epic travel
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Just an FYI for travelers going to Cancun and the Riveria Maya area:
The VISITAX is associated to your passport. When they scan your passport it shows up that you have paid - that is why you put your passport number in the application form. It will also show if you have not paid it before and they can ask you for that tax as well
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THEN and NOW -- HALE'IWA
Thinking back to 1979 when we were stationed on Oahu, where my Marine Corps husband was the chief NCO at Camp Smith’s PAO office for the South Pacific Command. We lived at the Army’s new townhouse units, which housed all services, at Aliamanu, the kids went to school at Red Hill. We spent many weekends traversing all over the Island (it didn’t take long to get from one end to the other). I remember going out to the North Shore many times. When we had visitors we always went out to the Polynesian Cultural Center, usually spending the entire day and once in a while stayed for the nightly Luau—one of the best on the Islands. It certainly was then and probably vies with Germaine’s and others in this day and age which are much closer to Waikiki. We also took people by Schofield Barracks and the Dole Pineapple Plantation – always fun and usually stopped to get a taste of Hawaiian out of the Ground Pineapple. My kids always loved pineapple and pure cane sugar. We usually said no and their grandparents, who were often visitors from Oregon, said yes. They certainly were not sugar starved children! I digress, the reason for this article is I was reading a trade magazine that was mentioning the hotels out at the North Shore now. I can only remember, honestly, Del Webb Corporation’s Kuilima Resort Hotel and Country Club, now known as Turtle Bay Resort which recently came under new ownership with the Ritz Carlton brand. It was well beyond the means of a family of 5, which meant we didn’t go there, but it was, even then, beautiful to look at. Laie was there but for some reason we never went there. However, now I am amazed really at the renovated accommodation options for the North Shore. The real “first” hotel was Hale’iwa Hotel constructed and owned by Benjamin Dillingham in 1989. The Hotel is presently Courtyard (Marriott) Oahu North Shore and has recently undergone an 11-month renovation. The resort has only 144 rooms and will fill quickly. Hale’iwa is located in Laie and today the 80 workers there are still mostly from the town of Laie. You will enjoy the laid back vibe which is far from the crowds and traffic of downtown Waikiki. You will need a car in this area. North Shore waves are really something that will astound you in the winter. We never went down to the beach in the winter – if you go be sure to pay attention to ALL the notices of water, sharks, etc and LISTEN to the lifeguards. The ocean can be and is very temperamental. The Courtyard Oahu North Shore is very close to the Cultural Center, where you can obtain heartier fare at the Hukilau Marketplace at the Cultural Center. You can order choices for lunch and dinner which could include garlic shrimp and gourmet hot dogs, crepes or kalbi short ribs. Kansai International Airport, a major hub in Japan serving Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, is celebrating 30 years of operation with an incredible achievement: not a single piece of luggage has been lost since it opened in September 1994. The airport is known for its efficiency, but its perfect record in baggage handling really sets it apart. According to Kenji Takanishi, a spokesperson for the airport, there’s no magic trick behind this success. The ground handling staff aren’t superhuman; they just use a system of redundancies to make sure every bag reaches its destination safely. This airport is an excellent option if you want to go to this area. Experience Cherry Blossoms in the Spring, stay in a traditional Ryokan..order some tabi’s before you go to slip on your feet at the door, as no shoes are allowed in Japanese homes. You will love them and bring home the tabi’s and possibly even install the custom in your home. Progress, since they are calling it that, can definitely be sad, espec ially for those of us who have been traveling to distance places for over 50 years gathering Visa etc stamps on our passports to show where we have gone. Changes noted below:
Starting in November 2024, a significant change will impact travelers from the U.S. and other non-EU countries, such as the UK, heading to Italy. The first change will come with the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which will include fingerprinting requirements. This system launches November 10, 2024, and represents a significant shift in how travelers from non-EU countries, including the UK and US, will be processed when entering the Schengen Area, and Italy is a Schengen country. The next big change is the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will be introduced in the first half of 2025, as part of the entry process into the Schengen Area. This new system aims to enhance security and streamline the border control experience for visitors. Here’s a comprehensive look at what EES and ETIAS are, why fingerprinting is involved, how the process works, and what it means for travelers. What is EES? Under the European Entry/Exit System (EES), you are required to provide fingerprints each time you enter and exit the Schengen Area. This means that your biometric data will be collected at each border crossing to accurately record your entry and exit. What to Expect Upon Arrival in Italy with EES When you arrive in Italy, or any country in the Schengen Area, for the first time after the EES is implemented, here’s what you can expect: 1. Biometric Data Collection:
ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization system designed for visa-exempt visitors traveling to the Schengen Area. This area includes Italy and most other EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The primary goal of ETIAS is to bolster border security by pre-screening travelers before they set foot in Europe. This system will help identify potential risks, including individuals with a criminal background or those linked to terrorism. Do I need to pre-register for ETIAS and provide fingerprints for each trip? No, you do not need to pre-register for ETIAS or provide fingerprints for each trip. You only need to complete the ETIAS application once on the official website, and it remains valid for three years or until your passport expires. While ETIAS does not require fingerprinting, you will need to provide biometric data, including fingerprints, when entering and exiting the Schengen Area as part of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) procedures. Data Retention Period Biometric Data and Personal Information: The EES will store your biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) and personal information (such as your name, date of birth, nationality, etc.) for a period of three years. Retaining data for three years allows authorities to track travel patterns, verify identity, and conduct investigations if necessary. It also helps in preventing fraud and security breaches. Will I need to pay for a visa with ETIAS? No, you will not need to pay for a visa with ETIAS. ETIAS is not a visa but an electronic travel authorization. There is a fee associated with applying for ETIAS, which is around €7 for applicants. This fee is paid at the time of the application. ETIAS is designed for visa-exempt travelers and allows multiple entries into the Schengen Area during its validity period. Where can I get the latest information: visit the official website: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en While some of us in drier states in the US wish for rain...those who live or are traveling in Europe are NOT on the same page! And I don't blame them. This is from Travel Weekly:
Record floods from Storm Boris, which have killed at least 21 people and flooded Vast swaths of Eastern Europe, now are impacting tour groups and river cruises on Europe’s second-largest river, the Danube River. Wildfires are spreading across Portugal. And Boris is headed for Italy. Avalon Waterways has made changes to two cruise itineraries on the Danube and canceled two future cruises as a result of flooding. Travel advisor Gwen Kozlowski, president of Exeter International, tells TRO that her clients, scheduled to depart Budapest on Viking Jarl, instead were bussed to Vienna. Intrepid Travel, on its website, reports that “very heavy rainfall across Central Europe since 14th September has resulted in flooding in a number of areas causing road closures and further transport disruption” in Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania and southeast Germany. Trips in Austria have been rerouted and minor changes have been made to itineraries in Czechia, Slovenia, and southeast Germany. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), meanwhile, has issued a travel warning to UK travelers headed to Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic, and particularly to Vienna. Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia are hunkering down for record rains starting today and continuing for the next few days; in Italy, the National Civil Protection Service has issued yellow alerts for nearly 50 regions, warning of the risk of storms, landslides and floods as two months’ worth of rainfall falls in the next three days. The Danube continues to rise in Slovakia and Hungary, where the capital cities of Bratislava and Budapest are preparing for possible flooding. Austria has closed parts of the Danube for shipping traffic, and Croatia’s Meteorological and Hydrological Service, warning of an “extremely rare” rise, is prepared to put out flood barriers if necessary. Change really is good.
Starting in November 2024, a significant change will impact travelers from the U.S. and other non-EU countries, such as the UK, heading to Italy. The first change will come with the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which will include fingerprinting requirements. This system launches November 10, 2024, and represents a significant shift in how travelers from non-EU countries, including the UK and US, will be processed when entering the Schengen Area, and Italy is a Schengen country. The next big change is the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which will be introduced in the first half of 2025, as part of the entry process into the Schengen Area. This new system aims to enhance security and streamline the border control experience for visitors. Here’s a comprehensive look at what EES and ETIAS are, why fingerprinting is involved, how the process works, and what it means for travelers. What is EES? Under the European Entry/Exit System (EES), you are required to provide fingerprints each time you enter and exit the Schengen Area. This means that your biometric data will be collected at each border crossing to accurately record your entry and exit. NOTE: This information is long. If you want more on costs, etc., please contact us for a copy. (Also thanks to Mi O My Italy for their timely information for travelers as this is where we got a lot of information for the Italian part.) Kansai International Airport, a major hub in Japan serving Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, is celebrating 30 years of operation with an incredible achievement: not a single piece of luggage has been lost since it opened in September 1994. The airport is known for its efficiency, but its perfect record in baggage handling really sets it apart. According to Kenji Takanishi, a spokesperson for the airport, there’s no magic trick behind this success. The ground handling staff aren’t superhuman; they just use a system of redundancies to make sure every bag reaches its destination safely. This airport is an excellent option if you want to go to this area. Experience Cherry Blossoms in the Spring, stay in a traditional Ryokan..order some tabi’s before you go to slip on your feet at the door, as no shoes are allowed in Japanese homes. You will love them and bring home the tabi’s and possibly even install the custom in your home. (Etsy has them-they may not look comfortable but they really are.) Comment with email if you want some Ryokan ideas. For the Viking Experience, on either the Bergen to London or vice versa do the Train ride from Oslo to Bergen. About 2-3 hours out of Oslo beautiful scenery…glaciers, snow and fjords at 4000 ft. Weather doesn't always want to cooperate at times, with rain on and off (this is another part of The Travel Experience). Long ride and lots of tunnels…. at least 40! Bergen is a beautiful city. Note to Everyone…. If you are interested in any type of alcohol you must sit in a proper restaurant. Outside fish market restaurants serve non alcoholic drinks only.
Travelers who are taking along electronics need to know that Mexico has really strict tax laws regarding laptops and IPads. You cannot bring more than 1 laptop per person. They may also consider an IPad as a laptop and will charge you taxes at customs if you do both. Just a heads up. People aren't listening and getting hit at customs.
Someone I know was just going thru Customs a few days ago and was paying a tax on something she brought in for her house. She was talking to a guy who was paying big bucks. He said he was paying taxes on an IPad $150USD of taxes!!! Ouch! He had a laptop and an IPad. So ya they do check and count an IPad as a laptop. If you don’t know the laws or know someone who knows and tells you, but you don't believe it--, it’s clearly indicated on the official Government website that you can’t bring in more than 1 laptop/person. So I guess they might count an IPad as a laptop. To be forewarned is forearmed. |
Pat Aitken
Your Epic Travel Specialist recent posts
October 2024
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