When it comes to travel preparation, people usually think of packing their things and arranging transportation, but there is so much more to it. In fact, there’s one very important thing that most travel prep checklists tend to gloss over and that’s securing the home.

Keeping your home secure is something that should really go without saying but each and every year more and more homes are broken into while people are on vacation. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to protect your home from burglary while you’re away including:

• Decent lighting
• Managing mail
• Home security
• Keeping quiet
• Fortifying doors

Let’s look at these in greater detail.

Decent lighting

Most of the time criminals aren’t going to bother letting themselves in if they suspect that someone is home. When the lights are on, it’s more likely that someone is home, and you can convey this illusion with timer switches (for inside the home) and motion lights (for outside the home). Both of these can be purchased at major hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s and they do a great job of giving a home a “lived-in” feel.

Managing mail

Probably one of the more overlooked pieces of advice is the importance of putting a hold on your mail delivery while you’re away. It falls in line with what was mentioned earlier about conveying the illusion that someone is home. If you don’t put a hold on your mail and newspaper delivery, then that stuff is just going to stack up – clearly indicating your absence. Even better may be have a neighbor pick up your mail for you, because sadly even someone at the post office or newspaper might tip off a criminal associate about a delivery hold. And that way, too, you have someone who can look in on the property.

Home security

If you watch a lot of TV or spend a decent amount of time online, then you know that there is no shortage of home security providers in this country. There are lots of sites out there to choose from like besthomesecurity.com that you can check out online for more information on this. A security system would not only help secure the home, it would also grant you greater peace of mind – enabling you to focus on the trip and less on what may or may not be happening at home.

Keeping quiet

What I mean when I say “keeping quiet” is refraining from telling the whole world about your trip. Not everyone on Facebook needs to know just how long you are going to be out of the house. You should also refrain from leaving any notes on the door that might tip people off to your absence. If you have the neighbor coming over to water your plants or feed your fish, instead of leaving them a note and a key under the mat, hand these things over in person, before you leave.

Fortifying doors

Contrary to popular belief, most criminals let themselves in through the front and back doors. If the front door isn’t sturdy enough, any seasoned burglar can pretend to be delivering a package and then, when no one’s looking, back-kick their way in. Those sliding glass back doors are especially easy to get into thanks to the weak locking mechanisms.

You can fortify the front door by purchasing a strong dead-bolt and you may even consider replacing the entire door with a solid-core model. As for the sliding glass doors, a two-by-four cut to length should be more than enough to obstruct the sliding track.

Peace of mind

Securing the home does more than does more than just minimize the chances of a break-in. Following these tips can give you greater peace of mind while you are abroad. After all, who wants to set sail for fun in the sun only to be bogged down with worry about the home front?

How do you protect your home when you’re away? Please share your tips in the comments!

Image source: flickr (oknidus)

There are two categories of “professional” passport photos. First you have portrait studios that also offer passport photos. Then there are retail photo finishing stores and drugstores that will take your photo for you. Both come with risks, for childrens’ photos but also for adults.

Retail photo stores and drugstores

Retail employees are not trained photographers, and often use a simple point-and-click digital camera and the available store lighting, so don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re getting pro equipment or pictures. The cost is less than a studio, but they don’t give you much time or choice — they’ll snap a few quick photos and you might only have 3 or 4 to choose from. If you don’t like it, too bad. Unfortunately, the rushed service, lack of training and standard fluorescent lighting almost guarantee bad results.

If you have children, there are tricks to child photography that a retail employee probably doesn’t know. And to get a good photo of a young child or infant you may need a dozen or more photos, just to get one that won’t be rejected. You rarely get this kind of service for a few dollars.

Finally, what if you need a photo for a foreign country — a visa for a country you plan to visit, or a passport from your home country if you live abroad? Although many passport photo requirements are the same worldwide, there are important variations, starting with the size of the photo, but the size and location of the head in the photo can also vary, as can the background color and more. A retail clerk can’t handle requirements for every country.

