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Manageable Luggage for your Golf Clubs for Easy Towing

February 8th, 2010    Subscribe To Our Feed

If you are one of many whom enjoy golfing you understand that a golf set is quite a bit too expensive to be throwing them around while traveling. If you voyage a lot and regularly take your golf clubs you know the amount of damage can occur just on one small trip. Weather you travel by car or by plane you must know that you need the right golf travel case to protect your golf clubs. Many are unacquainted with the whole world that has a sole purpose to supply different and various choices of styles, materials, prices and weights for luggage. When deciding on the right type of golf travel bag  you need to consider who you travel with, where you are going and what type of protection you desire. Be sure to consider these answers when in the process of buying the right golf club travel case.

Determine how you plan on using your travel case

You must determine your rate of travel with your golf clubs. This should show you which travel case you need and what features that come equipped with it.

The way you travel is vital to the luggage you decide on. Rolling Luggage is a lifesaver. If cruising is the way you mostly travel then a soft- sided case should give your clubs sufficient shelter throughout its quest in the backseat or trunk. A soft case weighs less, which helps it be less difficult to carry your clubs in and out of the automobile. If you are planning on flying as the primary method of transportation a soft case won't work. You need a firm tour luggage for your trips. Rigid travel cases are designed to have hard sides to tolerate the constant misuse that air transportation could cause. Currently airlines happen to be taking special prices to your luggage depending on their size and weight. You may pay extra for taking your golf clubs with your baggage.

Also a thing to consider is the size which will contain a big role in choosing the right golf club travel case that fits you best. Both travelling by car or by air area limits you. If you are vacationing by car it's important to be able to fit your clubs and luggage inside the allotted space inside your car. If you are vacationing by air the weight of the cases will be charged, which will cost you even more at the airport.

Also the fabric for the luggage is essential. Those that drive should look for fabric that is light and weather proof, meaning it works against water.  Those who fly will of course have their hard sided case but will also want a material it to weigh as little as possible.

Personal design is significant when picking out a traveling bag for your golf clubs. Travel bags can be found in several shades and patterns to stay with the style of your other luggage or be a show piece at the baggage claim.

The most important part of choosing a travel bag is budget. Soft bags cost less while rough sided bags can be a lot more costly. Special designed bags will certainly cost the most. The more functions you add to your vacation case the more the cost rises.

Emergency Pasport - It Shouldn’t Be A Difficult Thing To Do

February 6th, 2010    Subscribe To Our Feed

When you’re applying for a US passport, it’s usually fine to just go through the routine passport application process. After all, the four to six week waiting time is often reasonable if you don’t really need to travel out of the country soon. But in cases where you can’t wait that long, you have a choice of having an expedited passport application or getting an Emergency U.S. Passport.

Let’s start with the application for an expedited passport. For those who cannot wait for the four to six week waiting period in routine passport processing, you can take advantage of the expedited processing option. This is ideal for those who need to travel sooner than four weeks and thus need to have a quick way of having their passports processed.

Unlike routine passport applications, the expedited Passport option usually takes around two to three weeks to process. But sometimes, routine passport applications may take more than just six weeks. Because of this, the US Department of State recommends the expedited passport to those who need to travel to another country within ten weeks.

Who needs an expedited passport? Let’s be a little more particular here. Those who need an expedited passport are those who need to travel in less than two weeks, or those who need their passport within four weeks to apply for a foreign visa. That’s the rule of thumb when you’re thinking about applying for an expedited passport.

What if there’s a family emergency outside the country, and you still don’t have a passport to travel? You surely cannot wait two to three weeks for emergencies like this. Your loved ones cannot wait and you need to be there for them very quickly.

For emergency situations, the US Department of State issues emergency passports to those who really need it. Emergency passports are issued to citizens who have family emergencies outside the country and therefore need a passport in 48 hours or less. So in times of dire need, you can count on emergency passports to get you out of the country quickly.

To get an emergency passport, you would have to contact the National Passport Information Agency regarding this. Because this agency deals with emergency situations, you can contact them at any time of the day, the whole year. There are cases, however, when you may not be able to set an appointment with them in order to obtain an emergency passport. In case that happens to you, just stay on the line when you call them, and a customer service representative will attend to you. The representative will provide you with more options so you can get your passport immediately.

Usually, an expedited passport application would work for most people. But in cases where you are faced with a family emergency, the Emergency Passport Application is what you need to leave the country in less than 48 hours.

