London Tube Station

The research showed that although 90% of the population was cutting back on spending in general, only 45% were cutting back on holidays, breaks, or day trips.  Instead, spending was reduced on items such as food (80%), fuel (74%), clothes (67%) and entertainment or other little luxuries (67%).  Vacations, so often viewed here in the US as something easily eliminated, are a viewed as a very high priority elsewhere.

Another interesting tidbit from the research is that only 20% of those taking an international holiday last year are choosing to stay in the UK this year, and that the only international trips that are being eliminated are the short getaways.

Brits are still vacationing within the UK, as well as abroad, and aren’t yet willing to put “stay” and “vacation” together.  To which I say, good on them!

Why are Americans so willing to cut out vacations when residents of other countries are not?  Why is travel such a low priority for us?

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Britons Travel, Why Don’t We?

If you don’t have one, and have summer plans that include international travel, you need to apply right away.  The State Department is expecting the number of applications to soar, as new regulations go into effect.

To apply for a passport, you will need to have a passport photo taken.  This must be a headshot, with a neutral expression (this means no big smiles), and your eyes open.  It should be taken in front of a white or other very light colored background.  There are lots of places you can have a passport photo taken (Costco,  Kinko’s/FedEx, and many camera stores), or you can take your own photo and upload it to a service like ePassportPhoto.  After uploading the photo, you will have a couple of choices to print the photos yourself, send them to a printing service, or other options.  Photos are FREE, or a premium service is offered for $6.95.  You will need to copies of the photo to go with you application.

You can download the passport application from the U.S. State Department and print it out.  If this is your first passport, or if the passport is for someone  you will need to apply for your passport in person.  There are a few other times when you will need to apply in person, so it would be worthwhile to check.  Bring your filled out application, photos, evidence of citizenship, and identification along with you.

If you are applying for a renewal of your passport, you should print out the form, fill in, and mail it in.  Again, you will need two photos.

Fees can vary, depending on whether you are seeking a first passport, a renewal, and how you apply.  You can check the schedule of passport application fees to see which apply to you.  If you need your passport in a hurry, there are a variety of expediting methods — but they’re going to cost you an expedited handling fee along with overnight delivery charges.

The stated time frame for turnaround is six weeks, and you can follow the status of your application online.  If time is running out and you haven’t received your passport you can give them a call.  I had to do this, and it turned out that my renewal somehow got lost in the system.  When I hadn’t received in two days before I was set to travel, I was directed to my local passport agency who issued it that same day.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

How to Apply for a Passport

I’d like to learn French – I want to travel to Paris to see the Louvre.

We will contact Merissa via email and her prize will be on the way shortly!

Remember, we’ll be giving away a travel gift each day right up until Christmas, so keep checking back every day!

Thanks to Rosetta Stone for sponsoring the giveaway!

Photo credit: Rosetta Stone

Post from: Blisstree

Winner: Rosetta Stone Language Software

As the leading language software in the world, Rosetta Stone provides a fast, effective way to learn a foreign language by creating an environment of complete immersion into a new dialect. It distinguishes itself from similar programs by teaching communication skills the same way a person’s first language is learned in childhood – by connecting the language with its meaning, in real life context.

Rosetta Stone language software comes in three different levels (beginners, intermediate and advanced) and 31 different languages. You can purchase one level of the software at a time, or a combination pack of different levels. Each level includes the language learning program and companion CDs, so you can learn at home or on the go.

Price points (per language):

Level 1: $259
Level 2: $279
Level 3: $299
Level 1 & 2: $419
Level 1, 2 & 3: $549

Today at the Travel Product Guide, you can win ONE LEVEL of ONE LANGUAGE of your choice from Rosetta Stone. That’s up to a $299 value! It’s the perfect gift for the international traveler, or even for yourself.

All you have to do is comment here about which language you want to learn, and where you want to travel.

You will be automatically entered into the giveaway drawing with your comment.

The contest runs through tonight, Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 11:59pm PT. A random winner will be selected from all the commenters to receive the software. Please only enter once and leave your email address in the appropriate spot so that we can contact you.

Comment to enter!

Thanks for participating!

Check back tomorrow for the winner of this giveaway, and to see what great gift Mary Jo has for Friday. Remember, we’ll be giving away a travel gift each day right up until Christmas.

Photo credit: Rosetta Stone

Post from: Blisstree

Giveaway: Rosetta Stone Language Software

I always have to write them down and count them out, and with countries changing over the last couple of decades, it can be confusing at times.

For some people it may not matter, but I know more than a few people who have their eye on joining the Century Club, that special club limited to those individuals who have visited at least 100 countries.

If you want to keep track of your international travels, the Globetrotter’s Log Book may come in handy.  The pocket-sized logbook lists 193 countries and 58 dependencies, territories, and autonomous regions that, as close as I can tell, matches up with Century Club requirements.

Along with the listing of each country are some quick facts for easy reference (capital cities, time zones, currency, etc.) and a little room for you to make some notes.  This won’t take the place of a detailed journal or travel diary, but it’s a handy way to collect some small mementos from the countries you’ve visited.

The Globetrotter’s Log Book can be purchased online for €12.95, plus shipping.  Gift wrapping (which is a VERY cool and looks like old fashioned travel paper) is an additional €3.95.  You can find additional log books available there as well.

*** I’ve only visited 18 — must keep traveling!

Photo credit:  Globetrotter’s Log Book

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Post from: Blisstree

Track Your Travels with a Globetrotter’s Log Book