Tag: best passport pictures

The 4 best ways to see a new country

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

When you take a trip abroad you likely want to learn at least a little about the country’s culture, people, food and more. Unfortunately, many travelers never actually get to see a country the way the residents see it. Here are some of the best ways to see a new country.

CouchSurfing

CouchSurfing started as a local movement in 2003 and has since gone global. The idea is that you stay for free at members’ homes overnight or for a couple of days, eating with them and exchanging conversation. You might sleep on a couch, on the floor or in a spare bedroom; whatever they have available. After you sign up with the organization, you can avail yourself of all the spare couches across the globe. This is a very personalized way to get to know people from another country on a one-to-one level.

Long train rides

Riding a train across an area like Eastern Europe, for example, is a special way to see the countryside and meet lots of different people along the way. You may have a sleeper car or just sleep in your seat. Either way, you’ll invariably run into residents who are eager to talk to you and share ideas and maybe even a meal.

Taxi rides

As soon as you arrive in your new country, ask your airport taxi driver if they’d be willing to pick you up from your hotel the next morning and give you a real tour of the city from a personal perspective for a lump sum. Taxi drivers have a unique view of the city, and they know all the back roads and “secret” spots that you’ll never read about it a tour book. Your driver can show you spots where you can visit during your stay and tell you about any neighborhoods you should avoid.

Exchange yourself

If you’re a college student, you can become an exchange student and live with a family in another country while you finish a semester in that country. You’ll meet other students your own age at school, and likely make a lasting connection with your host family. As an exchange student, you would be fully integrated into their family life, attending social events with them, eating meals with them, and taking part in daily chores.

No matter how you get around in a new country, make sure you practice personal safety. Keep your passport and any spare passport photos in a safe location at all times, travel with a buddy whenever possible, and always let a friend or family member know your plans for the day.

Photo: ETR 450 by harlock81 licensed under Creative commons 2

Why you need travelers insurance

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Before you make travel plans be sure to apply for, or renew your passport. Depending on which state you live in, your local post office can issue you a passport photo. After you obtain your passport, you can then apply for traveler’s insurance.

Travel insurance provides short-term security for domestic and foreign travelers. Millions of people travel to foreign and domestic countries every year and fail to prepare for medical emergencies, evacuation plans or unexpected disasters. Most travel insurance policies cover such basics and should be part of a pre-planned trip.

What type of insurance to look for

You want the type of insurance that will pay you in the event of an emergency. If you or someone in your family gets ill, you want the assurance of knowing that you are covered, even in a foreign country. Be sure to include medical coverage in your policy, and get a clear understanding of what the policy actually covers. For example:

  • Ask if the policy covers private or public hospitals
  • Will the policy pay for accidents following a sporting event if you are a participant?
  • Does the policy cover new or existing illnesses, if so, what is the waiting period?
  • Does the policy provider offer 24 hour support via online or telephone?
  • Does the plan include dental expenses?

If you are traveling abroad and you have a pre-existing medical condition, be sure to take your own insurance policy. Even if you purchase a traveler’s insurance policy, there is no guarantee the policy will cover your illness in another country. If the policy does cover pre-existing conditions, be sure your illness is on the approval list.

Look for policies that cover loss, theft and damage

If possible, purchase an insurance policy with theft, loss and damage coverage. Millions of tourists lose their belongings to theft, fire, damage or disaster. If this happens, you want to be sure you are covered. If any of these situations occur, be sure to file a police report and get documentation. Insurance companies will not pay for loss without a police report.

If you are traveling with expensive items, be sure to have them insured before you leave home. Policies offering coverage of expensive items usually cost more. Traveler’s insurance is great to have, and it does offer the most protection when you are away from home, on vacation or traveling abroad.

Travel mistakes to avoid making this year

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

To those perpetually infected by wanderlust, there’s no “why” when it comes to travel, only “when” and “where”. No matter where you’re headed off to next, it’s essential to make sure that your passion for using your passport doesn’t leave you stranded.

In just one crucial moment of carelessness, many a savvy globetrotter has wound up wondering how they managed to make it home. Before you pack your bags, make a point of keeping these big travel mistakes in mind and out of your life.

Keeping your credit card company in the dark

One of the biggest lapses of judgement that can be made before embarking on any international escapade is the failure to give your credit card company notice in advance. If your credit card company suddenly sees foreign charges getting registered on your account with no idea of your location, you’re liable to wind up getting your account frozen at a very inconvenient or downright embarrassing moment. Do your best to spare yourself and the credit card company the headache by letting them know what country you’re headed off too before the overseas purchases start.

Sandwiching flight times too closely together

Planning the particulars of any big trip can get hectic, but no matter what, make sure to leave an ample cushion of time between your flights whenever possible. Even the most organized travel plans can fall apart like a deck of cards when you miss a flight that’s scheduled to take off just minutes after your first one lands. Make sure that each transfer gives you time to inhale and exhale before settling on any plane ticket purchases.

Skipping out on airport currency

No matter where you’re going, getting local currency should be your first priority upon landing. You could very well get local currency from a public ATM, but getting your local currency from the airport will generally be more affordable due to a slightly lower exchange rate. As a rule of thumb, you’ll be best off getting enough local currency to cover possible emergencies, but never any amount so large you can’t afford to lose it.

Not getting your passport photo approved

Of all the unexpected things that can put a speed bump in traveling plans, one that can trip up even the best-prepared traveler is a simple passport photo disapproval. You certainly don’t want to go through the trouble of working out every fine detail of your flight itinerary, only get grounded due to a simple photo. We specialize in helping travelers like you get their passport photos approved the right way. If you’d like to streamline the process of getting your photo approved, contact us today!

Photo: Credit Card by 401(K) 2013 licensed under Creative commons 2

Did you know about these passport rules?

Published on in photography, travel by Paspic

Since they are the main form of identification governing international travel, it shouldn’t be surprising that passports come with all sorts of rules that may seem complicated at first. Whether you’re a first time traveler or a seasoned veteran who has been to many different countries, it may be a good idea to review this list of little-known passport facts.

• Your passport is actually the property of the government that issued it (just read the fine print inside the document to see for yourself). This means that it must be surrendered upon request of an authorized member of the US government.

• Your passport photo needs to be taken within six months of your passport application. This is to make sure your general appearance is the same as what is on the document itself.

• Some countries require traveler’s passports to fall outside a certain range of its expiration date, usually three or six months. This is to help prevent unsuspecting tourists get stranded in a foreign country with an expired passport.

• Passport photos should be taken in plain clothes, rather than a uniform, and many countries will not accept passports that are taken while in uniform.

• Don’t let your passport get too damaged, since this can render it invalid. Your photo and all information needs to be clearly visible or you will need to get a new passport issued. This may be especially important for those travelers who love adventure.

• In some cases, you will need a certain number of remaining pages left in your passport to enter a country. Or, if you are planning on travelling to several countries in succession, it might be a good idea to renew your passport just to get some extra space. If your passport can’t be stamped anymore, it can no longer be used.

• In some countries, you may present a valid visa in an expired passport, as long as you’re able to show a current passport alongside of it. Make sure to do your research first and find out if this applies in your case.

Photo: Passport by seantoyer licensed under Creative commons 2