Get a Passport and Save Big on a Four City Tour in Ireland - Expedited Passports

If you’ve always wanted to visit Ireland, this fall would be a great time to go. Frommer’s has the scoop on a deal from Sceptre Tours that lets you see four cities in six nights for one low price: $749. The package includes airfare from New York City, Boston, Chicago or Orlando, lodging in designated hotel for six nights and a rental car so you can tool around in the Irish countryside.

On this tour, you’ll visit Kilkenny, home of Kilkenny castle; scenic Killarney; Galway, known as “Ireland’s Cultural Heart,” and of course, Dublin. Purchased separately, airfare alone would run you over $600, so it’s hard to argue with the price. The hotels included in the package all have four stars, and breakfast is included.

The price is valid for departures from November 24 to February 12, so you could take a fall break or even spend Christmas in Ireland. That gives you plenty of time to plan ahead and get a passport, which you’ll need to do before you can leave. Want to stay longer? Extra nights are available for $75 to $99 per person. For more details, check out the Sceptre Tours website.

It’s fine to go ahead and book the trip, but don’t leave it until the last minute to apply for your travel documents. It does take about six weeks to get your passport back in the mail after you apply. If you pay the $60 expedite fee, you’ll get it sooner, but you should still allow at least three weeks for it to arrive.

For faster service, consider using a private expediting company like RushMyPassport to submit your application. We offer VIP treatment during every step of the process; walking you through the paperwork and taking your application directly to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

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When your passport is stolen, the last thing you’d expect the thief to do is to take the time to mail it back to you. But that’s what happened to one US tourist vacationing in England in May, according to the BBC.

The tourist, a 73-year-old woman, was waiting with her husband for a train to the airport when a young man stole her handbag, which contained a little over $8,000 worth of jewels.

The woman replaced her stolen passport at the US Embassy and continued home, only to receive her stolen passport in the mail, along with her driver’s license, about five days later.

You just have to marvel at how someone could steal a handbag, keep $8,000 worth of jewelry, and yet take the time to send back the victim’s driver’s license and passport!

Of course, when you report a stolen passport, the original passport is invalidated, but at least the woman can still look over the visa stamps in the back. However, the sentimental value of the passport pales in comparison to that of the jewelry that was taken, according to the BBC:

“The valuables had “enormous sentimental value” to the victim and losing them had caused her “a great deal of distress”, British Transport Police said.”

If you lose your passport overseas, you have to apply for a new one at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Making a copy of the identification pages of your passport and stashing them somewhere separate from the original will expedite the replacement process. When you apply for an emergency replacement for a stolen passport overseas, the Embassy generally issues it quite quickly so as to minimize further disruptions to your travel plans.

However, be aware that if your passport is stolen in the US, you’ll need to apply in person at the nearest passport acceptance office, and it can at least 6 weeks for your replacement to arrive in the mail. You can expedite your application by paying an additional $60 expedite fee, but this only reduces the processing time to three weeks.

For the fastest possible service, you can make an appointment at the nearest regional passport agency location. However, there are only 24 of these offices serving the entire country, so you may have to travel a good distance to get to one. The more convenient option is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We personally deliver your passport application to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Replace your stolen passport quickly today!

In America’s fame-obsessed culture, it’s probably not a surprise that theme cruises featuring rock stars and celebrities are the newest travel trend. And now, my Gen-X brethren, it’s time to dust off those old worn out flannels (you know you still have one or two in a closet somewhere), because the latest theme cruise was designed just for you: a chance to rock out with old school indie rock music from Weezer and Dinosaur Jr. (via Gadling).

The “Weezer Cruise,” brought to you by the same folks who gave you the Kid Rock cruise, sets sail from Miami on January 19th, heading to Cozumel, Mexico. Fans will get to see Weezer play outside on the ship’s Lido Deck as the boat sails away from Miami. They’ll also get to see Weezer play once more inside the ship’s auditorium.

Additionally, Weezer fans get to have photos taken with their idols plus the chance to pick Rivers Cuomo’s brain in person during a Q & A session.