Know your Booze! 7 Must Know Bar Drinks from Around the World

February 6th, 2010    Subscribe To Our Feed

 

Original article published on Off Track Planet - the Backpacking Travel Guide. 

 

Booze is our escape from the reason and logic bestowed on us by the powers that be.   From Pabst to top shelf black labels of this and that, we all have our stories of drinking, getting drunk and getting retarded. We have all done the keg house parties, jungle juice gatherings and endless shot for shot competitions.  At this point, we bet your liver is begging you to stop drinking that purple drank but before you give in to its pleas, let us show you how to booze it up just a little more;  this time with style and worldly culture.  Here’s a lucky list of 7 traditional drinks around the world (and 3 complimenting hangover cures).

 

Caipirinha (lime wedges, granulated sugar and Sagatiba Pura)

Acclaimed as the national drink of Brazil, this sugary cocktail contains cachaca, a rum-like liquor with a sad, but true, history.  Brought over by Portuguese settlers, cachaca was given to slaves to increase productivity (seems counter-productive but sure why not?).   After slavery was outlawed in 1888, all Brazilians began whipping these suckers up for themselves to enjoy.  The Caipirinha pairs well with a white linen shirt, coconutty sunscreen and a lay on a warm Brazilian beach.

Sangria (bottle of wine, sliced fruit, honey, triple sec and a big pitcher)

The jungle juice of Spain, this beverage is traditionally enjoyed in groups (hence the pitcher).  Since wine in Spain is insanely cheap (we’re talking less than a dollar per bottle, even cheaper for a box if you’re really scrounging), this drink is quite popular among the backpacking elite.  The type of wine used and the fruit thrown inside vary regionally, with the red (“sangre” or “blood” in Spanish) version being the most popular.

Single Malt Scotch in Scotland (single-malt, nothing else needed)

The “single” part means only one grain (barley) is used.  To “malt” means to distill in an oak cask.  The “scotch” part, well that’s the most important.  Single malt scotch is ONLY considered such if it is made in Scotland and aged for no less than three years.  If you’re man (woman) enough, we dare you to gather up some hostelmates and go on one of these distillery tours.  Pricing is specific to your group’s size and preferences.  The tour includes a designated driver.  One thing for sure, all of you will leave smelling like drunken Scotsmen (and women).

Elephant’s Ear (Marula Tree Juice, Mangos for garnish)

The presentation of this one is the key.  A South African classic, this drink is traditionally served with two ear-shaped dried mango pieces attached to your glass.  Why elephants? The symbolism lies in that various animals, including elephants, eat the fruit of the Marula tree regularly.  The tree bears fruit with a high alcoholic content which often makes the animals drunk as hell.  We don’t know how you feel, but we think this guy needs to go to AAA (animal alcoholics anonymous) pronto.

The Pisco Sour (Pisco, lime juice, egg whites, simple syrup and bitters)

You put “sour” after any word and it sounds like you have drink ordering authority; it’s very James Bondish.   This Peruvian drink wields so much power that it has a national holiday (National Pisco Sour Day happens the first Saturday of February).  Mostly a great excuse to get the entire nation drunk, this holiday celebrates the concoction and its rebellious origins.  In the 1700s, Spanish colonialists brought the grape to Peru.  During that time, making wine was prohibited.  People came up with prohibition era uses for grapes that weren’t quite wine but still had a high enough alcoholic content to keep people happily intoxicated.  Pisco (a brandy-like grape liquor) was born and became Peru’s local drink of choice.

 

Samagonka (ingredients: the devil and his friends)

Russians drink vodka, not a big surprise and this type of vodka is the most authentic of all.  Forget Absolute and Stolichnaya, Samagonka is the general name for vodka that has been distilled in a basement . . . at home . . . from potatoes.  Most retailers in Russia will not carry it, so to get a taste you have to put your social skills to work.  Old Russian men will always have at least a liter of this stuff sitting around.  Befriend one and you will be taking shots with the pros (and chasing those shots with pickles and cold cuts) in no time.  If you get really friendly, please refer to the conveniently provided hangover cures at the end of this article.   

