Expedited Passports

Every year in August, crowds of tourists and locals pour into the streets of Buñol, Spain, for La Tomatina, a festival that is otherwise known as the world’s biggest food fight. The festival takes place every year on the last Wednesday of August, but the action starts with partying and drinking the night before. When the sun comes up, the tourists who couldn’t get beds in town start to pour in for the “Ham Up a Greasy Pole” Contest, in which contestants try to climb a greased wooden pole to reach the ham on top.

To prepare for the big food fight, approximately 90,000 pounds of very ripe tomatoes are trucked into the town square, the epicenter of the combat. At precisely 11:00am, the fun begins, as locals and tourists alike begin pummeling each other with the tomatoes. Traditionally, women wear white to La Tomatina- I wonder if Clorox or another detergent/bleach company has considered a corporate sponsorship? Men have it easier, as they are traditionally shirtless.

No matter what you wear to La Tomatina, you should expect it be absolutely saturated with tomato juice and sauce by the end of the fight, which lasts for an hour. Clean up involves hoses and, if you’re staying in another town, waiting in line for the showers in the local train station.

If you’d like to attend La Tomatina, you’d be wise to apply for an expedited passport if you don’t already have one. Generally, if you apply with standard processing, you can expect to wait at least 6 weeks before receiving your passport in the mail. If you apply for the government’s expedited passport processing, you’ll still have to wait at least 3 weeks, and that’s cutting it close.

If you need to get your passport more quickly, the most convenient option is to use a private passport expediting company. An expediter, like RushMyPassport.com, can hand-deliver your application to the Department of State, resulting in processing times as low as 24 hours, without the hassle and inconvenience of making an appointment at one of the Department of State’s passport offices.

Apply for your expedited passport today!

Have you always fantasized about visiting a tropical Caribbean beach but never thought you’d be able to afford it? What if your plane tickets were only $2?

At first glance, joining Spirit Airlines’ fare club seems like it just might be the ticket to bring your dream vacation within reach. Membership costs $39.95 per year, but it allows you to access sales that aren’t available to non-members. For example, right now club members can fly from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the Bahamas for just $2 round trip, and from Fort Lauderdale to Cancun for $18 round-trip (plus the usual fees and taxes, of course).

Spirit has a members-only sale once every 6 weeks, and as long as you move quickly, you can snag those cheap fares on all the tickets you purchase.

But is it worth it? SmarterTravel.com took a look at the program last year after it was announced and concluded

If you frequently fly between the cities Spirit serves (a heavy emphasis on Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America), membership is worth the cost. If, for example, you can snag a $2 fare, even with the membership cost and taxes and fees, you’ll still be getting a bargain compared to other airlines’ prices. But, you must keep in mind that availability is often very limited. You’ll find that fares are only offered on about a dozen select dates, and even then, you must rush to book early or risk the best deals selling out.

Some deals are also last-minute. For example, many of the cheap flights in the sale I linked to above depart in August, and it’s now late July. So, if you’re thinking of using the Fare Club to try to snag cheap flights to Spirit’s international destinations, you may find yourself needing an expedited passport.

Generally speaking, it takes about 6 weeks to get your passport application processed if you order regular service. If you use the Department of State’s expedited passport service, it could still take up to 3 weeks or longer. A private passport expediting company costs a little more but provides you with much faster service, often providing expedited passport service in as little as 24 hours without requiring you to take additional time off work to visit a passport office.

Apply for your expedited passport today!

It’s July 4th, and while most Americans are setting off fireworks,drinking beer and gorging themselves on hamburgers, hot dogs and potato chips, in France a very different scene is unfolding.  The Tour de France began today in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This grueling race will not end until July 23rd  in Bordeaux, France. During this time, according to Wikipedia, the riders will climb “the equivalent of three Everests.”  Yikes!

Is it worth it to travel to France to watch the Tour De France in person? That depends-some people feel that they can get a better view of the entire race by watching it on TV. While that may be true, according to former Tour de France spectator Mike from ChainReaction.com, “there’s very little that compares to the thrill of being on a steep mountain climb and watching the shattered peloton come through.  You are so close to the action that you become almost a part of it (especially if you’re flinging a handbag around), and the drama unfolds in front of you over a significant period of time, not fleeting seconds.”

One interesting highlight of the Tour de France for spectators is the sponsor caravan, which stays a little bit ahead of the riders.  The caravan throws bunches of goodies and small souvenirs to the waiting crowds-kind of like Mardi Gras, except there are no beads and everyone keeps their shirts on.

According to FranceTravelGuide.com, the best place to see the Tour de France is in the mountains, so renting a car is recommended. Another important tip to remember is to stay out of the way of the bikes-there are no fences or barriers, and you don’t want to get run over!

Since the race doesn’t end until July 23rd, there’s still time for last-minute trip.  The official Tour de France website has more information about the route as well as additional suggestions for other area tourist attractions to visit while you’re there.

However, if you don’t have a passport yet, you’ll need to get one before you leave. If you apply for an expedited passport directly from the Department of State, you probably won’t get it in time: expedited service costs an additional $60 plus overnight delivery costs and it takes 2 to 3 weeks door-to-door.