Basically, the cruise ship is going to be one giant music festival, only with less mud and better food. With Weezer and Dinosaur Jr headlining, the lineup tends toward quirky 90′s alt-rock, but there are some newer indie bands as well. Here are the bands who have been announced so far: Sebadoh, Gene Ween (of Ween) and Dave Dreiwitz, Wavves, The Antlers, Yuck, Free Energy, Boom Bip, J Mascis (a solo acoustic show in addition to his performance with Dinosaur Jr), Lou Barlow, Keepaway, Ozma, The Nervous Wreckords, The Knocks, Sleeper Agent and Yacht Rock Revue. (more…)

The dog days of summer are here, and at least in some parts of the country, being outside past noon is downright unpleasant.  In Oklahoma City today, the high is expected to hit 104! According to Wikipedia, the ancient Romans believed that during the dog days, “the seas boiled, wine turned sour, Quinto raged in anger, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies.”

If you’re looking for an escape from summer’s punishing temperatures, your US passport might be just the ticket.  Here are some possible destinations to help you beat the heat:

Norway: The average temperature in Oslo in July is only 63.1  °F.  Nice! Plus, the country has a variety of activities available that are guaranteed to chill you out, such as glacier walking or visiting the North Cape, where the breeze that hits your face comes directly from the North Pole itself.  In Norway, summer is also the season of the famous midnight sun.

Patagonia: Located at the southern edge of South America in Argentina and Chile, the Patagonia region is the perfect destination for skiers, snowboarders and nature lovers. Since it’s in the southern hemisphere, when it’s summer here, it’s winter there. Ski resort towns like Bariloche, Argentina combine fresh powder with delicious food and a vibrant nightlife.

Iceland: Even if the middle of summer, it’s almost unheard of for the mercury in Iceland to ever rise above 60 degrees. Add in glaciers, hot springs and a variety of other activities and it’s easy to see how a visit to Iceland would make for a refreshing interlude from the scorching heat of midsummer.

If you don’t have a US passport yet or you need to get yours renewed, don’t despair.  While regular passport processing takes about six weeks, there are a number of other options that can help you get your passport more quickly. For example, you can apply for expedited processing from the Department of State, which will cut processing time down to three weeks. For even faster service, you can either make an appointment at a regional passport agency office or use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport to get your US passport application processed in as little as 24 hours.

Need a US passport, fast? Contact us today!

Studying abroad is often seen as a bit of a luxury. The cost varies depending on the program, but in many cases that’s a fair assessment. However, if you’re interested in living in the land of the midnight sun, you should know that Norway lets all students study at its public universities tuition-free- in most cases, even students from other countries. Huge hat tip to Matador Travel for publicizing this little-known but incredibly useful fact!

Of course, you’ll still have to arrange for plane tickets, a student visa, books, lodging and food. There’s also a small fee per semester that is required to take your exams but entitles you to student benefits and discounts. The good news is that if the Norwegian university you decide to study at is accredited by the US Department of Education, you can apply for financial aid to cover those expenses.

Unless they are insured on their parents’ plan, health insurance is often a struggle for college students. However, if you plan to study in Norway for a year or longer, you’ll be automatically enrolled in their national health insurance plan for students. If you’ll be studying for more than three months but less than a year, you are not automatically enrolled but can choose to enroll voluntarily.

Of course, Norwegian is not one of the languages that American teenagers typically study in high school. So, unless you want to spend some serious time studying the language and building proficiency beforehand, you’ll want to select a program that’s taught in English. There are several Bachelor’s programs available in English and even more Masters’ programs, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a course of study that fits.

To get started, look here to see what programs are available and what the admission requirements are, and read the Matador piece to get an idea of what life is like as a foreign student in Norway.

Once you’ve been accepted into the course of your choice, you’ll need to apply for a new passport as soon as possible if you don’t have a valid one. Don’t wait until the last minute: new passport applications can take up to six weeks to process. Expedited applications are available, but still take up to three weeks. For faster service, the most convenient option is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport, though you also have the option to make an appointment at a regional passport agency office, assuming that there is one nearby and you can take the time off work.

We hand-deliver your paperwork to the Department of State, which allows us to get your application processed in as little as 24 hours, with no need to make an appointment, travel to a passport agency or wait in line.

