The best travel snacks for avoiding an upset stomach

Each country possesses food and cuisines that are vastly different to our own in the United States, especially with the food regulations we have in place, the amount of processed foods we eat and so on and so forth. It’s easy to underestimate how the food will affect you, so it’s best to not start piling up your plate as soon as you land in the airport. Instead, take it slow and feast your eyes upon these handy dietary tips for your next vacation:

1. Bland food

Not exactly what you had in mind for your next trip to Morocco, is it? A bland diet is recommended for travelers with sensitive stomachs who may need to start slowly upon arrival. Examples of bland food include low-fat dairy products, cooked vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices, and refined grains (white bread, crackers and pasta). These foods are not weighed down with fat nor are they highly acidic. You should eat them besides one meal out on your vacation and build up to eating food that is more local. That’s what you came for, isn’t it?

2. Bars

Bars are great because they could even fit in the same purse as your passport! They don’t expire, endure cold and hot climates and they’re good for you! They are usually packed with vitamins, protein, and fiber, so they’re great if you’re planning on making a trek up around the city or up a mountain with a beautiful view. You can buy these at your destination or have them with you on the plane. They’re a great alternative to peanuts, aren’t they?

Don’t let what food poisoning or an upset stomach happen to you on the first day of that well-earned vacation you’ve been saving up for. Study up on the local cuisine, common problems for tourists, and come prepared with your own dry storage. Your stomach will thank you for it!

Whether you’re planning a culinary adventure abroad, or just a trip to get away from it all, we can sort out your passport photos for you. Get in touch today.

4 things to consider when renewing your passport

Ready to renew your passport? Check out our top four things to keep in mind that will help make the process easier.

Know the regulations

Most passports can be renewed by mail. All you have to do is fill out a form at the post office and attach a passport photo and your old passport. Some exceptions to this include if you haven’t renewed in longer than 15 years, if your current passport is damaged or if you were younger than 16 when your last passport was issued.

Don’t leave it too late to renew

Renewing your passport takes time – anywhere between 4 and 8 weeks. Also, consider that if you need to arrange an appointment it could take even longer. The Department of State recommends renewing your passport within nine months of its expiry date, too – so always keep this date in mind and even set a reminder in your phone or diary so that you don’t miss it.

If you desperately need a passport because of an emergency, it is possible to obtain an expedited passport which takes around 8 business days with the option for overnight delivery or a same-day passport. They’re costly but an option if you have unexpected travel plans.

Save those pages

If you travel a lot, you might find that travel and visa stamps take up a lot of room. All passports come with 52 pages and you used to be able to request more; however, that’s no longer possible. In order to use less space, consider sticking Post-It notes over blank pages or asking customs officials not to stamp on specific pages. That way you won’t run the risk of having one stamp on every page and having to renew again earlier than you’d like!

Get your passport photos approved online

As well as knowing the regulations for renewing your passport, you also need to know the regulations for your passport photo. There are strict requirements on how your photo should appear and failing to comply could see your passport renewal delayed. You can also use an online passport photo approval service like Paspic to have peace of mind that your passport will be accepted.

Photo: Passport by Tony Webster licensed under Creative commons 2

The 5 things you need to take good passport photos at home

It’s not difficult to take your own passport photos, but you do need a few key items to make it happen. These items will help you ensure a painless passport application process.

1) A good camera. The vast majority of camera phones aren’t going to be good enough for passport photos. A real digital camera, even a cheap one, should be – so long as you take the time to configure it properly. Do your homework on the specific requirements for passports from your home nation, and make sure the camera you have can manage.

2) Good lighting. Shadows or poor contrast can ruin your passport photos as easily as anything else, so make sure you have decent lighting where you’re taking pictures. A good camera can make up for a lot of the problem, but there are limitations.

3) An outfit that doesn’t break the rules. Anything that obscures your face or head is against the rules, barring a few exceptions for religious or medical needs. Most uniforms also violate the rules for passports–so do your homework and make sure you’re set.

4) A neutral expression. Easy enough if you’re taking your own photos, not too bad for older children, but potentially a major headache for young children or baby passport photos. Figure out a good way to get a neutral expression – or watch carefully for one and seize the moment before it passes.

5) An online passport photo service. While there are other ways you can use your own photos to put together a passport application, you’ll find it easiest to use a passport service online. With the help of such a service you can push your odds of being accepted on the first try to their maximum. Issues of size, quality, etc. will be addressed before your photos move on to the final application process. It makes things a lot easier.

Get these five items together, and your photos should pass through the applications process without a hitch. When you pay attention to the details, there’s not much risk of rejection – especially with an online passport service on your side.

Passport safety tips when traveling

Most people only remember to check their passport when they have an upcoming trip. If it is close to the expiry date, you ought to take current passport pictures and make an application for renewal. While your passport is safe at home, what steps should you take to secure your passport when traveling?

Passport safety tips when traveling

Make some copies

Although you will use the original passport, there is no harm in making copies and carrying one or two with you. In the unfortunate event that you lose your passport in transit, you can use the copy to prove that you have a valid passport. The copy may not have an original passport photo, but it is enough to provide identification before you can consult the nearest US embassy.

Keep it with you or locked up

Many travelers assume that, since they are staying in an expensive hotel, there are minimal chances of losing their valuables. You should not make such an assumption. It is better to have the passport on you or securely locked when you have to leave your hotel room.

Protect it

Taking good care of your passport does not just entail keeping it safe. You ought to take great care to ensure that you protect it from the elements. The best way of protecting your passport is by keeping it in a weather-proof pocket to prevent water damage. Moisture is likely to destroy your passport photo, making it harder to identify you.

Learn about your rights

While visiting a foreign country, you need to know where you are required to provide your passport and where you do not have to present it. If you know your rights, you will avoid falling for the tricks of scammers that want your details to rob you. Apart from the airport and when booking into the hotel, few other places will insist on the production of your passport.

If you are unfortunate enough to lose your passport in a foreign country, the first step is to report the loss at the local police station. You should then ask for directions to the nearest embassy or consulate to seek further assistance.

Photo: My Passport by bryansblog licensed under Creative commons 2