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What are the New Travel Laws regarding Passports for Canadians Traveling to the US?

November 5th, 2009 No comments

Since the tragic events of 911, there have been many changes to the laws when traveling from Canada to the United States. These changes are designed to enhance security between the two countries. When a Canadian travels to the US, they should be aware of the new travel laws regarding Passports.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is one law that Canadians should learn about. It is a US law mandating that all travelers, including US and Canadian residents, provide a passport or other approved secure document when entering the United States. This law applies to all travelers, including children.

Canadians who travel by plane to and from the United States must provide one of the following documents: a passport or a NEXUS card to be presented at all U.S. airports when coming back to Canada. For example, if a Canadian travels to the US by vehicle, but returns to Canada by flights, a NEXUS card will be required before they can board the flight.

When Canadians enter the United States by land or water, they are mandated to provide ONE of the following documents: a passport; a NEXUS card, a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or enhanced identification card, or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status.

For Canadians under the age of 15, they must provide verification of their Canadian citizenship, such as an original or a photocopy of a birth certificate, or an original citizenship card. Canadian citizens 18 years of age or under who are traveling with an organized group may provide proof of Canadian citizenship only. This makes it easier to make school trips to the US.

There have been some concerns about meeting all of the requirements so the US has provided some flexibility on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) law. However, the Canadian Government warns that the extent of this flexibility is the decision of the U.S. officials.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was created after the implementation of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA). This act mandated that every traveler have a passport or other approved document that proves one’s identity when coming into the United States. The purpose was to help the Department of Homeland Security identify a traveler quickly.

As of August 15, 2007, the Canadian Government has implemented measures to make renewing one’s passport easier. The Simplified Passport Renewal Program permits Canadians who meet specific eligibility criteria to renew their passport using a less complicated form and without submitting such documents as proof of citizenship, supplementary identification, and a guarantor declaration. Under the renewal program, one will just need to submit the small form along with two new photos, the application fee, and their last passport. As well, Passport Canada enacted a simpler guarantor policy, which allows most adult Canadian passport holders to act as guarantors for first time applicants.

In order to avoid any travel disruptions, before Canadians travel, they should be aware of the entry requirements for the United States.

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Golf Resorts in the US

October 23rd, 2009 No comments

Each and every year, golfers from all around the world travel to the United States to play golf. The United States is often considered the golfing Mecca of the world. The United States is filled with popular golf resorts and courses. Many of these resorts and courses are backed by mind boggling history. Many of these courses are the sites in which the legends made their names and built their legendary stories.

There are many old golf resorts in the United States. The Pinehurst Resort which was founded in 1895 is one of the oldest resorts in America. This North Carolinian golf resort has more golf courses than any other course in America. With eight golf courses, this golf resort is sometimes referred to as the home of golf in America. The resorts second course is probably its most famous and most difficult.

The Pinehurst Resort consists of two thousands acres and eight different courses which is more than any resort in the United States. Course number one and three are classic courses. This course was founded in 1898 by various architects. While this is a short course only consisting of 70 pars and a little over six thousand yards, a few mistakes can make for a very long day. This popular course went through nine months of renovations and reopened in March 2008.

The Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which is located near Charleston, South Carolina, is the second most popular golf resort in the US. The resort is filled with many extremely challenging courses as well as a stunning hotel. This resort is made of up five courses which were designed by legends of the sport including Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. Many tournaments have been held at the resort including the 2007 PGA.

The 2012 PGA Championships is going to be held at the Ocean Golf Course which is part of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The Ocean Golf Course was named the most famous and best golf course in South Carolina by Golf Digest. Pete Dye designed the Ocean Golf Course which offers a unique challenge because of the westerly and easterly winds. This course is often ranked within the top twenty five best courses in America.