Need a new passport in a hurry? Let us help!

This summer, several airlines have announced exciting new international routes that bring the world just a little bit closer to your doorstep. Here’s a rundown of the some of the most interesting new options for departing the United States (via Jaunted, unless otherwise noted):

Europe

If you’re on the West Coast and need a cheap flight to Europe, Condor Airlines now offers low-cost flights from Seattle, Washington to Frankfurt, Germany.  If you live in the Southeast, Dutch Airline ArkeFly has a surprise for you, too: nonstop flights from Orlando to Amsterdam. Meanwhile, a small public charter airline called Air Plus is now offering direct flights from Chicago to Croatia- not an intuitive destination, but one that’s becoming increasing popular with budget-conscious travelers. Finally, West Coast residents craving tea and scones will no doubt appreciate British Airway’s new route from San Diego to London.

Asia

How much of your childhood did you spend trying to dig a hole to China? Live your childhood dream with Delta’s new flights from Detroit to Beijing and Atlanta to Shanghai. Or, catch a Delta plane from Salt Lake City to Tokyo. (Via Delta)

Caribbean

Want to volunteer in Haiti this summer? Continental now has flights that go directly from Newark, New Jersey to Port-au-Prince.  If you’d rather just soak in the sun, Delta is now offering flights from New York to Antigua and from Minneapolis to Montego Bay, Jamaica. (via Delta).

Mexico

American Airlines is making it easier for travelers to get to Mexico with two new daily flights from Dallas/Fort Worth to Mazatlan International Airport and Morelia International Airport.  Border violence remains a concern, so carefully research the areas you’ll be traveling in to ensure you’re well away from the hot spots.

If you feel like taking off and leaving the country for the summer, you’ll need to get a passport quick if you don’t already have one.  Regular passport processing takes about six weeks, while expedited processing via the Department of State takes about three weeks. For faster service, you’ll need to have proof of travel and either make an appointment at one of the 24 passport agency offices in the country or use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We personally take your application to the Department of State, for processing in as little as 24 hours.

Need a passport, quick? Let us help!

If you’ve always wanted to visit Cuba without breaking the law, you’d better get your passport application in now. Under President Obama, the US Treasury Department has begun to issue “people-to-people” licenses to travel companies, allowing them to take ordinary Americans on guided tours of the island.

According to the New York Times, the government has been taking its sweet time when it comes to issuing the licenses, but nevertheless, eight tour operators have already been given the go-ahead.

Tom Popper, the director of Insight Cuba, one of the travel companies to receive a coveted permit, explained to the New York Times how easy the new permits make it for Americans to visit Cuba: ““All a U.S. citizen has to do is sign up for an authorized program and they can go to Cuba. It’s as simple as that.”

Well, maybe not quite “as simple as that.” At the moment, demand for the tours are quickly outpacing the supply, especially considering how slowly the government is granting licenses to the operators who run them. As Mr. Popper explained to the Times, ““It’s the forbidden fruit. It’s 50 years of pent-up demand for a country that 75 percent of Americans really, really want to travel to.”

Plus, the availability of the people-to-people permits is subject to the prevailing political winds. Between 2000 and 2003, they were available under President Bill Clinton. However, after George W. Bush was elected, the government stopped issuing them completely. (more…)

It’s been over three months since Japan was wracked by devastating earthquakes and a massive tsunami. While the country’s troubles have mostly faded from the headlines, they are far from over. In fact, more than 11,000 people are still stranded, with no place to call home.

If you want to visit the country in person to help, Inside Japan has the tour for you (via Jaunted). The four-day package includes a trip to hard-hit Tohoku to work on disaster cleanup with RQ Citizens Disaster Relief Network Japan. You’ll be doing grunt work: stuff like clearing roads and cleaning up houses.

For £450, or about $730, you’ll get 3 nights accommodation in a shared room with 2 to 6 people, 3 square meals a day, an English-speaking guide, equipment and protective gear. You’ll need to pay for your own international flight and to get to the meeting place in Tokyo’s Shimbashi Station.