Professional photo studio

A true professional does improve your chances of getting a better looking photo. However, it will cost much more, and even a pro’s package may come with limited time and choices. The more time and photos you get, the more it will cost. Also remember that the requirements don’t allow much flexibility: you can’t play around with fancy poses or lighting, and you can’t smile. No matter how much you pay it simply won’t be a portrait or a glamour shot. Sorry.

On top of that, a photographer takes time. You have to find one in your area who handles passports, make an appointment, and wait in their studio.

If you have children you know how hard it can be to take them anywhere. A pro may know the tricks to get a good child’s photo, but you have to take the children there and hope they are in the right mood, fed, awake and happy but not too wired. AND that they stay that way. My family decided years ago, after a carefully planned family portrait incident involving three normally well-behaved toddlers, six adults and a two-hour wait in spite of an appointment, and ending in tears and one single semi-useable photo, that we would NEVER take young children to a photo studio again.

And just like a retail clerk, a professional photographer doesn’t know the requirements for every country. You can pay a lot and still end up with a rejected picture.

Online passport photos

So if you want to make sure your passport or visa photo meets requirements and also looks as good as possible without a lot of money or stress, you may be better off taking it yourself. An online passport photo service like Pic4Pass can crop and check your photo to make sure it meets international and country-specific requirements, so you don’t have to worry — for less than the price at a retail shop. You can take as many pictures as you like until you find one that meets the requirements AND that you like.

Do you have any passport photo stories? Please share in the comments!

Image source: D Sharon Pruitt, flickr (Pink Sherbet Photography)

As most seasoned travelers will tell you, after a while traveling becomes less about seeing sites and more about connecting and learning. There are several ways to save; some are even free. Perhaps more importantly, most of these options help you connect with people and local life.

Couch surfing

If you really want to live like a local, nothing beats living with a local! CouchSurfing helps you find people willing to let you stay in their home for free. This could mean a room, a couch, or a spot on the floor. More importantly, it means you’ll see how the locals live. Most hosts will not only open their homes to you; they may give you insider tips, show you around, and introduce you to friends. It’s a wonderful way to experience things you’ll never find in a guidebook, and you might end up making lifelong friends.

You might worry about the safety of staying in a stranger’s home, and understandably so. However, most couch surfing hosts are experienced travelers themselves, and they just want to help other travelers and meet new people. And remember, they are letting a stranger stay in their home, so the risk is mutual. To help build trust, members typically provide detailed profile information and can have their identity and address verified. Guests can rate and leave comments about their hosts, and vice versa.

Home exchange

Another option, if you have a home of your own, is to trade homes for a while. Not only do you get access to a fully furnished home and kitchen, a lot of people will also let you use their cars, and may provide a notebook full of tourist information and “locals only” tips. Many will even arrange for friends to stop by and help you get settled. It gives you the chance to stay somewhere other than a tourist center and see how the locals really live. And you also get a house/pet sitter back home.

Safety and security is also a concern here, but again it’s mutual and there are smart ways to keep safe. HomeExchange helps you get connected and has tips to make the experience a success, including a sample agreement for details like responsibilities and who pays the utilities.

House sitting

Don’t have a house of your own to trade? Try house sitting! You get a free place to stay in exchange for watching the house and basic chores like cleaning, yard work, or pet sitting. A number of sites including MindMyHouse and Luxury House Sitting can help you get started.

Hostels

If the word “hostel” conjures images of rowdy youngsters cramming into dirty, unsafe dorms, think again! Hostels offer a wide variety of options, and are a great budget choice. Hostels aren’t just for young people any more. Many of them are focusing more on older travelers and families, and offer private rooms at a decent price. Dorm rooms aren’t all bad, though, if you know how to manage them, and are usually the cheapest non-free option in any city. Hostelworld provides detailed listings and online booking for hostels worldwide.

The best thing about hostels, though, is the company. Spend some time in the common areas and you’ll likely meet people from all over the world eager to share, talk and learn. You can find travel companions for the day or for the rest of your trip, and maybe even friends for a lifetime.

Ever tried any of these options? Please share your experiences below!