Mojito (Mint, Rum, Sugar, Lime and Soda)

Cubans are brilliant!  Their national cocktail is both a breath-freshener (all that mint) and a panty-dropper (inhibitions cannot withstand this sweet liquid rum candy).  We hail it the perfect hook-up drink.  The name has been rumored to mean two different things.  One interpretation comes from the Spanish word for “a little wet” (well that’s suggestive) and the other is from an African word for “a little spell”.  Either way, we’re pretty sure the mojito is how Ricky got Lucy.

 

3 HANGOVER CURES…

 

Bloody Mary  (shot of vodka, tomato juice, celery stick, squeeze of lemon, few shakes of cayenne pepper)

A drink to cure a hangover? Can’t be true.  The infamous breakfast Bloody Mary contains tomato juice which is rumored to dilute the ouchy effects of a bad hangover (the spicy cayenne is there to kick you in the balls so you reconsider overdrinking next time).  Invented by a French guy in New York, this drink combines the tomato and “hair of the dog” hangover cures and is sure to have you on your way to recovery (or perpetual drunken ‘I don’t give a shit’ world).

 

Sleep

Need to get from Brazil (where you had one too many Caipirinhas) to Peru (to celebrate National Pisco Sour Day)?  Book the longest red-eye bus ride available.  This way, not only are you saving money by taking the turtle route, you sleep the entire time and the hangover becomes yesterday’s news.  Employ these safety techniques while you snooze the booze away and you’ll be golden.

 

Hydrate

Hard to do when alcohol is safer than water in third world countries but a must to cure your dehydrated partied-out self.  Most bottled water is fine so buy in bulk and drink at least 16 oz before going to bed post-party.  This is also a great time to whip out those water-purifying tablets we told you about.  Stay moist friends.

 

Between the cheap beers and boxed wine, that random jungle juice and straight shots, give these traditional drinks a try in their countries of origin.  Chances are their American versions pale in comparison and you get no bragging rights for drinking mojitos at your local boozery (like you would if you had one on a beach in Copacabana).  

 

For more, check out Off Track Planet - Backpacking Travel Guide, Tips, Resources, Advice, Ideas and How-to’s.

Written/Edited By: Anna Starostinetskaya 

Created By: Freddie Pikovsky

 

 

Everything About Getting An Emergency Pass Port You Will Need To Know

February 6th, 2010    Subscribe To Our Feed

In a hurry to get your passport? Currently, the routine passport processing takes around four to six weeks. That’s a long time if you need to leave in less than four weeks. That’s why there’s the Expedited American Passport. And as its name suggests, it’s the type of passport you’ll need if you want to get your passport a lot faster than routine passport processing.

If you need to travel out of the country within or less than ten weeks, the US Department of State recommends you have your passport application expedited. But more than this, there are other reasons why other people choose an expedited option for their passports. Find out what these reasons are in the following paragraphs.

For one, by its very nature, an expedited passport helps you to save a lot of time. It’s an obvious reason. Would you choose to wait four to six weeks for your passport, or would you rather have it in two to three weeks as in the case of expedited USA Passports? You’ll definitely choose the latter option.

If there’s another reason why you need an expedited passport it’s that it saves you from all the stress and the hassle of waiting for the processing of your passport. Again, for those who really need to get their passports quickly, four to six weeks is just too long a waiting period. So if routine passport processing is not an option, go for the expedited passport instead.

You will also need to have your passport application expedited if you need to leave the country in less than four weeks. In cases like this, you don’t have any other choice than to have your passport expedited. When you already need to leave in two to three weeks, this is the only regular option you’ll have.

When it comes to expedited passports, they are given to travelers who typically fall into two categories. Those who fall under the first category are those who need to leave the States within two weeks. Meanwhile, those who need a passport in four weeks to apply for a foreign visa fall under the second category. Should you fall under either of these two, you then need to have your passport application expedited.

When applying for an expedited passport, there are things that you need to keep in mind. First of all, you need to secure your documents well until they arrive to the addressee. That’s why you need to place your documents in a secure envelope. Another thing is that you need to clearly mark the envelope “EXPEDITED” to indicate what you want done with it. Then finally, send your application through a courier that offers tracking methods, as this ensures that your documents arrive safely.

There you have it. Now you know why you need to have an Expedited Pasport. Compared to routine passport processing, an expedited one is a lot faster, and it does save you from the hassle of waiting for your passport for over four weeks.

