It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when you didn’t have to fill out a passport application to travel internationally. In fact, passports weren’t required for international travel until the first World War, though governments had been issuing passports or “documents of safe conduct” for centuries prior.
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Is a visit to the Eternal City on your bucket list? Take note: the New York Times is reporting that this fall is a particularly good time to go. That's because o Dr. Roberto Cecchi, Rome's new Archaeological Commissioner, has made it a point to both restore and restore access to archaeological treasures that were previously closed to the public. For example, through October 2nd, the Colosseum now has extended Saturday hours and is open until midnight. You'll also be…
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Wouldn't you love to get paid to travel? Winners of Finnair's new "Quality Hunters" contest get to do just that: get paid to fly to Finnair's destinations and evaluate their experiences. (h/t Jaunted). Here's how Finnair describes the contest on its website: Ever dreamed of getting paid to explore the world? Finnair, one of the world’s longest continuously operating airlines, offers you the adventure of a lifetime. We are on a global search for four Quality Hunters; intrepid, outspoken and…
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If you love to ski, this is the year to get a passport quick and book a flight to Australia. According to Gadling, unusually heavy snowfall this year has created the best skiing conditions in about 20 years. Gadling says: For instance, popular resort Falls Creek has received more than their fair share of the white stuff, with 89 inches of accumulation for the season thus far. That's their highest total since 1992. Similarly, Mount Hotham, another resort in the…
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Labor Day is just around the corner, and if you renew your passport now, you can take advantage of some incredible travel deals for one last hurrah before the summer is over. For example, Jaunted has posted a list of awesome, cheap excursions, such as 4 nights in the Bahamas for $299 per person, including airfare. There are also some wonderful deals on Labor Day cruises, with cruises to the Bahamas as low as $229 person, Mexico cruises as low…
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If you've been waiting for the Mediterranean to become more affordable, why not get a fast passport and get cheap tickets with Alitalia's latest sale? SmarterTravel reports that the Italian airline is offering great prices on flights from the US to Mediterranean countries including Italy, Greece, Spain and Turkey. Flights from Barcelona to Miami are available for as little as $661 per person, round trip. Flights from New York To Rome start at $804, and flights from Boston to Florence…
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If you grew up around trees, you probably have fond memories of hanging out with your friends in a homemade treehouse. If you're in the mood for a little bit of childhood nostalgia (or you didn't have access to a treehouse growing up and feel deprived), a new hotel in Sweden consists of designer treehouses that put our childhood hangouts to shame. According to the Daily Mail, the Treehotel in Harads, Sweden consists of four treehouses, each about 13 to…
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Do you like to travel "off the beaten path?" Are you looking for some travel inspiration? The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites just got longer, giving you 21 new reasons to check the expiration date on your passport. UNESCO's World Heritage Program aims to "encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity." To make the UNESCO World Heritage List, sites must meet one or more…
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In an attempt to keep up with increasing demand, the US Department of State is expanding the number of regional passport agency offices capable of issuing emergency passports. One new office is planned for San Diego, California. On August 10th, the Department of State is holding a tour of the future site of the new office, which is currently scheduled to open to the public in the spring of next year. In a press release, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State…
