it's a good idea to sign up for the extra coverage.

If you'll be traveling to several different countries, it's important to understand the regulations of the car rental agency as they pertain to crossing borders. If you're in Europe, for example, most car rental agencies will allow you to drive to other European countries - providing you inform them that you're going to do so and that you buy extra insurance. The same holds true for a car rental in the USA; with advance notice, many agencies will allow you to, for example, take the car to Canada.

With all of the advantages to using a car hire while you're traveling, the one sticking point is whether or not you'll be able to find a cheap car rental. The best approach is to search online for a company that works with many different car rental agencies; they will have up-to-date information on availability, and can search for the best price available for the dates you desire. Because these online sources book so many reservations, they are able to negotiate bargain basement prices so that a traveler can find the cheap car rental that will make their holiday or business trip convenient and worry-free.

South african paradise outback adventure in the free state

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Tired of busy traffic and the daily rush in Jburg we decided to head out to the Free State into the South african 'outback'. At 2,5 hours drive we ended up in Clarens. It is an artist's village, surrounded by the most beautiful mountains. There are lots of artists living there and they have their own galleries. It so relaxing just to stroll around from the one little shop or gallery to the next. In between the little shops
you will find cosy coffee shops and restaurants. Every shop is unique - from South African art and hand crafts to our wonderful South African wines. There is a very nice gallery with a wine tasting area.
You can go horse riding, walking and have the most wonderful drive through the Golden Gate National Park. A real adventure was our trip the day after to Lesotho, where you get some of the true African feeling and taste back. Very nice and wonderful people and beautiful
view and then back to our accomododation. A real Honeymoon Suite at the littleparadise of Caledon Gardens see caledongardens. com
where we had the most enjoyable evening since a long time. A hidden gem of Clarens Accommodation and a real impressive Guest House, with lots of art, must better than a
Bed & Breakfast, especially given the fact that they have a gourmet restaurant. A real romance's treat. After this we were ready for the
next crazy week in town again !