Canada is one of our closest neighbors, but many do not know a whole lot about it. Alive with rich history and a dynamic cultural heritage, Canada is a great place to take your family and explore. Now, thanks to the United States passport card, taking a vacation to Canada has become more accessible and convenient.
The history of Canada starts with the arrival of the Paleo-Indians almost 27,000 years ago. Ever since then, Canada has become shaped and adapted by its native Aboriginal peoples, and that cultural influence is still felt today all over Canada. Traditional music, art, and Aboriginal languages are still seen and heard in even Canada’s most urban areas, showing their widespread impact and homage to their country’s first inhabitants. The Aborigines can be credited with the invention of the canoe, maple syrup, tobacco, lacrosse, and many other things that have become fully integrated into Canadian, as well as American, society.
Traveling to Canada is easy. You only need to hop in your car and drive, no plane ticket required. The passport card, a relatively new take on the original passport book, is making vacation accessible to even more people. At only $30, the passport card allows you and your family to take a trip for only a fraction of the cost of a passport book. The passport card is used for land and sea travel, opening up so many opportunities for families to get away for a little. Without having to empty your pockets, you and your family can take a vacation to Canada and see for yourself what makes it so great.
Canada is as wild as it is unique. Travel to Somerset Island in Nunavut and embark on an “Arctic Safari.” Pitch your heavy-duty tent and stay up with the sun until 2 am. See belugas and hear them sing or watch the seals play and sunbathe. Dig for prehistoric fossils and an aurora, one of nature’s most beautiful natural displays.
If you live for a good party, Montreal is the place for you. With delicious food served in trendy modern restaurants, you will be ready to live the nightlife on style. World famous bars, lounges, and clubs populate the streets of Montreal, and with no need for a car, you and your friends can live it up. Spend some time at the Cirque du Soleil and witness first hand the extensive cultural scene that makes Montreal famous.
Of course you can’t visit Canada without seeing Niagara Falls. A world famous landmark, Niagara Falls is something the whole family can do together. Take the Maid of the Mist and get super soaked under the falls, or take an exhilarating helicopter ride above the falls. However you experience it, Niagara Falls will make any excursion into Canada a very memorable experience.
Canada is the perfect place if you’re looking for a different setting without traveling too far. And with your U.S. passport card, getting there is even easier. There is no need to step foot on a plane. Canada has something for everyone, whether you prefer adventure over spa treatments or great food over great views. Either way, all you need is a sweater and your pasport, and Canada is yours for the discovering.
Filed under Travel by on Oct 8th, 2010. Comment. 
Anyone who travels abroad knows that passport book doesn’t last long because they get worn out before long and aren’t too handy to transport. Many frequent travelers prefer to use a passport card instead because it is more convenient to store and access when needed. A card is sturdier and convenient to carry around and access quickly when crossing borders.
The passport card was designed specifically for frequent border crossing into Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean. The card allows the holder to cross the borders multiple times without stamps or books that can become tattered over time and constant use. This is the perfect solution for business people who work across one of the borders and find themselves there 3 to 4 times a week.
A passport has a vicinity-read radio frequency ID chip embedded in it. This chip connects the cardholder with a computer database that contains their necessary travel information that would ordinarily be in a standard passbook. No personal cardholder information is contained on the chip, so the card is safe to use.
These travel cards are to be read close up by people who are trained to read these kinds of cards. This way, no one else can read the card besides the designated personnel at the border locations. The card is meant to be stored in a blocker sleeve when it’s not being used so it won’t be scanned by accident.
One of the most attractive aspects of the card is that it is more economical than a traditional passport. The standard passport book charge for an adult who is getting one for the first time is $100.00. An adult can get a card for more than half the price at $45.00 for the same 10-year life span the passbook lasts for.
Any current passport holder will be thrilled if they choose to switch over to the card rather than the book. The card for them is only a $20.00 fee and is applied for as a renewal rather than a brand new one. Between this and the elimination of ever needing extra pages for frequent travel should be among the deciding factors in choosing this method.
There is one “monkey wrench” to consider, however that could be the deciding factor when considering a passport book or card. International travelers are not allowed to use the card when they use the airlines as their mode of transportation. These types of trips will require using the standard passbook method to take along for border inspection and crossing overseas. People tend to cross borders more often than they use airplanes to for international travel, so a lot people prefer the card for crossing borders regularly.
While the passbook is still the popular choice around the world, the new passport card is the more convenient choice for traveling. A card does away with the inevitable deterioration of the book over time. It is also more accessible and convenient for quick use at the borders. Travelers can get a card on the Internet, through a local passport agency or other passport provider.
Filed under Travel by on Jun 4th, 2010. Comment.
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