To take this tour, you’ll need a big heart, a strong back and a willingness to get dirty. You’ll also need a passport. Right now, it’s taking about six weeks to get a passport application processed if you use standard processing. If you don’t already have a passport and you’d like to go to Japan this summer, ordering express passport processing instead would be a prudent move on your part.

Express passport processing costs an additional $60 and cuts processing time down to about three weeks. That’s fine if you’re leaving in August, but if you book a trip in July you may need it even faster. In that case, you have two options: request an appointment at one of twenty-four regional passport offices, or use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport. We hand-deliver your passport application to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours, with no need to make an appointment or wait in line at a passport agency office.

For easy express passport service, contact us today!

In the 1999 film Being John Malkovich, actor John Malkovich plays a fictional version of himself grappling with a surreal variety of identity theft: a “portal” that allowed other people to take control of his brain.

Now, he’s the victim of a much more prosaic type: a stolen passport.

According to Reuters, Malkovich’s passport was stolen from his Prague hotel room last Friday, along with two cell phones.

A spokeswoman for the Mandarin Oriental hotel told Reuters that “We can confirm than an investigation is under way in the case of the disappearance of Mr Malkovich’s personal belongings.”

Fortunately, according to TV Guide, the stolen passport only delayed his trip to Poland by a few hours.

Losing your passport overseas is even more frightening than losing it at home, but there are some steps you can take to protect yourself and to make it easier to replace a stolen passport if it does happen. When it comes to protecting your passport, the most important thing you can do is to keep it somewhere safe, like the lockbox in your hotel room. However, sometimes even these room safes get broken into, or you might lose your passport on the way to board a flight or after you’ve gotten off the plane.

If you do suffer from a stolen passport, you’ll need to get in touch with the nearest US Embassy as soon as possible. There, you can report your passport stolen and apply for a replacement. If possible, before you leave on the trip make a copy of the pages of your passport that contain your personal data. Keep these separate from your passport. While the copy will not be sufficient to travel with, it will make it easier to get your passport replaced.

When replacing a stolen passport in the United States, if you already have a trip planned your main concern is likely to be time. It takes an average of six weeks to replace a stolen passport in the US. For faster service, you can pay an additional $60 for expedited processing, but that still leaves you hanging for about 3 weeks.

If you need your passport in less time than that, you have two options: make an appointment at one of the 25 regional passport agency offices located throughout the country, or use a private expediting company like RushMyPassport. The latter option is generally the most convenient and may even be cheaper, when you factor in the cost of travel to a passport agency and lost wages from time off work.

Need your stolen passport replaced ASAP? Contact us today!

According to the Department of State, the new passport office that just opened in Atlanta, Georgia marks the end of the department’s US Passport Agency Expansion Project.

The project, paid for by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, opened a total of 7 new passport facilities to assist US citizens facing passport emergencies. New offices were built in Atlanta, Georgia; Buffalo, New York; El Paso, Texas; San Diego, California; and St. Albans, Vermont, while public access was added to existing facilities in Arkansas and New Hampshire.

In a press release, the State Department said that “These ARRA-funded facilities are providing urgent passport services to millions of U.S. citizens in previously underserved areas. Each facility issues passport books on site to qualifying customers who have plans to travel within 14 days. Four of the facilities are located within several miles of the Canadian and Mexican borders and issue passport cards on site.”

The new passport offices are definitely an improvement, but if you need an expedited passport you’re still likely to find the service to be a hassle. For one thing, even with the new locations, many Americans still face a long car trip or even a plane ride to get to the nearest passport agency office. There are only 25 of them in the United States.

Secondly, passport agency offices tend to keep limited office hours. Not only are they closed on weekends and holidays as you might expect, they typically close earlier in the afternoon than other businesses, usually by 3:00 or 4:00 local time. Plus, they don’t accept walk-ins, so you’ll have to go through the trouble of making an appointment.

If you can’t fit all of that into your schedule, using an expediting company like RushMyPassport might be a better option for you. With an expediting company, if you need to apply for your passport in person you can simply go down to your local post office to have your documents “sealed” by the clerk. Once your paperwork is in order, send it to us and we’ll hand-deliver it to the Department of State. Depending on the option you select, we can have it processed in as little as 24 hours!

Need a new passport fast? We can help!