However, there are other ways to get expedited passport services that will get your passport in time. Using a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport is the easiest and most convenient method. Instead of having to make an appointment at a passport agency office, taking time off work and traveling to the office, you simply send your expedited passport application to the expediting company and let them do the dirty work for you. RushMyPassport offers processing times as low as 24 hours, depending on which option you choose.

Need an expedited passport? Apply today!

According to the US Department of State, it usually takes about 6 weeks to process a passport application and issue a new passport. But what if you can’t wait?  There are lots of reasons you could need an expedited passport; anything from a sudden unexpected international trip to a passport that isn’t where it was last time you checked. Philadelphia residents who are unable to wait 6 weeks for a new passport have 3 options.

Expedited Passport Processing

The first option is to simply request expedited passport processing when you apply for your new passport. This costs an additional $60, plus overnight delivery fees to and from the passport processing facility, and it cuts processing time down to 3 weeks.

If 3 weeks is still too long, the other two options are faster.

Making an Appointment at the Philadelphia Passport Agency

The Philadelphia Passport Agency office can issue passports on-site. However, you can’t just walk in. You must make an appointment either online or by calling 1-877-487-2778. Appointments will only be granted if you have tickets to leave the country in the next 2 weeks or if you are traveling internationally in the next 4 weeks and you need a visa.

Additionally, the Philadelphia Passport Agency office is only open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. So, you’ll more than likely have to take some time off work, which could be tricky if you already have time off scheduled for your trip.

Using a Private Passport Expediting Service

The most convenient option for getting an expedited passport in Philadelphia is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com. With an expediting company, you pay an extra fee, but the process of expediting your passport is much smoother and more convenient. You get expert help with your application and a handy checklist, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting something important and delaying your application when you can least afford to. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting additional time off from work to make an appointment at the Passport Agency.  The expediting service handles all of that for you!

RushMyPassport offers quick, professional service with processing times as low as 24 hours. Apply for your expedited passport today!

Here’s a great reason to get an expedited passport this summer: Le Domaine de Lonvillies resort in St. Martin is offering a half-price discount for summer travelers. Gadling has the scoop on this travel deal:

You can pick up four nights at Le Domaine de Lonvillies for a mere $210 – the normal price is cut in half. As long as you head down there before August 31, 2010, you’ll pick up breakfast every day, free wi-fi and dinner every night a La Table du Marche.

Since the chef at the resort is the world-famous Christophe Leroy, dinner is worth staying in for.  Of course, guests of Le Domaine de Lonvillies also get to sample the Caribbean island’s many amenities, including lazing around on gorgeous beaches, drinking delicious guavaberry cocktails, and world-class shopping for cheap (but genuine) designer goods.

Note: the special offer Gadling mentions doesn’t appear on the website for the hotel itself, but appears to be available here on Bookit.com. Please give the hotel a call before booking if you have any questions!

The special ends on August 31, so if you don’t have your passport already, you should consider expedited passport processing.  If you are traveling by plane, you do need a passport book- the new wallet-sized passport cards won’t cut it for air travel.

Regular passport processing usually takes around 6 weeks. You can order expedited passport processing for an additional $60 plus overnight delivery costs, but that still takes 3 weeks or more. If you can’t wait 2-3 weeks for your passport to arrive, you can either make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency office or use a private expediting company.

Companies like RushMyPassport.com make getting expedited passport processing much easier. There’s no need to make an appointment or wait in line at a passport office- we do all of that for you. By hand-delivering your passport to the Department of State, we cut processing time to as little as 24 hours!

Apply for your expedited passport today!

One of the perks of being an American citizen is that there lots of countries that you don’t need a visa to visit, or that will let you get a visa at the airport when you arrive.

However, some countries require that you apply for a travel visa in advance. In most cases, this means sending a visa application and your passport off to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting. But before you send your passport off, check it over and make sure that y0u don’t need to apply for an expedited passport renewal first.

Here are the most common reasons that you might need to renew your passport before applying for a visa:

• Your passport has expired.
• Your passport is still valid now, but will expire soon. The country you are visiting may require that your passport be valid for 6 months or longer past your planned date of entry. If it expires too soon, you’ll need to renew it before you can be issued a visa.
• You may need more pages in the back.  If you travel a lot, it’s important to make sure that there’s enough blank pages to accommodate the travel visa for the country you are visiting. You may need as few as one or as many as 3. Check with the embassy or consulate to see how many pages you need, or see the Department of States‘ Country-Specific Information Page.

If you do need to get your passport renewed or get pages added before you apply for a travel visa, get an expedited passport renewal if you plan to leave in the near future. The US Department of State will let you make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency if you are traveling in 4 weeks or less and need a visa. Of course, using a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport makes the process much faster and more convenient!

Apply for your expedited passport today!

Something old? Check.  Something new? Check. Something borrowed? Check. Valid passport? Hey,wait a minute…

These days, cruise ship weddings are replacing more expensive destination weddings as the ceremony of choice for budget-conscious couples who love to travel. The NileGuidance blog reports that the number of couples getting married on a cruise ship has risen by 60% in the past decade.  Cruise ship weddings are quite affordable, even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend-Carnival Cruise’s basic ceremony costs $1,195, and for an additional $600, you get a reception with your family and friends before the boat sails. Just make sure nobody tries to stow away in your cabin!