Image source: flickr (Barnacles Hostels)

Onsite parking

The closest option is the parking offered on the airport grounds. However, even the lower cost long-term parking can be very expensive, ranging from $10-30 per day. In a time crunch short-term parking is the absolute closest but is extremely expensive. And in both cases, you have to waste time driving around looking for an open spot, and you risk finding the lots completely full.

Offsite parking

Private companies operate parking facilities near the airport. Although they are farther away, they typically offer frequent (and more comfortable) shuttle services, direct you to the nearest open space, and often pick you and your luggage up right by your car. Some of them even offer extra services like an oil change or car wash. Security is often better than onsite parking, and yet the cost is usually less than the on-airport economy rates. Even better, many of them will let you reserve a space in advance, so no worries about filled parking lots and a frantic search for a different location.

Valet services

Many offsite parking services also offer a valet service so you don’t even need to take the time to park; simply hand an attendant your key and you’re whisked away in a shuttle. A very convenient, though pricier, option from some services allows you to drive your car to the terminal, where an attendant meets you and takes your car to an off-site parking facility, then brings your car back to the terminal when you return. This is definitely the fastest option since it means no shuttle is required.

Hotel parking

Did you know that many airport hotels offer sleep-and-park packages? While you might think this would be too expensive, for trips of a week or more the cost can even be less  than other airport parking options. It also gets you much closer to the airport, avoiding last-minute traffic headaches and giving you the flexibility of choosing a morning flight without needing to get up in the middle of the night.

Finding a good deal

So how do you navigate all of your airport parking choices? For the US and Canada, Airport Parking Reservations provides price comparisons, reviews and online reservations for airport parking, while ParkSleepFly.com lists hotel + parking deals for North American airports and cruise ports. In the UK, Travel Supermarket gives you detailed information about all of your parking options; you can compare prices and book directly online.

How do you handle airport parking? Do you have any special tips? Please let us know in the comments!

Image source: flickr (compujeramey)

1. Zoomable map:
When you’re traveling any number of specialty maps can come in handy — think subway systems, neighborhood maps, archeological sites, large parks –  but paper maps can be bulky, expensive, and fragile, and aren’t always available.

2. Bus and train schedules:
Taking a day trip but not sure what time you’ll want to head back to your hotel? A photo of the bus or train schedule gives you all the info you need.

3. Remembering your hotel and room number:
Especially in a foreign language it can be hard to remember (or pronounce) your hotel name. And ever tried unsuccessfully to open a hotel room door, only to realize room 204 was from yesterday’s hotel? Simply take a shot of your room number, the hotel sign, the nearest street sign, any landmarks and the nearest bus stop to help yourself or a taxi driver get you back.

4. Remembering where you parked your car (or scooter):
After a long time searching the streets of a Mexican town my husband and I were convinced someone must have stolen our rented scooter. We remembered the name of the store we’d parked in front of; we found the store again, but our scooter simply wasn’t there. Heading back to our hotel, a couple of blocks away we found another store with the same name — and our scooter. A snapshot of the street address would have saved a lot of time and agony. And a picture of the vehicle and license plate are a must (well, it was a white two-door…)

5. Virtual guide book:
Don’t want to lug around a heavy guide book but you only need a few pages? Just take pictures of them!

6. Picture of your child:
Take a photo of your children every morning; if they get lost you can easily show police what they were wearing.

7. Photograph your luggage and valuables:
If your luggage gets delayed or misdirected a photo is much better than “it’s black with wheels”. And a photo of other bags, belongings, and documents (passport, etc.) will help in case they get lost or stolen.

8. Packing guide:
Do you have a special packing system? Or maybe a travel-savvy friend or family member helped you pack everything just right? Take a picture of your open, packed suitcase (or several pictures, layer by layer) to help you re-pack at the end of the trip.

9. Potential gifts:
Not sure which blouse your friend’s daughter will like? Snap some pictures, email to her mother along with measurements, and let her choose.

10. Substitute binoculars:
At full zoom most cameras today can see better than the human eye.

11. Organize your photos:
While exploring ancient cities in Turkey a few years ago, when arriving at each site I took a picture of the entrance sign or map. When I got home, these photos acted as markers, making it much easier to tell Milet from Priene. This works for towns, museums, or any other attractions.

