Passport Fees Increasing July 13

If you are thinking of getting a passport or need a current passport renewed now is the time to do it before increased fees kick in on the 13th.

The new passport prices take effect next week, on July 13. So you’ll save money by applying or renewing this week. How much? Here are some comparisons:

• Adult passport: New fee: $135. Old fee: $100
• Adult passport renewal: New fee: $110.  Old fee: $75
• Minor passport (under age 16): New fee: $105. Old fee; $85
• Adult passport card (allows border crossings by land): New fee: $55. Old fee: $45
• Minor passport card: New fee: $40. Old fee: $35
• Extra visa pages: New fee: $82. Old fee: It was free of charge

To learn how to apply for a passport or renew one, go to the State Department’s website for travelers.

Free Travel Guides

I happened across the Spanair website today and noticed they have a great selection of free travel guides for over 300 destinations.  Most of them are in Europe, but there is a good selection from around the globe.

Spanair website for travel guides link

Page one example for Rome (there are 15 pages in the guide):

I hope you enjoy this resource.

Travel Tip

Now is a great time to visit Vancouver BC and South Africa.  Why you might ask?  Both destinations were the site of a major event, the Winter Olympics for Vancouver BC and the World Cup in South Africa.  100's of millions of dollars were spent on improving infrastructure and building new tourist facilities.  So now is a great time to take advantage of the improvements made for the big events before they begin to show their age.

Flying tip

Here's a great flying tip, you don't have to fly into and out of the same airport.  This is a great option if your are planning on driving when you get to your destination.  As an example, say you are flying to France and plan on spending some time in Paris, then renting a car and driving to Provence where you will end your vacation.  Instead of driving back to Paris you could choose an airport closer to where you end your vacation, in this example Marseille would be a great option.

Some things to consider:

1. Always check the pricing, it typically will not add much to your ticket price to have an "open jaw" itinerary.
2. Make sure your car rental agency is not charging you a one-way drop-off fee.

The Five Best Airports for Filling Up on Fancy Fast Food || Jaunted

With in-flight food options worse than ever, many of us are subjected to whatever fried foods are available within the terminal. Thankfully some airports bring a little local love through TSA, and make city favorites available to folks like us. We took a look around and found the Five Best Airports across the country to get your Fast Food Fix. Here’s what we think:

The Five Best Airports for Filling Up on Fancy Fast Food || Jaunted

European Auto Deliver Program

Thinking of buying a new European Automobile?  Several European manufacturers offer a delivery program where you travel to Europe, take delivery of your new vehicle, drive it in Europe for your vacation, and then drop it off at a designated shipping port.  And then in a few short weeks your new car will be delivered to the dealer closest to your home where you can then take delivery.

Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo all offer a European delivery program.  Saab is in transition and may continue offering the program, still to be determined.

About.com Budget Travel has an excellent article on the European delivery program, as does each manufacturer, here is a quick summary:

About.com article link


How It Works

Each automaker has its own procedure for taking factory deliveries in Europe, but here's a general synopsis:

1. You arrange to purchase an eligible model at your home dealership.

2. Purchase and travel arrangements are completed.

3. You travel to the factory with the necessary documents, take delivery and travel the highways of Europe.

4. Your trip ends either back at the factory or some other drop-off point in Europe.

5. The car is shipped to your home dealership and arrives a number of weeks later, where you take final delivery.


Audi - Based in Ingolstadt, Germany, Audi is among the newest companies to offer European Delivery. One of the most popular features of the program is Audi allows you to end your European trip in one of 14 cities and there is no drop-off fee for any location.

BMW - As the name of the company implies, Bavarian Motor Works always starts its European Delivery program in Munich. But there is an array of geographic options for drop-off and shipment: 19 locations in six European nations with Italian locations involving an additional fee.

Mercedes-Benz - Mercedes offers two packages: the Standard Package, and the Black Forest-Alps Rally. Both include lodging at selected hotels, 15 days of zero-deductible comprehensive insurance, ground transportation to/from drop-off points, and ocean shipping.

Porsche - From its factory near Stuttgart, Porsche offers 18 drop-off locations throughout Europe. Porsche also offers a Travel Club that schedules road tours throughout Europe. There are also Porsche Weekends that feature scenic or challenging drives.

Volvo - Volvo offers free round trip airfare to Sweden for two via SAS and one night in a Gothenburg hotel. Keep in mind this is a popular program, and its availability often is limited. You may only use the airfares when your car is ready for delivery.

Davault Travel can assist you in planning your European road trip, airline tickets, hotels and tours.

European travel a bargain in 2010?

The Euro has dropped significantly in value against the US Dollar this year.  While it still isn't as  low as it was when it was first launched the current exchange rate of 1.25 is still a four year low. When added to the price reductions many 3,4 and 5 star hotels have made over the last year now is a great time to visit the Europe.