Travel Tips

Round trip flight for me with wife sharing return flight only

10/28/2011 8:36:39 PM If you want to book this itinerary online, you will have to do exactly what you mention: book the roundtrip for yourself, and then separately book the one-way ticket for your wife. Make sure both itineraries are available, and then book one and then the other. Many airlines (such as Continental) now […]

Schengen visa refused from German embassy “intention to leave could not be ascertained”

Schengen visa refused from German embassy “intention to leave could not be ascertained”

4/5/2019 10:54:02 AM When the Schengen refusal reason is “Your intention to leave the territory of the member states before the expiry of the visa could not be ascertained“, it means your application failed to clear a risk assessment. The procedures for a risk assessment vary from country-to-country and are never publicly disclosed. Generally, however, […]

How to deal with a fear of driving?

6/26/2016 12:24:55 PM My problem was similar but different. I originally was an enthusiastic driver, but after a particularly frightening car accident resulting in serious injuries to my mother and myself, I became terrified of driving. I would try to drive and my mind would start imagining all the horrible types of accidents and deaths […]

How to prepare for a trip to the Half-Dome in Yosemite National Park?

10/28/2011 11:49:16 PM I have hiked to the top of Half Dome twice, once in September 1996, and in June 2009. I didn’t do any particular preparation either time; however, I was prepared for a long day hiking, and had reasonable fitness. If you’ve hiked in the Alps for 5 hours or more in one […]

How do I avoid conversation with strangers while traveling?

12/16/2015 5:00:04 PM I usually just reply to every conversational attempt with “Hello how are you yes yes fine thank you”, accompanied by a sincere but very sappy smile. This demonstrates that I do not speak English while giving no clue about what language I do speak. It also gives the strong impression that if […]

Bringing coins back home from abroad; Is that unethical to do?

4/24/2016 6:27:22 AM If you’re taking money from a country with deflation then you’re doing a microscopic piece of harm to the country by removing money from circulation. In a country with hyperinflation you’re doing them a very small favour. What's the law about body scanners in EU? Am I legally allowed to refuse? 4/23/2016 […]

Rent a car in Poland without a credit card

10/24/2011 10:15:08 AM Maybe a solution in between the usual and the unusual would be to use prepaid credit cards. On my last visit to the US (Florida), I saw them being sold in many stores. All major CC seems to offer them (VISA, MC, AMEX). Semantically they are Debit cards, but apparently everybody accepting […]

How can I travel via not-regularly-scheduled aircraft?

10/21/2011 10:08:08 PM For private charters, the industry term for what you are describing is “empty leg”. A quick internet search will bring up a number of sites that list empty legs. The NY Times had an article about this recently: http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/travel/fly-a-private-jet-at-public-prices.html Can you use a kindle as a boarding pass? Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

Recourse for bad/inaccurate information given on the Home Office help line

8/9/2017 8:48:28 PM Prior to 11 May 2015, the answer to this question was subject to opinion. But on that date the Upper Tribunal published a decision that nailed it down unambiguously. The decision has the full force of UK law behind it. Background Briefly, the case involved two brothers who used the UKVI helpline […]

What's the law about body scanners in EU? Am I legally allowed to refuse?

8/10/2017 7:33:11 PM The EU policy is crystal clear: passengers must be given the possibility of opting out from a security scanner. In this case the passenger shall be screened by an alternative screening method including at least a hand search; The UK government, as usual in its bizarre anti freedom ways, tried to resist […]

Can you use a kindle as a boarding pass?

10/21/2011 4:02:00 PM I think it depends on the airline you’re travelling with, and from what airport. Some airlines have launched mobile boarding passes (exact name may vary between airlines). With this, you’re able to call up your boarding pass on your phone, and the barcode on it can be scanned in at the various […]

Indian passport with two missing (ripped out) pages – should I get a new one to enter the US?

5/18/2015 10:32:46 AM In my opinion, when in doubt it’s always better to err on the safe side and get a new passport. Last thing you want to happen is to get bounced back at immigration checks due to a damaged passport. Quoting from my other answer on the topic: I checked the definitions of […]

Is it safe to travel to Dubai if you're an atheist?

12/30/2015 2:45:12 PM When I visited Dubai a couple years ago, they never asked about my religious views at all. It’s not on any form they give you, it’s not on my passport and travel documents, and they never verbally asked me. So getting through immigration won’t be a problem. Also, Dubai is filled with […]

Leaving airport international zone for a moment

10/20/2011 8:38:23 PM Schiphol even advertises with the opportunity. They offer a so called Floating Dutchman, also for transfer passengers. What are some unique opportunities and lodging in Siwa Oasis, Egypt? 10/20/2011 4:36:18 PM In some countries (though not in Europe), there is a tax (normally required to be paid in cash) on either entry […]

Where exactly is this building located in Cuba?

4/21/2015 6:46:51 PM That is the Teatro Fausto, on the corner of Prado and Colon, in Havana Cuba. The “ants” you see in the photo were an artist’s exhibit in 2012 for the Havana Biennial. They are no longer on the building. Travelling through the Schengen area with a Refugee Travel Document issued by the […]

What are some unique opportunities and lodging in Siwa Oasis, Egypt?

10/31/2011 10:01:26 AM While I haven’t been myself, I’ve done some research so figured I may as well share. For tours and excursions: The Siwa Guide – desert safaris, and they describe a sea of sand stretching as far as the eye can see. They have half day, full day and custom trips – which […]

Is there a specific reason for having a very short window for passengers to get to the boarding gate before closing it?

5/27/2019 4:01:11 PM I saw in a documentary that the reason is commercial. Many European airports want you to be on the center, near shopping area, so you can spend more. They get much money from passengers. In US airports are public, so they exploit less passengers. For such reason, they try to keep security […]

Travelling through the Schengen area with a Refugee Travel Document issued by the USA

12/7/2018 6:29:00 PM One more country to add to the list: Georgia. You get a 360 day stamp on arrival into your I-571 Travel Document. Where is this on highway 24/highway 12 in Utah? 10/26/2016 7:49:24 PM So far these are the countries that wont require I-571 holder to apply for visa: Germany(i confirmed) Belgium […]

Where is this on highway 24/highway 12 in Utah?

4/7/2015 1:33:28 PM OK, It’s called the Hite Crossing Bridge, and a Street View shot is available at this link that best matches the angle you have. It confused me for a bit as yours is using a long lens, but you can ‘walk’ down the hill and confirm it’s all the same rocks, and […]

Electronics in sealed box as carry-on luggage: issues at security?

2/6/2012 12:59:56 PM If they can scan it clearly, it should be OK. My experience in the US for the past 6 months is that I am not being asked to take an iPad out of a backpack or shoulder bag when I go through the checkpoint. If you just pass the box through by […]

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