Have you ever seen people using their cell phones to take pictures under water? There is an inexpensive phone bag that you can purchase to protect it under water. I've seen many people use these to take pictures of tropical fish. They work great.
I was holding out on applying for pre-check, as I had automatically gotten it so many times at the airport. However, one of the last times I was at the airport around 6:00 AM, I had to wait in line to go through the screening process for about 45 minutes. I had flown six times last year, that means going through security 12 times. Of those 12 times, I got pre-check four times. It seems like I am getting it less and less and the lines are getting longer and longer. What are my advantages with having pre-check: Why should you join TSA Pre✓®?
Complete the online application or you can complete the entire process in person at an application center. Schedule an appointment online or by calling (855) 347-8371 weekdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments take priority. Visit an application center to:
How will I know that I have been cleared for TSA Pre✓®? Participating airlines will print a TSA Pre✓® indicator directly on the boarding pass. I realized that the money I would spend on getting the pre-check option would be well worth it as the designation is good for 5 years. So I made my decision to apply. When I went on-line to find out what I needed to do, I found that there were two options: Pre-Check or Global Entry. Global Entry gave more benefits and was only $15 more, but I had to go to the airport for an interview to fulfill the requirements. I applied Global Entry. As a pre-screened Global Entry member, I check-in at the Global Entry kiosk when I enter the US and I'm on my way. Other reasons to apply for Global Entry are:
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is a Rome Pilgrimage to Mother Teresa’s Canonization from September 2 - 8 7 days - 5 nights. Land Package $1999.00 Day 1 – 02 Sep: USA, Rome Depart John F. Kennedy International Airport to Rome, Fiumicino aboard Alitalia. Dinner and breakfast served on board. Day 2 - 03 Sep: Rome Upon arrival at Rome’s airport, after completing immigration and customs procedures you will be met by our local assistant and transferred by coach to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free to rest and relax or to start discovering this fascinating city. Dinner will be at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant. [D] Day 3 - 04 Sep: Rome – Canonization Ceremony at the Vatican After breakfast at the hotel a short coach drive to Vatican City to assist the mass to St. Peter’s Basilica to assist to the ceremony. The canonization ceremony is conducted as follows: - The saint's life history is read aloud. - The pope chants the following in Latin: In honor of the Blessed Trinity, for the exaltation of the Catholic Faith and the growth of Christian life, with the authority of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and Our Own, after lengthy reflection, having assiduously invoked God's assistance and taken into account the opinion of many brothers of ours in the episcopate, we declare and define Blessed Teresa of Kolkota to be a saint and we enroll her in the Catalogue of the saints, and we establish that in the whole Church she should be devoutly honored among the saints. In the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen . - The person is officially recognized as a saint at this point. A large tapestry with an image of the saint is unfurled before the faithful to admire and venerate. After the mass the remainder of the day is at leisure to wander around the Vatican and Rome. Overnight at your hotel. [B] Call Peterson Travel Pros for More Information: 612-559-6545 The average cruise base price per day in 1985 was $367 (in 2016 dollars) for a cruise in the Caribbean. Today the average base price per day is only $77. Keep in mind, you can spend a lot more if you want a suite, and this does not include port charges or taxes. Cruises are just a small fraction (about 21%) of what they cost 30 years ago. Part of the price difference is because the ships have become huge and there is a large economic scale. Another part is that the cruise lines make ALL their money on what they manage to sell you once you’re on board, and the fare is a loss-leader to get you on the ship. Regardless of the reason, there is no doubt that cruising represents great vacation value. One of the best deals is the re-positioning cruises that a cruise line may have once or twice a year. For example, the ship may leave Florida for the Caribbean for our Spring and Summer and move to Italy for November through March. Sailing from Florida to Europe, they may stop at a couple of ports. Since there are a lot of days at sea, the cruise is very reasonable. Let us help you find the perfect cruise. www.PetersonTravelPros.com Zion is a truly spectacular national park, with narrow trails winding up and along immense sandstone cliffs, creeks rushing through valleys, and jagged rocky outcrops spiking the sky. Slot canyons are scattered throughout this landscape. Keyhole Canyon is a particularly good place to try this out. It takes about three hours to reach the park entrance from the city. On the way, food is available in Mesquite, Nev., and in St. George, Utah. Zion is one of those places that defies easy description. All the appropriate adjectives-"awesome," "spectacular," "magnificent"-sound like exaggerations, but in fact they don't even do it justice. With its tall golden walls, the deep canyon is like an enchanted interior -- something you'd expect to see in a "Lord of the Rings" movie. There is no bad time to visit Zion. In winter, you can take the scenic route through the canyon in your own vehicle, but from the end of March through the end of October, you must take one of the Park Service's shuttle buses. Either way, you can stop at several or all of the landmarks and viewing points along the route, then return to the park entrance at your leisure. With more time, it's possible to explore other areas of the