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Tips for Renewing Your US Passport

Tips for Renewing Your US Passport

Are you planning on traveling internationally this year??  If so, check your passport to make sure it is valid for travel.  Most countries require that your passport be valid 6 months PAST the date of your return from travel.  So…  check those passports, and if they need to be renewed, here are some helpful tips when Renewing Your Passport.

 

The best advice we can give is to allow yourself plenty of time for passport renewal, and consider paying for the expedited service to give yourself a bit more leeway to ensure you receive it back well before your planned travel dates.

 

If your expiring passport is still in good shape, was issued within the last 15 years and after you turned 16 years old you can renew it by mail.  Fill out the DS-82 passport renewal application, which you’ll send in with your expiring passport, fees and a two-by-two-inch photo which you can have taken properly at your local CVS or Walgreens.

 

The State Department even offers a passport fee calculator for users to determine the exact amount they’ll need to write their check for. Additionally, the State Department has a photo tool that travelers can use to crop and size their photos if they already have one that meets the necessary requirements. (ie: The correct size of a passport photo is: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Do not wear a hat or head covering or glasses.)

 

You can begin to track your application status online about two weeks after you’ve mailed it in. Keep in mind that mailing times are not included in processing times and officials warn that it could take up to two weeks for your mailed passport application to arrive at an agency and another two weeks for it to reach your mailbox after being printed.

 

If waiting for several weeks is not an option, you can request an appointment at a passport agency, but this is only for emergency or urgent travel. Applicants must be “traveling within 72 hours” or three business days. This is only in an emergency such as a serious illness, injury, or death in your immediate family. For those with urgent travel within two weeks, officials will require proof of immediate international travel such as purchased airline or cruise tickets.

 

Have additional questions regarding Passport Renewal??  Don’t Hesitate To Call Your Trusted Trasformativa Travel Agent!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events,  Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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Are You Planning A Summer Vacation? The Time To Start Planning Is NOW!!

Are You Planning A Summer Vacation? The Time To Start Planning Is NOW!!

Are You Planning A Summer Vacation??  The Time To Start Planning Is NOW!!

You might think it’s too early to start thinking about summer travel, but this isn’t the year to wait if you want to save. Americans are beginning to plan their summer travels now, and travel, they will. BUT…. it will also be an expensive one. Thankfully, prices aren’t as high as last year since airlines have built back capacity, but prices will remain above pre-pandemic levels because of high demand and inflation continuing to drive pricing up.

3 in 4 Americans are planning a trip this summer, according to travel experts. Inflation, higher prices, and whatever obstacles can be thrown in the way of avid travelers have not stopped them from prioritizing travel, and in some cases spending more than what they’ve previously spent.

Should You Book Summer Travel Now?

It depends. we generally recommend that people start planning international travel at least 6-9 months ahead of time (especially for travel during peak season April-August) so that you have a variety of flights and accommodation options available to you instead of dealing with limited hotel availability and flight options.

But if you are planning to travel this summer, it is best to start planning NOW. Figure out potential travel dates and destinations and use a price-tracking tool, like AirFareWatchdog that alerts you when flights are lowest.

For international trips, it’s time to get ready to book. Three to four months in advance is when there are the best prices for international flights; however, you’ll also be dealing with limited availability. Caribbean and European destinations are HOT HOT travel choices this year, and we recommend planning 6, 9 even 12 months out to have the best choices available.

Prices skyrocket as you get closer to June, when prices are up 29% for popular European destinations, like London, Paris and Italy, during the peak season of June, July and August.

When Is The Best Time To Travel During Summer?

The highest costs will be for trips during peak season; so consider traveling during Shoulder Season (the period between peak- and off-season), you could save up to 24% if they book a flight to the Caribbean and 27% to Europe. 

On the other hand, booking your European getaway for September and October is highly recommended. The end of summer is hands down THE BEST time to go to Europe. Prices drop in early June until they bottom out in September and October. However, avoid August for European Travel, as Europeans tend to take their own vacations during that month, so lots of shops and restaurants will be closed.

Here are the shoulder seasons for international destinations, when you could score lower prices.   

