How to Get an International Driving Permit

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If you plan on tooling around a foreign country in a rental car, chances are you might find yourself needing an International Drivers Permit. This is a special document that works in conjunction with your standard license to give you rights to operate a vehicle in a country other than America.

Before you take off for your destination country, it is a very good idea to make sure you know the requirements for driving. If you need a permit, you will want to get one in advance of your trip. Obtaining an international driving permit involves a multistep process. Fortunately, it is not very difficult to follow.

The steps you will need to follow to get a permit include:

Making sure your license does not need to be renewed - In order to obtain an International Drivers Permit, you will have to have a valid license in your home state. If your expiration date is approaching, go ahead and get your license renewed. If your license expires while you are abroad, your permit will no longer be valid.

Get passport photos - When you fill out the application for your permit, you will find it calls for two passport photos. To get these, just make an appointment with a local photography studio or check with stores that develop film. Some drugstores, for example, will take and develop passport photos on site.

Fill out the proper paperwork - The driving permit will call for an application process. You can obtain applications through the American Automobile Association or the American Automobile Touring Alliance. Both organizations offer permit applications online via their web sites. There is a fee attached to the permitting process, but this can change from time to time. To find out how much, just contact one of the two organizations directly.

Send in the application - Be sure to fill out and send in the application well in advance of your trip. Processing can take some time, so the earlier the better.

Once you have your permit in place, there is still more to consider before driving in a foreign country. To make sure you do not run into problems down the road, be sure to:

Check into insurance requirements - Depending on the country you intend to visit, you may be required to purchase additional automobile insurance. Find out before you go so you know what to expect and what to budget for.

Brush up on the rules of the road - Foreign countries can have very different laws for motorists. Be sure you understand the rules for where you are going. It is also a very good idea to study up on road signs and their meanings.

When your standard license is paired with an international drivers permit, you will find that the world can literally become your oyster. This combination gives you legal privileges to operate a vehicle in some 150 countries outside America. To truly enjoy the freedom this can provide, be sure to follow the local laws and study up on the rules before you go.

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Travel Photography Tips - 7 Tips for Taking Vacation Pictures

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Taking beautiful travel and vacation pictures is easy if you know some basic photo skills. In this article, you will learn 7 travel photography tips that will help you take some incredible travel pictures.

Add Drama to Your Pictures

You can add interest and visual appeal to your pictures by adding some drama to your pictures. If you want to add drama to your pictures one way is to show scale. One way to show scale in your pictures is by having a person stand next to something extra large (like the World's largest Redwood) so you can see the full impact of the size difference.

Get Rid of the Clutter

When you're seeing exciting new things, it's easy to ignore the background. But before you hit the shutter release button, look at what you're really photographing. Simply by changing positions slightly or changing your angle, you may be able to eliminate background clutter like billboards or power lines.

Take Pictures of the Locals

No matter where you are traveling in the world, learn how to say some basic things like "May I please take your picture?" in the local language. Offer to send those you photograph a copy so make sure to have a small notebook or pencil to jot down names, addresses or emails.

Unique and Candid Photos

Candid shots when traveling are the best, but occasional portraits of the family in front of spectacular views and famous landmarks are part of almost every vacation album. Don't forget to get in the vacation pictures too by using the self timer or remote shutter.

Always take pictures of things that interest you instead of taking pictures of things "you have to take" like those shown on postcards in the gift store. You can always pick up some postcards to add to your vacation souvenirs. Unusual subjects always make great travel photos so always keep an eye out for these unique photo opportunities.

Every Picture Tells a Story

You may also want to tell the story of your trip so make sure to take pictures from the moment you departed to the time you returned home. Include highlights like your campground neighbors,an unusual meal you had, activities, the look on a family member's face when he or she saw something for the first time. Once you get home and upload the photos, choose the best ones so you can create an album or put them in a collage frame on your wall.

Recruit Additional Picture Taking Help

If traveling with kids, hand each child a camera (disposables are great for the younger ones) and encourage them to take pictures for their own vacation album.

Then when you return home you can create a fun photo album to remember your vacation. While on your vacation, make sure to make notes so you can later add captions to your photos.

Camera Care and Maintenance

If you have any plans for being around water, make sure to bring a one time use or waterproof camera.Beware of salt water and sand as they can ruin your camera if you're not careful.

Not even the most experienced photographers keep every picture, so bring extra memory cards or bring a way to upload your photos regularly so you'll never run out of room while traveling. Always recharge or replace your batteries and memory card daily so you can be ready for whatever picture opportunity comes your way. By doing this, you'll be ready to go in the morning!

As you can see, taking good pictures on your vacation can be easy and fun. By the time you get home, you'll have lots of great pictures to share with your friends and family.


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I Love Touring Venice Italy - Castello District Hotels

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The Castello district is the largest of Venice's six districts, locally known as sestiere. It's in the east of Venice and, unlike some of the others, people actually live there. This is the least touristy part of Venice, which may be an attraction for many. The area includes many historic churches. For your convenience we have listed these hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified all website addresses making sure that they include English-language pages. The exception is clearly identified.

Santa Maria della Pieta is a casa per ferie (vacation house) rather than a hotel. It does occupy the upper floors of two palaces but don't come here expecting luxury. You will enjoy the rooftop terrace. Some of the rooms are devoted to families, if you reserve early enough you may get one with six beds. There are 15 rooms. The address is Calle della Pieta, Castello 3701. Their website is Italian language only but the translation provides the basics.

The Hotel Scandinavia, originally built around the year 1000, was once a luxurious Eighteenth Century residence. According to tradition this was where Desdemona met Othello, the "Moor of Venice." Be that as it may, the hotel is right near the Santa Maria Formosa church and a typical Venetian square of the same name. There are 33 rooms. The hotel address is Campo Santa. Maria Formosa, Castello 5240.

The Ca' Formenta was an unimpressive Fifteenth Century building completely restored into a hotel in 2003. There is a rooftop terrace. I'm told that the restaurants and coffee houses in the neighborhood are filled with Venetians rather than tourists. If you don't speak Italian bring your phrase book. The street Via Garibaldi, named after the Italian national, was laid over a stream. The hotel address is Via Garibaldi, Castello 1650.

The Hotel Londra Palace was originally built in the mid-Nineteenth Century. Among its famous guests was Tchaikovsky who in 1877 wrote the first three movements of his 4th Symphony in room 106. The hotel has a bar and an upscale restaurant. There are 36 rooms and 17 suites. The hotel address is Riva degli Schiavoni, Castello 4171.

The Metropole, like the Hotel Londra Palace, has a music connection. Antionio Vivaldi taught music there. Try to get a rooftop room, or at least stop by the rooftop terraces. The place is just packed with antiques and beautiful curios many of which can be viewed on their website. The hotel boasts a Michelin two-star restaurant. There are 67 rooms and a total of 22 suites. The hotel address is Riva degli Schiavoni, Castello 4149.

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian, French, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and spend time with his wife and family. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Among his many web sites he is particularly proud of his Italian travel site with a special focus on regional food and wine at http://www.travelitalytravel.com. Check out his global wine website at http://www.theworldwidewine.com with his weekly column reviewing $10 wines and his new sections writing about (theory) and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines, and now upscale wines.

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