12. Get your lost camera back:
If an honest person finds your lost camera they will look through the pictures for clues to find the owner. Before you go, write down your name and contact information on a card, take a picture and make sure it’s the first one on your camera. Lock it so it doesn’t get deleted!

Do you have any creative uses for your camera when you travel? Please share below!

Image source: flickr (flyingpurplemonkeys)

Background: It is important that the person stands out clearly from the background. Most countries require a plain white or grey background. Make sure no objects or other people are visible. Your clothes should also stand out; dark solid colors with sleeves are best.
Tip: Hang up a white sheet, whiteboard or poster board for instant background!

Lighting: A biometric photo must be evenly lit and show no shadows or bright spots on the person or background. The easiest way to achieve this is to place the person about 1 meter (3 feet) in front of a wall facing a window or other natural light. If you need to use artificial light, it should be indirect and from both sides.
Tip: If the light is coming from one side, put something on the dark side to reflect light back onto the face (white poster board, aluminum foil, car sun shade).

Position: Head position is very important. The person’s face and body must face straight into the camera, not tilted or turned. The camera should be at the person’s eye level. Leave room all around the face; the picture will be cropped later. Unfortunately, smiling, laughing, frowning or other expressions are not allowed, so keep your expression neutral.

Eyes: Your eyes must both be clearly visible. Make sure your hair is out of the way. If you wear eyeglasses you can wear them in the picture, however tinted lenses are not allowed; make sure the frames don’t hide your eyes and that there is no reflection.
Tip: To avoid glare, since you can’t tilt the head, tilt the glasses! Just pull up the earpieces a bit and tuck them into the hair.

Head coverings: Head coverings such as hats, caps or scarves on biometric photos are generally prohibited, however, may be allowed if it is something worn every day for religious reasons. In this case the full face must still be visible and not covered or placed in shadow.

These are the most important points you should consider when you want a correct photo for your passport, visa, green card, ID card, driver’s license, or other photo ID.

If you need more tips as well as examples of good and bad passport photos you can check out the article “ID Photo Tips – How to take a good ID photo“.

Do you have any good passport photo tips? Please share in the comments!

Source for images 1 & 2: Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. State Department

That said, there are a few everyday things that might not seem essential, but I can’t imagine not having along. For instance, my husband and I love to sample local wines, but we rarely finish a whole bottle in one sitting. So we always pack a good bottle stopper. A few more things that we or other seasoned travelers can’t do without:

1. Duct tape: What list is complete without it? Repair luggage, clothes & hotel shower heads, tape luggage to discourage theft, hide valuables under hotel bed or table, child-proof hotel rooms, remove lint, make a bandage with tissue. To save space wrap some around a pen.
2. Plastic ziploc bags: for food, seashells, keeping money/electronics dry. Invaluable to hold liquids and prevent messy spills.
3. Safety pins, rubber bands, twist ties, clothespin: for quick repairs, closing window drapes or snacks.
4. Dental floss: incredibly strong, works as heavy-duty thread for repairs (make sure you have the right needle) or to tie just about anything. The cutter works for regular thread, too.
5. Small flashlight: a must-have in an emergency, but also great for reading maps, finding lost items and checking for bed bugs.
6. Small tape measure: helps with foreign sizes if you’re shopping for friends.
7. Wire coat hangers: hang clothes to dry; run over clothes to remove static cling; hook to retrieve items lost under or behind heavy furniture or pull down hard-to-reach branches of fruit; bend into circle for a giant bubble blower, or cover with old pantyhose for a fishnet; skewer for an impromptu marshmallow / weenie roast (cover handle with duct tape to prevent burns).
8. Blister bandages and blister stick: life-altering if your feet are prone to blisters. Rub the stick on problem areas to reduce friction and prevent blisters. Blister bandages are waterproof, last for days, and have extra-thick gel cushion to protect you after (or before) a blister forms. Or use duct tape!
9. Small pack of tissues: keep some with you at all times. Good toilet paper substitute.
10. Wet wipes: great for clean-ups; indispensable to cool off in hot climates.
11. Small inflatable beach ball: pillow, cushion, lumbar support or foot rest, or to play with any children you meet.
12. Window screening or sheer curtain: if your hotel isn’t air conditioned you may need to keep a window open, but much of the world lacks window screens. If you’re like my husband, that means every mosquito within 10 miles will be drawn to your room. With a lightweight fabric screen, duct tape or safety pins, the existing curtains and a little ingenuity, you can cover just about any kind of window.
13. Rubber doorstop: for security, push as far as possible under hotel room door (near handle, not hinges).
14. Sleeping mask & earplugs: good for crying babies, thin hotel walls, and inadequate curtains.
15. Color copy of passport, driver’s license, credit cards, etc. Also email yourself a copy.
16. Plastic utensils or small metal spoon
17. Water bottle: carry empty through airport security and refill at a water fountain or bathroom sink.
18. Flip-flops or light waterproof shoes for shared bathrooms, on the plane, or wet weather.
19. Sarong: towel, beach blanket, sheet, sunshade, tote bag, rolled or folded as a pillow or cushion, or of course worn as a beach cover-up, dress, skirt or shawl.
20. Bandana: scarf, sweatband, small bag, washcloth (dampen and carry in ziploc bag for on-the-go cooling), napkin, bandage.
21. Business cards or calling cards: for friends you make along the way.
22. Lavender oil: DIY spa in the bath or shower; sniff as sleep aid.
23. Playing cards: great for bad weather or when you just need a break. One of my best memories is a rainy day card game with friends in a New Orleans laundromat!

What can you absolutely NOT travel without? Please share in the comments!

Image source: flickr (mellow cat)

In the weeks before our renewal appointment a couple of years ago, work had kept me pretty busy, and so the day before I found myself needing to rush out and get a photo. My visa functions as my primary ID, so I do like to have a decent picture, not the usual mugshot. I carefully touched up my hair and makeup before hopping on my bike for a nearby subway station, where I’d seen a passport photo booth. It was an unseasonably warm fall afternoon, but I managed to stay cool and keep my hair in order on the ride.

When I got to the station, I noticed some construction work by the entrance. Going inside, I found… no photo booth! Apparently it had been moved due to construction. I wandered around the huge, hot and humid station with no luck, growing more frustrated by the minute. I wasn’t sure where to find another photo booth or photographer on short notice, and I needed a photo TODAY. As I was about to give up and head outside, I finally noticed the booth, tucked away in a dark corner under a stairway.

I tried to smooth my now frizzed hair and blot my face in the tiny mirror attached to the booth. A video monitor showed me where I needed to place my face for a passport photo. However, the stool was stuck too low, and sitting on my purse didn’t raise me up enough, so I had to squat uncomfortably above the stool to bring my face to the right level, yet holding it back far enough that it wasn’t too close to the camera. I put in my money, and 3… 2… CLICK… 1. Umm, timer’s a bit off. Not funny, it got me with my mouth open. Try again. This time I was ready. 3… 2… CLICK… looked ok, but I got two more chances, might as well make the best of it. I made a final touch-up to hair & face, it was really getting warm in the tiny booth. 3… 2… when suddenly my leg, cramped from holding me awkwardly in place, gave and I fell ungracefully onto the stool, banging my shoulder on the back of the booth in the process. CLICK! Great shot of the top of my head. Hurriedly shaking out my leg, 3… 2… CLICK! Well, you can imagine: with the stress, heat, pain and frustration I looked like the crazy cat lady.

OK, it was obvious to me that the only acceptable picture would be number 2. But in its infinite wisdom, the photo booth decided that number 2 was not an acceptable passport photo. I’ve since learned a lot on the subject, and I have no idea what it thought was wrong. It just wouldn’t let me pick that photo. Somehow it did think the first one was ok; but even then I knew you had to have your mouth closed. So my only choice was – you guessed it – the crazy cat lady photo.