park and enjoy some of the trails to waterfalls and scenic views. The rustic and inviting Zion Lodge has rooms, cabins and a restaurant. Red Rock Canyon By far the closest natural wonder to Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon, which is a mere 40-minute drive from the Strip. A one-way "scenic loop" through the most picturesque rock formations is like taking a hike without ever leaving your vehicle. Even so, it's worth stopping at some of the parking areas and walking a bit for even better views and a closer look at the flora and fauna in the area. If you're lucky, you might even meet a desert tortoise. The sandstone cliffs at Bryce Canyon will impress you with their peculiar colors and they will delight your camera lens. Take a hike down into one of the canyons and watch as birds soar high above the pinnacles that surround you. This is worth the 210 mile, three hour drive from Las Vegas. If you have been following the Zika virus as closely as many travelers, you are probably wondering how to protect yourself from mosquitoes. We wanted to provide some insight as to how you can do just that. Zika virus isn't the only mosquito borne illness travelers need to worry about. There is dengue, malaria and West Nile virus.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention created an infographic showing how you can be proactive in avoiding bug bites. Although the media is focused on the Zika virus, it is important to remember that there are many insects you must protect yourself against while traveling. Whether you are backpacking the Appalachian Trail or headed to the Caribbean for spring break, it is important to remember to protect yourself from all insects and not focus singularly on the mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus. The CDC recommends spray that is at least 20% DEET. I have traveled to destinations before where repellent that contained the recommended level of DEET wasn't enough. While I left without illness, I was still sorry I didn't do more. You might think that terrorist is the biggest cause of death when traveling, but you would be wrong. Between October 2002 and June 1015, a total of 10,545 Americans died abroad due to non-natural causes. The leading cause of death -- traffic accidents. Tallying in at 3,104, traffic accidents are more likely to kill American travelers than homicide, which came in second at 2,000. That is not to say that terrorism should be downplayed from tragedy to coincidence, but maybe people should inform themselves on other common dangers. A review of the U.S. State Department’s registry of American deaths abroad reveals that the horror of the Metrojet bombing obscures reality: It turns out Egyptian drivers are responsible for far more American fatalities than Egyptian terrorists." Another surprising finding seemed to be the number of drownings. Certain countries were dangerous due to their water-based attractions. With 1,320 deaths by drowning, places like Mexico, the Bahamas and Costa Rica are to be treated with caution around activities like swimming, diving and other water activities. So, as the data supports, it looks like the dangers travelers really need to worry about are day to day safety issues in unique cultural surroundings. Drive, swim and explore safely. Amanda Hand 3/30/2016 Terrorism is a global concern right now. We have had the attacks in Paris, Beirut, Tunisia and now Brussels. While we have had a lot of travelers voicing their concerns, it often has little to do with canceling their trip and more to do with what coverage travel insurance can provide when facing terrorism. Here are 4 things about terrorism and travel insurance you probably didn't know. 1. Cancellation is a possibility Most travel insurance companies will allow for travelers to cancel their trip if a terrorist attack occurs in a city they are traveling to, through or from. If Paris was simply the location of a layover, a traveler could still be eligible for cancellation. Usually the attack must have occurred within 30 days of departure and travelers must have the policy before the attack took place. Be careful when choosing your policy, some companies do not allow for cancellation if your supplier allows a substitute itinerary, regardless if you are afraid to travel. 2. Emergency assistance is most likely provided During 9/11, it was almost impossible to get out of the city. Phone lines were down and cell phones weren't working. Imagine being in a country while all of this is happening, and you don't speak the language. Having access to emergency assistance through your travel insurance company can make an incredible difference. Emergency assistance companies provide years of knowledge and training for these exact instances. 3. Evacuation is an option There are times where a terrorist incident can cause severe instability within a nation. If you are traveling, and an event like this occurs, it may be necessary for you to have a non-medical evacuation. If that is the case, the emergency assistance you are provided can assist in making the arrangements, while travel insurance can cover the costs. There have been instances in the past where this has saved lives. We saw it in Egypt during political unrest and Nepal during the earthquakes. 4. Medical expenses are covered If you are injured and need medical treatment, travel insurance will be able to cover the costs. This will obviously be dependent on your plan and benefit limit. If you were looking to cut costs, and bypass having primary medical coverage, then you would miss out on this option and probably pay expenses out of pocket. Some insurance policies may cover $50,000 while other may cover $100,000 in medical expenses. Be sure to read your policy and know your benefit limit before purchasing. Depending on the company you choose, travel insurance can provide access to emergency assistance, coverage for medical expenses and more. Always be sure to understand your benefits and policy before traveling and call your customer service representative with any questions. By Amanda Hand on Mar 25, 2016 Travel Safe |
|