The Kapalua Resort is one of the most popular golf resorts in the United States. This resort which overlooks the Pacific hosts a classic Ritz-Carlton hostel as well as the world class Plantation Course. This resort which is located in Lahaina, Hawaii is set on a former Maui pineapple plantation. The resort stretches over twenty three thousand acres. This extremely popular United States golf resort consists of two world class Maui golf courses.

The Bay Course which is a world famous golf course is part of the Kapalua Resort. The Bay Course is a seventy two par course which was designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane. The course spans an area of six thousand six hundred yards. The PGA Tour SBS Championship is held at the Plantation Course which is also part of the Kapalua Resort. This seventy three par course covers an area of seven thousand four hundred and eleven yards.

Discover all the golf resorts of the globe, find a golf resort an interactive database of all the best golf resorts in the globe.

Chicago Attractions: Sites and Sounds

August 31st, 2009 No comments

The city of Chicago is quite the spectacle. For those visiting for the very first time, it helps to know which Chicago attractions to start with. First off, I recommend the John Hancock Observatory and also the Chicago occupational health services Skydeck located at the Sears Tower. Here you will get a truly magnificent view of this grand city.

Next on your journey, you might have a desire to explore the history of this diverse and fascinating city. You can accomplish that at Navy Pier, where you will find the Time Scape. This fun contraption makes it possible to explore history and future of Chicago in a simulated 3-D experience. If that is not enough fun for you, feel free to visit the Chicago Funhouse Maze.

It would be a fun activity for friends and family having twisted underground tunnels, mirror mazes and dazzling skyscrapers to unravel. For the kids and kids at heart, one of the Chicago attractions that you can check out is the FireZone. It is a unique interactive environment teaching the basics of fire safety. There are real firefighters and fire engines in the property integrated into the educational displays resulting in a fun learning environment.

If it’s romance you’re looking for, there is no shortage of Chicago boat tours to go on. One of these is the Odyssey, and it’s as romantic as they get. You’ll be able to send a few hours basking in the luxury of this ship, as you enjoy entertainment second to none, along with fine wine, music and the best skyline vistas you could ask for.

The best part is that in the summer, your cruise will be complemented by firework shows on Wednesdays and Sundays. This really creates the perfect mood for a romantic getaway.

In addition to all this, there are plenty more ways to see Chicago attractions. One of the best ways is by bus with tour. Not only would you see sites that you didn’t even know about before, but you’ll get some unique insight on them by the experienced and knowledgeable tour guides.

While you are out, don’t forget to join one of the many tours that see different niche parts of the city. There is a gourmet dining tour, tours for kids, and plenty of others. And in addition to that, there are also two awesome zoos in Chicago. One of them, the Lincoln Park Zoo, is the oldest in the U.S. but is still one of the best to visit. And my favorite part of it is that it is free to visit all year round.

The other one is Brookfield Zoo located west of downtown Chicago. The zoo is beautifully landscaped and is the home of over two thousand animals. Other Chicago attractions that are well noted are the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium.

Chicago is among the fascinating places on the planet to go to. There is no shortage of Chicago attractions to see, such as the Shedd Aquarium. Make a trip to Chicago and create memories that will last.

Top Hotels in Downtown New York City

July 13th, 2009 No comments
by Angelina Edwards

New York is one of the cities which you will definitely want to visit for many reasons. I must tell you that it is the business capital of the world. Out here you will find so many different hotels that you will be quite confused that which hotel you should choose to enjoy the vacation or your business trip. Let me tell you that it is one of the major cities of the world and the economy of the whole world is dependent on the economy of the US and indirectly the stock market of the New York.

No matter you want to stay in the heart of the Wall Street Financial District or you want to take pleasure in the nightlife of Greenwich Village, there are a number of hotels situated in Downtown New York which can really suit your needs.

Some of the most excellent hotels in Downtown, New York City are:

1. New York Marriott Downtown It is a leading hotel located in Downtown district. It offers you a superlative level of lavishness and service during your stay here! It is the only New York’s Marriott hotel situated in Financial District. You can even enjoy in the sports lounge and 85 West Cocktail Bar. The famous historical monument statue of liberty is situated nearby the hotel.