How To Get Your Pass Port Fast

February 6th, 2010    Subscribe To Our Feed

Today’s society is fast-paced. If you want something, you’ve got to have it now. It’s not about being impatient, but because technology helps you do things quickly, there’s no reason you have to wait. And there are times when you simply cannot afford to wait. In times like these, you’ll need a solution that quickly provides you with what you need. And that’s sometimes the case when applying for your passport. That’s why we’re going to show you how to apply for a USA Passport Fast and without stress.

If you don’t need to travel within ten weeks, applying for routine passport processing would suit you just fine. However, if you don’t have ten weeks to spare, you have the option of getting the process expedited. Expedited passports are the recommended option by the US Department of State for those who need their passports to travel in less than ten weeks.

Expedited American Passports provide you the utmost speed when it comes to regular passport applications. Unlike the four to six week processing period in routine applications, you can have your passport ready in two to three weeks if you have it expedited. You can’t get much faster than that.

But wouldn’t it be better if you could couple the speed of service with convenience? That’s exactly what you can do with expedited passports because you have several options to make the application a lot more convenient for you. To make you application hassle free, you can either apply for a passport online, or send your passport application by mail.

Since you’re reading this, chances are you want to get your passport quickly, and you have the Internet connection to make that happen. You can now apply for a passport online by visiting the US Department of State’s website. In there, you can fill in the form required to apply for a passport. Alternatively, you can also print out the blank form and fill it in by hand. These options are definitely a lot faster and more convenient than visiting your nearest passport agency just to obtain a passport application form.

Once you have filled in the form you downloaded, you can send it through the mail. This also spells convenience for you especially if you don’t want to submit your application in person. Just make sure that you sign the envelope with “EXPEDITED” to ensure it goes through the appropriate application procedure.

Because of the speed and convenience that expedited passports provide you, you will have to pay a little extra for it. But the extra fee for expediting your application is offset by the fact that you’ll get your passport faster, and that you don’t have to do the legwork anymore just to apply. It’s a win-win situation for you and the passport agency.

So if you want to combine speed and convenience when it comes to applying for a passport, it definitely pays to take the Expedited U.S. Passport option.

Additional China Vacation Traveling Tips and Considerations

February 6th, 2010    Subscribe To Our Feed

The grandeur and historical allure of traveling to China has attracted more than 130 million international visitors to this country last year. This popularity has not waned a bit and people still plan of going to this magical place and enjoy the sights and sounds they have only previously known or heard in books and TV shows.

In this regard, several China vacation traveling tips were written in various websites as well as on offline media, giving traveling information and guidance to would-be visitors. However, most of these China vacation traveling tips are focused on China’s hotel arrangements and attraction itineraries or to provide tips for China travel with children. There are lots of considerations which should be attended by the travelers for hassle free journey.

The following are additional China vacation traveling tips that would give travelers additional insight to guide them during their travel arrangements and journey preparations.

China Vacation Traveling Tips: Visa and other Visiting Procedures

A visa is required to enter China and foreign travelers should apply for one at an authorized office or organization by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before purchasing the plane ticket for China one must go through this important China vacation traveling tips.

If you are planning to travel with a group, a group tourist visa would be sufficient for you and can be handled by an authorized travel agency. You can also check if your country has special visa agreements with China, which includes visa exemptions if entering as tourist groups.

Other important China vacation traveling tips include special requirements if you want to enter Tibet, which require an approval from the Tibet Autonomous Region’s Tourism Administration before even applying for a visa. A visitor to HongKong does not require visa if he lives there for 90 days.

China Vacation Traveling Tips Include Custom Regulations on Entries and Exits

Important China vacation traveling tips include entry procedures wherein the traveler is required to accomplish a baggage declaration form, which will be submitted to customs upon entry and the copy shown during exit. Personal items are duty free while some items and electronics for personal use should not be sold and be brought out of China when you leave.

Gifts to friends and relatives in China should be asserted upon entry and the products which are prohibited in China should not be brought. Other important China vacation traveling tips include information about foreign currency that can be brought in without limits, however the Chinese currency called Ren Min Bi (RMB) or what is popularly known as Yuan can only be brought in as traveler’s checks and not in cash.

During your exit, one of the most important China vacation traveling tips you should consider and remember would be the need to present your baggage declaration form for inspection by Customs, unless you are traveling by ship. Items which you purchased while inside the country should have receipts inspected by a Customs inspector, or a local Friendship Store if you happen to buy an item in a city or town with no Customs Office.

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