Expedited Passports

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!

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Paris, why not go this spring? Yes, the whole “Paris in the springtime” thing is a bit of a cliche, but it really is one of the nicest seasons to visit.  The weather is mild, not hot like it gets in the summer, and it’s also less crowded. Even better, you’re more likely to be able to find a good price on a hotel room if you go now than you would in the summer.

There are also lots of special events going on in Paris in the spring. For example, the Foire du Trône, which runs from late March to late April, is a fair packed with roller coasters, games and other fun activities for kids or the young at heart. Foire de Paris runs from late April to May and is a decidedly more grown-up affair, with opportunities for visitors to sample a variety of wines and regional delicacies.

If you are in Paris during the middle of May, you can visit many of the city’s famous museums at night for free when the city celebrates “Museum Night.”  And right now, Smarter Travel reports that Air France is having a sale, with flights from Houston  to Paris for $710 round trip and flights from New York to Nice (well worth a visit in and of itself)  for $676.

Of course, you will need a passport to travel to France. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to get an express passport. Even the government’s expedited service typically takes about 3 weeks, but with proof of travel you can can get an express passport much more quickly. The easiest way is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com.

We’ll provide you with detailed instructions that make filling out the application and gathering the necessary documents a breeze.  Then, we personally deliver your paperwork to the Department of State for super-fast processing, often in as little as 24 hours! And, there’s no need to make an appointment or take time off work to drive to  a passport agency office.

Ready to fly ? Apply for your express passport today!