I had to live with that lovely ID for a whole year. I’ve never been happier to renew my visa than I was the next year. Unfortunately (or not) when we get a new visa we have to return the old one, so I don’t have my favorite ID photo any more. And I’m so happy that I can take my own passport picture at home now.

Image source: flickr (mootown)

Individual passports have been required for some time for air travel in and out of the United States. However, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative means that the rules are a bit more flexible for US and Canadian citizens traveling by land or sea within North America; children might be able to travel with just a birth certificate or other document, although there are exceptions to the exception. For instance some cruise lines require passports. You simply need to ask.

A few countries such as Germany have implemented a special non-biometric child’s passport, which is less expensive and takes less time. However, be careful as such passports do not qualify for programs like the US Visa Waiver Program.

Getting a child’s passport

So, if your child needs a passport, what do you do?

First of all, plan ahead and allow lots of time for processing, mistakes, and requests for extra paperwork. You don’t want the stress of worrying if you’ll get the passport in time for your vacation! Peace of mind may be worth the extra expense of an expedite fee.

Most countries require the same types of documents for a child’s passport:

1. Proof of citizenship: official birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad or certificate of birth abroad
2. Previous passport, if there is one
3. Proof of relationship (for both parents/guardians): birth certificate, adoption decree, court order of guardianship
4. Proof of parent/guardian identities: IDs for both, or a copy of both sides if one parent is not present
5. Both parents/guardians must give permission for the child to get a passport. If one cannot be present, you will typically need a signed, notarized consent form, or proof that consent of another is not required (death certificate, court order showing sole custody)
6. Passport photos: these have to follow the same strict guidelines for adult passport photos, although there is some flexibility. In particular, the background must still be plain, with no part of other people showing. While this may seem impossible for a baby photo, there is an easy trick to getting a good baby passport photo.

Have you had any problems with children’s passports? If so, please tell us about it in the comments!

Image source: flickr (Greene Connections)

The saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words” is especially true when it comes to travel. Take your digital camera along and upload photos to your travelogue (perhaps on Flickr or Facebook) as often as possible. This way, your family members and friends can feel as if they are seeing the sights you’ve enjoyed right along with you. If possible, make sure you are in some of these photos as well. While your family members and friends may enjoy seeing the photographs of places you have visited, they will likely want to see your smiling face against some of the amazing backdrops as well.

Write from the heart when you create a travelogue. While you may imagine that your loved ones will only want to read about the great times you have on a trip, this isn’t necessarily true. Your loved ones will likely want the bare truth about how you feel and what you experience while on your trip. If you sample some of the local cuisine and decide that it is truly awful, that’s probably what you should write. This gives your readers a true view of how you felt on your trip and provides a perfect opportunity to add a little personality to your writing.

You may render your travelogue more interesting by making an effort to vary your writing as much as possible. For example, you may make some of your content very descriptive and even caption your photographs. Then, you may also choose to write some of your travelogues in story format. This means you tell the story of something that happens during your journey. You can include the setting, plot, conflict (even if it’s something minor), and climax. This will help to draw your readers in and help them feel as if they are right there with you. Adding suspense or incorporating a lesson, even a moral one, may help to keep your loved ones interested and prevent your writing from taking on a monotonous tone.

Details are also important when you have a travelogue. Your readers may enjoy your accounts more if your provide details about your trip. For example, you may provide details about the price range of the meals at the restaurant you visited or the amenities in your hotel room. The names of the places you visit and information about where they are located my help those who wish to duplicate your trip. Likewise, you may include details about the best way to travel to various locations, the best time to visit, and helpful tidbits like how to get a good seat and whom to tip. You may also help your loved ones by writing about major attractions in the area, even if you did not visit them.

Include season-specific information in your travelogue. For instance, if there are seasonal events, activities, or must-see sightseeing opportunities during certain seasons, your loved ones may enjoy learning about them. And keep in mind that discussing the weather is never boring. Write about the weather you experienced and what others can expect if they visit during the same season. Such firsthand accounts are often viewed as helpful additions to the information a person may gather through a travel site.

Have you written a travelogue or are you planning to document your travels? Please share with us in the comments.

Image source: flickr (vincelaconte)