Depending on how you will travel you may very well need a Passport and it’s highly suggested you obtain one if you are traveling outside of the country in which you reside.
As an example, most cruises that leave from the United States and return to the United States at the end of the cruise, you can use your birth certificate and state issue ID, but if for any reason there is an issue where you must be flown back to the United States and you don’t return on the ship, then you could run into possible issues during reentry.
Figure out how long it will take to exit and re-enter customs, immigration and security, and if you need a visa. Also calculate the estimated round-trip travel time, including potential traffic hazards. Now compare that number with the hours between flights.
If your layover is four hours or less, you should probably stay put.
Most international airports offer exceptional dining and shopping opportunities, plus some unique diversions: nature trails and movies (Singapore), museum-quality art exhibits (Amsterdam’s Schiphol), guided airport tours (Brussels, Prague, Frankfurt) and even an ice skating rink (Munich). You can also book a day room at a mini-hotel (London Heathrow, Japan’s Narita, Beijing) or consider buying a day pass to an airport lounge.
For longer layovers, check the airport’s Web site or stop by the on-site help desk for information on transportation options as well as distances to major attractions. (Oftentimes, public transportation can be quicker than cabs.) Also consider a tour that caters to transit visitors, such as London Magical Tours, which departs from Gatwick and Heathrow.
Gender should never be an obstacle to travel, but unfortunately some countries are not as welcoming to women as others. Check out International Women’s Travel Center’s Worst 8. But don’t draw a red lipstick X over these spots; just follow these empowering guidelines. (They apply to solo men, too.)
Always know where you going. Research in advance safe neighborhoods and methods of travel. Choose a hotel in a lively area with a constant stream of people. Use only certified cabs; ask a hotel or restaurant to call you a ride. Also always make sure that someone — your mother, the concierge — knows your general whereabouts. Wear plain clothes and follow local dress customs, especially in Muslim countries. Stick to busy districts and streets and avoid traveling at night. If you feel unsafe or sense that someone is following you, duck into the nearest hotel or restaurant and ask for help. And even if you are feeling nervous inside, always walk tall, with confidence and attitude.
There are more than two dozen Caribbean islands, plus Bermuda and Mexico’s Cancun and Cozumel, and each has its own flavor. Here are some ideas:
• Snorkelers and divers: Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
• Nature lovers: Dominica, St. John, Tobago
• Vacation-time maximizers: Nonstop flights from our region’s three airports on commercial airlines travel either year-round or seasonally to Aruba, Bermuda, Cancun, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Nassau, Dominican Republic, St. Martin, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico.
• Beach connoisseurs: Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla
• Partiers: Aruba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico
• All-inclusive fans: Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cancun
• Loners: Saba, Eleuthera, Curacao
Before obtaining a visa, you should first determine whether or not the country you’re traveling to requires one. Many countries require a visa for stays exceeding 90 days. The U.S. Department of State is a great resource for American citizens looking to travel abroad and provides a wealth of knowledge and country-specific details, including entry and exit requirements, visa information and travel alerts and warnings.
If you do need a visa, call or make an appointment with the country’s consulate. The consulate will provide you with the next steps for obtaining a visa, and tell you whether or not you can send the visa paperwork via mail or if you must apply in person. Keep in mind that visa costs and fees vary from country to country. Also, note that some countries have multiple consulates and cater to geographical areas, so make sure you are in contact with the specific consulate assigned to your region.
There is no definitive rule of thumb to help you determine whether or not travel insurance is necessary. However, we at Circle The Globe Travel suggests getting it and recommended investing in travel insurance if it’s a trip that you can’t afford to lose. Travel insurance is always a good idea if you can swing it, especially when you are planning a big trip and have invested significantly into your travel plans. Other factors, such as specific health restrictions, should also be considered. For instance, if you have a health condition that may cause you to cancel your travel plans, health insurance is probably a smart investment. But most importantly, if travel insurance will ease your travel anxieties, it’s worth it.
Circle The Globe Travel offers a Payment Schedule (“Layaway Plan”) to help facilitate the payments and expense of trips. The CTGT “Layaway” payment schedule(s) noted for each trip must be strictly followed in order to guarantee the package rates in effect when your deposit is made. Client agrees to be responsible for the layaway amount due at time of Cancellation. Failure to follow the established payment schedule may result in changes or increases to your package rate. Payment of deposit confirms your acceptance of this policy. All rates are effective today and subject to change until a deposit is received.