According to SmartMoney.com, the average wedding in the US costs between $21,000 and $24,000, making the cost of a cruise ship wedding seem downright frugal in comparison. Plus, you don’t have to worry about planning your honeymoon-just sail off into the sunset once you’ve said your vows.

If you’re sailing out of the country, one must-have cruise ship wedding accessory is a US passport. Since June of 2009, a passport has been required to cross the border into Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean by land or sea. Technically, you can get by with just a driver’s license and birth certificate if you are sailing to one of those three regions and your cruise begins and ends at the same US port.  However, passports are required for all international air travel, so you’re much better off if you have one with you just in case something comes up during the cruise and you have to fly back.

Applying for a passport usually takes approximately 6 weeks for regular service and three weeks for the government’s expedited service. You can get an expedited passport more quickly bu using a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com.  We provide detailed, clear instructions to help you complete your expedited passport application; and then we hand-deliver it to the US Department of State.  With our service, your expedited passport could be on its way back to you in as little as 24 hours!

Apply for your expedited passport today!

Are you looking for an excuse to get away? How does a free hotel room sound? Marriott has an awesome special running right now, where you can stay for three nights and get one night free. However, the offer is only good at Marriott hotels located outside of the US and Canada. So, to take advantage of it, you’ll need to have a passport.

You’ll also need to book your rooms (and flight)  by August  21st. Fortunately,  there are a  lot  of  last-minute international flight deals available right now, too. Compare prices on flights using one or more of the major travel search engines, and you’ll be amazed at what you can find! Of course, leaving at the last minute is only possible if you have a passport ready. Getting a passport can take 6 weeks or longer if you apply with normal processing. If you apply for an expedited passport directly through the government can take at least 3 weeks.

However, there is a faster way to apply for an expedited passport. By applying through a private passport expediting company, you can your expedited passport application processed in as little as 24 hours. Plus, you’ll get personal assistance with your passport application from a knowledge passport professional, to help you get your application processed quickly the first time.

So, go ahead, start planning that last-minute vacation-apply for your expedited passport today!

Adopting a child is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, it can be a rather bureaucratic process even under the best of circumstances.  Compared to biological parents, adoptive parents often  have to deal with an extra layer of red tape,  especially if they adopted their child from overseas. If you need an expedited passport for your internationally adopted child, here’s what you need to know before you apply.

Make Sure Your Child is a Citizen

In order to get a US passport, your adopted child must have US citizenship. Per the The Child Citizenship Act of 2000, most children adopted by parents who are American citizens gain citizenship automatically once the adoption is “full and final.”

Usually, if your child came to the US on a IR-3 visa, that means that the adoption process was completed in the foreign country and the adoption is considered “full and final.” If your child came in on an IR-4 visa, you will need to have the adoption finalized in the US before you can apply for a passport.

Gather All Relevant Documents

To get an expedited passport for your internationally adopted child, you will need the following documents:

• The adoption decree
• Both adoptive parents’ US birth certificates OR the child’s Certificate of Citizenship.
• 2 passport photos.
• For children under the age of 16, both parents must appear with their child, bring proof of identification, and provide consent for the child to be issued a passport.
• If both parents are unable to appear at the acceptance agency to give consent, read this post on getting a child passport to learn about other options for meeting the parental consent requirements.
• Minors age 16 and 17 only need one parent to appear with them when they apply for an expedited passport. (more…)

Spring is just around the corner, and college students everywhere are gearing up for the annual week-long party that is Spring Break.  Despite the slowing economy, many students still have plans to travel, and many popular destinations are offering great last-minute deals.

For example, Boncherry.com has a great post up that gives suggestions for popular Spring Break destinations, including Cancun and Acapulco in Mexico, Ibiza in Europe, Nassau and Jamaica.

Over at TripSay.com’s blog, there is an excellent list of the top 10 Spring Break destinations, along with the 5 worst places to go. Naussau, in the Bahamas, is listed as one of the top 5 party destinations, while Montego Bay, Jamaica and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are two of the “Spring Break Rising Stars.”  Not into the stereotypical “beach vacation?” Whistler, Canada is another up-and-coming destination. TripSay recommends that you stay away from  Fargo, ND and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. No arguments there!

Remember, if you’re planning a Spring Break adventure in another country, it’s a good idea to pack your passport. If you’re going to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean, you’ll need a passport if you’re traveling by air. If you’re traveling by land or sea, you may be able to get by with just your birth certificate and government-issued photo ID (at least until June 1, 2009). However, it’s best to bring your passport, anyway,  in case you have an emergency and need to catch a flight home.

To get a passport before Spring Break,  request expedited passport service. The easiest and fastest way to get an expedited passport is to use a private passport expediting company. An expediting company will submit your expedited passport application directly to the US Passport Agency for faster processing, so you’ll have it in time for Spring Break.

For an unforgettable spring break vacation, find an awesome last minute deal and order an expedited passport today!

What are your Spring Break travel plans?