Caribbean:  September, October, November

Asia: Before the end of April and October.
Central America: May.
South Pacific: April to May.
North America: September to October.
Africa: September to November.
Middle East: August to September.
Northern South America: Before the end of April and September.
Southern South America: April to May and September to October.

Ready to start planning your summer and fall getaways??  Contact Your Trasformativa Travel Agent Today!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events,  Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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Americans Want Travel and Experiences Over Physical Gifts For Holidays

Americans Want Travel and Experiences Over Physical Gifts For Holidays!!

 

 

What to get that special someone for The Holidays?? I want a 7-Night All Inclusive Caribbean Getaway!!

A new study found that 77% of Americans would rather receive experiences over physical gifts this holiday season. Experiences leave you with life long memories, while that new scarf just gets thrown in the closet and forgotten.

This is what we have chosen to do with our grandchildren at holiday time. They receive so many material gifts it is almost mindboggling, that we decided to give them experiences instead. This year it’s Great Wolf Lodge and next year we have booked a Disney Cruise. Every year they can’t wait to hear what our next travel adventure together will be. These are experiences and time spent together that all of us will remember for years to come.

According to new data from GetYourGuide, 52% of respondents are planning to travel for the holidays this year; that’s up from 48% who said they would hit the road in 2021. When it comes to experiences, 63% said they would most enjoy receiving surprise travel.

Other activities respondents preferred to receive for the holidays include tickets to a concert or show; 50%, skiing, boating or hiking; 43%, a food tour or cooking class; 36%, wine or beer tasting; 31%, and a trip to the museum: 29% Overall, 96% of Americans said they would gladly take any of these experiences.

“The most wonderful time of the year is upon us once again, when we can look forward to spending time with friends and family. Perhaps as we prepare to enjoy more time with loved ones this holiday season, the best gift to unwrap isn’t a box, but an unforgettable experience to share and create long-lasting memories.

Travel and Experiences Over Physical Gifts For Holidays; Start A New Family Tradition!!  So this holiday season, Give The Gift Of Travel!! Happy Holidays!!

Contact Your Trusted Trasformativa Travel Agent Today And Let Us Help You Plan Those Memory Making Travel Adventures!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events,  Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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Why Do Travelers Need to Think About Summer 2023 Flights NOW!!

Why Do Travelers Need To Think About Summer 2023 Flights NOW!!

 

Why Do Travelers Need To Think About Summer 2023 Flights NOW!! Some people have this down to a science, they know exactly the right day and the exact time when to purchase a flight in advance, especially for the holidays.

They call it the ‘Goldilocks Window’ – like the fictional storybook character, you want to book when it’s just the right time. For you.

Normally, it’s more of a time frame rather than a specific time. For domestic flights, the time when cheap flights are most likely to pop up is about 1-3 months before a trip. For international flights, it’s 2-8 months out. That might sound like a considerable time frame, but in reality, it isn’t, especially for an international trip.

But summer is different. For peak times, including summer, we recommend you start keeping an eye on prices even earlier, around the 10-month mark. For peak times, we also see the Goldilocks Window end a bit further out from the trip. Deals start decreasing at about 4 months out and get a lot more rare as you get closer to the summer. These ranges don’t have sharp cliffs, but the odds trail off substantially outside those ranges.

Remember, too, that spring and summer of this year could be an indication of things to come. More demand from the flying public, but fewer planes and fewer pilots, all adding up to the chaotic situation that developed this year.

That means the Goldilocks Window for cheap international flights for July and August 2023 is just around the corner, and for May and June flights, it’s already begun. To track your flight routes and be alerted when they drop, sign up for AirFareWatchDog.

So Why Do Travelers Need To Think About Summer 2023 Flights NOW??  If you know you are going to travel this spring or summer, you may want to think about planning and booking, sooner than later. And for those of you already booked for vacations with us, we are watching airfare pricing for you.

Also of note, we are already seeing limited availability for hotel and resorts stays for this coming spring and summer, so again, planning sooner than later is highly recommended.

Contact Your Trusted Trasformativa Travel Agent Today!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events,  Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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