2. The Millenium Hilton This luxury hotel is positioned in the heart of World Trade Center or the financial district in Downtown. You are just about a few miles away from some of the most well-known attractions including Wall Street, Battery Park and the South Street Seaport. All the guestrooms of the hotel are well premeditated and fully furnished. You get an access to some of the world class deluxe amenities like 42 inch Plasma Television, free internet access and dual-line cordless phone. The hotel offers about 471 guestrooms and 98 deluxe suites to its guests. The world famed shopping center; Century 21 is neighboring to the hotel.

3. Embassy Suites Hotel It is the only fashionable all-suite hotel placed on the water in Downtown, Manhattan. It stands directly across the World Trade Center. The suites in this hotel are very comfortable and airy with private bedroom and washroom. Various artwork and wall paintings created by world renowned artists are displayed throughout the hotel. The 15- storey sun atrium offers spectacular views of the Hudson River and the rest of the New York City. This is a wonderful place for you to visit and it is so convenient that it has every basic amenity to offer you.

These are some of the best hotels located in Downtown, New York. I would definitely say that when you next time go to New York then you should definitely visit these hotels.

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Mexico Is Abundant With Touring Options For All

July 2nd, 2009 No comments
by Chino Dominguez

If you’re curious about or you’re going to visit Mexico, you might have to secure methods to traveling. Unless you’re going to stay at a beach resort, spa resort, or even golfing resort, it is likely that you will wish to get out and experience all the things which Mexico has to offer.

Maybe, the most popular method of travel is driving and though the majority of people fly into Mexico, some drive and if you do drive into Mexico, it’s likely that you would want to make use of your own vehicle. The major thing that you need to be worried about is the paperwork and car insurance that are required to drive there.

If you are intending to use your own car to travel in or about Mexico, you’ll need to file for a vehicle import permit. Such licenses can be obtained prior to leaving for Mexico or you can obtain them as soon as you arrive. Vehicle import permits are critical as if you don’t have one you might be jailed, fined, or have the vehicle impounded.

Along with getting a vehicle import permit, you’ll also need to have insurance and sadly, most people believe that their current car insurance policy would cover a Mexico vacation, but in most cases, this is not the case. To obtain car insurance while within Mexico, you’ll need to locate a Mexican auto insurance company or one that functions internationally. While initially scheduling your Mexico vacation, it’s encouraged that you obtain auto insurance for your trip.

Not all travelers enter Mexico driving themselves so if you choose to fly into Mexico, you can still use a car to get around as a large number of tourists decide to rent a car here, where they are a cheap and easy way to get about.

Similar to car rental policies within the US, you need to be at a minimum 25 years of age to rent a vehicle, although other requirements may include, but are not limited to, possessing a valid driver’s license as well as a present insurance policy. Just like using a personal automobile, you might have to get auto insurance from a provider in Mexico.

Traveling by train, in Mexico, can be an amazing time and you’ll find that a train ride is a great way to see everything that Mexico can show. Along with standard train journeys, you’ll discover that Mexico provides several rail excursions that are an excellent method for one to see the sights while traveling to another part of the country.

In addition to car rentals, driving yourself, or taking the train, you could also move around Mexico through using the bus lines and in numerous areas of Mexico, moving around via bus is very advocated. Buses are based in great areas, many times, every hour, also buses are available throughout the country, even in vacation destinations that are not as well-known or popular. No matter where you’re situated, it should be possible for you catch a bus.

Traveling by car, bus, or train is often viewed as the sole way to move about Mexico though it might also be possible for you to move about by boat. The only downside to traveling by boat is that you’re given a small amount of travel options, but if you are interested in traveling between coastal cities, that might be a great way to get to your next place to sight see.

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